Film
Program web page
104 RTV Building
509.359.6390
Faculty
Pete Porter, Chase Ogden, Drew Ayers, Malcolm Pelles.
Degrees
Minor–Film General
Minor–Film Studies
Minor–Screenwriting
Required courses in these programs of study may have prerequisites. Reference the course description section for clarification.
Pre-Major
Students may only begin the film program in the fall quarter. Students should declare their major status prior to the fall quarter that they intend to begin their major in FILM and consult with the program director on transferability of courses. We strongly recommend early application and major declaration in order to ensure enrollment in fall classes, which can fill quickly.
Transfer Requirements for Film
Transfer students, including students with AA degrees, must complete FILM 214 no later than their first fall quarter in the program.
Foreign Language Requirements for Film
Two years of a single foreign language in high school or one year of a single foreign language at the college level is required for graduation with a BA major in FILM.
Undergraduate Program
The Film program prepares students for creative roles in the filmic arts. The 79-credit program provides intensive experience in production, screenwriting, and film criticism. Students take core classes in every emphasis for four consecutive quarters, culminating in a capstone course that asks them to reflect on their experience in the film program before moving ahead. Students then complete two or more of the following senior projects:
- A theory and criticism project
- An industry standard screenplay or teleplay
- An advanced production project
- Faculty panel review of the projects as part of the oral exam experience
The Program in FILM may be completed in two years with a specific sequence of courses beginning in fall quarter. Failure to complete courses as they are offered will mean a significant delay in progress toward graduation. Students are encouraged to declare their major and to learn about the program as early as possible in their studies and no later than the fall quarter that they intend to begin the major in FILM. We also encourage students to complete all, or nearly all, other university requirements before beginning the Film program.
The Film Program provides students with audio and video editing suites, field production equipment, and a variety of production facilities.
The location of the campus in proximity to Spokane, a center of motion picture production, allows students to participate in internship programs in a wide range of communication settings.
Graduate Program
The Theatre program does not offer a graduate degree but does cooperate in individualized interdisciplinary programs. Proposed interdisciplinary programs must be developed in consultation with a Theatre advisor and submitted in compliance with the requirements listed under Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs.
Film Courses
FILM 110. INTRODUCTION TO FILMIC ARTS MEDIA PRODUCTION. 5 Credits.
Notes: offered fall quarter.
Pre-requisites: ENGL 201 or equivalent.
Foundational overview of the production techniques for telling stories cinematically. Laboratory exercises provide hands-on experience with audio and video equipment.
FILM 196. EXPERIMENTAL. 1-5 Credits.
FILM 214. FILM AND THE HUMANITIES. 5 Credits.
Notes: offered every quarter.
Satisfies: a BACR for humanities and arts.
Explores the varieties of human experience as they are expressed through the vocabulary of the filmic arts. Critical viewing, thinking and writing are central.
FILM 215. ANIMATION HISTORY. 5 Credits.
Satisfies: a BACR for humanities and arts.
This course explores how animation grew from humble beginnings to become a global medium. Animation amuses but it also expresses artistic and cultural aspects of the human experience. This course examines the many forms of animation, from hand-drawn to computer-generated, and ends by studying our current Golden Age. Critical viewing, thinking, and writing are central.
FILM 221. NARRATIVE SCRIPT ANALYSIS. 5 Credits.
Notes: offered fall quarter.
Pre-requisites: ENGL 201.
The study of narrative structures in the filmic arts. Topics include story structure, character, plot, theme, story world, symbol, scenes, and dialogue. Three hours of lecture, five hours of screening per week.
FILM 270. RACE AND ETHNICITY IN FILM. 5 Credits.
Pre-requisites: FILM 214.
Satisfies: a university graduation requirement–diversity.
Explores race and ethnicity within the filmic arts. Emphasizes critical viewing, reading and writing.
FILM 296. EXPERIMENTAL. 1-5 Credits.
Experimental.
FILM 305. ACTING FOR DIRECTORS AND WRITERS. 2 Credits.
Pre-requisites: FILM 110, FILM 214 and FILM 221 or permission of the instructor.
Explores the art of film acting from the perspectives of the director and the writer.
FILM 311. FILM PRODUCTION. 5 Credits.
Notes: offered winter quarter.
Pre-requisites: FILM 110, FILM 214, FILM 221.
Aesthetic considerations of the video and audio aspects of filmic arts production. Various techniques and media are considered. Laboratory exercises encourage audio and video exploration of new forms and techniques.
FILM 312. FILM DIRECTING AND PRODUCING. 5 Credits.
Notes: offered spring quarter.
Pre-requisites: FILM 311.
Experience in directing and producing short films. Topics include scheduling, budgeting, visual storytelling and working with actors.
FILM 321. WRITING THE SHORT FILM. 5 Credits.
Notes: offered winter quarter.
Pre-requisites: FILM 214, FILM 221.
The course provides experience in writing the short film. Students will learn to develop the visual story through focusing on dramatic structure, character development, scene writing, dialogue and action. Criticism and revision are emphasized.
FILM 322. ADAPTATION. 5 Credits.
Notes: offered spring quarter.
Pre-requisites: FILM 321.
Adapting pre-existing materials, ideas and out-of-copyright literary work into producible short screenplays. Narrative problem solving, structure, criticism and revision are central.
FILM 365. FILM HISTORY I. 5 Credits.
Pre-requisites: FILM 214.
Satisfies: a university graduation requirement–global studies.
