Film
Dr. Pete Porter, Program Director
104 RTV Building
509.359.6390
Film and Digital Media Program web page
Faculty
Dr. Drew Ayers, Chase Ogden, Malcolm Pelles, Dr. Pete Porter.
Degrees
Minor–Film
Minor–Screenwriting
Required courses in these programs of study may have prerequisites. Reference the course description section for clarification.
Film Tracks Begin in Fall Quarter Only
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.
World Language Requirements for Film
Two years of a single world language in high school or one year of a single world 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 film and digital media. The 80-credit program provides intensive experience in production, screenwriting, and film studies. 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 may then continue all three tracks or choose two specializations among production, screenwriting, and film studies. Students must complete two or more of the following senior projects:
- An advanced production project
- An industry standard screenplay or teleplay
- A film studies project
A panel of faculty and invited experts review senior projects as part of the oral exam experience.
Declare your major in Film and Digital Media at any time, but no later than the fall quarter that you begin your major in Film and Digital Media. A key part of declaring your major in Film and Digital Media is that you will be assigned a faculty advisor in FILM who can guide you through the steps of the program and advise you which courses to take to prepare for Film and Digital Media.
Fall Quarter sees the beginning of the coursework sequence. Because of our cohort model, Film and Digital Media program requires a specific sequence of courses, which may be completed in two years. Failure to complete courses as they are offered will mean a significant delay in progress toward graduation. We recommend that you complete most EWU requirements before beginning the program in Film and Digital Media, but this is less critical than starting Film courses in a Fall Quarter. You will have the chance to complete BACR courses after completing Film and Digital Media or during summer quarters, but the Film and Digital Media Program starts only in the Fall.
The Film and Digital Media 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 hub of motion picture production, allows students to participate in internship programs in a wide range of communication settings.
Graduate Program
The Film and Digital Media program does not offer a graduate degree but does cooperate in individualized interdisciplinary programs. Proposed interdisciplinary programs must be developed in consultation with a Film advisor and submitted in compliance with the requirements listed under Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs.
Film Courses
FILM 110. INTRODUCTION TO FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCTION. 4 Credits.
Notes: offered fall quarter.
Pre-requisites: ENGL 201 or equivalent. Corequisite: FILM 110L.
Foundational overview of the production techniques for telling stories cinematically. Laboratory exercises provide hands-on experience with audio and video equipment. Companion course to FILM 110L.
FILM 110L. INTRODUCTION TO FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCTION LAB. 1 Credit.
Pre-requisites: ENGL 201 or equivalent. Corequisite: FILM 110.
Companion lab to FILM 110.
FILM 196. EXPERIMENTAL. 1-5 Credits.
FILM 214. FILM AND THE HUMANITIES. 3 Credits.
Notes: offered every quarter.
Pre-requisites: Corequisite: FILM 214L.
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. Companion course to FILM 214L.
FILM 214L. FILM AND THE HUMANITIES SCREENING/LAB. 2 Credits.
Pre-requisites: Corequisite: FILM 214.
Companion lab to FILM 214.
FILM 215. ANIMATION HISTORY. 3 Credits.
Pre-requisites: Corequisite: FILM 215L.
Satisfies: a BACR for humanities and arts.
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. Companion course to FILM 215L.
FILM 215L. ANIMATION HISTORY SCREENING/LAB. 2 Credits.
Pre-requisites: Corequisite: FILM 215.
Companion lab to FILM 215.
FILM 221. SCREENPLAY ANALYSIS. 3 Credits.
Notes: offered fall quarter.
Pre-requisites: ENGL 201. Corequisite: FILM 221L.
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. Companion course to FILM 221L.
FILM 221L. SCREENPLAY ANALYSIS SCREENING/LAB. 2 Credits.
Pre-requisites: ENGL 201. Corequisite: FILM 221.
Companion lab to FILM 221.
FILM 270. RACE AND ETHNICITY IN FILM. 3 Credits.
Pre-requisites: FILM 214. Corequisite: FILM 270L.
Satisfies: a university graduation requirement–diversity.
Explores race and ethnicity within the filmic arts. Emphasizes critical viewing, reading, and writing. Companion course to FILM 270L.
FILM 270L. RACE AND ETHNICITY IN FILM SCREENING/LAB. 2 Credits.
Pre-requisites: FILM 214. Corequisite: FILM 270.
Companion lab to FILM 270.
FILM 296. EXPERIMENTAL. 1-5 Credits.
Experimental.
FILM 305. ACTING FOR DIRECTORS AND WRITERS. 3 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. 4 Credits.
Notes: offered winter quarter.
Pre-requisites: FILM 110, FILM 214, FILM 221. Corequisite: FILM 311L.
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. Companion course to FILM 311L.
FILM 311L. FILM PRODUCTION LAB. 1 Credit.
Pre-requisites: FILM 110, FILM 214, FILM 221. Corequisite: FILM 311.
Companion lab to FILM 311.
FILM 312. FILM DIRECTING AND PRODUCING. 4 Credits.
Notes: offered spring quarter.
Pre-requisites: FILM 311. Corequisite: FILM 312L.
Experience in directing and producing short films. Topics include scheduling, budgeting, visual storytelling, and working with actors. Companion course to FILM 312L.
FILM 312L. FILM DIRECTING AND PRODUCING LAB. 1 Credit.
Pre-requisites: FILM 311. Corequisite: FILM 312.
