Current Courses and Theatre/Film Department Events
We are currently working on adding all of our courses to the list below, a process which is taking a long time primarily due to the curriculum revamping that was recently approved. Click on a course title to view a description of that class.
Many of the courses also offer a link to an example syllabus as well.
Participation in drama workshop or lab production as performer or technical staff
member. Credit in this course may not be applied to a major program in Theatre.
1.000 TO 3.000 Credit hours
There is a more in-depth description / sample syllabus available for this course here.
Offered via distance delivery every semester.
History and development of the medium of film in the U.S. and abroad during the last 100 years. Content will vary each semester.
This class introduces basic stage acting techniques for people with little or no prior
acting experience. The course will emphasize physical, emotional, and imaginative
awareness and will include monologue and scene work, character analysis and improvisation.»
3.000 Credit hours
3.000 Lecture hours
There is a PDF sample of a recent syllabus for this course available here.
Understanding and appreciation of dramatic performance in
culture, theatre and film through an exploration of its diverse styles, influences
and
developments. Topics include performance theories, the creative process, historical
and
cultural contexts and popular movements and trends.
Reading, analyzing, and categorizing plays as maps for theatrical production. Students
will be exposed to a broad range of plays from the classical and contemporary Western
canon. Established theories and critical writings about the structure of plays will
be explored and discussed to facilitate understanding of dramatic structure and dramaturgy.
Prerequisites: ENGL F111X or concurrent enrollment, or permission of instructor.»
3.000 Credit hours
3.000 Lecture hours
There is a PDF sample of a recent syllabus for this course available here.
4 Credits
Offered Spring Even-numbered Years
Materials of scene construction, painting, lighting design and their use, safe use of standard construction tools, fundamentals of theatre drafting. Theatre concentration FLPA majors are encouraged to fulfill this requirement by their junior year.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 5 + 0
Focusing on what actually makes a video, we will explore lighting and sound design techniques to improve the quality of video projects. Idealized and practical tactics will be investigated.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Previsualization is a collaborative process that generates preliminary versions of
shots or sequences, predominantly using 3D animation tools and a virtual environment.
It enables filmmakers to visually explore creative ideas, plan technical solutions
and communicate a shared vision for efficient production. Laying a foundation for
cinema production, this course will explore screenwriting, storyboarding, previsualization
animation, animatics and film pre-production approaches. This course will focus on
developing original stories for animation or dramatic film productions and preparing
those concepts for cinematic production.
3.000 Credit hours
3.000 Lecture hours
There is a PDF sample of a recent syllabus for this course available here.
FLPA 247 Introduction to Production Design
3 credits
Exploration and application of the elements of design as they relate to theatre, dance, film, video and other art forms.
Produce a short dramatic video including concept and script development, basic camera
and shooting techniques, working with actors/directing fundamentals, location scouting,
production schedule development, basic non-linear editing techniques, and DVD authoring.
Students do not need previous experience making movies to take this class.
Recommended: FLPA F121; FLPA F241.
Offered Fall
3.000 Credit hours
3.000 Lecture hours
There is a PDF sample of a recent syllabus for this course available here.
Introduction to the technical and aesthetic aspects of non-linear digital video editing. Students will go from little or no experience in non-linear editing to being comfortable with some of the advanced editing techniques. Address motion picture editing theories.
This special section of the course will focus on using Adobe Creative Cloud (primarily
Premiere) as a non-linear editor.
Offered Fall
3 Credit hours
3 Lecture hours
Click here to view an example syllabus in PDF form for this course.
Typically offered each Spring.
Students will apply skills introduced in Fundamentals of Acting, to acting for the
camera. By acting in numerous on-camera exercises, television and film scenes, the
class will expand each performer's expressiveness for the camera. May be repeated
twice for credit.
Prerequisites: FLPA F121. Recommended prerequisite: FLPA F221.
3.000 Credit hours
3.000 Lecture hours
There is a PDF sample of a recent syllabus for this course available here.
Vocal training for actors through introduction to Fitzmaurice and Linklater techniques.
Course will include basic vocal anatomy, introduction to the International Phonetic
Alphabet and monologue performance.
Prerequisites: THR F121 or permission of instructor.
Offered Alternate Years
3.000 Credit hours
3.000 Lecture hours
There is a PDF sample of a recent syllabus for this course available here.
This course introduces the principles of stage movement and period acting. The class
will include introduction to movement dynamics, contact improvisation, stage combat,
physical character development, and period scene study.
Prerequisites: FLPA F221 and FLPA F320.
Offered Alternate Years
3.000 Credit hours
3.000 Lecture hours
There is a PDF sample of a recent syllabus for this course available here.
Next offered: Spring.
Introduction to the history, theory and basic concepts of film stage direction. Includes interpretative script analysis, creative visualization, conceptualization, use of space, working with actors and designers, and direction of short scenes and videos.
Prerequisites: FLPA F271; FLPA F260; or permission of instructor.
Recommended: FLM/ENGL F217; FLPA F121; FLPA F215.
3 Credit hours
3.5 Lecture hours
There is an example syllabus in PDF form for this course avaialble here.
History, theory and basic concepts of stage direction. Interpretive script analysis,
creative visualization, conceptualization, use of space, and focus, working with actors
and designers and possible direction of short scenes.
Prerequisites: THR F121; THR F215, THR 335.
3.000 Credit hours
3.000 Lecture hours
There is a PDF sample of a recent syllabus for this course available here.
FLPA F347 Lighting Design (O, h)
3 Credits
Principles and techniques of theatrical lighting design. The student will conduct practical experiments and design projects applying the experience gained from the experiments. Students will spend approximately $40 for materials.
Prerequisites: or .
Recommended: .
Cross-listed with .
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
For Fall 2015:
This course will examine theatre and film scripts and productions from around the world with an eye for how crime is societally conceived and culturally depicted. We’ll examine» the numerous ways crime stories are told, from the U.S. to Argentina, from Europe to Africa and Asia.
Writing assignments will include short analyses of plays and films under examination, and students may choose a final, semester-long project which is either an academic-style paper OR a screenplay/stage play which reflects the themes and ideas under examination.
This course will focus on the refinement of physical, vocal, emotional, and imaginative
awareness. This is a scene study class which will include audition technique, acting
for the camera skills, and preparation for the professional world of acting.
Prerequisites: FLPA F121, FLPA F215, FLPA F221 FLPA F320 and FLPA F321; or permission
of instructor.
Offered Alternate Years»
3.000 Credit hours»
3.000 Lecture hours
There is a PDF sample of a recent syllabus for this course available here.
In depth investigation into the history, theory and concepts of film and video direction.
Script preparation, storyboarding and animatics, blocking actors and staging the camera,
sound design, special effects, and editing techniques will be explored. Each student
will produce their own capstone film project. Special fees apply.»
Prerequisites: FLPA F273, FLPA F331, FLPA F290.
Recommended: FLPA F271, FLPA F334.
Offered Spring Even-numbered Years»
3.000 Credit hours
3.000 Lecture hours
There is a PDF sample of a recent syllabus for this course available here.
FLPA F499 Thesis Project
1-3 Credits
Final step in film or stage training which involves creating a final film or stage creative project as a filmmaker (PDF), actor (PDF), director (PDF), designer, playwright or screenwriter. Projects can include producing a film project with the support of a faculty advisor, performing a leading role on a theatre/film ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ main-stage film or stage production or directing/designing/writing a project for the theatre/film ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ season.
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 1-3
Please note that there are specific project guidelines for filmmakers, actors» or directors which should be followed. (Links to pdf files of guidelines).
More in-depth course information will be added as time allows.
Thank you for your patience.