To learn more about ASU FIDM, go here.

Please see our Privacy Policy.

Digital Media

Digital Cinema, Bachelor of Arts - Curriculum

The following are the required courses for this major. Students who attend Orientation and meet with the Education Department can obtain personalized academic counseling to complete the program. Transfer credits, changes in curriculum, and other factors may affect the academic plan for individual students. The FIDM Education Department can provide additional information.

Prerequisite:

Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree in Digital Media from FIDM, or a prior Associates degree in a related field from another accredited college or university. Additional requirements may apply.

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

One-on-one advisement is available to students from other FIDM Majors to consider eligibility for special admissions to this program. Contact the appropriate department chairperson.

Directing for Film & TV

This course focuses on the importance of the director in modern media. Students explore the differences between directing for film and for television. Students learn various directing techniques, as well as important tips and tricks used in the professional arena, and then apply these skills in the directing of their own projects.

Filmmaking: Context of Expression

This course explores the intersection of story, metaphor, and production design in filmmaking. Viewings of selected films and readings in fiction and creative non-fiction and film theory, genre and technique encourage students to analyze the work of noted writers and directors while gaining insight into their own creative and decision-making processes. In-class discussions, presentations, and workshops culminate with the creation of a short-film treatment detailing specifications for characters, story arc and production design.

Introduction to Script Analysis

This course introduces students to the tools and techniques used in impactful film scripts, with a particular focus on developing engaging stories. Students explore the various components of effective storytelling, including character development, theme, conflict and resolution. Students work on their own scripts throughout the course.

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of cinematography, including the operation of digital video cameras and factors that impact image acquisition and manipulation. Students explore exposure control, composition, movement, lighting, color theory, and lensing. Topics covered include RGB changes, scene profiling, gamma adjustment, black pedestal control, and camera filtration using tungsten and fluorescent sources.

Creative Writing

This course educates students about writing across multiple genres. Students learn to express their thoughts and feelings in an imaginative and unique way. Students take an original project from conception to completion. During that process, students engage in peer review, instructor critique, and multiple phases of re-writes. Upon completion of this course, students have at least one fully original work.

Visual Storytelling: Techniques & Technology

In this course students explore the technology and techniques used in visual storytelling. Students apply this knowledge while editing their own projects, and by participating in peer review and in-class critiques.

Documentary Filmmaking I

This course introduces students to documentary filmmaking. Students view and discuss various documentaries as they learn about the entire filmmaking process, including producing, directing, preproduction, production, writing, lighting, cinematography, and interviewing for documentaries.

Documentary Filmmaking II

In this course, students work in groups on the production of a short documentary project. Each student is assigned a specific job, including producer, director, director of photography, camera operator, and more. The students work as a team to research, write, shoot, and edit their original project, taking it from the pre-production stages through post-production and delivery. Prerequisite: DIGI 3700A

Editing for Documentaries

This course covers the editing process for documentary films, from footage to final edit. Practical considerations, techniques, and processes used by documentary editors are explored. Skills acquired in prior editing courses are built upon to enhance understanding of editing in the context of the documentary genre. Upon completion of this course, students will be prepared to tackle a variety of real issues that may arise while editing their own documentary films in the final quarter of the program.

Lighting Techniques

This course emphasizes lighting for different scenarios. Students learn to light green screen, people, and different environments with industry-standard grip and lighting equipment. Students also learn about color correction, camera filtration, and the use of scrims, lighting gels, and barn doors. Finally, students learn how to employ various lighting techniques to create a mood and atmosphere that support their project.

Audio Techniques

This course explores audio mixing and other advanced audio techniques. Students walk through the process of mixing audio in preparation for the post-production phase of their documentary films. Students work with commonly used audio effects such as EQ and reverb, learn how to change the length and speed of audio tracks, and explore recording scratch tracks. Topics include: adjusting gain and audio levels, keyframes, using the Limiter and EQ effects, working with audio transitions, healing noise, trimming, recording, and exporting audio.

In this course, students are introduced to the various components of pre-production, including budget creation and analysis, production planning, and factual and logistical research. Students break down scripts, storyboard scripts, scout potential shooting locations, and identify potential crew members. This course emphasizes the role of the producer and the techniques involved in producing short films. Prerequisites: DIGI 3500, DIGI 3700A, DIGI 3700B

Introduction to Producing

In this course, students study various aspects of contemporary production and post-production practices for the film and entertainment industries. Students are introduced to the role of a producer on a project, including what a producer does and various pitfalls to avoid. Students also learn how to work effectively with a producer, as well as what is involved in producing their own original work.

This course provides an in-depth look at the practical side of the entertainment industry, including an introduction to advanced techniques and technology. Periodic guest speakers hold sessions on multiple advanced level topics, including working with Pro Tools, working with Avid Media Composer, production sound, and other advanced production equipment and techniques.

