Course Descriptions

College Catalog

Film, Video, & Theatre Courses

Below is a list of Film, Video, & Theatre courses offered by Stevenson University. To earn a degree in Film, Video, & Theatre, students must also complete coursework in other areas. To view a complete listing of all course requirements for the Film, Video, & Theatre degree, please see the University catalog.

FILM

FLM 108
Introduction to Film
With the goal of becoming more astute, critical consumers, students develop an appreciation for film as an art form. Through analysis of the components of film151story structure, camera use, editing, sound, movement, music, dialogue, and mise-en-scene151they develop an understanding of cinema as language and of its ability to explore the human condition. (NOTE: Film, Video, & Theatre151Film Focus majors will have a separate section where film production will be introduced.) Spring semester. Three credits. May be used to fulfill Core Curriculum Fine Art requirement. (15 Nov 2006)

FLM 204
History of Film
Students examine the artistic development of film through the twentieth century, exploring film genres, aesthetics, methods of analysis, and current trends. They study the contributions of major directors and their works, both American and foreign. Prerequisite: FLM 108. Fall semester. Three credits. May be used to fulfill Core Curriculum Fine Art requirement. (15 Nov 2006)

FLM 354
Film Production
Students learn the basics of 16mm film production, shooting on B/W reversal film (with optional sync. sound) and editing on linear or nonlinear systems or on the 16mm flatbed. They explore aesthetic and technical issues of filmmaking and produce, in groups, a 5- to 10-minute film: documentary, narrative, experimental, or mixed genre. Prerequisites: FLM 204, VID 222, FVTH 335, and ENG 220. Fall semester. Three credits. (15 Nov 2006)

FLM 355
Advanced Film Production
This course emphasizes the creative aspects of telling a compelling story on a limited budget and introduces advanced techniques of narrative shooting, editing, and production management. Participants work in teams to create one or two short dramatic pieces from screenplays or treatments selected from student submissions. Topics also include budgeting, script development and supervision, storyboarding, casting, dramatic lighting, art direction, and sound track construction. Prerequisites: FVTH 335 and FLM 354. Spring semester. Three credits. (See also FLM, VID, and THEA) (15 Nov 2006)

FILM, VIDEO AND THEATRE

FIVTH 231
Internship
Students plan and participate in an internship under the direction of a faculty director. The internship consists of 120 hours in an off-campus professional environment (business, government agency, non-profit organization, etc.) where the student receives practical, career-oriented experience under an on-site supervisor. Placement of the student is arranged by the college. Student has regular meetings with a faculty director to process the internship. At the conclusion, the student and on-site supervisor evaluate the experience. Prerequisites: CM 101 or THEA 103; VID 106, THEA 121, FLM 108, FVTH 210, and ENG 220. For video/film focus: VID 222; for theatre focus: THEA 202 and THEA 204. Prerequisite: Consultation with the faculty director and approval of department chair prior to initiation of the internship. Three credits. (15 Nov 2006)

FIVTH 312
Directing for Stage & Screen
(Formerly CM 312) Students learn and practice the basic directing skills of analyzing and interpreting the script, determining an appropriate style of production, blocking the action, establishing rhythm, guiding the actors in creating their characters, and overseeing design elements (set, lighting, sound, costumes). They apply these skills to directing scenes for both the stage and the camera. Prerequisite: Senior status. Spring semester. Three credits. (15 Nov 2006)

FIVTH 335
Lighting for the Camera
(Formerly CM 335) Students develop skills in using light in a variety of video/film production situations. They examine the difference in lighting for stills and movement, and the difference between direct and indirect lighting. They explore the use of color, temperature, and contrast, using a variety of accessories as needed to provide effective illumination and to create the desired mood. Prerequisite: VID 222. Includes lecture and laboratory. Spring semester. Three credits. (15 Nov 2006)

FIVTH 402
Special Topics
Each semester different courses are offered in film, video and theatre which further examine different topics not covered in the required courses. Some examples of the offerings are: Sound Design, Playing Shakespeare, Set Design, Indigenous Images, Advanced Movement and Voice, and Women in Film. 3 credits. Fall and Spring. (15 Oct 2007)

FIVTH 410
Documentary Theory
(Formerly CM 410) Students analyze the documentary form. They explore the integration of film, video, and photographic images, and analyze the different types of documentaries (nature, biographical, historical, and investigative) and their methods of creation. They investigate contemporary philosophical implications of reality and how these are revealed through documentary film and video. Prerequisites: VID 325 or FLM 354, and senior status. Fall semester. Three credits. (15 Nov 2006)

