Curriculum
Film and Video Production Program
First Term
FP-101 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: strategic conception, creative, pre-production, production, post-production, and basic distribution. Elements covered include the connectivity between 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 in the creation and performance areas of filmmaking.
CM-100 Creative Communication
This course is designed to provide both theory and application of the basic communication skill sets necessary to become an effective and contributing member of a production team from creative conception through final distribution. To that end, the course incorporates interpersonal communication, effective listening, and group dynamics.
ST-100 Story Structure
Students 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 meet regularly with the instructor for consulting sessions outside of class. Students demonstrate the ability to concept and write short films, and apply class content to script analysis.
AV-100 Artistic Vocation I: Search for Meaning & Self-Governance
Through lecture, personal research and discussion, this class examines the internal and external forces that artists must manage in learning to make a living through their art form. Students practice and develop critical thinking skills by identifying the problems of resistance, developing arguments, and drawing conclusions based on their research of myth, truth, economics, and self-governance. Students demonstrate application of these elements by developing a personal code of living.
PD-100 Producers I: Creative Aspects
This class covers the stages of production, the role of producer, official production paperwork, schedules, call sheets, crew positions, crew agreements, releases, budgets (plus, how and why to use them). Students gain exposure to the relationships between different film departments, as they learn 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 its 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 watch a variety of films outside of class and then write about them using the analysis principles that they learn in Story Structure. Students demonstrate the understanding of different eras of film, including the key films, moments, and personages that define those eras.
PP-100 Post Production I: Editing
(Students must have an Apple Laptop with FCP Studio II) This course aims at showing students basic and advanced functions of their Apple computers and Final Cut Pro Studio software. Beginning with basic software organization (including the Mac OS, QuickTime Pro, and multiple QuickTime formats) the course primarily focuses on Final Cut Pro Studio including basic functions, tips and techniques, special effects, importing and exporting films, and keyboard shortcuts. Procedures include: workflow, editing and syncing sound with film clips, and the general organization of project files. Students demonstrate the ability to understand and explain the editing process workflow.
Second Term
AV-200 Artistic Vocation II: Philosophic & Physical Disciplines
Students investigate and practice spiritual, mental, and physical disciplines, participate in daily journaling, and discuss how the disciplines impact his or her work and the view of their art. Students 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 includes a deeper study of the principles in Story Structure: scene construction, visual symbolism, subtext, levels of antagonism, screenplay formatting. Students begin concepting a feature-length script, and writing a treatment of their script. Students also write a short film synopsis for consideration for a summer thesis production. Further story consulting opportunities take place in class. In addition, students meet with an instructor for script consulting meetings. Students demonstrate the ability to write a short film, discuss and apply a deeper understanding of story, and write script coverage.
PD-200 Producers II: Business & Legal Implications
The Producers II course covers the business and legal aspects of filmmaking, including the financial and development processes the producer must undertake in order to produce an independent feature. Students demonstrate the creation of a budget, a business plan (pitch packet), and the knowledge to hire professionals for legal and business decisions.
DP-150 Cinematography: Director of Photography and Light
(Students must have a controllable camera for this class) Through lecture and hands-on experience this course gives the student a more complete understanding of the theory and practice that is classical cinematography. Elements include: understanding the grip and electrical department and its elements as related to the process of classical lighting; the scope and role of the camera department including understanding lenses, depth of field, zone shooting, framing, support and movement both scientifically and creatively. In addition, students demonstrate an understanding of on-set relationships of the camera team to the director, gaffer, and production designer.
DS-150 Production Design: History & Aesthetics of Art Design
This class advances the students’ understanding of the various roles within the Production/Art Design department, while gaining a fundamental aesthetic appreciation of the skills necessary to be successful in Production Design. Components include lectures, discussions, art history, and practical applications of the department’s elements. The course also explores the historic and aesthetic correctness of various genres of film. In-class exercises and assignments help apply and evaluate an understanding of the components. Elements covered include creative painting and sketching techniques, set-design, make-up, wardrobe, set dressing, and budgeting. The elements’ historic development and current role is discussed. Throughout the entire class, the students learn and demonstrate aesthetic and practical applications related to the visual and practical needs of the film set.
DR-200 Directing
Using case studies and group experiences, the course explores 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 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 an overview as well as some in-depth information and training in various disciplines of post-production. Areas covered include: positions, workflow, developing and transferring, SFX, fixing continuity, color correction, and sound design elements and process. This course covers the material through lecture, examples, and student projects. Students 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. No credits are awarded for participation.) 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:
(Students must have successfully completed the courses up to this point to proceed.)
AV-250 Artistic Vocation III: Exploration of Life Long Learning
Working under an instructor, the students are teamed and given general research topics relating to ethics and the art vocation its application to daily life. These student teams are scheduled weekly to lead a one-hour presentation and discussion of the topic in class. Students demonstrate the ability to present and debate topics relating to ethics and the art vocation.
ST-250 Screenwriting II
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.
TH-290 & 291 Thesis Project: All Elements
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.
TH-292 Lectures & Protocol
Through lecture, seminars, assignments, and industry professionals Q&A sessions, this course provides students with the information necessary to begin building their careers. Topics covered include: career development, networking strategies, film protocol, and intern etiquette. Elements covered include resume writing, business card and portfolio construction, query writing, industry news and website navigation, radio and phone communication, production office paperwork, and completion of the Compass Protocol Workbook.
Following successful completion of course work:
Continued Third Term: IN-299 Externship/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 externship/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 goal of the Externship/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.