Master Class II

This course explores advanced finishing techniques that students utilize as they move into the post-production phase of their documentary films. Topics covered include professional grading methodologies and advanced post-production editing, visual effects, and audio techniques. Emphasis is placed on creatively and efficiently unifying content with a look, sound, and feel that create a contextual flow throughout the project and maximizes emotional impact of the films stories.

Production Studio

This course builds upon the prior curriculum and immerses students in the world of documentary production. Throughout the course, students shoot their own documentary, having completed pre-production in prior quarters. In addition to shooting, students spend time reviewing dailies and addressing individualized production issues as they arise. Upon completion of this course, students prepare finished material to be used in the post-production phase of the film. Prerequisite: DIGI 4200

Post-Production: Editorial of Final Project

During this course, students edit their original documentary and prepare it for submission to the Sundance Film Festival. Students become familiar with all submission standards for the festival, and must meet all delivery requirements in order to successfully complete this course. Prerequisite: DIGI 4450

Advanced Post-Production: Visual Effects

This course builds upon the visual effects techniques learned earlier in the curriculum, exploring various plug-ins offered in the editing platforms in greater detail. Students learn advanced techniques used by industry professionals to manipulate footage, color correct content to create a mood or enhance the story, and even to create powerful visual illusions that contribute to a projects overall impact. Prerequisite: DIGI 4450

Advanced Post-Production: Audio Mix & Digital Output

This course explores advanced techniques in sound design and audio mixing. All areas of post-production sound design are applied during the editing phase of the project. Students learn to evaluate music choices, edit music, create sound effects to improve the story, edit dialogue, and effectively use sound design to enhance their storytelling capabilities. Prerequisite: DIGI 4450

This course introduces students to cinema outside the U.S. through an examination of representative works, genres, and movements. The course provides a critical context and mapping strategies for the study of contemporary world cinema and introduces students to the categorization and global circulation of films. It explores the aesthetics, audiences, authorship, and concepts of the transnational. Students learn the history of internationalism in cinema, the role of film festivals, shifts in global popular cinema, and its relevance today.

College Mathematics

This course explores financial and consumer math, the geometry of flat and 3-dimensional spaces, and the basics of statistical analysis. Integrating mathematical equations and concepts in the context of problem solving and discovery, students complete projects and assignments demonstrating the effective use of quantitative tools to support their conclusions.

Applied Statistics+

This course emphasizes the understanding and application of statistical methodology. Major topics include descriptive statistics, probability, sampling, inferences of sampling, means and proportions,measures of central tendency, correlation, regression,hypothesis testing, and methods for displaying,describing, and producing data. Technology applications facilitate in-class activities.

Principles of Kinesiology+

The emphasis of this course is to scientifically examine the musculoskeletal and physiological systems of the body in motion and at rest. The principles of biochemical, pulmonary, and circulatory systems related to movement and exercise and the contemporary issues of neuromuscular health are investigated.

Principles of Kinesiology Lab+

This lab includes field excursions, observation journals, and interviews with practitioners in the field of kinesiology, including physical therapists, sports medicine physicians, and professional trainers.

Microeconomics+

Through the study of classical economic principles, students develop a framework for analyzing economic variables and their effects on individuals, business organizations, and economics. Using graphs and models, students also explore and apply fundamental economic concepts such as supply and demand, competition and monopoly, and profit maximization.

Principles of Chemistry+

Students study the fundamental principles of chemistry and their applications. The relationships between atomic particles and their effect on bonding, chemical reactions, and matter are explored.

World Political History+

This global survey traces the quest for independence and prosperity on the part of emerging economies around the world after World War II. The course examines the varying fortunes of countries as they encountered the crucial questions of political organization, state control, and personal freedom from 1945 to the present. It also examines the issue of environmental sustainability in the face of pressures posed by population, industrialization, and consumerism.

Writing for Business Professionals+

This course explores the principles and strategies of effective written professional communication in the context of the global workplace, current and emerging technologies, and contemporary issues. Students apply sound communication, analysis, and research techniques to the composition of a professional bio, memos, formal reports, and other forms of business communication. The connection between skillful communication, critical thinking, and decision-making is also stressed.

Social Psychology+

A course that examines social psychology and how the behaviors, thoughts, and emotions of individuals are created and modified by the social and cultural conditions in which they live. Issues of social influence, cooperation and conflict, conformity, perception, change, and leadership are explored.

Issues in Contemporary Society+

A General Studies capstone course addressing current issues in social diversity, globalization, business ethics, and civic responsibility. Students combine critical analysis, scientific inquiry, and technological skill to research and prepare a clear written and oral presentation on a challenging, advanced question of their own choosing.

Total Units of Credit: 91

+ Available as an online (distance learning) course