|
|
2025-2026 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 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 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
- Demonstrate advanced understanding of the elements and principles of visual design as they apply to time-based media, including composition, movement, pacing, and rhythm in 2D and 3D cinematic space.
- Apply narrative and conceptual development skills to create original works in digital cinema, integrating storyboarding, scripting, directing, and editing techniques.
- Exhibit technical proficiency in the use of digital cameras, lighting, sound recording, and industry-standard software for editing, color correction, motion graphics, and compositing
- Create time-based media projects across multiple genres, including narrative, experimental, documentary, and promotional video, demonstrating mastery of storytelling, design, and production pipelines.
- Utilize typography, graphic elements, and visual language effectively in motion design and screen-based communication.
- Incorporate multimedia assets such as sound design, digital animation, and motion graphics into unified visual narratives.
- Apply professional practices in project planning, pre-production, budgeting, post-production workflows, file management, data storage, and content delivery across platforms.
- Conduct critical research and analysis of influential works and creators in film, video, digital art, and media theory, with emphasis on cultural, social, and technological contexts.
- Prepare and present a professional portfolio and/or demo reel of time-based work suitable for employment, film festivals, graduate school, or public exhibition.
- Collaborate effectively in production teams, demonstrating communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills within interdisciplinary and media-rich environments.
|
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)
Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 semester hours)
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)
Technology (3 semester hours)
Institutional Requirements (6 semester hours)
Free General Education Electives (9 Semester Hours)
Selected courses chosen from any category within the General Education Course List. See advisor and refer to catalog for approved courses. Total General Education Requirements: 46 - 48 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 majorVCDMA Foundation Requirements
VCDMA Portfolio Reviews, Internship and Senior Thesis Requirements
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)
Second Semester
- VCDM 231 - Visual Literacy: Elements of Design, Color, and Typography 3 Credits
- ENGL 213 - Cinema of Africa and the African Diaspora 3 Credits or ENGL 250 Introduction to Film or ENGL Other 200/300 English Course (239, 250, 253, 254, 256, 261, 333 or 361)
choose one - 3 Credits
- MGMT 101 - Introduction to Business 3 Credits
- ____ ____ Science Elective (PHSC 101) 4 Credits
- ____ ____ Science/Behavioral Science Elective (PSYC 101) 3 Credits
- VCDM 219 - Portfolio Review & Assessment I 0 Credits
**VCDM 219 Portfolio Review & Assessment I (Pass/Fail) - 0 Credits
Required Faculty Portfolio Review I
ADVANCE TO CANDIDACY
** VCDM 219 Portfolio Review & Assessment (1st Review): Students must submit a portfolio and successfully pass the 1st and 2nd portfolio review/assessment. In addition, they must submit a senior thesis proposal, min. 2 pages, typed with sketches, references, storyboards, etc. (as applicable to concentration/focus). See Advisor or Program Coordinator for details and portfolio review form. Must be reviewed by min. of (3) full-time, VCDM faculty.
Second Semester
- VCDM 407 - African American Cinema 3 Credits
- ____ ___ VCDM Elective 300/400 3 Credits
*Choose one ART/VCDM 315, 342, 352, 361, 392, 395, 397, 410, 451, 497, 499 others as approved by and in consultation with Advisor 3 Credits - VCDM 470 - Self Promotion and Marketing for the Arts 3 Credits
- VCDM 397 - 2D Digital Animation II: Advanced Animation and Motion Graphics 3 Credits
- VCDM 392 - Motion Graphics I 3 Credits
or VCDM 395 Stop-Motion Animation - choose one - VCDM 491 - Internship in Art and Visual Communication 1 Credits
- VCDM 498 - Senior Thesis & Exhibition 1 - 3 Credits **VCDM 498 Senior Thesis & Exhibition 1 - 3 Credits
***VCDM 419 Portfolio & Assessment II (Pass/Fail) - 0 Credits
- VCDM 419 - Portfolio & Assessment II 0 Credits (Pass/Fail) ***
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. This must be reviewed and approved by VCDMA coordinator and FT faculty (3 min.) A successful portfolio is a requirement for graduation.
*** VCDM 419 Portfolio Review & Assessment II: This required review is based on a student’s area of concentration and should demonstrated an advanced area of skill and advanced work from 300/400 upper-level studio courses and more. 10-20 works minimum with a focus in a concentration under VCDMA is required. A successful portfolio is a requirement for graduation.
Graduation checklist
Students should check off and complete for all concentrations (all must be completed) including courses and requirements above and/or successfully passed and approved by a 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) 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: 120 -122 CREDITS |
|
|
