Course descriptions for Cinematic Arts Technology

Studies a particular topic in Cinematic Arts & Technology. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. (Letter Grade Available)

Ottermedia: Students create and host web and cable-casted programs meant to enrich the CSUMB community and the world.

Seminar class addresses creative concept development and feasibility assessment of ideas. (Offered fall semester.)

Seminar class outlines planning process, roles, tasks, timelines, budgets, and deliverables. (Offered fall semester.)

Seminar class outlines production management role, responsibilities, and tasks. (Offered fall semester.)

Seminar class provides overview of marketing, promotions, and press planning and execution. (Offered fall semester.)

Seminar class examines distribution research resources and opportunities for local and global reach with a focus on an entrepreneurial approach. (Offered spring semester.)

Seminar class provides overview of general business skills for creative production, such as not-for-profit and contractor status, contracts, etc. (Offered spring semester.)

This course offers an introduction to the techniques, history and cultural significance of animation. Students will explore, demonstrate and apply basic skills in traditional (cell/stop motion) and digital animation techniques. The course also covers basic pre-production, production and distribution skills collaborative projects. Incoming students are expected to be comfortable with drawing, group work and have familiarity with basic digital media tools.

Introduces the theoretical and practical fundamentals of audio production, technology, and terminology. The may include exercises using available equipment, an introduction to the lexicon of audio production, and an understanding of the selection and use of audio tools that support radio, television, video, film and multimedia production. Students will have practice in the field and studio for broad/podcast and screen.

An exciting, multidisciplinary historical survey examining the depiction of the environment across the arts. Students will track artistsÀ adventures and how they shaped the way we understand our ecology and environment, communities and ourselves. (Credit/ No Credit Available)

The course examines representations of armed conflict in cinema across different cultures. Fictionalized accounts of war, documentaries and satires are viewed and analyzed, examining social and psychological effects of armed conflict, attitudes toward nationalism and heroism, power structures, the morality of violence, and the ethical responsibilities of the individual. (Credit/No Credit Available)

Survey course examines the impact of digital and networked technology on cinematic narrative. (Offered fall semester.)

Survey course examining contemporary formats in popular TV, such as the reality TV genre, innovative production techniques, and programming formats. (Offered fall semester.)

Survey course examines current topics in radio production existing outside a corporate scope, such as pirate radio for political rights, or independent production online. (Offered fall semester.)

Students examine the relationship of viewers and users to electronic media and contemporary social and cultural development.

Horror films are mirrors of social anxieties, playing an influential but disreputable role in contemporary culture. The course analyzes cinematic techniques used to induce responses of fear in an audience and examines the themes of international horror cinema. Students analyze how horror films represent identity, ideology, gender, sexuality, and violence. The course explores the audienceÀs fascination with fear, the evolution of horror and its role in creating contemporary mythologies. (Credit/ No Credit Available)

Intensive workshop course provides basic production skills in DVD distribution. Students learn to output existing content on DVD for simple playback.

Intensive workshop course provides basic production skills in Web distribution. Students learn to prepare and deliver video for broadband distribution.

Survey of film history from early cinema to 1960. Watch and understand film from the first flickering of projection through the golden age of Hollywood. (Credit/ No Credit Available)

Introduces students to the fundamentals of the art of storytelling. The course examines diverse narrative forms to explore the elements of story structure and the role of the narrative arts in the life of the individual and the culture.

Explores film genres by theme that may change each semester, e.g. rock 'n roll cinema, film noir, gangster movies, spaghetti westerns. Course outcomes foster independent, critical perspectives on the films viewed and help students develop a deepened understanding and appreciation of the art and craft of film making.

Powerful films have changed culture, impacted the Celluloid medium and can change viewers! This course introduces the practice of narrative film analysis and appreciation through a unique combination of screenings, creative projects, writing assignments, readings and close case studies of film sequences. During the course of this class, students will engage in series of creative, reflective and analytical exercises, gaining deeper understanding for the way moving images exercise social and emotional power.

Introduces concepts and practice of video and media production, both in the studio and in the field. Students learn skills in camera operation, lighting, audio, and editing, produce various video productions. In this class, students will learn the fundamentals of digital video based media production by creating meaningful, innovative and contemporary projects. While reading and discussing theory and analysis of contemporary media practice, students will be introduced to the technology of video production and non-linear editing. Students will develop methods of research, planning and pre-production. New Media integration into the video process will be incorporated into discussions of video production.

