The Film Program at Western Colorado University offers students a comprehensive film education through practical hands-on creative and technical training in the areas of narrative and documentary filmmaking and audiovisual forms of communication. The Film Program combines technical training with theoretical concepts to foster both a student’s personal creative vision and collaborative work ethic. With its small class size and low student-to-faculty ratio, students benefit from personal connections and hands-on experience necessary for a life and career in the arts. Beyond the classroom, Western’s film program offers an array of opportunities in the field of media. These include on-campus student-led organizations like: Mountaineer Media, Mountaineer Cinema, KWSB 91.1FM Radio and Top O’ The World. It also includes regular opportunities for small group meetings with industry professionals and special access to industry events. Graduates complete the Film Program with a digital portfolio, creating a strong foundation for their career. In addition to preparing students for careers in the film, television and media industries our curriculum produces creatives, critical thinkers, and leaders.
Program Learning Goals:
- Students will produce and present professional media projects
- Students will develop, manage, and execute media projects—individually and collaboratively and demonstrate technical competence, creative expression, and the ability to communicate with diverse audiences.
- Students will integrate film theory and practice and demonstrate an understanding of cinematic theory, aesthetics, and history through critical analysis and the application of storytelling techniques in original media productions.
- Students will apply interdisciplinary and cultural perspectives by incorporating perspectives from other academic fields and cultural contexts into their media work, recognizing the broader social, ethical, and communicative power of film.
Students are introduced to the aesthetics of narrative and documentary motion pictures through the study of the basic elements of cinema. Topics may include story structure, cinematography, editing, sound, and lighting.
A theory and practice course wherein hands-on projects and literary study of media aesthetics, cinematic lighting, and visual design are explored. Students will also study prevailing film theories and discuss and analyze design elements as applied to the media production process for film, new medias, and television. An understanding of aesthetics and production design terminology and application is achieved through various written and practical assignments.
An introduction to the practice of media production, including the Adobe Creative Suite. Topics may include scriptwriting, producing, directing, cinematography, sound recording, editing, and standards of operation for the production facilities and equipment. This course is the prerequisite for FILM 335 Intermediate Media Production and FILM 346 Multimedia Communication.
Independent Study in Film.
Special Topics
Advanced-level practices, tools, and techniques of the media producer, cinematographer, and editor are studied and practiced. Prerequisite FILM 264; or instructor permission.
An exploration of the theory and application of multimedia communication principles through projects that use common interactive multimedia, animation, non-linear editing, web authoring, and desktop-publishing programs. Prerequisites: COM 205, or instructor permission.
An in-depth study of the aesthetics and theory of cinema through the examination and critical analysis of the technical and creative elements of selected iconic Hollywood and international motion pictures. Prerequisite: Junior standing or instructor permission.
Through the instruction in the theories and practices of studio-based media production, students receive training in the operation of studio equipment and technology. Students will practice the various job duties required in a studio production environment. Topics may include media writing, directing, floor directing, technical directing, camera operating, lighting, and audio. Prerequisite: FILM 335 with a minimum grade of C; or instructor permission.
An in-depth study of audio design and production for film, radio, television and live theatre. Prerequisite: FILM 261; or instructor permission.
The essential theory and practice of experimental filmmaking, scanning all modes of making that defy traditional cinema techniques and focus on our individual creative voices. Topics may include: lyrical and structural films, in-camera editing, and the long take. Prerequisite: FILM 335 with a minimum grade of “C;” or instructor permission.
An introduction to the theory and practice of the field-based production of narrative films. Topics emphasized may include fictional story, cinematography, lighting, sound, editing, and production management. Prerequisite: FILM 335 with a minimum grade of C; or instructor permission.
An introduction to the theory and practice of producing nonfiction works, including conventional documentary forms and autobiographical or experimental works. Topics may include actual story, cinematography, lighting, sound, editing, and production management. Prerequisite: FILM 335 with a minimum grade of C; or instructor permission.
A detailed study in a specific area of film, emphasizing individualized approaches toward development of creativity and scholarship. Prerequisites: junior or senior status and 10 credits in Film; or instructor permission.
Special Topics
Students are immersed in advanced project work. Topics may include cinematography, lighting, grip, electrical, special effects, visual effects, sound effects recording, sound design, and animation. Prerequisite: FILM 361, FILM 385, FILM 389 or FILM 390 with a minimum grade of C; or instructor permission.
This capstone course is the culmination of the Film major and challenges students to complete an original short film from pre-production through post-production. Emphasis is placed on individual artistic vision, technical excellence, and critical reflection. Students will also prepare professional portfolios, including reels, artistic statements and resumes. Prerequisite: FILM 490; or Instructor Permission.
A detailed study in a specific area of film, emphasizing individualized approaches toward development of creativity and scholarship. Prerequisites: junior or senior status and 10 credits in film; or instructor permission.
Special Topics
Internship in Film