Prepares students to enter the video production and digital animation industry as script writers, producers, and creative directors for dramatic, entertainment and educational/training video and animation. Students will develop proficiencies using technologies and software to support writing, storyboarding, producing and editing.

Studio Courses

COM 112 • Digital Photography and Imaging
Explores concepts and techniques in digital photography and imagine. Builds and reinforces digital imaging skills including manipulation, light effects, scanning, color correction and special effects. Combines design theory and hands-on work, introducing basic aesthetic issues in photography and image manipulation and the ethical concerns associated with the medium. Students will generate a portfolio of images based on specific themes. Meets the General Education Arts requirement.
* Formerly COM 212. Students who have completed COM 212 may not receive credit for COM 112.

COM 213 • Introduction to Animation and Vector Graphics
Using a mix of theoretical and practical assignments, students will develop an understanding of the conceptual issues regarding digital vector-based animation, from scripts, storyboards and production of short animation sequences. Students are introduced to various software tools used to produce vector-based animation. Students will generate a portfolio of animations.

COM 242 • Introduction to Video Production
Covers the fundamentals of basic video and audio production. The student develops skills necessary to serve on production crews and operate a digital video camera by producing a variety of short video projects. Also covers the fundamentals of video production with emphasis on direction, and operation of associated field and studio equipment, developing the various skills necessary to produce quality video.
* Formerly COM 341. Students who have completed COM 341 may not receive credit for COM 242.

COM 341 • Video and Communication
Builds from students’ introduction to digital video production, and covers production techniques for those interested in non-narrative forms of filmmaking. The student will produce both Documentary and Experimental films in a longer format than in previous classes, and will engage in more complex preproduction, lighting, composition, editing, and non-narrative structure.

COM 350 • Visual Thinking and Writing
Teaches students think visually and convert complex written subjects and processes into visual designs and models. Students works in stages from writing assignments and revisions to final visualizations of the complex writing materials. Meets Upper Division Writing requirement.

COM 413 • Interactive Animation
This course builds on the design, layout, and basic animation features learned in previous courses by adding more advanced interactivity and user input as well as development of more complex 3D-like imagery and storyline techniques. Where the previous course focuses on object-oriented directed imagery and sound, this course involves more advanced scripting techniques to develop a vocabulary of concepts, skills, and aesthetic practices for producing more meaningful animation. The course blends direct technical instruction — including programming in ActionScript and server-side file and scripting access — with narrative and aesthetic development and discussion with the goal of moving past linear animation to more evolving and interactive animation practices.

COM 422 • Advanced Digital Photography
This class will go beyond the basic principles of digital photography and into a more in depth study of photographic principles, techniques, and contemporary criticism. Specifically, the class will cover photographic fundamentals such as camera types, exposure, shutter speed, f/stop, depth of field, lens types and uses, flash and off-camera flash, studio lighting and printing. Students will become adept with advanced digital manipulation techniques in Adobe Photoshop. At the end of the course, the student will have produced a portfolio of images demonstrating proficiency in the aesthetics of the photographic medium, as well as essays covering the history and criticism of photographic arts and artists.