FIVTH 450
Documentary Project: Film Or Video
(Formerly CM 450) Using the treatment written in FVTH 410, students meet individually with a faculty supervisor once a week and complete a documentary film or video that elaborates upon their chosen thematic area of study within the major. This nonfiction work is expected to incorporate the philosophical, aesthetic, and technical elements of documentary production highlighted in FVTH 410. Prerequisites: FVTH 335, FVTH 410. Spring semester. Three credits. (15 Nov 2006)

THEATRE

THEA 103
Beginning Acting
Through exercises, improvisations, and scene work, students develop important performance skills, including imagination, concentration, and vocal and movement techniques. They analyze scenes for a character's intentions, obstacles, and tactics. They learn to work with scene partners and develop self-confidence in a performance situation. Spring semester. Three credits. May be used to fulfill Core "Fine Art" requirement. (27 Nov 2006)

THEA 121
Introduction to Theatre
Students examine-through readings and lecture/discussion-the responsibilities and techniques of theatre artists (playwrights, actors, directors, designers) who collaborate to create the dramatic experience. They further investigate the nature of this experience by working crews for Villa Julie College productions. Includes crew hours. Fall semester. Three credits. Lab fee: theatre tickets. May be used to fulfill Core "Fine Art" requirement. (27 Nov 2006)

THEA 202
Voice & Movement
The objective of this course is to access the full range of expression for the body and the voice. Specific vocal exercises are designed to discover the power of the student/146 natural voice. A study of various movement techniques will help students discover ways in which their bodies can develop a sense of spontaneity, discipline, agility, openness, precision, and truthful connection. Voice and movement study allows students to increase their source of creativity both in performance and in their daily lives. Spring semester. Three credits. Fulfills Fine Art Core Curriculum requirement. (27 Nov 2006)

THEA 204
Improvisational Theatre
Students cooperate in concept development, writing, acting, and production of original work. Group improvisations, individual character development, creative thought, and flexibility are stressed. Spring semester. Three credits. Fulfills Fine Art Core Curriculum requirement. (27 Nov 2006)

THEA 210
Acting for the Camera
(Formerly CM 210) Working in the TV studio, students develop, through exercises, vocal and physical skills appropriate for performing on camera. They prepare and present a selection of non-dramatic TV performances (e.g., public service announcements, training tapes). Prerequisite: THEA 103. Fall semester. Three credits. (19 Oct 2005)

THEA 215
Practicum: Set Design & Construction
Students learn the functions of scenery, the elements, principles, and aesthetics of set design, and the working process of the set designer and his or her role in the collaborative dramatic experience. Under faculty supervision, they learn how to use the tools and equipment in the set shop and construct sets for Villa Julie College productions. 45 crew hours. Note: Hours will be posted by the faculty member and students may choose which times they would like to complete their hours. One credit. (27 Nov 2006)

THEA 216
Practicum: Scene Painting and Props
Students learn and practice the principles, aesthetics, and techniques of theatrical scene painting. They learn the importance of props in a production and, under faculty supervision, design, make, obtain, or pull from stock, the props needed for Villa Julie College productions. 45 crew hours. One credit. (27 Nov 2006)

THEA 217
Practicum: Stage Lighting & Sound
Students learn, through hands-on experience, the functions/ objectives and qualities of stage lighting and the types and uses of lighting instruments. They develop an appreciation for the working process of the lighting designer and his or her role in the collaborative dramatic experience. Under faculty supervision, they learn how to hang, circuit, gel, and focus lights and how to operate a computerized control board. They learn the importance of sound in a production and-as needed for Villa Julie College productions-they develop the ability to reproduce, reinforce, or mix sound, create specific sound effects, and produce audio tapes. 45 crew hours. One credit. (27 Nov 2006)

THEA 218
Theatre Practicum: Costuming
Students learn the functions of costumes, the elements, principles, and aesthetics of theatrical costume design, and the working process of the costume designer (including script analysis, research, sketching, building) and his or her role in the collaborative dramatic experience. Under faculty supervision, they pull from stock and construct and maintain costumes for Villa Julie College productions. 45 crew hours. One credit. (27 Nov 2006)

THEA 219
Theatre Practicum: Public Relations
Students learn the importance of marketing a theatre production or season and explore methods for recruiting and maintaining an audience. Under faculty/staff supervision, they participate in the designing and distributing of press releases, mailers, posters, programs, and tickets, and the taking of production photos. They also constitute the house staff (box office managers, ushers, opening-night hosts) for Villa Julie College productions. 45 crew hours. One credit. (27 Nov 2006)

THEA 224
Play Performance
Students who audition successfully for a department theatre production are cast and then are permitted to enroll in this course. Over a 6- or 12-week rehearsal period, they develop roles and explore the script in production: genre, author, social context, interpretation, and production style. They may also participate in training related to the specific needs of the production, e.g., use of dialect, period movement, dance, choral speaking, or specific acting styles. Nine hours a week, plus additional tech and dress rehearsals. Two or three credits. Fulfills Fine Art Core Curriculum requirement. (27 Nov 2006)

