Media Arts and Technology Course Descriptions

 

LMMA1100 Communicating through Storyboards (3 Credits)

Communicating through storyboards plays a major roll in visual storytelling. The ability to visually communicate directions to others in the production process is imperative. Storyboards simplify set-up times, delegate production teams, create shot lists and most importantly, keep everyone on track. In this course, students are not required to be accomplished artists; instead this course teaches students how to sketch in a clear and understandable way. Scene staging, perspective, proportion, lighting, and camera direction are some of the concepts covered in this course. In the final project, students will create a 10+ panel storyboard with all the concepts covered in the course. (09/2009)

LMMA1200 Design Software Essentials (3 Credits)

In Design Software Essentials, students cover the necessary functions of Photoshop and Illustrator. These are the two major 2D image creation and editing softwares. These programs form the foundation of digital imaging in both print screen and video graphics. Students will learn through several lab assignments that cover pixel manipulation, composing, adjusting, and resizing in Photoshop. In Illustrator, students will learn how to properly and efficiently manipulate vectors; how to create and use color properly, and finally how to efficiently output vector images for screen or print. Concepts learned in this course carry over into animation, motion graphics, 3D design, and more. This course is a prerequisite to most core Media Arts courses.

LMMA1300 Movie Making I (documentary) (3 Credits)

Students dive into visual storytelling in Movie Making I. Key software concepts are covered as students learn the Non-Linear Editing interface. Students learn through a series of lab-based tutorials and discussions, creating short documentaries that introduce essential editing functions. Students are tasked with creating a one-minte documentary about themselves and a short five-minute documentary (or mockumentary) about a chosen subject of their own concept and design. The final product is a self-produced DVD with the two documentaries.

LMMA1350 Movie Making II (narrative) (3 Credits)

In Movie Making II, students continue their technical journey exploring more nuances of Final Cut Pro and strengthening their skill behind the camera. This is achieved by the development of a short story. Students may use their own short or cull from years of student shorts written in the college’s annual literary book, P.H.A.S.Tracks. The majority of this course is instructor-lead hands-on lab work. Students will also be encouraged to work on their own as this is the first of many time consuming courses. (Prerequisite: LMMA1300)

LMMA1360 Introduction to Cinematography (3 Credits)

Introduction to Cinematography is the companion course to LMMA1300 Movie Making I. While Introduction to Movie Making covers computer related editing concepts, this course covers camera mechanics, lighting, staging, sound, and more. What happens in front of the lens is essential to the success of the finished assignment. Students will complete a series of different camera experiments both in the lab and in the field, then transfer files to Final Cut and make evaluations on their shots. Students are currently shooting with Panasonic HVX200 High Definition cameras. (09/2009)

LMMA1500 Intro to Motion Graphics (3 Credits)

This is a very exciting course built to compliment the movie making core of the program. This course explores Adobe’s motion graphics software, After Effects. With this program students can create dynamic title sequences, composite clips and images, make color corrects and/or enhancements, remap time, in general make Hollywood-style special effects. This course concentrates on the software and developing organized work habits in a production pipeline. Students will create a series of small video clips throughout the course to develop their skills and understanding of the program. (Prerequisite: LMMA1200 Digital Software Essentials)

LMMA2100 Introduction to 3D Design (3 Credits)

This exciting course is an introduction to working with 3D. Students learn how to navigate virtual three-dimensional space while building and texturing polygonal models. This course is meant to enhance the filmmaking aspects of the curriculum. We use Maxon's Cinema 4D to model, texture, light, animate and render elements into After Effects, Premiere and Final Cut Pro for compositing. This sofware is extremely powerful while being completely accessible to beginners. (Prerequisite: LMMA1200 Design Software Essentials)

LMMA2350 Movie Making III (music video) (3 Credits)

In Movie Making III, students work in groups to design and produce a music video. The focus is on planning and organization, multicamera shoots and editing, and most importantly, working with deadlines. Students will work in groups and rotate duties as they work through each video. During pre and post production, instructors will reinforce principles, techniques, and technical applications. The shoot itself will take the students on location. This is a working semester, meaning large amounts of lab time will be concentrated on completing the project. Grading is based on benchmarks and deadlines set by the instructor. (Prerequisites: LMMA1300 Movie Making I, LMMA 1350 Movie Making II) (09/2009)

LMMA2400 Studio I (short film/intern) (6 Credits)

Students create their own 90 minute feature film. In this class, each student will have to complete the first half of creating and producing a feature film. Specific preproduction assignments include writing a script, creating storyboards, planning a shot schedule, acquiring locations and acquiring and managing a cast and crew. (Prerequisite: LMMA1300 Movie Making I, LMMA1350 Movie Making II) (09/2009)

LMMA2450 Studio II (short film/intern) (6 Credits)

Studio II is part two of the feature film project. The final pages of the film are shot and the editing process begins. This is followed by audio post-production and finishing with color correction. To complete the project, each student will create a DVD with a promotion package consisting of a poster, production photos and registering with withoutabox.com joining the world's largest independent film community. The successful final product will consist of high quality cinematography, audio, directing, writing, and excellent color and image quality. The overall project is assessed based on: cinematography, writing, directing, editing, acting,and presentation. (Prerequisite: LMMA2400 Studio I) (09/2009) NOTE: Students who intern for Studio I, have the option of interning for this course as well. Students who are not able to find a position, may intern for one of the other teams either as production help or as a cast member.

LMMA2500 Portfolio (1 Credit)

This course prepares the individual students for their next step. Whether they want to go on to a four-year school or start working in their field, a good portfolio will help promote the student. Students will learn to package their work and present it in an engaging manor that will allow them to stand out and be noticed.

LMMA2600 Intro to Post Production (3 Credits)

Post Production class focuses on some of the finishing software that gives your film/video a professional presentation. Some topics covered will be color correction using Apple's Color program, and creating a custom DVD menu using Apple's DVD Studio Pro. Students will also use this class to compile all their works over the past 4 semesters into one DVD portfolio. (Prerequisites: LMMA1200 Design Software Essentials, LMMA1300 Movie Making I) (09/2009)

LMMA2653 Independent Study with Lab (3 Credits)

Students in an independent study option will engage in learning about a topic of special interest and/or need. This course has a 48-hour lab requirement. A written report on the topic of the independent study is required. (Prerequisites: Approval of advisor and department chair)