ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS

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*Cinema is the mirror by which we see ourselves*

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The Advanced Communications and Multimedia program began in the fall of 1999. It is designed to prepare students for a deeper understanding of media and popular culture. Moreover, students are expected to apply theoretical knowledge via applied learning. Students complete projects individually and as members of various functional teams, in both studio and off-site location environments.  Brainstorming, conflict resolution, time management, and post-project debriefing skills will be included along with the appropriate technical training. Many former students have wound up going to colleges such as Emerson, Academy of Art University, New York Film Academy, Syracuse, New England School of Communications, University of Southern Maine, UMaine Orono, University of California Santa Cruz, and Salt Institute for Documentary Studies, Art Institutes of Boston.

 

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Introduction to Game Design

This pass/fail class is an introduction to the primary concepts of gaming, and an exploration of how these basic concepts affect the way gamers interact with their games.  It is a self-directed, workshop style class where students take a project from the conceptual stage all the way to a final product.  Students will learn the basic principles of game design, animation and graphic design.  They will also have the opportunity to possibly explore digital 3D modeling for use in games.  Students will be introduced to the following software:  Unity, Blender, Adobe After Effects.

Advanced Communications I

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This class is an introduction to the growing medium of video production and new media.  Students will explore the tools of visual storytelling, with a particular emphasis on understanding visual literacy.  The course concentrates on how visual media communicates and influences a viewer.  This is a hands-on workshop that allows students to experience the actual process of creating visual media.  Various video exercises, plus a close-study of scenes from a variety of films allow students to investigate the critical relationships between plot and image, and between character and camera. Students will work in the three main phases of filmmaking: pre- production, production and post-production.  Emphasis will be given to writing, directing, producing, acting, shooting, lighting, sound recording and design, and editing.

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Advanced Communications II

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This second year course is the next stage in developing the filmmaking abilities developed in Advanced Communications 1.  Students will further refine their camera and editing techniques, as well as explore location lighting, the moving camera (dolly, jib and drone), and live production.  Part of the year is also dedicated to allowing students the opportunity to create an independent project that allows them to fully explore concepts that may not be a focus of the course.  Projects have included animation, special effects, digital 3D modeling and a podcast.  Each student will also construct a professional portfolio and production reel showcasing their work for college entrance or professional opportunities.

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Advanced Communications III

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This third year course is focused on working with real clients on real projects with real deadlines. This is critical not only to developing experience with real-world working conditions but also in building a portfolio that is essential to getting a job or into a college program.