Companion lab to FILM 312.
FILM 321. WRITING THE SHORT FILM. 4 Credits.
Notes: offered winter quarter.
Pre-requisites: FILM 214, FILM 221. Corequisite: FILM 321L.
Provides experience in writing the short film. Students learn to develop the visual story through focusing on dramatic structure, character development, scene writing, dialogue, and action. Criticism and revision are emphasized. Companion course to FILM 321L.
FILM 321L. WRITING THE SHORT FILM LAB. 1 Credit.
Pre-requisites: FILM 214, FILM 221. Corequisite: FILM 321.
Companion lab to FILM 321.
FILM 322. ADAPTATION. 4 Credits.
Notes: offered spring quarter.
Pre-requisites: FILM 321. Corequisite: FILM 322L.
Adapting pre-existing materials, ideas, and out-of-copyright literary work into producible short screenplays. Narrative problem solving, structure, criticism, and revision are central. Companion course to FILM 322L.
FILM 322L. ADAPTATION LAB. 1 Credit.
Pre-requisites: FILM 321. Corequisite: FILM 322.
Companion lab to FILM 322.
FILM 365. FILM HISTORY I. 3 Credits.
Pre-requisites: FILM 214. Corequisite: FILM 365L.
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. Companion course to FILM 365L.
FILM 365L. FILM HISTORY I SCREENING/LAB. 2 Credits.
Pre-requisites: FILM 214. Corequisite: FILM 365.
Companion lab to FILM 365.
FILM 366. FILM HISTORY II. 3 Credits.
Pre-requisites: FILM 365. Corequisite: FILM 366L.
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. Companion course to FILM 366L.
FILM 366L. FILM HISTORY II SCREENING/LAB. 2 Credits.
Pre-requisites: FILM 365. Corequisite: FILM 366.
Companion lab to FILM 366.
FILM 396. EXPERIMENTAL. 1-5 Credits.
Experimental.
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. 3 Credits.
Notes: offered fall quarter and may be repeated for credit when topics vary.
Pre-requisites: FILM 322. Corequisite: FILM 417L.
Workshop in various forms of script writing, e.g., documentary, narrative fictional, narrative nonfictional, comedy, and adaptation. Students learn the art of the pitch, outlining, and writing the film treatment. Different topics are indicated on EagleNET. Companion course to FILM 417L.
FILM 417L. ADVANCED SCREENWRITING I LAB. 1 Credit.
Pre-requisites: FILM 322. Corequisite: FILM 417.
Companion lab to FILM 417.
FILM 420. ADVANCED SCREENWRITING II. 3 Credits.
Notes: may be repeated for credit when screenplay project is different.
Pre-requisites: FILM 417 or permission of the instructor. Corequisite: FILM 420L.
Students write a first draft of a feature film screenplay or extended teleplay from a treatment or story outline. Companion course to FILM 420L.
FILM 420L. ADVANCED SCREENWRITING II LAB. 1 Credit.
Pre-requisites: FILM 417 or permission of the instructor. Corequisite: FILM 420.
Companion lab to FILM 420.
FILM 421. ADVANCED SCREENWRITING III. 3 Credits.
Pre-requisites: FILM 420 or permission of instructor. Corequisite: FILM 421L.
Students create and defend either a feature length screenplay or extended teleplay. Companion course to FILM 421L.
FILM 421L. ADVANCED SCREENWRITING III LAB. 1 Credit.
Pre-requisites: FILM 420 or permission of instructor. Corequisite: FILM 421.
Companion lab to FILM 421.
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 STUDIES. 3 Credits.
Notes: may be repeated for credit when topics vary.
Pre-requisites: FILM 214 or permission of the instructor. Corequisite: FILM 470L.
This variable topic course explores a significant theory or issue within the filmic arts. Emphasizes critical viewing, reading, and writing. Companion course to FILM 470L.
FILM 470L. SEMINAR IN FILM STUDIES SCREENING/LAB. 2 Credits.
Pre-requisites: FILM 214 or permission of the instructor. Corequisite: FILM 470.
Companion lab to FILM 470.
FILM 480. ADVANCED FILM PRODUCTION II. 5 Credits.
Notes: Offered winter quarter.
Pre-requisites: FILM 410.
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.
Pre-requisites: FILM 410.
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 complete a short film and screen it for the public and the FILM faculty. Directors discuss storytelling and aesthetic choices following the screening with a panel of faculty and experts.
FILM 483. ORAL EXAMINATION: FILM STUDIES. 1 Credit.
Notes: offered spring quarter.
Pre-requisites: concurrent enrollment in FILM 470.
Students compose and defend a thesis in Film Studies.
FILM 484. ORAL EXAMINATION: SCREENWRITING. 1 Credit.
Notes: offered spring quarter.
Pre-requisites: concurrent enrollment in FILM 421.
Students 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. 3 Credits.
Notes: offered fall quarter.
Pre-requisites: FILM 312, FILM 322, and FILM 366. Corequisite: FILM 490L.
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. Companion course to FILM 490L.
FILM 490L. FILM SENIOR CAPSTONE SCREENING/LAB. 2 Credits.
Pre-requisites: FILM 312, FILM 322, and FILM 366. Corequisite: FILM 490.
Companion lab to FILM 490.
FILM 495. FIELD EXPERIENCE IN FILM AND DIGITAL 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 499. DIRECTED STUDY. 1-5 Credits.
Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor, department chair and college dean.