Curriculum
Film and Video Production Program
First Term
FP-100 – Film Production A-Z
This survey course presents, through lecture and hands-on experiences, elements involved in the making of a film (digital or film-based). Topics covered include: communication skills, strategic conception, creative, pre-production, production, post-production, and basic distribution. Elements covered include the connectivity between the elements of filmmaking and the roles and skill sets needed. Students will take an active part in a guided professional shoot as well as develop and produce their own short film. Students will demonstrate the ability to understand the dynamics of group communication as it affects the creation and performance areas of filmmaking.
ST-100 Story Structure
Students will learn the fundamentals of creating and telling a story on film. The instructor covers story structure, character development, theme and moral argument, character archetypes, character desire and action. The role of conflict in story, basic screenplay formatting, and short film development is also addressed. Students will meet regularly with the instructor for consulting sessions outside of class. Students will demonstrate the ability to concept and write two short films, and apply class content to script analysis.
AV-100 Artistic Vocation I
This is a seminar-discussion based class exploring the meaning, purpose, and spirituality of being an artist. The class will cover common misconceptions of art in the modern world; the meaning of co-creation; the meaning of vocation, why vocation is applicable to the arts, the communal nature of art; the responsibilities and temptations in the life of the artist, and why it is important for the Artist to view his work through the lens of vocation. Students will demonstrate an introductory knowledge of the theological and philosophical basis of being an artist and filmmaker in the modern world.
PD-100 Producers I
This class will cover the stages of production, the role of producer, official production paperwork, schedules, call sheets, crew positions, crew agreements, releases, budgets, and how and why to use them. Students will gain exposure to the relationships between different film departments. They will demonstrate the ability to budget a film, break down a script, and communicate a general understanding of the production process.
DR-100 Film History
It is critical for individuals interested in the art of filmmaking to understand where the medium of film has been. Despite it’s relatively short history, filmmaking has undergone myriad trends, movements, innovations and functions. An understanding of how film and the industry have evolved will give the student clearer vision of what has come before and where they may want to go. Students will watch a variety of films outside of class and then write about them using the analysis principles that they learn in Story Structure. Students will demonstrate the understanding of different eras of film, including the key films, moments, and personages that define those eras.
PP-100 Post Production I – Basic Editing
(Students must have an Apple Laptop with FCP Studio) This course is aimed at showing students basic and advanced functions of their Apple computers and Final Cut Pro Studio. Beginning with basic software organization (including the Mac OS, QuickTime Pro, and multiple QuickTime formats) the course will primarily focus on Final Cut Pro including basic functions, tips and techniques, special effects, importing and exporting films, and a vast amount of keyboard shortcuts. Procedures will include: workflow, editing and syncing sound with film clips, and the general organization of project files. Students will demonstrate the ability to understand and explain the editing process workflow.
Second Term
AV-200 Artistic Vocation II
Students will practice the disciplines outlined by the book The Artist’s Way, completing the required daily journaling and discussing the impact on their work and view of art and film during the class time. The class is a discussion-based format and is facilitated by the instructor. Students will demonstrate the ability to discuss their art and vocational goals, as well as begin the process of peer mentoring and support.
ST-200 Screenwriting I
The course will include a deeper study of the principles in Story Structure: scene construction, visual symbolism, subtext, levels of antagonism, screenplay formatting etc. Students will begin concepting a full-length feature film, and will write a treatment of their script. Students will write a short film for consideration for a summer thesis production. Further story consulting opportunites will take place in class. Students will meet with an instructor for 30-minute script consulting meetings. Students will demonstrate the ability to write a short film, discuss and apply a deeper understanding of story, and write script coverage.
PD-200 Producers II
Students will cover the creative, legal, financial and development process a producer must undertake in order to produce an independent feature. Students will demonstrate the creation of a pitch packet, and the knowledge of where and when to hire professionals for legal and business decisions in independent filmmaking.
