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Course Descriptions
MCA B0100
- Independent Media Arts - Idea, Structure and Realization:
Examines the major developments in independent film, video and multimedia
production and the written theories and critical analysis that have resulted.
Particular attention is given to the history of media arts since 1960
and its role in questioning and reshaping American cultural identity.
MCA B2100
- Camera I:
The first of a two-semester sequence of workshops in image gathering for
broadcast video and 16mm film. Through a series of production exercises,
students master skills in operation of professional film and video cameras,
pictorial composition for complex shots, lighting, exposure control, the
cinematographer's relationship to the director, selection of film stocks,
and filtration.
MCA B2200
- Camera II:
The second course in a two-semester workshop sequence in image gathering
for broadcast video and 16mm film. Students build on the foundation of
skills mastered in B2100 - Camera I, executing increasingly more complex
production exercises. Topics include moving camera, filtration for special
effects, interfacing with the sound department, shooting film for video
transfer, shooting video for film transfer, liaison with the laboratory,
managing the professional crew, high definition television and digital
video.
MCA B2900
- Research and Writing for Documentary I:
The first of a two course sequence in conceptualizing, researching, writing
and presenting an idea for a documentary film or video. Workshops focus
on representational models, documentary and mass culture, testing the
viability of the initial impulse, research strategies, crafting the idea
into visual story, legal and ethical issues in documentary, and the filmic
techniques available to the documentarian. Classes are augmented by a
rigorous screening schedule of seminal documentaries.
MCA B3100
- Fiction Screenwriting I:
Focuses on researching and writing the narrative thrust of the thesis
production regardless of genre or production format. Course covers various
types of writing for film, video and hypermedia. Candidates are required
to develop the story or concept proposal for their thesis production.
MCA B3200
- Fiction Screenwriting II:
Required of students whose thesis projects will be fiction or cross-genre
based. Students work on refining thesis screenplays by analyzing their
story's tension devices, dialogue, action lines, and the visual components
of the story. Each student will complete a screenplay between thirty and
sixty pages depending on the requirements for thesis production.
MCA B3300
- Research and Writing for Documentary II:
Conceptualizing, researching, developing, and writing advanced projects
in documentary and cross-genre work with documentary elements. Required
for students whose thesis projects will be in documentary or cross-genre
with significant documentary elements.
MCA B3000
- Digital Production:
Using new technologies of cinema, digital video cameras and computer editing,
this class lays the groundwork for professional production, both fiction
and documentary. All aspects of production are covered from conception
to completion of short works.
MCA B5000
- Editing I:
Advanced digital post-production workshop.
Students master editing techniques as demonstrated in screening and analysis
of creative work in a variety of genres. This project-oriented class allows
students to learn and apply advanced picture, graphic, sound, capabilities
of the AVID Media Composer to editing exercises in fiction, documentary,
and cross-genre. work
B5100 - Editing
II:
Students master editing techniques as demonstrated in screening and analysisof
creative work in a variety of genres. This project-oriented class allowsstudents
to learn and apply advanced picture, graphic and sound capabilities of
the AVID Media Composer to editing exercises in fiction, documentary,
and cross-genre work.
MCA B5300
- Sound Design:
Exploration of the aesthetics and practice of audio as a creative element
in film and video production. Through a series of exercises, students
learn to shape the aural environment of voice, music and sound effects
to support the dramatic intent of a particular piece.
MCA B6100
- Media Arts Management:
Concepts and procedures necessary for organizing and completing thesis
productions. This planned management course examines the pre-production,
production and post-production processes and assists candidates in preparing
deliverables for an organized production.
MCA B6200
- Directing Fiction:
Required of candidates whose thesis project will be fiction based regardless
of format. Emphasis is on interpreting the screenplay, use of metaphor,
rhythm, development of inner monologues, and shaping performance for camera.
Candidates will direct scenes from screenplays developed in Writing for
Media Arts.
MCA B6300
- Producing and Directing the Documentary:
An advanced workshop examining the unique combination of skills required
for the Director/Producers of documentary and cross-genre work with documentary
elements. Students carry out exercises that hone skills in logistics and
aesthetics of creative documentary that tests the assumptions of the documentary
proposals they create in B3300.
MCA B7100
- Seminar in Independent Media Arts:
The capstone course in the MFA program. Students and faculty evaluate
the current state of media arts production, and potential roles for our
graduates in that domain. Sessions are augmented by guest seminars conducted
by working media artists from all areas of the independent community.
MCA B9100
- Thesis Project l - Production:
The first part of producing the thesis project. Proposals previously submitted
by candidates and approved by the M.F.A Faculty Committee will begin production.
Projects are expected to be original and represent a contribution to the
field of media arts.
MCA B9200
- Thesis Project II – Post Production:
Culminating course required of all candidates in the major. Candidates
complete their thesis production and present at the annual student media
arts showcase. Productions are expected to be original and represent a
contribution to the field of media arts.
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