Course Descriptions | Basic Curriculum | Second Majors | Internships
Most courses with the CINE designation are offered only to declared Film BA* majors. Expanded descriptions are provided below for many of the courses.
REQUIRED COURSES
Workshop: Cinema Scene Study Part One and Part Two
Arts 001 (0 credit– Fall & Spring Semesters)
The relationship of performer and narrative to the cinematic frame and mise en scene. Scenes selected from classic cinema will be screened to illustrate the "mise en scene" principal of working with actors in depth in a scene. Students will write a new script for each classic scene and working with performers, block and shoot it without editing.
In the Spring Semester editing will be discussed and applied to mise en scene.
Each classic mise en scene example will be accompanied by an assigned reading from a major film critic or theorist, for example Bazin, Deleuze, and Eisenstein, on that application.
Production in this course is undertaken to assist the screenwriter to become more cinematic and visual in their storytelling and to apply concepts of mise en scene to their writing and directing skills.
Course Objectives
Students will develop 1) an understanding of the use of space for narrative purposes within the cinema (camera) frame, 2) a basic knowledge of screenplay form and screenplay software, 3) concepts of camera movement and its impact as a story-telling device separate from editing, 3) an introductory knowledge of working with performers, script,editing and camera, 4) teamwork and professional on set behavior.
History of the Motion Picture
ARTH [Art History] 270 & 271 (3 credits – Fall & Spring Semesters)
The history of development of the motion picture from its early beginnings to the present, with both technical and aesthetic consideration. Students engage in analysis and discussion after viewing selected films.
Cinema Form and Concept I
CINE 200 (2 credits – Fall Semester)
Concepts, issues, and processes involved in feature and short-form narrative filmmaking. This course explores concepts and issues in filmmaking through the viewing of selected feature films and shorts, readings, class discussion, and presentations by visiting professionals. Students will develop many ideas for films including writing from life experiences, adapting existing works of fiction, observations of human behavior, and responding to visual art and music.
In CINE 200 the Cinema student will also develop and write a first draft script for CINE 390.
Course Objectives
Students will develop 1) an understanding of basic creative processes as they relate to the art of film, 2) the ability to recognize situations, characters, and story concepts that could become the basis for a narrative film, 3) a realization of the connections between cinematic creativity and liberal arts education, 4) the ability to write and speak critically about feature and short films in terms of story content, cultural context, structure, and creative accomplishment, 5) to operate in a safe and professional manner motion picture cameras, sound recorders, lighting and grip
equipment within a team structure.
Major Topics
Cinema as an art form.
Components of film production: writer, director, cinematographer, editor, art director, sound designer, and performer.
Communication techniques of the cinema: time, image, frame, light, color, camera movement, montage, editing.
Cinema Technologies: camera, sound, lighting, editing, production management and design.
Sources of stories for narrative feature and short films.
Team work and professional on set behavior.
Cinema Form and Concept II
CINE 201 (2 credits – Spring Semester)
Concepts, issues, and processes involved in feature and short-form narrative screenwriting and filmmaking.
This course explores concepts and issues in contemporary screenwriting and filmmaking through the viewing of selected feature films and shorts including those screened at the annual VCU French Film Festival, readings, class discussion, presentations by visiting professionals and analysis of screenplay format and structure.
After scripts have been selected and approved by the faculty for Summer production, all pre-production: casting, costume, makeup, story boards, locations, crew selection, and schedules will be completed.
Course Objectives
Students will develop 1) an understanding of film as an art form and a business, 2) an expanded ability to recognize situations, characters, and story concepts that could become the basis for a narrative film, 3) familiarity of the basic techniques of the screenwriter and director, 4) and an understanding of the central role of collaboration in filmmaking, 5) the ability to write and speak critically about feature and short films in terms of story content, cultural context, structure, and creative accomplishment, 6) All preproduction for CINE 390 will be completed.
Major Topics
Cinema as an industry: independent and studio films.
Screenwriting and its relation to film production.
Visual vs. verbal storytelling.
Screenplay analysis: structure and content.
Communication techniques of the cinema: time, image, frame, light, color, camera movement, montage, and editing.
Collaboration between screenwriter and director in filmmaking.
