Academy of Art University Motion Pictures & Television
http://www.academyart.edu/film-school/bfa_program.html
School of Motion Pictures & Television
About Our BFA Program
The School of Motion Pictures & Television fosters creativity and independence in filmmaking as an art. We also provide instruction in the commercial aspects of filmmaking as a business. Our approach is dedicated to practical, hands-on training in a collaborative framework. Students are immersed in a broad range of filmmaking skills, including producing, directing, cinematography, lighting, sound, editing, screenwriting, production design and acting. After gaining experience in a broad range of disciplines, students will specialize in one area for the purpose of portfolio development. We train students ultimately to become specialists, since specialists are what the industry requires.
Our program offers state-of-the-art equipment and guidance by top industry professionals. Students who concentrate in acting will take a series of performance courses (acting, speech, singing, movement, improvisation, Shakespeare). Acting classes also collaborate with other classes in Motion Pictures and Television. Acting students will graduate with a taped portfolio of their work, which can be used to help launch an acting career. Guest speakers of special note in their respective fields are invited during each semester.
Potential Careers: Producer, Director, Editor, Gaffer, Actor, Camera Operator, Art Director, Set Designer, Screenwriter and Location Manager.
Program Learning Outcomes, BFA
School of Motion Pictures and Television
Professional Readiness
Ability to work in the professional environment with a broad-stroke understanding of how movies are made and the individual specialty skills involved.
Ability to create a compelling reel or portfolio to profile themselves for specialized industry opportunities.
Professional Communication
Ability to communicate using industry terminology.
Understanding of research required for film projects and professional presentations.
Creative Collaboration
Ability to assemble and work effectively with a team on film projects.
Visual Storytelling
Understanding of story and how it is advanced through the arts of story development and screenwriting, as well as acting, directing, cinematography, production design, sound design, and editing.
Storyboarding
Ability to tell a compelling visual story.
Ability to conform written concepts and stories to the visual medium, beginning with storyboards.
Problem Solving
Ability to apply knowledge of film history, aesthetics, and techniques to identify and solve contemporary filmmaking problems.
Cinematography
Ability to work with various cameras, lenses, film stocks, accessories, and lighting schemes.
Ability to synthesize technical and aesthetic skills to make creative decisions that will emotionally engage the audience in the story.
Ability to design and execute creative lighting choices that serve the story.
Ability to apply principles of composition.
Ability to respect working relationships and follow set protocols according to industry standards.
Editing
Ability to select and assemble the most compelling sequences from the material shot in order to convey the story with the greatest emotional impact.
Ability to creatively problem-solve with the material available to construct a viable scene .
Ability to demonstrate proficiency in the technical skills involved in editing (including linear and nonlinear platforms: tape to tape, Final Cut Pro, Avid Express and Avid Adrenaline).
Screenwriting
Ability to structure and write shorts and features that demonstrate compelling story and character development.
Ability to generate commercially viable stories demonstrating effective premise, conflict, and resolution.
Understanding of industry-standard formatting.
Ability to pitch their stories effectively.
Directing
Ability to communicate effectively with each of the creative department heads within the production team, as well as the actors, to convey a cohesive, unified vision that will emotionally affect audiences.
Ability to envision a screenplay in terms of discrete visual elements.
Ability to guide a team to technically execute shots, scenes, and sequences to best serve the story.
Ability to originate projects to direct.
Understanding of the necessity and protocols for soliciting investors and clients.
Producing
Ability to work within industry protocols to develop and execute film projects.
Ability to break down a script and schedule a screenplay for production.
Ability to budget a film project, including determining needs for actors, crew, locations, equipment and props.
Ability to option a screenplay or originate material for production.
Ability to pitch a screenplay or story idea.
Ability to set up a film company, including LLCs.
Ability to acquire necessary goods and services for film productions.
Ability to locate, assemble and manage the production team, observing industry protocols.
Ability to negotiate terms and contracts (actors, crew, locations, equipment, lodging, transportation, catering).
Understanding of the importance of selecting commercially viable stories.
Understanding of how to acquire investors and clients.
Ability to write a deal memo and releases for talent and locations.
Ability to acquire production insurance and film permits.
Understanding of legal aspects of film production, including copyrights, trademarks, music licensing, working with minors, unions, and guilds.
Understanding of the postproduction process.
Understanding of motion picture distribution, exhibition and marketing.
Production Design
Ability to create the look of a picture, including creating or selecting all interior and exterior environments.
Ability to research and select environmental details to create an environment that conveys authenticity and interest and contributes to the mood/style of the story.
Ability to use color, texture and design to create cohesive scenic backgrounds, which work in concert with wardrobe and makeup design.
Understanding of the basics of set design and construction.
Ability to competently communicate design concepts through basic drawing skills.
Ability to acquire necessary materials.
Ability to problem-solve within budgetary constraints.
A thorough understanding of the Art Department function including all team members and their various responsibilities, hierarchy and protocols.
Special Effects
Understanding/comprehensive overview of what constitutes a special effect/visual effect in a motion picture.
Understanding of the array of live-action visual effects including wind, rain, snow, smoke, fire/explosives (pyrotechnics), use of weapons including firearms and bladed weapons. Each of these topics is focused on the understanding of how to safely incorporate these elements into a movie including legal issues and selection of trained and licensed experts to safely produce these effects.
Understanding of the array of computer software/programs which generate images (CGI) used to create effects.
Understanding techniques of compositing which incorporate computer generated images into the frame to complete a visual effect.
Understanding of models and model-making/puppets/stop motion photography/animation camera, blue screen/green screen, VFX cinematography and matte painting.
Understanding the criteria used to determine the best/most effective and cost effective way to bring an effect to the screen.
Understanding of the visual effects/special effects team including hierarchy and protocols.
Understanding the interface of the visual effects team and the rest of the production team including hierarchy, protocols and safety for all cast and crew.
Acting Graduates Will Meet the Following Student Performance Criteria:
Ability to synthesize the results of their training to deliver cohesive performances, which demonstrate: proficiency in voice, movement, comprehension of the script and emotional material, attention to other actors and the environment, and truthful behavior and realization of the script.
Ability to deliver simple and truthful performances on an appropriate scale for both theater and film.
Ability to make purposeful acting, vocal, and movement choices. Ability to make acting decisions free from fear or self-consciousness.
Ability to interpret plays and screenplays with an understanding of story and emotional stakes.
Ability to define the what the story and the scene is about, to be aware of the whole picture, and to understand their role in telling the story.
Ability to behave truthfully under imagined circumstances, as defined by the script.
Ability to apply relaxation techniques to achieve the freedom to improvise.
Ability to listen and respond to other actors in the working environment.
Ability to experiment with ideas in the rehearsal process, and to create subtext (an imaginative world that aids their ability to tell the story).
Ability to move adequately for various performance requirements.
Ability to articulate and project appropriately for the performance medium.
Ability to hit marks and match actions for film work.
Ability to remain curious and open to new ideas during the rehearsal process. Ability to ask precise questions and to adjust performances.
Willingness to take risks and transcend the fear of emotional exposure in rehearsal and performances.
Ability to observe and find inspiration from the behavior of people in everyday life, including themselves.
Ability to incorporate these observations into their acting work so that they recognize the difference between doing an action and overacting.
Ability to take and understand positive criticism of their performance.
Ability to contribute work to include in a demo reel/finished portfolio to carry with them into film and/or theater.
Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:
Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.
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