DP-100 Cinematography – DP and Light
(Students must have a controllable camera for this class) Through lecture and hands-on experience this course will give the student a more complete understanding with the theory and practice of classical cinematography. Elements include: understanding lens, depth of field, zone shooting, framing, basic and advanced lighting techniques and theory, on-set relationships, and HD/HDV acquisition. Students will demonstrate the ability to understand and explain the impact of focal length of lenses, both scientifically and creatively, plus the relationships of the camera team to the director, gaffer, and production designer.
DS-100 Production Design
This class will help the students become more aware of the work of a production designer and role of art direction in films, as well as develop some of the basic skills needed to work in the art department. Students will learn the importance of production design as it relates to each aspect of production, not just art direction itself. Components include lecture, viewing of various genres of films, and in-class exercises to help understand the importance of production design in any budget of film. The class will cover different positions within the art department, preproduction through on-set workflow, a brief history of art, and an understanding of props vs. set dressing. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the art department structure and its interface with other departments.
DR-200 Directing
Using case studies and group experiences the course covers the roles and responsibilities of the director, particularly the director’s relationship to the camera, the acting talent, and the crew of a production as part of the storytelling process, during pre-production, production, and post-production. Students will demonstrate the ability to pre-visualize a script for shooting, work with actors, and understand the role of the director.
PP-200 Post Production II
(Finishing) This continuation of Post Production I provides both an overview as well as some in-depth information and training in various disciplines of post-production. Areas covered include positions, work flow, development and transferring, SFX, fixing continuity, color correction, and sound design elements and process. This course will cover this material through lecture, examples, and student projects and include a hands-on experience at sound post-production facility. Students will demonstrate the ability to understand the practical implications of continuity, correction in post, and basic sound design.
Interim Term (Elective)
IND-200 Industry Intensive Trip
(Optional: Students may participate for an additional fee, it is not related to completion) Students who have successfully completed the first two terms will be allowed to elect and participate on this trip to LA or another major national market. At destination, students may meet with past graduates, other industry professionals companies offering internships, members CFA’s Advisory Board, Act One, Hollywood Connect, and/or other faith-based organizations. This experience will also include touring production facilities and studios, and if LA, a taste for the Hollywood atmosphere and when possible some on location educational experiences.
Third Term (12 weeks of classes):
(Students must have successfully completed the Curriculum up to this point to proceed.)
AV-300 Artistic Vocation III
Working under a mentor, the students are teamed and given general research topics relating to art and/or vocation its application to daily life. These student teams will then be scheduled weekly to lead a one-hour presentation and discussion of the topic in class. Student will demonstrate the ability to present and debate topics relating to art and vocation.
ST-300 Screenwriting II (Feature)
As a continuation of Screenwriting I students will move to writing a full-length feature screenplay, implementing the principles learned in Story Structure and Screenwriting I into the screenplay. Students will demonstrate the ability to write a draft of a feature length screenplay as well as create a pitch packet for promotion of that screenplay.
TW-350 Thesis Project
Participating students will be divided into teams made of a producer, director, 1st AD, DP, and art designer. Each team will be given a script (from Screenwriting I) as well as seed money to help produce it according to the concepts and standards established during the preceding year. In addition to producing this project, students will be involved in a variety of Seminars. As part of the experience, the individual producers are to coordinate their efforts during production, including sharing team members when possible and planning and holding an end of class premiere for all the projects. Students will demonstrate, as a team, the ability to manage a budget and produce a high quality, ready to distribute production with the required elements.
Following successful completion of course work:
Fourth Term: SI-400 Seminar/Internship
As part of the program, students are not considered finished with (or graduated from) the Film and Video Production program until they have taken part in an internship(s) equaling a minimum of 135 hours. Part of those hours will be spent in review and discussion of faith principles and internship experience with the school’s Industry Relations Specialist. The majority of time, however, will be spent interning with a production company and working closely with the company’s onsite internship supervisor.
The internships are scheduled after completion of the Thesis term (third term).
Discussion topics include, but are not limited to:
- Vocational calling
- Internship experience and recall
- Spiritual growth
- Emotional well-being
- Intern Q&A
The goal of the Seminar/Internship course is to provide students with on-the-job experience, so they can understand and demonstrate problem solving skills, networking skills, and technical proficiencies learned at Compass and build a career in the film and video profession.