Analysis of feature and short films screened at the VCU French Film Festival.
Sources of stories for narrative feature and short films.
Ideation for film concepts.
Production schedule and budget issues explored
Team work and professional attitudes
Cinema Form and Concept III
CINE 300 (2 credits – Fall Semester)
Concepts, issues, and processes involved in feature and short-form narrative filmmaking including screenplay treatments and storyboards.
This course explores concepts and issues in contemporary filmmaking through the viewing of selected feature films and shorts, readings, class discussion, and presentations by visiting professionals. Students will develop ideas and scripts for short films for CINE 490.
Course Objectives
Students will develop 1) an understanding of film as an art form and a business, 2) an expanded ability to recognize situations, characters, and story concepts that could become the basis for a narrative film, 3) the skills of screenplay analysis, 4) a knowledge of sound (other than dialogue) as a communication device in film, 5) the ability to write and speak critically about feature and short films in terms of story content, cultural context, structure, and creative accomplishment.
Major Topics
Cinema as an industry: producers, agents, trade publications, and film marketing, and audiences.
Advanced Production techniques: camera, lighting, sound and camera movement
Screenplay story structure past and present.
Comedies, dramas, and hybrid forms of screenplays.
Role and techniques of the screenplay treatment.
Communication techniques of the cinema: sound design, music and sound effects.
The writer-director and director-editor in independent film.
Sources of stories for narrative feature and short films.
Team work and professional attitudes
Cinema Form and Concept IV
CINE 301 (2 credits – Spring Semester)
Concepts, issues, and processes involved in feature and short-form narrative filmmaking including the roles of dialogue and light.
This course explores concepts and issues in contemporary filmmaking through the viewing of selected feature films and shorts including those screened at the annual VCU French Film Festival, readings, class discussion, and presentations by visiting professionals. Students will develop ideas for films and create short exercises using digital film processes. Key storytelling components are emphasized including concept, character arc, act structure, and the use of symbol, metaphor and allegory.
The scripts for the final CINE 490 will be selected and all pre-production: casting, costume, makeup, story boards, locations, crew selection, and schedules will be completed.
Course Objectives
Students will develop 1) an understanding of character-centered films and their place in the film industry, 2) an expanded ability to recognize situations, characters, and story concepts that could become the basis for a narrative film, 3) the skills of screenplay analysis, 4) a knowledge of character dialogue and its relation to visual image in communicating a cinematic story, 5) the ability to write and speak critically about feature and short films in terms of story content, cultural context, structure, and creative accomplishment.
Major Topics
Weeks 1-5: Production of student-conceived film projects with an emphasis on dramatic performance, advanced production skills, post-production sound design, by the teams.
Weeks 6-8: Post production of up to four films with a running time of 5- to 10-minutes
Cinema as an industry: film festivals, competitions, and distributors.
Screenplay story structure and analysis in character-centered films.
Communication techniques of the cinema: character dialogue.
The writer-director and director-editor in independent film.
Analysis of feature and short films screened at the VCU French Film Festival.
Conceiving a low-budget short film: the interplay of story, characters, setting, and locations.
Sources of stories for narrative feature and short films.
Team work and professional attitudes
Digital Cinema Production Intensive I
CINE 390 (15 credits – Summer Semester)
Production and post-production of narrative short films using digital and motion picture technology for camera, lighting, editing and sound, with an emphasis on team relationships among production crew roles and all production departments.
A lecture and workshop course in which students produce short digital films based on their own concepts. Lighting and sound design, continuity of action, consistency of emotion, pacing, and clarity of theme are emphasized. Students will work in partnerships and small crews emphasizing necessary collaborations between the roles of producer and director, director and cinematographer (director of photography), and picture and sound editors. Student will work on a series of film projects in varying production roles and will learn the techniques of pitching story and film concepts for production consideration.
Course Objectives
Students will develop 1) an understanding of the artistic and technical demands of digital film pre-production, production and post-production, 2) the ability to realize dramatic situations, characters, and story concepts on film, 3) the ability to adapt the intentions of screenplays to the requirements of filming, 4) a knowledge of techniques of studio and location filming, 5) the ability to write and speak critically about feature and short films in terms of story content, cultural context, structure, and creative accomplishment.
