CIN 512: Cinematography Workshop: Leadership
SECOND TERM
1 CREDIT HOUR
In this course, Cinematography Fellows’ Cycle projects are the subject of extensive analyses with an emphasis on the aesthetic choices made by the Cinematography Fellow. Each weekly session is devoted to two projects. Faculty and Cinematography Fellows provide the Cycle project Cinematographer with written summaries and insight into the storytelling achievement of the projects screened. Attendance is required.
CIN 521 and 522: The Art and Craft of Cinematography – Studio
FIRST AND SECOND TERMS
2 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL
The primary goal of this course is to emulate production set experience. Fellows learn to prepare for each in-class exercise as they would prepare for an actual shoot. This course requires Fellows’ initiative, preparation and leadership – an integral part of the Cinematographer’s job – and develops Fellows’ ability to delegate and coordinate the Cinematographers’ crew: Gaffer, Key Grip, Dolly Grip and Camera Operator. During this course each Fellow will Co-DP one in-class shoot and crew for 13 more, all under the direct supervision of the instructor. The class uses 35mm negative film with print dailies.
CIN 521 and 522: The Art and Craft of Cinematography – Lab
FIRST AND SECOND TERMS
2 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL
This course will explore and experiment with the physical nature of technology. Examples of topics covered include over/under exposure parameters of motion picture film, over/under exposure parameters of image sensors in various cameras, accepted protocols for lens tests and or comparisons and the use of X-Y chromaticity coordinates in adjusting lighting fixtures.
CIN 525 and 526: Fellow Research Project I & II
FIRST AND SECOND TERM
2 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL
Fellows will create two master’s program level group Research Projects with corresponding class-instruction presentations over the course of the first year. While guided by the instructor, it is the Fellows’ own interests, active research and revelations that will drive the course.
CIN 529 and 530: The Science Cinematography – Lecture & Lab
FIRST AND SECOND TERM
4 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL
The Science of Cinematography (lecture) is an exploration of how we understand and use the technical tools in cinematography to create our artistic intent. It is concentrated on digital, film, light and optics. In this course, Fellows will attain the necessary skills and vocabulary to discuss, investigate, plan and manipulate an image in prep, on set and in post, at any level of modern production and post-production environment.
CIN 531 and 532: The History of Cinematography
FIRST AND SECOND TERM
2 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL
The history of world cinematography is presented in this bi-monthly three-hour session, which rotates with the Language of Cinematography sessions. Films of historic cinematographic significance are presented and discussed to illustrate the technical and creative history of the tools of cinematographer’s craft from early days to the digital age. Writing assignments and photographic assignments are used to underscore course insights.
CIN 531/532 meets every other week, sharing the same meeting time as, and rotating with, Language of Cinematography.
CIN 5411, 5422 and 5423: Cinematography Cycle Project Mentorship I – III
FIRST AND SECOND TERM
3 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL
During the week before they work as the Cinematographer of a Cycle Project, Cinematographers meet with a Cinematography Lecturer who is a sounding board for them on all related topics and reviews their plans for their upcoming shoot. The Lecturer will also review the completed projects during office hours and visit sets during production.
CIN 561 and 562: The Language of Cinematography
FIRST AND SECOND TERM
4 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL
In narrative cinema there are two sensory experiences: sound, primarily through dialogue; and image, through which that dialogue is put into context. Images can convey meaning in silence, or work with or against the dialogue. Cinematographers and their collaborators conjure the complex language of cinema using all the tools at their disposal. To be effective Cinematographers, they must master the skills and language of cinematography, so their images melt into the whole film. This class will explore in depth the aesthetic, technical and logistic choices available to cinematographers to realize control of visual and acoustic elements and achieve the desired cinematic outcome.
CIN 561/562 meets every other week, sharing the same meeting time as, and rotating with, History of Cinematography.
This class welcomes Fellows from other discipline as auditors; auditors may not elect this class for credit.
Year One, End-of-Year Review
At the end of the first year, the Cinematography Discipline conducts an End of The Year Review, the Cinematography where Fellows present a scene (or scenes) from Cycle projects two or three, Cycle project workbooks and a self-analysis statement. The portfolio review is conducted by several Faculty through a private, formal interview with each Cinematography Fellow. The purpose of the review is to help Fellows identify areas of success and areas requiring improvement. The goal of the review is self-knowledge and personal growth for each Fellow.
CIN 636 and 637: Second Year Visual Essay review of dailies and edits.
FIRST AND SECOND TERMS
8 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL
Each Cinematography Fellow is required to produce a 35mm motion picture film visual essay that demonstrates competency in the medium. The visual essay production is guided by the Discipline Head of Cinematography and the 35MOS visual essay coordinator. This requirement is necessary for the MFA degree, although Cinematography Fellows who are part of more than one thesis team or who have other production responsibilities may petition the Discipline Head of Cinematography to waive this requirement.
CIN 627 and 628: Advanced Technology and Career Advancement for Cinematographers
FIRST AND SECOND TERMS
2 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL
CIN 627 and 628 build upon the tools, technology and vocabulary presented in CIN 530 and the larger first-year Cinematography curriculum. CIN 627 focuses on applications such as ACES, LUTS Post, advanced workflow and advanced optics. CIN 628 explores various roles within the film industry that splinter off from, or are related to, Cinematography and focuses on post-AFIC career pathways. Guests are invited throughout the year to deliver lectures and lead discissions regarding career possibilities, early career development and cinematography-adjacent technologies and applications.
CIN 631 and 632: Advanced Production Techniques with Master Cinematographers
FIRST AND SECOND TERMS
4 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL
For cinematographers, story dictates our technical and artistic choices, but mastery of cinematography requires craft as well as art. Each shooting situation requires new skills. With this in mind, guest master practitioners will guide Fellows through their approaches to such principles of craft as interior and exterior lighting, composition, lens selection, color theory, exposure practices, image control, blocking of action and post-production practices, in the context of cinematography as an evolving craft. This course will also be an opportunity to apply the theory and tools learned in the first year under the guidance of a working professional. The guest is the lead cinematographer for the day, and the Fellows are his/her/their crew. The Instructor’s role is multiple: Director, Producer, AD, Production Manager and Moderator.
CIN 690: Thesis Portfolio — Cinematography
FIRST AND SECOND TERMS
8 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL
Cinematography Fellows will plan, produce and shoot their thesis project that will demonstrate creative and technical competencies. In this seminar, shared jointly with Production Design Fellows, each Fellow will formally present their thesis plans and will review their dailies and edits. At the presentation of dailies, each Fellow will review the production experience. In addition, completed portfolio reels will be evaluated by the Discipline Head during a final exit interview and review. The Discipline Head approves the thesis work as appropriate for graduation.
