COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Our courses aren’t your average boring lecture classes, that would make us just like everyone else.  Here you’ll work in a studio getting real hands-on training in all technical and creative aspects of the digital media industries.

As fun as it is to read books about this stuff, we think our students would much rather do it.

The Capstone Project
Is there a short film that you’ve always dreamed about making? Well, the world is waiting for your masterpiece. Beginning on day one, you’ll start your own production and continue to build on your Capstone Project with every class you take.

DIGITAL MEDIA OVERVIEW BDM100
This course explores the development of multimedia including the history of film, special effects, animation, computers, communications, and the Internet. Students will examine the current role of multimedia in the creative and communication industries and research issues involving digital media trends and evolving media technologies.

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT BDM110
In this course, students will study techniques for developing original ideas for digital media projects including short story, animation, and commercial genres. By studying various story structures and creative development processes, students will learn all aspects of storytelling including audience assessment, content production, and multimedia presentations.

STORYBOARDING DM200
This course explores the process of storyboarding as the essential pre-production visualization tool for film and digital media production projects. Students will learn how to construct cinematic sequences, understand shot compositions and language, and convey narrative concepts visually.

PHOTOSHOP FOR DIGITAL VIDEO DM115
This course focuses on the creative and technical techniques using Adobeª Photoshop CS for image manipulation and creation specifically for digital applications such as broadcast graphics, digital video, and the Internet. Lessons prepare students using core Photoshop tools and advanced techniques.

MOTION GRAPHICS DM210
This course introduces students to motion graphics and visual effects using Apple Motionª. Beginning with the basics of animation, typography, and digital effects, students will build motion graphic projects within time-based digital environments. Students will gain a solid understanding of the application of motion graphics for broadcast animation production and compositing effects.

PROGRAM EDITING I DM215
This course introduces students to the industry leading, digital video editing software, Apple Final Cut Proª. Students will learn non-linear editing techniques, asset management, and tools such as filters, transitions, and motion control.

PROGRAM EDITING II DM230
Further exploration of editing techniques with Apple Final Cut Proª by working on advanced projects that will integrate multimedia content such as motion graphics and animation with digital video.

DVD PRODUCTION DM240
Students will learn how to conceptualize, design, and author dynamic, interactive DVDs using Apple DVD Studio Proª.

VIDEO COMPRESSION DM245
Students will learn a variety compression strategies needed for preparing digital video for numerous content distribution formats, including Broadcast, Flash, DVD, CD ROM, and the Internet. Students will understand the broad applications of compressed digital video as an increasingly integral part of interactive communications.

DIGITAL PORTFOLIO PREPARATION DM400
This capstone course teaches students how to prepare their body of work for professional multimedia presentations, how to optimize content for distribution through various digital media formats, and how to design packaging for media projects.

DIGITAL VIDEO COMPOSITION DM220
This hands-on course explores the process of developing narrative, visual sequences using digital video production equipment and practicing fundamental cinematic techniques.

VIDEO LIGHTING AND COMPOSITING DM225
This course teaches studio lighting techniques within the context of digital video production. Students will also learn how to use the green screen digital compositing process to produce matte shots for special effect sequences.

SOUND PRODUCTION DM235
This course teaches audio production techniques by introducing students to the necessary tools for recording voice, effects, and music for digital media projects.

MULTIMEDIA PROJECTS DM250
In this capstone course, students will conceptualize, design, and produce an independent multimedia project by applying the skills and techniques they have acquired throughout their student careers in the Digital Media Program.

WEB DESIGN I DM120
Introduction to web design and HTML development using Macromedia Dreamweaverª. Web theory and history will also be addressed.

WEB DESIGN II DM125
Advanced projects in web design using Macromedia Flashª to develop dynamic, interactive, and animated web content. Students will conceptualize, design, develop, upload, and maintain their own interactive multimedia web sites.

INTRO TO FLASH DM130
This course is an introduction to Macromedia Flashª, the industry standard tool for creating interactive content and dynamic multimedia applications.

FLASH ACTION SCRIPTING DM135
This course is an introduction to ActionScript, the embedded programming language employed in Macromedia Flashª, which is used to integrate increased functionality and dynamism to interactive design projects.

FLASH CARTOONING DM140
This course introduces students to the art of animation with a focus on character animation using Macromedia Flashª. Students will study story development, pre-production visualization, staging, and cinematic techniques to produce web-deliverable, animated shorts.

3D COMPUTER MODELING DM300
In this course, students gain a solid understanding of the basic concepts of 3D software by creating quality images and assets. Modeling and texturing are the primary emphasis. Several model-building techniques will be covered.

3D COMPUTER ANIMATION DM310
Students in this course will gain a solid understanding of 3D animation concepts by creating self-contained animations, multi-camera videos, and particle systems. Keyframing, camera animation, and editing systems are covered.

3D CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT DM320
In this course, students expand their knowledge of 3D Animation by focusing on the area of character modeling and animation. Character modeling, set-up, and animation are emphasized in addition to compositing, dynamics, and animation controls.