Dec 26, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Visual Communication, Digital and Media Arts (VCDMA) Digital Cinema & Time-Based Media Concentration (DCTM), BS


The Digital Cinema & Time-Based Media concentration focuses primarily on digital narrative video/film production, video and time-based art and film. Students will be introduced to writing, producing, directing, storytelling, and editing/compositing techniques for digital media, and independent filmmaking and production in general. Students will be introduced to writing, producing, directing, and editing/compositing for various new media and digital media formats, and to the world of cinema, entertainment, and independent filmmaking in general. The objectives of the new concentration are as to prepare graduates to enter a career in filmmaking, video production and related fields of film, television entertainment and visual communication. They will also be empowered to continue their success and studies at the graduate level and beyond.

Student learning outcomes: After successful completion of coursework, portfolio reviews, exhibitions, internships and senior thesis projects, students will be able to

  • Organize the advanced elements of the visual language creating harmonious and unique designs for advertisement and communication 
  • Demonstrate the organizational principles that underline the effective manipulation of the optical elements over time in 2D and 3D space 
  • Demonstrate a full command of a variety of film/video production equipment, cameras, software packages and develop apply creative and effective problem-solving skills 
  • Apply successful storytelling, techniques and concepts in cinema studies, video/film production, editing and compositing 
  • Apply typography, elements, and principles of design to digital video/film projects
  • Create projects using advanced cinema, narrative video, entertainment, and digital video/imaging techniques
  • Design and utilize projects incorporating sound processing, digital video, animation, motion graphics and editing software 
  • Research, critique and discuss the work by professional filmmakers, video and content producers, designers, visual artists, web artists, animators, and others who use film, and digital video and technologies in their work
  • Apply basic digital video processing techniques
  • Apply file management, data storage options including import/export/publishing, codecs, file formats for film, video and boradcast platforms
  • Assemble a cumulative portfolio and demo reel

General Education and Institutional Requirements


See the full list of University General Education and Institutional Requirements and BSU website/catalog for all options and any updates.

English Composition (6 semester hours)


Arts and Humanities (6 semester hours)


• ____ ___ Arts and Humanities Electives 3 Credits (Students in VCDMA will take VCDM 230)

• ____ ___ Arts and Humanities Electives 3 Credits (Students in VCDMA will take THEA 100/105

Science (7-8 semester hours; at least one of which shall be a laboratory course)


• ____ ___ Science Elective 3/4 Credits

• ____ ___ Science Elective w/laboratory course 4 Credits

Mathematics (3 semester hours)


Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 semester hours)


Free General Education Electives (9 Semester Hours)


Institutional Requirements (6 semester hours)


Total General Education Requirements:  46 semester hours


 All Fine Arts, Theatre Arts and VCDMA majors in the DFPA must pass all major courses (ART, ENGL, VCDM, THEA, COMM, MGMT, MKTG, MUSC & THEA as applicable) w/grade of “C” or better; maintain a 2.0 GPA in major

*Transfer students bringing in 12 credits or more can substitute the Freshman Seminar requirement with another (3) credit course not being used

DPFA Requirements


See the full list of University General Education and Institutional Requirements for all options.

Note:


All VCDMA majors must pass all major courses (ART, ENGL, VCDM, THEA, MGMT, MKTG, MUSC & THEA) w/grade of “C” or better; maintain a 2.0 GPA in major

ART/VCDM History Requirements


Choose any (4) four courses, see where indicated for concentration; 12 credits total

ENGL (3rd) required course from LLC (200/300 level), 3 credits needed:


Suggested Additional Coursework (Not Required)


Digital Cinema & Time-Based Media Concentration (DCTM)


Sample Program


Freshman Year


First Semester


Total: 15

Second Semester


Total: 15

Sophomore Year


First Semester


Total: 15

Second Semester


Total: 16

Junior Semester


First Semester


Total: 15

Second Semester


Total: 15

Senior Year


Total: 18

Second Semester


Total: 16

Note:


**VCDM 498 requires prior approval. Students must begin their senior thesis body of work in their junior year and after approval of senior thesis proposal (VCDM 219) and completion of other required courses in concentration as well as all foundation courses. This work is due the semester before graduation and must be successfully completed, reviewed, and approved by faculty a min. of (1) one semester before a student will be allowed to take VCDM 498 Senior Thesis Exhibition. See Senior Thesis requirements.

*** Students must maintain and submit a final portfolio and successfully pass both the 1st and 2nd portfolio review/assessment (VCDM 219 & 419) in the VCDMA major. In addition, they must submit a senior thesis proposal, min. 2 pages, typed with sketches, references, storyboards, etc. See Advisor or Program Coordinator for details and portfolio review form. Must be reviewed and approved by VCDMA coordinator and FT faculty (3 min.) A successful portfolio is a requirement for graduation.

Graduation checklist, check off and complete for all concentrations (all must be completed) including courses and requirements above and/or successfully passed and approved by faculty advisor and/or Program Coordinator.

____ Completion of all foundation and lower-level ART/VCDM courses
____ Passing all major/concentration courses in sequence, with a “C” (2.0) GPA or
          better; last 30 credits at BSU
____ 1st Required Faculty Portfolio Review (VCDM 219 passed); Y | N When:

____  Senior thesis proposal and sketches, storyboards, etc. (typed and approved)
____  Senior thesis proposal (typed and approved) Y | N
____ Senior thesis proposal exhibition; passing of VCDM 498 Senior Thesis
          Exhibition course

____ 2nd Required Faculty Portfolio Review (VCDM 419 passed); Y | N When:
____ Internship/Apprenticeship (s) and VCDM 491 Internship course. Where/When:
 

TOTAL: 122 CREDITS