Required lab course for CART 237.

Students develop techniques for the expressive use of the voice in performance. Emphasizes the development of vocal range, the enhancement of vocal power, breath control, resonance, and articulation of language to convey emotion and meaning.

Introduction to the creative process of the actor, and the elements of dramatic expression which develop a role for performance on film.

Studies a particular topic in Cinematic Arts and Technology. (Credit/ No Credit Available)

Foundation course for Cinematic Arts majors. Addresses ethical issues in media, including the role of intellectual property rights, morality/censorship, privacy, free expression, and the power of images. Emphasizes writing, reading, and critical thinking.

Practical Application: Students develop collaborative production skills while working on interdisciplinary projects, including senior projects, campus-wide productions and community-based projects.

Students learn basics of production lighting design. Basic principles of light. Includes script analysis, basic 3 point lighting, fill, key, differences between perceived (live, stage) light, and recorded light (video, film). Addresses various formats including lighting production for video and film. (Offered spring semester.)

Sound Design: Students learn basics of production sound design. Includes script analysis, recording of original sound, and acquisition of existing audio; introduces foley production. Addresses various formats including sound postproduction for video, film, and new media. (Offered fall semester.)

Introduction to spatial and temporal visual design. Includes fundamentals of graphic design and aesthetic principles. Outlines basic visualization techniques, and design communication for moving-image media. Introduces art and creative direction, and set and production design. (Offered fall semester.)

Students learn the motion graphics design and production process, including principles of spatial and temporal graphic design for animation, film titles, TV graphics, and broadband content. Introduces compositing and special effects techniques. (Offered fall semester.)

Students gain fluency in the fundamental concepts and skills of hypertext narrative, web video, and animation for creation and distribution of new media narratives.

Students focus on video art, web video, animation, and experimental narrative. Students develop aesthetics and techniques for conceiving, producing, and distributing experimental works. May address audio/video, still image and handheld devices. Explores emergent forms of media.

Study of select history, theory, and practice of live performance integrating technology. Explores production techniques for incorporating prerecorded and live-feed video in live performance. Explores applications such as real-time video manipulation.

Students create special effects for film and video by combining images from different sources such as live-action digital video, digitized film, computer generated 3-D, 2-D animations, painted backdrops, digital still photographs, and text. Topics include color keying, rotoscoping, matte painting, motion tracking, and lighting. (Credit/ No Credit Available)

Survey of the history, aesthetics, production technologies and cultural impact of media arts from 1960 to present. Throughout this course students will watch, analyze and contextualize works from the some of the most exciting periods in Media History.

Students are introduced to the principles of narrative theory as well as the expressive tools of cinema. Students analyze media to understand how framing, camera movement, mise en scene lighting and sound are used to express character and tell stories, applying this understanding during short exercises. Students build a repertoire of cinematic tools and techniques.

Introduces media principles and tools to help make learning more creative, alive, interactive, and fun. Using theatre games, improvisations, story dramatizations, and creative dramatics, student collaborative groups learn the process for producing plays that stretch their imaginations and their problem-solving skills. (Offered fall semester.)

Introduces the basic theory, concepts, and practice of video and television production, both in the studio and in the field. Students learn skills in camera operation, lighting, audio, and editing, to produce various video/TV productions.

Introduces the history, theory, and practice of both broadcast and Internet radio in today's global society. Includes the study of the history, uses, and current status of radio and Internet audio throughout the world. Students learn the basics of audio production, including field and studio production, internet streaming, nonlinear editing, research, and interviewing skills. (Offered fall semester.)

A production course in which students make industry-standard music videos, while exploring this mode of production's history in Avant-Garde Narrative and Documentary practice. Focusing on early and contemporary works avant-garde cinema, music video, and experimental documentary. (Offered spring semester.)

An overview of the script writing process focusing on the basics of dramatic writing across cinematic disciplines. Provides preparation for narrative and short-format screenwriting. Requires extensive reading and creative writing.

