Digital Motion Picture Course Descriptions
(2006/07 catalog)
DMP100 Producing a Motion Picture Idea 3(2,3) This class emphasizes exercises in observation, visualization, and research that deepen the creative process. leading to ideas, stories, characters and images for narrative, documentary and experimental films. Students will examine the selected motion pictures from story idea through script development, production and exhibition and distribution.
Prerequisites: ENG100
DMP200 Acting 3(2,3) Basic concepts of acting for stage, screen and animation. Students explore the actor’s relationship to other players as well as to the camera. Aspects of performance as they relate to different modes of production are investigated, including acting for the effects-heavy production and non-linear media.
Prerequisite: HUM227
DMP220 Motion Picture/Film Theory 3(3,0) An analytical and theoretical approach to the study of film. Students are introduced to different film theories, the historical underpinnings of cinema as an art-form, the language of film, and the techniques of editing, directing, and cinematography. Students learn how production techniques affect content.
Prerequisite: HUM227
DMP227 Scriptwriting 3(3,0) Fundamentals of writing a script for animation, television, commercials, films, and digital games. Students work on character and story development.
Prerequisite: ENG100
DMP230 Video Editing I 3(2,3) Basic concepts of digital video editing, theory and techniques of motion picture editing, post-production methods, media file management, sound editing, titling, and effects. Students are introduced to graphic matching, rhythmic editing, coverage, continuity, and montage editing. Uses video editing software.
Prerequisite: DAA100, DAT110
DMP240 Introduction to Production 3(2,3) Introduction to digital motion picture production. Students use professional video cameras, in combination with sound recorders, microphones, and audio recording decks to practice on location and studio shooting. The benefits of this medium are framed in the context of digital networked distribution, networked production methodologies, and new distribution modes such as locative media.
Prerequisites: DMP230, DAA108. Co-requisite: DAT228
DMP260 Role of the Screen Auteur 3(3,0) An analysis of the works of significant film auteurs. Students explore the role of director as the ‘author’ of a film. Auteurism in relation to videogames and other screen-based art forms will also be examined
Prerequisite: HUM227
DMP275 Global Cinema 3(3,0) An introduction to cinema from non-western cultures, with an overview of work from Asia, Africa, Australia, the Americas, Eastern Europe. Students examine aspects of aesthetics of global cinema in relation to the economics of motion picture distribution.
Prerequisite: HUM227
DMP325 Directing 3(2,3) Unifies theoretical motion picture and storytelling concepts with their practical applications in a live-action setting. Students direct a crew to create scenes by applying filmmaking techniques of camera movement, lighting, sound recording. Students may film on location or in the studio. Aspects of direction unique to contemporary digital motion picture production will be examined including ‘blue screen’ production methodologies.
Prerequisites: DAA218, DAT115, DMP227, DMP230
DMP340 Documentary Production 3(2,3) Explores writing, directing and producing a documentary. Students review the historical roots of non-fiction filmmaking. Students organize and take responsibility for planning and executing a short documentary project. Students may make a documentary for the fixed screen or the moving portable handheld screen (e.g. video iPods, iPaqs, Blackberries etc)
Prerequisites: DMP220, DMP240
DMP350 Cinematography and Lighting 3(2,3) Focuses on the technical and aesthetic aspects of motion picture photography, including image composition, aperture, shutter speed, continuity, camera mounting, advanced studio, and field lighting. Students practice camera and lighting techniques in both standard live action contexts and for the contemporary digital special effects production.
Prerequisites: DMP240, DAA108
DMP370 Marketing, Distribution and Exhibition 3(3,0) Developing, pitching, and selling motion picture projects. It focuses on the marketing, distribution and exhibition of motion picture content in the documentary, narrative, and experimental genres. Students explore exhibition opportunities in traditional and alternative media venues. Students will learn about how to self-distribute their own projects, negotiate distribution company packages, create business plans, package and market their products. Students will analyze current trends in the funding and distribution of independent projects. They are required to enter the class with a product to distribute.
Prerequisites: DMP340 or DMP325
DMP375 Pre-Production 3(2,3) Presents an overview of the art and business of producing a short motion picture project. Narrative and/or documentary ‘argument’ development, principles of pre-production, production management, script breakdowns, contracts, budgets, insurance, permits, schedules. Students complete a pre-production plan for a single original short motion picture. Students must provide a short script at first meeting.
Prerequisite: Portfolio Approval, DMP325 or DMP340
DMP385 Art and Politics of Independent Cinema 3(3,0) Alternative production models to the mainstream in motion picture production. Case study analysis of key independent motion picture productions, and strategies employed to navigate a production approach ensuring the maximum of creative and artistic freedom for the film maker.
Prerequisites: DMP240, DMP220
DMP425 Production 4(1,9) Students direct and produce an original digital motion picture which can comprise either live action alone or live action in combination with animation. Students are responsible for assembling cast and crew, and communicating the photographic and aural vision. Productions may be studio or location based.
Prerequisite: DMP375
DMP427 Advanced Scriptwriting 3(3,0) Explores advanced classic screenwriting principles including those unique to post-modern and interactive storytelling. Advanced manipulation of time and space, in-depth application of conflict and resolution, and the application of alternative writing formats. Duration of finished screenplay negotiable.
Prerequisite: DMP227
DMP440 Compositing and Special Effects 3(2,3) Explores the digital motion picture production environment as ‘illusion factory’. Both naturalistic/realistic and experimental modes of digital effects will be examined. The course will focus on the role played by storyboarding, scripting, and how these relate to the combination of live action with computer- generated images (CGI). Students work in teams to create video projects using special effects, match/moving lighting, blue/green screen compositing, color correction, and motion graphics. The relationship of ‘pre-visualization’ to a finished work will also be explored, and how these techniques are affecting the traditional working approach to movie making.
Prerequisite: DMP230
DMP475 Post-Production 4(1,9) Students complete their digital motion picture. This includes a master/final edit (scoring, mixing, sound dubbing, titles). Students are responsible for drafting a pitch and proposal, preparing promotional materials (e.g. DVD case & artwork) for approaching festivals and distributors, and for using the web for self-distribution and promotion.
Prerequisite: DMP425
DMP497 Internship 3-5 credits Students have the opportunity to work and learn in “real-world” professional environment while earning credits towards their degree. The average requirement for a three-credit internship is 10-15 hours per week during the 16-week semester. Cogswell has several local, national and international placement opportunities available to students. Students interested in pursuing an internship must start the application process the semester before they intend to work.
Prerequisite: Junior Status
DMP498 Special Project 1-6 credits Individual or group creative project. Project is developed in consultation with faculty advisor.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Dean of the College
DMP499 Special Topic 1-4 credits Advanced course on a special topic. May be used as a DMP elective and repeated as topic changes.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and advisor
DMP course descriptions for students enrolled under 2004 - 2006 catalog
Programs
