Digital Film Production and Theory Degree Program

Credits: 3

Description: An overview of the historical development, technological evolution, current status, and future direction of mass communication. Differences between mass communication systems will be explored, as well as mass communication effects on its audiences.

Credits: 3

Description: An introduction to journalism and journalistic writing. Students in this course work as beginning reporters for the college newspaper.

Credits: 3

Description: An in-depth investigation of the ethical foundations underlying conduct of media professionals.

Credits: 3

Description: In-depth critical perspective of mass communication theoretical development and audience effects, including short- and long-term media socialization, political propaganda, advertising, social control, and characteristics shared by all media.

Prerequisite: CNA 263 Introduction to Mass Communication

Credits: 3

Description: An overview of the laws, regulations, and court cases affecting personal and organizational communication. Topics addressed include freedom of speech, libel and slander, privacy, regulation of advertising, copyright and trademark, and internet and media law. Case studies emphasize how the courts interpret and apply the law.

Credits: 3

Description: Students enrolled in this seminar will develop a cumulative portfolio of work that demonstrates the growth of their abilities in various areas of mass communication while developing tools for career readiness. The portfolio may include any of the following types of student work: writing, photography, audio, video, or electronic media projects. In conjunction with faculty, students research regional and national media employment trends, and develop a portfolio that best reflects their chosen mass communication career. Faculty will review the portfolio and conduct a qualitative exit interview for the purpose of program review and assessment. The review of the portfolio and the exit interview must be completed to graduate.

Prerequisite: 90 hours

Students pursuing the 36-credit-hour program will take the following courses for 18 credit hours in addition to the mass communication core:

• CNA 305 Play Writing/Screen Writing (3 credits) – Study of and practice in the techniques of play writing and/or screen writing.

Choose 15 hours from the following courses:

• CNA 223 Acting (3 credits)– Exploration of basic acting techniques and performance theory through object exercises, monologues, and scene work.
• CNA 274 Video and Film Production I (3 credits) – An introduction to studio and remote production including live broadcasts of news, sports, talk, narrative film, and special events. Students will learn current concepts and theories of pre-production, production and post-production procedures and will apply them utilizing video and audio equipment for digital storytelling. Lab hours required. Course fee of $10 per credit hour required.
• CNA 284 Film Criticism (3 credits) – Exploration of the diverse influences on cinematic and film production, including story and character development, visual elements of storytelling, artistic/esthetic qualities, business/marketplace influences, and cultural significance. Emphasis on the role of the critic in development of film professionals.
• CNA 318 Directing (3 credits) – Study and practice of basic directing theory starting with screen-analysis and proceeding to director-actor-designer relationships in the production process. 3 hours lab.Prerequisite: CNA 223 Acting or CNA 232 Stagecraft.
• CNA 378 Performance for the Screen (3 credits) – This course focuses on basic performance techniques that are used in work as a newscaster, an interviewer or a talk show host, and an actor in various types of film productions. Special emphasis will be placed on developing roles for dramatic or comedic scenes.
• CNA 472 Sound Design (3 credits) – Study of advanced techniques in preparation, production, and presentation of audio materials in electronic media. Includes multitrack recording and editing, film soundtrack audio, radio and podcast production, and audio needs of developing media.
• CNA 473 Video and Film Production II (3 credits) – Study of advanced video and filmmaking techniques for program and non-program content in standard, cable, and specialized video. Instruction includes post-production, digital editing, color correction, sound engineering, and distribution. Lab hours required. Course fee of $10 per credit hour required. Prerequisite: CNA 162 Audio Production.

Students pursuing the 48-hour program will take the courses from the 36-hour option plus an additional 12 credit hours from the following:

• CNA 305 Writing for Film and Television (3 credits) – This course explores the elements of screenwriting for movies and television via lectures, script readings, discussions, and writing exercises. The fundamentals of visual storytelling are covered in depth, including character, plot, theme, dialogue, genre, and format. Assignments familiarize students with dramatic conflict, scene structure, subtext, and subplots as they advance from idea to outline to scripted pages.

Choose 12 hours from the following courses:

