Course Description

The first of two MCA introductory courses. This survey course aims to acquaint students with the various mass media and support industries. In the first half of the semester, students look at newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, film, advertising, and public relations from an historic, technological, economic, and social perspective. In the second half of the semester, they focus on more general issues, such as who owns the media, the media's effect on audience, and laws governing the media. Required of all MCA majors; open to other students as an elective.
*This course info not from Bulletin

This course introduces the fundamental elements of video production and is the "gateway" into the B.F.A. program. Projects produced in this course are used to evaluate a student’s candidacy into the program. Using digital video cameras, students learn basic organizational, writing, camera, and editing skills through short group and individual exercises and projects. Visual storytelling and narrative structure in fiction and non-fiction are emphasized.
Prereq.: ENGL 11000 or FIQWS. 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.

This course examines the artistic and social power of film medium. The course emphasizes the analysis of narrative feature films, but also examines non-fiction and experimental forms. The course offers a systematic view of how cinema tells stories, organizes information, patterns, light and sound, and creates unique aesthetic and social experiences. Aspects treated by the course include sound, editing, cinematography, film style, narrative and non-narrative forms, the organization of film production, and the relations of film to broader artistic, social, and historical contexts. Attention is given to the ways film is now related to television, video, and new computer technologies.
Prereq.: ENGL 11000 or FIQWS. 4 hr./wk.; 3 cr.

This course deepens students understanding of cinematography and film production, building on previously learned production skills in MCA 10500. Students learn the technical skills for shooting, lighting, framing and camera movement.  The goal is not just technical expertise but a firm understanding of the power of visuals to tell story.
Coreq.: MCA 20500. 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.

This course examines the theoretical aspects and the practical techniques of editing picture and sound. Narrative structure, storytelling strategies, and problem solving are explored. Using "Adobe Premier" software, students learn basic computer editing, media management, and organizational skills needed in post-production.
Coreq.: MCA 20000. 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.

This course introduces the technology, equipment and skills necessary for the acquisition of sound in video productions. In addition, the course will explore the theory and role of sound design in both fiction and non-fiction productions. Particular attention will be given to sound production and design as it relates to the films and videos that the student will make in the program.
Prereq.: MCA 20000, MCA 205000; coreq.: MCA 23200. 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.

A chronological survey of the history and theory of cinema from its origins to World War II. Topics include the work of major directors, aesthetic theories, movements, technical innovations, methods of production and distribution, the influences on cinema from the other arts and contemporary ideologies.
Prereq.: MCA 12100, ENGL 21000 or MCA 20200. 4 hr./wk.; 3 cr.

A chronological survey of the history and theory of cinema from World War II to present. Topics include the work of major directors, aesthetic theories, movements, technical innovations, methods of production and distribution, the influences on cinema from the other arts and contemporary ideologies.
Prereq.: MCA 12100, MCA 22100. 4 hr./wk.; 3 cr.

This course is an introduction to documentary filmmaking and covers the various stages of non-fiction storytelling including research, script development/treatment, pre-production planning, production and post-production editing. The course will also examine work that falls outside of the traditional documentary form, including work that incorporates significant non-fictional components. Students develop, shoot and edit short documentary exercises and learn interview techniques, lighting, and sound recording techniques for documentary production.
Prereq.: MCA 10500, MCA 12100, 20000, MCA 20500; coreq.: MCA 21500. 4 hr./wk.; 4 cr.

This course covers the history theory and practice of the independent documentary, as it has evolved since the advent of film itself. The course looks at both form and content, the way that technology affects what’s possible artistically and the ethical issues that arise when filmmakers work with social actors. The course investigates how the work of diverse group of documentary media makers is expanding the form and our knowledge of life itself.
Prereq.: MCA 22200, MCA 23200, MCA 32300, MCA 32100. Coreq.: MCA 32500, MCA 42400, MCA 43200. 4 hr./wk.; 3 cr.