THEA 288
Literary Genres: Drama
(Same as ENG 288.) Explores the elements of drama, plot, character, dialogue, theme, staging. Considers plays from different periods of theatre history (Greek, English Renaissance, modern realistic, and contemporary) representing the basic types of drama (tragedy, comedy, tragicomedy). Examines various approaches to the analysis and interpretation of plays and develops skill in writing responses to scripts and live productions. Prerequisite: ENG 152 or HON 172. Three hours a week. Fall Semester. Three credits. Lab fee: Theatre tickets. Satisfies Core Curriculum Humanities requirement. (27 Nov 2006)

THEA 301
Advanced Acting
Students advance their acting skills by working on scenes from comedies and dramas that are rich in substance and style, offering dialogue that is heightened, rhetorical, and stylistic from playwrights as diverse Moliere and Chekov, Tennessee Williams and Oscar Wilde. Dramaturgical research helps students to understand "style" as a code of behavior that is implicit in the world of the play, and they are encouraged to create characters that are credible and distinctly different from themselves vocally, physically, and in their world view. When possible, students watch videos of professionals performing the same scenes. Lab fee: Theatre tickets. Prerequisite: THEA 103 or FVTH 210. Fall semester. 3 credits

THEA 420
History of Theatre
Students encounter masterpieces of Eastern and Western theatre and explore their structure and themes, as well as the historical contexts, performance arenas, acting styles, and staging methods that have given these scripts life. They examine key figures and trends and discover the ways in which theatre both reflects and affects the society that creates it. Three credits. May be used to fulfill the Core Curriculum Fine Art requirement. (27 Nov 2006)

THEA 452
Theater Project
The goal of this course is to help students decide how they might make acting a meaningful part of their lives, and whether they want to pursue it as a career or as a hobby in the foreseeable future. Course work includes developing effective and contrasting audition monologues, practicing cold readings, understanding the professional work ethic, learning how to network, write a resume and create gameplans. Several outside speakers, professional and community actors, and local directors give insights into professional employment realities and opportunities in theaters in the Baltimore/Washington area. Students see and review 2 offcampus productions and give an in-house presentation of all their monologues at the end of the semester. Lab fee: Theatre tickets. (27 Nov 2006)

VIDEO

VID 106
Basic Video Production
Students acquire a working knowledge of television production and competency on all equipment and crew functions in a three-camera studio. They master the vocabulary of TV production and learn to produce and direct various live television segments and programs. Includes lecture and laboratory. Three credits. (27 Nov 2006)

VID 107
Fundamentals of Video
Students' creativity, aesthetics, and communicative skills are increased through the continual challenge of producing short segments within the considerable limitations of live, in-studio television, as well as the more flexible style of single camera, post-edited segments. Students learn new communicative skills and the basics of the video technology that is such a pervasive presence in contemporary society. Four hours a week. Three credits. (27 Nov 2006)

VID 220
Field Production & Editing I
After reviewing the equipment introduced and skills learned in VID 106, students develop skills in shooting video outside the controlled studio environment. They design, shoot, edit (using linear editing), and evaluate various productions. Prerequisite: VID 106. Four hours a week. Spring semester. Three credits. (27 Nov 2006)

VID 222
Field Production and Editing II
Building on skills learned in VID 220, students further these skills in pre-production, production, and postproduction of several tapes. They pay special attention to content, technique, and style, as well as on-location lighting techniques, visual composition, and technically clean edits. They learn to use nonlinear editing equipment. Prerequisite: VID 220. Four hours a week. Fall semester. Three credits. (27 Nov 2006)

VID 321
Sponsored Video
Building on the skills of VID 220 and VID 222, students produce a tape for an outside (corporate or nonprofit) client. After interviewing the client to determine needs, they shoot, edit, log, and script, then create the final product on a non-linear editing system. Prerequisites: VID 222 and ENG 220. Includes individual and group laboratory hours. Fall semester. Three credits. (27 Nov 2006)

VID 325
Video Production
Students produce a 12- to 15-minute video project,shooting in a three-camera studio setup using special effects and scenery and/or on location with a single camera and postproduction editing. Prerequisites: ART 140, FLM 108, VID 222, and ENG 220. Includes individual and group laboratory hours. Spring semester. Three credits. (27 Nov 2006)

VID 345
Non-Linear Editing
Students learn key terms, functions, and concepts of nonlinear editing, as well as the relationship between linear and nonlinear editing. They develop skill in using the Avid system. Prerequisite: VID 222. Spring semester. Three credits. (27 Nov 2006)