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Areas of Study:

Film/Video/Screenwriting

film/video | screenwriting | f.a.q. | uta film&video* | student work

The Department of Art and Art History at UTA has an excellent reputation for grooming young filmmakers, successfully preparing them for the creative challenges and emotional rigors of the motion picture industry. This success has not come by luck or chance, but is the result of the deliberate execution of a well-designed, three-tiered program consisting of an introductory level to lay a foundation, an intermediate level to hone skills, and an advanced level to produce high quality portfolio work.

The placement of Film/Video in UTA’s Department of Art and Art History says much about our approach. In many university film programs, including those at the prestigious “film schools,” students receive heavy doses of theory, history, and analysis, but very little hands on training. In fact, it is common for students to graduate from these programs with a degree in film, never having made a single movie. At UTA, our program is designed around a simple premise: the best way to learn how to make movies is to make movies. Treating film and video as a studio art program ensures that students will receive a balanced dose of practical application with their theoretical appreciation.

This process begins in Introduction to Film/Video, where students develop basic skill sets by planning, shooting, and editing their own short video works on digital video. They are exposed to the craft and technology of filmmaking in an environment that takes all the theory, history, and analysis and makes it real.

At this fundamental level, students also study Introduction to Screenwriting where they develop an appreciation for, and proficiency in, the art of film and video storytelling. Students learn to effectively express their ideas through industry standard script formats using descriptive action and dialog to convey complex, multi-layered themes and storylines while permeating their work with conflict, the very life-blood of story. Advanced Screenwriting continues this study into longer, more sophisticated work.

At the intermediate level, the student/filmmakers are put through an accelerated program of technical and aesthetic exercises that explore and develop specific skill sets and sensibilities that they will use throughout their work. The critical role that editing and sound play in the filmmaking process is examined in Sound and Post-Production. Here students expand upon earlier basic exposure to the worlds of picture and sound editing by exploring more sophisticated applications, techniques, and professional practices. In Cinematography, students are introduced to higher levels of image capture through the control and manipulation of light, camera, and film exposure. The Directing Workshop investigates processes of interpreting a screenplay through camera and performance with a special focus on working with actors. With the skills developed at this level, the students are now prepared to express their thoughts and feelings in profound, powerful, provocative, personal, and polished film and video pieces.

In Advanced Film/Video, and the other courses that comprise the advanced level of study, students work toward generating one complete portfolio piece per semester while further refining their skills and expressing their personal vision. In addition to the advanced Film/Video class, which is a general studies class that allows student to pursue their individual interests, our program includes areas of more specific genre studies. These genre classes make a detailed investigation of the skills and ideas particular to specialized areas in film and video production. These genre classes explore the fields of Video Art, Commercial Video, Documentary Video, 3D Animation, and Narrative Filmmaking. Students are allowed, and encouraged, to follow their passions and interests into the areas most suited to their individual career aspirations. Special topics courses supplement the regular curriculum to fill specific niche areas.  Cinematography and 16mm Film Techniques are two such classes.

Lights Camera Action, UTA Style

For students who are interested in fictional movie making, the Narrative Filmmaking class is the pinnacle of our program. In this class students are submerged in an intensive “real world” motion picture production experience. They create a production company, put together an investment proposal, develop a script, and produce a short fifteen-minute film. This film is premiered at the spring student video festival and then travels to venues in Hollywood, and throughout the world. Along the way they learn how to form the business, how to read and understand the contracts, how to budget the expenses, how to schedule the myriad details required, and everything else that goes into the making of a full length independent feature film. 

Everything in this class—to the degree possible in a university setting—is geared toward providing an environment that would be found on a typical film shoot. Each student (thirty of them in all) must apply for a position on the crew, must sign an agreement detailing their job and responsibilities, and must submit weekly time cards. Even the classes themselves are structured as production meetings, all to establish the feel of a real working production.

One of the more exciting aspects of this class is the numerous guest lecturers, recruited from the motion picture industry, who guide our student/crew through each phase of the movie making process. Their mentorship, and the relationships that form, yield additional benefits. Not only do the students profit from the knowledge shared through this exposure, but this interaction also helps build links to the film community that often leads to the students’ first film jobs, and sometimes, their first big break.

Courses

ART 2350 - INTRODUCTION TO NARRATIVE SCREENWRITING (2-4) 3 hours credit.
Basic format styles, structures, and requisites of writing narrative film. Students will be required to study scripts, view films, conduct actor readings, produce original works, and complete other assignments.

ART 2358 - INTRODUCTION TO FILM/VIDEO
Introduction to the video and filmmaking production process, techniques, history and aesthetics through the use of digital video, basic 16mm film, and basic (AVID/Final Cut Pro) digital (computer) video and audio editing. Students will write, produce and edit a number of short original works.

ART 3111 - DIRECTED SCREENINGS (3-0) 1 hours credit.
A survey screening of significant films. The course will examine the emergence of the film form, the elements of film language, the significance of film form and style, the dynamics of new technology and the workings of motion pictures as a means of narrative expression. Significant motion pictures will be screened weekly with commentary or discussion by film faculty in class. All film/video/screenwriting majors must take at least three sections (3 credit hours) of this class. Content (films screened) will vary in a three-semester rotation. No prerequisite. Prerequisite: None.

ART 3112 - DIRECTED SCREENINGS 2 (3-0) 1 hours credit.
A survey of screening of significant films. The course will examine the emergence of the film form, the elements of film language, the significance of film form and style, the dynamics of new technology and the workings of motion pictures as a means of narrative expression. Significant motion pictures will be screened weekly with commentary or discussion by film faculty in class. All film/video/screeenwriting majors must take at least three sections (3 credit hours) of the class. Content (films screened) will vary in a three-semester rotation.