• CNA B120, B220, B320, B420 Broadcast TV Workshop (0-3 credits) - Practical application of skills learned in other classes to direct, produce, and coordinate content development in broadcast TV. Course fee of $30 required. Prerequisites: Approval of instructor and C or above in CNA 274 Video and Film Production I.
• CNA F120, F220, F320, F420 Digital Film Production Workshop (0-3 credits) - Practical application of skills learned in other classes to direct, produce, and coordinate content development in digital film production. Course fee of $30 required. Prerequisites: Approval of instructor and C or above in CNA 274 Video and Film Production I.
• CNA 162 Audio Production (3 credits) - Audio production techniques including digital recording, broadcast writing, announcing, remote recording, and digital editing software. This course will also introduce students to broadcast vocabulary and radio station management structures. Course fee of $10 per credit hour required.
• CNA 232 Stagecraft (3 credits) - Fundamentals of scenic construction and painting techniques, sound, properties, and stage management.
• CNA 297/397/497 Internship in Broadcasting (3 credits) - The internship program provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to integrate career-related work experience with classroom learning. Work experiences occur in positions relevant to broadcasting. Internships generally require 40-50 work hours for each 1 hour of credit. Contact WSC Career Services, your academic advisor, or department chair for specific details.
• CNA 301 Advertising Copywriting (3 credits) - An introduction to the strategies of writing and presenting promotional and advertising copy, including brand promises, calls to action, and the stylistic content requirements of traditional print and broadcast media, social media, and other content sources, in written, audio, and video formats, Includes an introduction to the purposes of advertising, sales, and marketing.
• CNA 313 American Black Cinema (3 credits) - This course is an examination and analysis of the changing images and achievements of American Black cinema. This includes a historical focus on American Black film images from the early years, Depression era, post-World War II, and the rise of the new movement of African American directors. Contemporary films celebrate and explore American Black films. Students examine social issues both culturally and in the film industry. Discussion will include how these films reflect national attitudes and outlooks during various historical periods. 
• CNA 314 European Cinema (3 credits) - This course explores the diverse influences and voice of European filmmakers, including culturally specific genres, character development, visual elements of storytelling, artistic/aesthetic qualities, as well as the historical and cultural significance of film. 
• CNA 315 Women in Film (3 credits) - This course explores the contribution of women as creators in cinema. Study includes a survey of influential writing in the field of feminist film theory. The course approaches various representations of women in film in several distinct but interrelated phases. The films studied serve as the basis of application for the theories studied. 
• CNA 331 Scene Design (3 credits) - Principles and styles of scenic design, drafting, and rendering techniques. Prerequisite: CNA 232 Stagecraft.
• CNA 337 Costumes and Make Up for the Stage and Screen (3 credits) - Principles and methods of design, planning, and execution of costumes and makeup for the theatre. 
• CNA 352 Organizational Presentations (3 credits) - Develop expertise, poise, and confidence in presenting professional informative, persuasive, deliberative, and epideictic speeches for public, private, or business organizations. Emphasis is placed on both theory and application of public speaking, speech criticism, and listening skills in culturally diverse business and professional settings. Students employ presentation software when delivering a variety of business presentations such as informative, after dinner, persuasive, sales advertising, and team speeches.
• CNA 382 Movement Specialties: Combat for the Stage and Screen (3 credits) - This course focuses on the development and application of skills required of an actor combatant. The course includes both a historical overview and safe and proper technique training in unarmed combat and multiple weapons. It also covers the basics of fight choreography. Prerequisites: CNA 101 and CNA 223; or instructor approval. 
• CNA 383 Film and Literature (3 credits) - An ongoing series of courses concerned with the relationship (thematic, generic, social, historical, etc.) between cinema and literature. CNA/ENG 383 repeatable once for credit.
• CNA 387 Lighting (3 credits) - Principles and practices of stage lighting, electricity, color, and effective use of lighting equipment.
• CNA 391/491 Special Project in Communication (3 credits) - Study of a topic, or a presentation in a special area of interest. Title of the project will be entered on the permanent record. A maximum of 12 hours to apply toward a major or endorsement is determined by the appropriate department chair. Prerequisite: approval of the instructor and department chair.
• CNA 419 Advanced Directing (3 credits) - Advanced study of directing theories and required directing of short plays and films for public performance. (3 hours lab). Prerequisite: CNA 318 Directing.
• CNA 450 Media Design Applications (3 credits) - Survey of contemporary media software and design elements which includes the creative use of current print (newspaper, yearbook, and newsletters), video (editing, motion graphics, and animation), and audio software packages in professional content creation.
• CNA 453 Integrated Brand Promotion (3 credits) - An exploration of strategic communication combining advertising, public relations, sales promotions, direct marketing, and other marketing communication functions to build relationships with constituents for business, organizations, and other groups. Includes case studies and hands-on projects. Prerequisite: junior standing or by approval.
• CNA 457 Special Topics in Communication (3 credits) - A detailed study of a particular aspect of communication, such as but not limited to political communication, gender and communication, communication and aging. Topic varies and the course can be repeated up to 3 times for credit covering a different topic.
• CNA 471 Mass Media and Society (3 credits) - In-depth critical perspective of mass communication theoretical development and audience effects, including short- and long-term media socialization, political propaganda, advertising, social control, and characteristics shared by all media. Prerequisites: CNA 263 Introduction to Mass Communication.
• CNA 478 Communication Ethics (3 credits) - Explores communication and ethics in various areas of communication studies (i.e. interpersonal, small group, organizational, political, family, health, and media communication). The course will examine ethical dimensions of communication such as truthfulness, openness, politeness, sensitivity to others, listening, respect, and storytelling through the domain of popular discourse of film and television. Students will learn how to conduct a discourse analysis in their areas of interest through the examination of ethical messages in a variety of communication situations portrayed in film, television, or texts.
• CNA 479 Animation and Motion Graphics Applications (3 credits) - A study and application of techniques used in developing 2D, 3D, and stop motion animation, and motion graphics. Students learn advanced theory and mechanics behind animation development, fundamental principles of character design, layout, storyboarding animation, and motion graphics for various media applications. Prerequisite: CNA 450 Media Design Applications.
• FCS 312 Historic Costume (3 credits) - This course explores the dress and adornment of ancient times to the 21st century. It will also include an examination of significant global cultures which have influenced the dress of Western civilization.
• MUS 158 Music in Film (3 credits) - An exploration of music through the lens of popular film. Topics covered will include composers; history; innovations in film and in music; the film industry; fundamentals of music reading, theory, and appreciation; and the general relationship between music and film and the importance of film as a "total art."