The Motion Picture Arts Curriculum includes:
Advanced Production – Film III
Cinematography
Digital Editing I
Digital Editing II
Digital Editing III – Audio/Lighting For Film
Digital Editing IV – Advanced Editing
Introduction to Film
Screenwriting I
Screenwriting II
Screenwriting III – Film III
Year I
Introduction to Film
This beginning level class will provide a broad overview of the basic concept
s in film, video, and television. It will examine the technical characteristics of the media and give students a working understanding of shooting on a soundstage, operating camera equipment, constructing a set, and basic lighting and audio components. The course will also address various aspects of the history of film as an artistic medium.Digital Editing I
The purpose of this course is to develop the beginner-level concepts of editing digital video. Students will learn new concepts related to digital still photography and its associated software as well to develop skills in non-linear editing and various hardware/software aspects associated with digital video. This is a product -oriented class and students will be expected to produce digital photography works and short digital video projects. Year II
Screenwriting I
This class will focus on the development of the narrative sequence of storytelling. Emphasis would be placed on the structure of story (plot, conflict, character development ,etc.) as it relates to the visual storytelling medium of film/video. Students will read and study stories/scripts by professionals to gain an understanding of screenwriting as a craft. The end-of-class goals include students adequately critiquing a screenplay and producing a short treatment for an original project. Digital Editing II
This second-level class will focus on instruction students in advanced editing techniques associated with digital video editing. This will include a concentrated study of high-level non-linear editing skills and should conclude with the student having the appropriate skill-level to apply for certification on specific video-editing platforms (i.e. This class will prepare the student for independent editing requirements of the senior level film/video courses. Year III
Screenwriting II
This two-part class is designed to move students along in the process of developing screenplays. The first component of the course is entirely based on the written conventions associated with dramatic screenplays. Emphasis will be placed on proper form and technique for any properly-produced script/screenplay. The second part of the class will have students take the techniques they’ve learned and apply them to the development of a treatment for possible production and/or submission to festivals and contests.Digital Editing III: Audio/Lighting for Film/Video
A two-part course which will focus on two integral components of film/video production: audio and lighting. The first component of the class will emphasize audio techniques including;microphones, audio misers, speakers, and acoustical issues related to shooting on soundstages or in the field. The second part of the course will examine the lighting concepts necessary for shooting film/video. The class will also provide instruction in computer concepts related to both correcting audio and lighting issues in the film medium.Cinematography
This class concentrates on the artistic elements of shooting film/video. It examines intermediate to advanced shooting techniques (filters, creative shot angles and composition) with emphasis on telling the story through the visual medium of film/video. It also will feature intense analysis and criticism of the medium to teach students the importance and integration of the three components of film/video: editing, photography, and sound. This will involve hands-on creation of short films as well as focused viewing of movies and excerpts to examine the aesthetics of film/video as a unique art form. Year IV
Screenwriting III – Film II
Continuing the theme of refining the student’s dramatic writing skills, this course features two main emphases: writing the short film and writing the documentary. In each respective genre,students will learn techniques and concepts related to developing a treatment for each. The class will involve serious study of the characteristics of each style by viewing and analyzing short films and documentaries. The goal of each section of this class will be to produce a screenplay for a short film and a documentary. Digital Editing IV – Advance Editing
This senior-level class will focus entirely on advanced editing concepts and production-orined tasks such as editing the various senior productions for the Senior Premiere Night. The student who completes this class should be well-versed in all elements of digital editing (from software-specific to special effect components)Advanced Production – Film III
This class is the culminating class for film/video students as it allows them to put into practice the various components of the film/video curriculum. It is designed to produce the selected senior screenplays (from the Advanced Screenwriting class) for presentation on Senior Premiere Night. These students are entirely responsible for planning, shooting and sending to the Advanced Editing class the senior productions. Supplies
Three ring binder for each class (to keep papers and all past/current assignments in)
Pens and/or pencils
Notebook paper to write and take notes when needed
Students will need regular access to desktop or laptop computere and printere in order to use motion picture script writing software to write scripts and other assignments
Class fee: $30.00
Faculty
Rick Jansen, BA
Rick Jansen was born in Heidelberg, Germany while his father served in the U.S. When he was ten years old he saw the film Jaws which solidified his love for the cinema. At age twelve he used his parent’s Super 8 camera for the first time to produce his first short film. In the mid 80’s he wrote and directed several shorts which received numerous awards including a first
