A comprehensive, hands-on studio course, exploring the technical and theoretical dimensions of motion picture cinematography and lighting, using both 16mm film and mini-DV videotape as creative formats. The course covers the practical aspects of camera and lighting techniques as applied to a variety of genres (documentary, narrative and experimental); also screen and analyze a wide range of film and video material as examples of creative cinematography.

This hands-on studio is where good, smart and cool movies are born. Students work in groups, particularly during their first year. While writing and editing are often solitary activities, production is not. Great films are collaborations and students will be expected to work in teams. Group discussions and critiques are balanced with individual meetings with faculty and visits with guest filmmakers. Class meetings often include a screening in conjunction with the MD Film Festival. Special emphasis will be placed on ways that filmmakers can build and reach an audience. Students explore the diverse ways filmmakers are sustaining careers while creating high impact films. Second year students produce a thesis film. Students define their thesis work at the close of the first year.

This hands-on studio is where good, smart and cool movies are born. Students work in groups, particularly during their first year. While writing and editing are often solitary activities, production is not. Great films are collaborations and students will be expected to work in teams. Group discussions and critiques are balanced with individual meetings with faculty and visits with guest filmmakers. Class meetings often include a screening in conjunction with the MD Film Festival. Special emphasis will be placed on ways that filmmakers can build and reach an audience. Students explore the diverse ways filmmakers are sustaining careers while creating high impact films. Second year students produce a thesis film. Students define their thesis work at the close of the first year.

The Director of Photography has instrumental role in crafting the final look of a film. In the course, the four creative roles of the cinematography department – Camera Operator, Gaffer, Key Grip, and Dolly Grip are examined in-depth. Through a series of screenings, discussions and workshops, the students learn many of the dynamics between these roles. In class, students will mount detailed and intricately lighted shots. Students will work with the Arri Amira, a professional motion picture camera. Camera topics include camera settings & trouble shooting, on-set data management, ALEXA color science, working with LogC, look management, and dailies creation.

The course covers working with actors and understanding the filmmaking process from the actor's point of view. Students will learn to analyze a script with the goal of planning shots and directing actors. The analysis will help students determine the needs of each scene and discover the characters' actions. They will learn blocking and staging, with emphasis on communicating the director's vision with each scene. This is a participatory workshop where students will direct their classmates and be directed by them.

This two-semester course is the centerpiece of the graduate experience. The studio meets for four hours weekly and is co-taught with the MICA MFA Program. This hands-on studio is where good, smart and compelling movies are born. While writing and editing are often solitary activities, production is not. Students work on their own project, teaming up with fellow students and other filmmakers. Group discussions and critiques are balanced with individual meetings with faculty and visits with guest filmmakers. Class meetings often include a screening in conjunction with the Maryland Film Festival. Special emphasis will be placed on ways that filmmakers can build and reach an audience. Students also explore the diverse ways filmmakers are sustaining careers while creating high impact films.

This course is designed for MFA Filmmaking students and for all graduate students interested in film analysis. The course is an introduction to Post-World War II film history, film studies and film theory & criticism. The course will survey cognitive, formal and ideology-focused theories of film in order to better comprehend the medium. Students will study the major industrial, technological, aesthetic and cultural developments in motion picture history with a special emphasis on increasing representation in front of and behind the camera and de-colonizing cinematic storytelling.

This hands-on studio is where good, smart and cool movies are born. Students work in groups, particularly during their first year. While writing and editing are often solitary activities, production is not. Great films are collaborations and students are expected to work in teams. Group discussions and critiques are balanced with individual meetings with faculty and visits with guest filmmakers. Class meetings often include a screening in conjunction with the MD Film Festival. Special emphasis placed on ways that filmmakers can build and reach an audience. Students also explore the diverse ways filmmakers are sustaining careers while creating high impact films. Second year students produce a thesis film. Students define their thesis work at the close of the first year.

This hands-on studio is where good, smart and cool movies are born. Students work in groups, particularly during their first year. While writing and editing are often solitary activities, production is not. Great films are collaborations and students are expected to work in teams. Group discussions and critiques are balanced with individual meetings with faculty and visits with guest filmmakers. Class meetings often include a screening in conjunction with the MD Film Festival. Special emphasis placed on ways that filmmakers can build and reach an audience. Students also explore the diverse ways filmmakers are sustaining careers while creating high impact films. Second year students produce a thesis film. Students define their thesis work at the close of the first year.

This hands-on studio is where good, smart and cool movies are born. Students work in groups, particularly during their first year. While writing and editing are often solitary activities, production is not. Great films are collaborations and students are expected to work in teams. Group discussions and critiques are balanced with individual meetings with faculty and visits with guest filmmakers. Class meetings often include a screening in conjunction with the MD Film Festival. Special emphasis will be placed on ways that filmmakers can build and reach an audience. Students also explore the diverse ways filmmakers are sustaining careers while creating high impact films. Second year students produce a thesis film. Students define their thesis work at the close of the first year.