ART 3113 - DIRECTED SCREENINGS 3 (3-0) 1 hours credit.
A survey screening of significant films. The course will examine the emergence of the film form, the elements of film language, the significance of film form and style, the dynamics of new technology and the workings of motion pictures as a means of narrative expression. Significant motion pictures will be screened weekly with commentary or discussion by film faculty in class. All film/video/screenwriting majors must take at least three sections(3 credit hours) of this class. Content (films screened) will vary in a three-semester rotation.  

ART 3310- FILM AS ART
The history and aesthetics of the motion picture from 1895 to the present day. Screening and analysis of film as an artistic medium, focusing on various technical innovations, filmmakers, and landmarks of film history.

ART 3384 - CINEMATOGRAPHY (2-4) 3 hours credit.
An intense study of the visual language/style of film imagery through cinematography, lighting, gaffing, gripping and extensive camerawork. Students will use digital equipment to shoot exercises, light sets and locations and learn to accurately expose, color correct and manipulate motion picture film. Students will also learn the proper use of advanced lighting equipment, professional production standards, camera crew responsibilities, and how to interpret a scene through visuals. Students will work in digital video, super 16mm or standard 17mm film and in 35mm stills.  

ART 3385 - SOUND AND POST PRODUCTION (2-4) 3 hours credit.
A basic introduction to the critical role editing and sound play in the filmmaking process. It will include audio recording, recorder operations, microphones and booms, how to capture good sound on the stage, sound reports, importance of proper labeling of all film/video elements, amplitude, frequency, filtering and equalization, what the ear perceives. In postproduction it will focus on the aesthetics of film editing and how the ability to think as a filmmaker come from personal imagination and a passionate grasp of theory and aesthetics.

ART 3386 - DIRECTING WORKSHOP (2-4) 3 hours credit.
A survey workshop exploring the visualization of script material through the directing of scenes and exercises. Critique and analysis of the exercises. A special focus will be working with the actor along with interpreting the screenplay through the camera and performance, directing the camera and the actor, and running the set.

ART 4349 - VIDEO ART AND NEW GENRES (2-4) 3 hours credit.
Advanced work involving production, postproduction, and distribution with a special emphasis on experimental and innovative applications. Instruction may include video integrated with performance, installation, audio/sound art, and computer graphics appropriate to the medium. Lectures, readings, and screenings will frame video art within an historical and critical survey of new genres. May be repeated for up to six hours credit.

ART 4350 - DOCUMENTARY FILM/VIDEO
Using film and video as a tool for creative research, students will produce, write, direct and edit original documentaries or non-fiction films/videos under supervision of the instructor.

ART 4351 - COMMERCIAL FILM/VIDEO
Commercial and corporate applications of video. Students produce original individual projects integrating concepts and technical skills under supervision of the instructor.

ART 4352 - NARRATIVE FILM/VIDEO
Narrative storytelling film/video techniques. Students write, produce, direct and edit original, short, narrative film/video projects under supervision of the instructor.

ART 4354 - ADVANCED NARRATIVE SCREENWRITING (2-4) 3 hours credit.
A continuation of ART 2350 focusing on writing an original (no adaptations), narrative, full-length screenplay through all stages to final draft status. Students study screenplays, view films, conduct actor readings, and complete various other assignments. Prerequisite: Successfully completed ART 2350 with a grade of "B" or better and permission of the instructor.

ART 4361 - 3-D ANIMATION (2-4) 3 hours credit.
Intensive study of digital computer animation and 3-D digital animation tools and techniques. Students will produce a number of short, original works under the supervision of the instructor. May be repeated for credit.

ART 4362 - ADVANCED FILM/VIDEO
Advanced production techniques in an all digital environment including AVID/Final Cut Pro post-production with special emphasis in technical, aesthetics, history and presentation. Students may elect to work in a variety of media (including 16mm, digital animation, installation, etc.) and in a variety of genres (narrative, documentary, commercial, animation) to produce original works under the supervision of the instructor.

ART 4367 - 2-D ANIMATION (2-4) 3 credit hours
This course introduces  techniques for two-dimensional animation presented in a historical and  aesthetic context. Students will produce short animated films utilizing basic  animation principles and developing the conceptual skills necessary for creating motion designs.

ART 4383 - INDEPENDENT FILM/VIDEO PRODUCTION (2-4) 3 hours credit.
Students will produce a major film or video in the genre of their choosing (narrative, documentary, commercial, or animation.) Students may elect to work in a variety of media (including 16mm film, digital video or installation) to produce original works. Students will be individually mentored as their productions move through preparation, shooting and post-production.

ART 4397 - SPECIAL STUDIES IN FILM/VIDEO (2-4) 3 hours credit.
Special studies in film/video that respond to emerging technologies, immediate needs, and specialized topics. May be repeated for credit.

Link to Art History: 3310 - Film as Art

Facilities

Production Equipment

Student Work


Click here to view Film & Video Student Work

LINKS

Dallas Film Commission

Faculty

Bart Weiss, Associate Professor (Area Coordinator)

Andy Anderson, Writer in Residence

Narcel Reedus, Assistant Professor

Mark Clive, Senior Lecturer

Laurel Petty, Adjunct Professor

David Pinkston, Adjunct Professor

Elliot Mayen, Area Technician

DEGREE PLAN

Download the Film/video degree plan here.