Teaches the tools of the narrative film/video director's art. Working in small production groups, students learn to break down scripted material in order to prepare to shoot dramatic scenes and sequences on camera. Students learn techniques for working with actors on camera. Applies production planning and management skills. (Offered spring semester.)

An intensive workshop course that develops skills and techniques for directing actors. Through participation in the acting process and directing exercises, students will learn how to establish collaborative relationships with actors and how to give effective direction.

Training in the principles of effective vocal production and articulation for performing actors on stage, in broadcasting, and before the camera. Involves exercises designed to free the natural voice: removing tension, increasing resonance, facilitating breathing response, and maximizing effectiveness of speech. (Offered spring semester.)

Students learn digital nonlinear editing and the concepts of digitizing, editing, and outputting content using industry-standard software packages. Includes script analysis and working with directors. Applies techniques and principles for editing various types of projects including music video, documentary, and narrative.

Students learn how to work with 16mm motion picture film, including how to operate professional synch and non-synch 16 cameras, film lighting, and film equipment. Students write and shoot several exercises and short films during the semester. (Offered fall semester.)

Students will explore the expressive possibilities of moving pictures, through aesthetic and formal investigations of lenses, shot duration, screen direction, camera movement and lighting. Students develop the skills required of a professional camera and lighting crew, with particular attention to the role of director of photography. Students will shoot on both celluloid film and HD video.(Offered spring semester.)

Combines study of documentary history, theory, and practice. Students learn how to plan, organize, and produce documentaries. Students produce a short documentary on video. (Offered fall semester.)

Select project is researched, developed, produced, and distributed through one or two semesters of this repeatable course. Integrates cinematic concepts of convergence, integration, and digital distribution. Investigates cross-disciplinary media production. (Offered spring semester.)

Produces content for broadcast on KAZU public radio and OtterStream. Includes live studio talk shows, live music programs, radio theatre, and weekly internet DJ programming. Students learn field and studio production, nonlinear editing, on-air vocal techniques, and radio administration. (Offered spring semester.)

Focuses on the production and broadcast of various types of studio TV programming such as talk show, drama, and situation comedy. Students collaborate with other courses to develop content, then produce, crew, edit, and broadcast programming on the TAT channel. (Offered fall semester.)

Project based course developing and producing content in collaboration with other courses, the community, university, or others. (Credit/ No Credit Available)

Student proposed Internship as part of an approved Individualized Learning Plan.

Student proposed course of study on select topic in Cinematic Arts and Technology as part of an approved Individualized Learning Plan.

Students receive experience in the basics of presenting, promoting, and distributing cinematic events (film festivals, Internet streaming of TV, radio, and theatre productions). Students are required to select, coordinate, supervise, and facilitate all aspects of cinematic presentation, including leading a lecture and discussion.

Working with community-based organizations, students will participate in service activities or projects with external communities and integrate the service experience with specific outcomes, written reflections, discussion, and evaluation.

Short format, animated production. Course developing aesthetic and technical skills to manipulate live-action video and produce 2D animation. Includes delivery to Internet, film/video, and broadcast. (Offered spring semester.)

Through a series of explorations and adventures, students in the arts and sciences create media arts projects with environmental themes or topics, while working across disciplines. (Credit/ No Credit Available)

Focuses on media support of digital studio productions, broadcasts, and live performances. Students learn advanced techniques such as live compositing, live fiber transmission and switching, computer projection, site-specific support, etc. Configures multimedia playback systems. Operates and maintains TAT networked lab.

Focuses on the programming and distribution (broadcast, streaming) of digital studio productions. Students are assigned to review, select, and prepare programming; develop programming schedule; and operate and maintain TAT communications (cable channel, Internet stream).

A workshop-format class which guides students through the process of outlining and writing a feature length screenplay or television pilot. Extensive writing required.

Students learn form, style, pacing, and advanced techniques in editing including titles and effects work, and output in various formats. (Offered spring semester.)

Research and Development: Students practice research skills, engage in creative writing, and develop marketing and pitching proposals. The major outcome is a preproduction portfolio.

Students complete the Capstone project as conceived and planned in CART 490. Students complete the Cinematic Arts and Technology MLO processes of production, postproduction, and distribution. Completed projects are presented to the public at the Cinematic Arts and Technology Capstone Festival.