Explores the international history of motion picture production from the late-1800s until 1960 through the screening and analysis of movies that represent a spectrum of historical periods, national cultures, genres, and styles. Analysis, critical thinking, and writing are central.
FILM 366. FILM HISTORY II. 5 Credits.
Notes: renumbered for 20-21, was FILM 466.
Pre-requisites: FILM 365.
Explores the international history of motion picture production from the 1950s to the present through the screening and analysis of movies that represent a spectrum of historical periods, national cultures, genres, and styles. Analysis, critical thinking, and writing are central.
FILM 396. EXPERIMENTAL. 1-5 Credits.
Experimental.
FILM 399. SPECIAL STUDIES IN RADIO AND TELEVISION. 1-5 Credits.
Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor, department chair and college dean.
Subjects studied vary according to faculty and student interest.
FILM 410. ADVANCED FILM PRODUCTION I. 5 Credits.
Pre-requisites: FILM 312, FILM 322, FILM 366.
Further exploration of camera work, set lighting and field sound recording encourages each student to develop a unique directorial voice. Laboratory exercises introduce new techniques in multiple aspects of film production. Students critically evaluate their own work as well as the work of their peers.
FILM 417. ADVANCED SCREENWRITING I. 4 Credits.
Notes: offered fall quarter and may be repeated for credit when topics vary.
Pre-requisites: FILM 322.
Workshop in various forms of script writing, e.g., documentary, narrative fictional, narrative nonfictional, comedy, adaptation. Students learn the art of the pitch, outlining and writing the film treatment. Different topics will be indicated on EagleNET and on the student’s permanent record.
FILM 420. ADVANCED SCREENWRITING II. 4 Credits.
Notes: may be repeated for credit when screenplay project is different.
Pre-requisites: FILM 417 or permission of the instructor.
Students will write a first draft of a feature film screenplay or extended teleplay from a treatment or story outline.
FILM 421. ADVANCED SCREENWRITING III. 4 Credits.
Pre-requisites: FILM 420 or permission of instructor.
Students will create and defend either a feature length screenplay or extended teleplay.
FILM 439. SPECIAL TOPICS. 1-5 Credits.
Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor.
The topics in this course will vary. Examples may include writing for specific genres, examination of films from a historical period and the screenplay as literature.
FILM 470. SEMINAR IN FILM CRITICISM. 4 Credits.
Notes: may be repeated for credit when topics vary.
Pre-requisites: FILM 214 or permission of the instructor.
This variable topic class explores a significant theory or issue within the filmic arts. Emphasizes critical viewing, reading and writing.
FILM 480. ADVANCED FILM PRODUCTION II. 4 Credits.
Notes: Offered winter quarter. Students must secure instructor approval for their project before enrollment.
Pre-requisites: FILM 410 and permission of instructor.
Intensive study in the preproduction and production of a short film. Emphasis on both schedule adherence and aesthetic realization.
FILM 481. ADVANCED FILM PRODUCTION III. 4 Credits.
Notes: Offered spring quarter. Students must secure instructor approval for their project before enrollment.
Pre-requisites: FILM 410 and permission of instructor.
Intensive study in the production and post-production of a short film. Emphasis on both schedule adherence and aesthetic realization.
FILM 482. ORAL EXAMINATION: PRODUCTION. 1 Credit.
Notes: offered spring quarter.
Pre-requisites: concurrent enrollment in FILM 481.
Students will complete a short film and screen it for the public and the FILM faculty. Directors will discuss storytelling and aesthetic choices following the screening.
FILM 483. ORAL EXAMINATION: CRITICISM. 1 Credit.
Notes: offered spring quarter.
Pre-requisites: concurrent enrollment in FILM 470.
Students compose and defend a thesis in Film Criticism.
FILM 484. ORAL EXAMINATION: SCREENWRITING. 1 Credit.
Notes: offered spring quarter.
Pre-requisites: concurrent enrollment in FILM 421.
Students will prepare a feature length screenplay or extended teleplay for submission to faculty as a part of an oral examination in the FILM major.
FILM 490. FILM SENIOR CAPSTONE. 5 Credits.
Notes: offered fall quarter.
Pre-requisites: FILM 312, FILM 322 and FILM 366.
Satisfies: a university graduation requirement–senior capstone.
Explores the major film theories and their evolution. Students complete a personal reflection essay summarizing and assessing their work in the film major. Critical thinking, writing, and analytical skills are central.
FILM 495. FIELD EXPERIENCE IN FILM AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA. 1-12 Credits.
Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor, department chair and college dean.
On-the-job experience in film production companies, commercial radio and television stations, advertising agencies or public relations companies or other communications-oriented industries.
FILM 496. EXPERIMENTAL COURSE. 1-5 Credits.
FILM 497. WORKSHOP, SHORT COURSE, CONFERENCE, SEMINAR. 1-5 Credits.
Notes: may be repeated.
FILM 498. SEMINAR. 1-5 Credits.
Notes: may be repeated for credit when topics vary.
FILM 499. DIRECTED STUDY. 1-5 Credits.
Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor, department chair and college dean.
FILM 598. SEMINAR IN RADIO-TELEVISION. 1-5 Credits.
Notes: may be repeated for credit when topics vary.
FILM 599. INDEPENDENT STUDY. 1-5 Credits.
Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor, department chair and college dean.
FILM 601. RESEARCH REPORT IN RADIO-TV. 1-6 Credits.
Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor, department chair and college dean.
Independent research resulting in a scholarly paper under the direction of the student's graduate committee.
FILM 696. COLLEGE TEACHING INTERNSHIP. 5-15 Credits.