Building on the student’s basic knowledge of film, exposure, cameras, and cinematic language, this production course emphasizes visual storytelling and control of the motion picture frame. Visual strategies, technical, and aesthetic application of lighting in support of the narrative are emphasized. In addition, basic organizational elements needed in pre-production for students to produce, direct, and shoot their films are developed.
Prereq.: MCA 20000, MCA 20500, MCA 21500; Coreq.: MCA 23200, MCA 32300. 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.

This course examines the fundamental principles and forms of narrative storytelling and their expression through the screenplay format. Emphasis is placed on the elements that create drama and conflict, and particular attention will be given to visual storytelling. The course will also examine the similarities and differences between the short and long narrative forms and compare various storytelling models and strategies. Extensive outside writing assignments and rewrites are required for this course.
Prereq.: MCA 23200, MCA 32100 and MCA 32300; Coreq.: MCA 32500., MCA 43200. 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.

This course explores the aesthetics, basic principles and skills needed to direct video productions. For the fiction track, students do exercises to learn how to work with actors and the use of different techniques and strategies to elicit performances. Pre-production responsibilities, scene analysis, blocking, and shot breakdowns are also covered. 

For the documentary track, students expand their verité and editing skills, look at story structure, pre-production and begin shooting their thesis film by November with a sample and final shooting schedule due by the end of the semester. 
Prereq.: MCA 20000, MCA 20500, MCA 21500, MCA 23200; coreq.: MCA 32100, MCA 42400. 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.

Studies of major filmmakers from American & world cinema such as Griffith, Eisenstein, Ford, Kurosawa, Buñuel, Fellini, Altman, Sembene, and Varda. Emphasis is given to detailed analysis of films within their cultural, historical, and industrial contexts.
Prereq.: MCA 22100, MCA 22200, MCA 30100 or permission of instructor. 4 hr./wk.; 3 cr.

An investigation of the theory and practice of documentary in its diverse forms as film, television, video, and digital media. Screenings of historically important works are analyzed in light of different theories about documentary practice.
Prereq.: MCA 22100, MCA 22200, MCA 30100 or permission of instructor. 4 hr./wk.; 3 cr.

Studies of specialized topics in film history and aesthetics. Topics change from year to year. Previous topics have included Film Noir, Women & Film, New Asian Cinemas, and Cinemas of the African Diaspora.
Prereq.: MCA 22100, MCA 22000, MCA 30100 or permission of instructor. 4 hr./wk.; 3 cr.

This is the course where those on the documentary track continue to produce and edit their documentary thesis films and where where students on the fiction track do the final pre-production and shoot and edit their fiction film thesis projects. Building on all previous production courses in the program, students refine and apply their knowledge of visual storytelling, pre-production, lighting, and sync-sound production the production of a thesis film. Projects produced in this course are edited in MCA 32600.
Prereq.: MCA 30100 MCA 32500, MCA 42400, MCA 43200; coreq.: MCA 29900, MCA 39900, MCA 40300, MCA 40400, MCA 42600. 4 hr./wk.; 4 cr.

Building on the knowledge and skills learned in Screenwriting I, students refine their writing skills in fiction and documentary. Students on the fiction track write a screenplay for their thesis film.  Students on the documentary track learn multiple aspects of writing for docs including narration, info cards, subtitles, log lines and proposals. Extensive outside writing assignments and rewrites are required for this course.
Prereq.: MCA 23200 and MCA 32300; coreq.: MCA 32100. 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.

This course covers advanced topics in digital editing, motion graphics, filters and sound design using Adobe premiere editing software. In addition to class exercises, students edit their thesis films.
Prereq.: MCA 32100, MCA 32500 MCA 43200; pre or coreq.: MCA 42200 or MCA 42200 or MCA 40200 MCA 40400, or MCA 29900 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.

This course is one of the two production courses that students may choose to shoot their thesis project in. Building on all previous production courses in the program, it is a course for students who wish to further their mastery of documentary filmmaking and the non-fiction form.
Prereq.:MCA 22200, MCA 23200, MCA 32100, MCA 32300, MCA 42600 ; coreq.:MCA 30100, MCA 32500, MCA 42400 3hr./wk.; 3cr.