Major Topics
Weeks 1-5: Production of student-conceived film projects with an emphasis on dramatic performance, advanced production skills, post-production sound design, by the partnerships
Weeks 6-8: Post production of up to four films with a running time of 5- to 10-minutes
The films chosen by the faculty are produced by self-selected small production crews of 5 to 7 participants each with students whose films have been selected by their peers given first right of refusal for key production roles. Post-production editing is accomplished using the students’ computers and software and in supervised editing labs.
On-going critiques orally and in writing continue throughout the production process beginning with the student-written screenplays and pitches of their film concepts and culminating in a public screening and final critiques of completed films.
Ideation exercises continue for the development of stories for narrative feature and short films.
Digital Cinema Production Intensive II
CINE 490 (15 credits – Summer Semester)
Advanced production and post-production of narrative short films using digital and motion picture technology for camera, editing and sound.
An advanced lecture and workshop course in which students produce short digital films based on their own concepts. Projects may utilize voice-over, music, multi-track sound design, and the casting of performers, with production (location) sound and dialogue. Working with performers is emphasized. Students work in multiple roles on small crews in the production of three or four 5- to 10-minute films. Student will work in varying roles on the different film projects. Pre-professional workshops on current professional production equipment complete the course.
Course Objectives
Students will develop 1) a complex understanding of the artistic and technical demands of digital and film pre-production, production and post-production, 2) the ability to realize dramatic situations, characters, and story concepts on film, 3) the ability to adapt the intentions of screenplays to the requirements of filming, 4) an expanded knowledge of techniques of studio and location filming, 5) An understanding of factors in developing production budgets and schedules, 6) the ability to write and speak critically about feature and short films in terms of story content, cultural context, structure, and creative accomplishment and 7) and an introductory understanding of the operation and artistic utilization of high-end professional film production equipment.
Major Topics
Weeks 1-6: Production of up to four films with a running time of 5- to 10-minutes each with production dialogue are selected on the basis of student pitches of story concepts and styles. The films chosen are produced by self-selected small production crews of 5 to 7 participants each with students whose films have been selected by their peers given first right of refusal for key production roles. Post-production editing is accomplished using the students’ computers and software and in supervised editing labs.
On-going critiques orally and in writing continue throughout the production process beginning with the student-written screenplays and pitches of their film concepts and culminating in a public screening and final critiques of completed films.
Weeks 7-8: Students select from a menu of pre-professional workshops including Avid editing tutorials, digital special effects, production design, camera assistants, editorial assistants, high-definition capture, DVD authoring, 35mm motion picture cameras, and Pro-Tools sound editing and mixing with an emphasis on cutting edge technology.
One of these projects may be originated in 35mm film.
OPTIONAL COURSES
Film Internship
CINE 493 (3 credits; may be repeated once. Fall/Spring/Summer Semesters)
Internships are available on a competitive basis at selected film festivals and industry organizations. Internships are subject to availability and must be approved prior to registration by the instructor and the School of the Arts.
As a result of completing the course students will develop 1) an understanding of basic creative processes and industry procedures as they relate to the art of film, 2) the ability to work with industry professionals and associated organizations in a real-word situation, 3) an appreciation for the interaction between business and management procedures and the creative process, 4) skills that transfer to employment upon graduation.
CINEMA STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM
Program temporarily suspended due to policy changes made by the Festival. [Cannes Film Festival (Cannes, France – Summer Semester 6 credits)
A recommended 15-day study abroad option offered annually in mid-May at the leading international festival of new narrative feature films and documentaries. Participants attend competition screenings, critique sessions, on-location filming with a notable French director, the Institut Lumière Museum in Lyon [the Lumière brothers invented the cinematic art form], and the Cannes Short Film Corner. Majors may have their short films juried into Short Film Corner screenings for distributors, producers, and festival programmers. French language competency is not required.]
La FEMIS Film Production Program
La FEMIS, the leading film school in France, offers BA Film majors a semester of film study at its Paris studio facilities. French language competency and completion of the BA Film degree is required.
* BA degree approval voted by SCHEV on March 13, 2007.
Course content and requirements are subject to change by the faculty.
|
