Overview of the Online BA in Cinematic Arts & New Media

• CANM 300 Art of Story
This course examines the essential role of narrative in the creation of all forms of media. From the very beginnings of human records, whether it be mythology, scripture, literature, or the earliest cave paintings, the creators of these works have always told their audience a story or imparted a message by the use of narrative. In order to work in any creative medium, understanding the various ways in which narrative is used is a great advantage. This course will examine the range of narrative forms and narrative devices that have been used since the dawn of time right up until the modern day. We will discover that although the forms and types of media used might have changed as technology has advanced, in fact, most of the essential forms of narrative used in creative works have been with us for ages. Understanding why will reveal how narrative reflects both the universal and unique aspects of the experience of human life. As part of the course, students will be required to undertake projects that aid the development of their own narrative skills. This is a writing-intensive course. Prerequisites: WTG 191 or equivalent. (4 credits)
• CANM 251 Power of Social Media Marketing
Learn to harness the power of online marketing by using social media platforms — such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and other current favorites — for their current, future, or imagined businesses. Students will gain hands-on experience with visual marketing and modern content marketing. Topics of exploration include how to find and attract an audience to help solve their problems, organizing followers and friends to reach more people; the visual marketing creation process using, for example, large images, memes, and GIFs; e-commerce tools for social media; and developing a social media marketing strategy to successfully reach more people online. Prerequisite: basic computer skills (4 credits)
• CANM 284 Cinematography
Cinematography is the art of telling stories through moving images. By balancing camera angles, movements, and light, cinematographers translate the director’s vision into powerful images. In this course, students will learn the language of cinematography in its technical and aesthetic forms. We will explore the fundamentals of camera position and light setups. Students will practice camera movements via supported (tripod, jib, dolly, etc.) and handheld techniques, and will learn about the power of the frame in conveying story. Students will understand that clarity of mind, broad vision, and attention to detail are the cinematographer’s greatest assets, and that these develop with the growth of consciousness. Prerequisite: basic computer skills, Adobe Creative Cloud and additional camera equipment (4 credits)
• CANM 288 Video Editing
Video editing requires the student to be able to synthesize all the different elements of their video into a greater whole. The emphasis of this course is on exploring the craft of editing and the techniques used to maximize the emotional impact of the story. Students will study examples of work by accomplished editors and discover ways to build momentum and render the cut ‘invisible’. Topics include: the language of the cut, the 180-degree system, and Murch’s Rule of Six. Students will become expert in utilizing 2018/19 218 non-linear editing tools through daily editing assignments. Students will learn keyboard shortcuts and advanced trimming tools, transitions, filters, titles, keyframes, compositing tools, audio mixing, color correction, capturing and outputting. Towards the end of the course some production time will be allotted so that students may edit a final piece of their own. Students may also bring in footage that was shot previously for their final project. (4 credits) Prerequisite: MC—F282 or MC-F288 or MC-F310 or CANM282 or CANM284.
• CANM 230 Podcast
Podcasting has become an increasingly popular and universal way to tell stories. In this course, students will learn the industry standard tools for podcasting and learn the fundamentals of audio recording, cultivate a clear and confident voice, develop a long-term strategy for their podcast, produce a script, and publish their content online. Students will learn industry-standard software and hardware (microphone, Audacity, online distribution channels), experiment with editing, mixing techniques, implementing music, sound effects, and silence to create an enriching listener experience. Students will also have the opportunity to research various styles of podcasting to expand their definition of audio storytelling and find a definitive voice that is uniquely their own. Students will explore how the nature of sound design can both expand and transcend the intended message to connect to the underlying source of the senses, pure consciousness. Prerequisites: Basic Computer Skills (4 credits)
• CANM 265 Smartphone Photography
In this course, students will learn about the latest smartphone technology to capture high-quality images and post-process them with the most powerful smartphone apps available. Students will learn applications and programs such as Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop. Each section of the course will focus on specific aspects and styles of photography and photo processing. The course will include fun photography challenges to push our creative limits to the edge. Prerequisites: basic smartphone skills, basic computer skills, Adobe Creative Cloud License. (4 credits)
• CANM 256 Graphics Arts
Explore the fundamental principles of design using Adobe Photoshop. In this course, you will be introduced to the tools to create a wide range of projects turning your imagination into reality. You will have the opportunity to create professional designs, digital collages and graphic art. Deepen the understanding of your creative process and articulate your ideas from abstract to concrete. Prerequisite: basic computer skills, Adobe Photoshop. (2 credits)
• CANM 315 Motion Graphics
In this course, students will explore and learn in-depth methods of animation, ranging from motion graphics, collage, stop-motion and experimental methods of digital animation to achieve a wide range of possibilities. This class will focus on teaching the basics of the Adobe suite, including Photoshop, After Effects, Adobe Character & Premiere through Dynamic Link. Prerequisite: CANM 260 or MC291. Adobe Creative Cloud. (4 Credits)
• CANM 282 Intro to Filmmaking
Students learn the basic skills of film production by participating in the production of a variety of different scenarios, scenes and subjects. They will learn to handle and care for production equipment including lights, stands, cameras, and sound equipment. We will explore the different roles and responsibilities to be played in the process of filming a scene. This includes a director, director of photography, gaffer, grip, electrician, art department, assistant directors, and production assistants. Prerequisite: basic computer skills. (4 credits)
• CANM 310 Film Equipment Mastery
This course is designed to teach the technical aspects of on-set filmmaking. Students will acquire the technical knowledge and skills of using on-set filmmaking equipment to improve understanding, quality, and efficiency on any set, from small video productions to big-budget films. Throughout the course, students will be exposed to various assignments that highlight the fundamentals of being a specialized technician on set in the Camera Department, Sound Department, Lighting Department, and the Digital Imaging Technician Department. Prerequisite: Basic Computer skills. CANM major, specialization or Minor or consent of professor. (4 credits)
• CANM 312 Music Video
The Music Video class is designed to enhance the student’s ability to cultivate and curate their own interpretation and self-expression through moving images to accompany a piece of music. Students will research, practice, and perform all aspects of film making, and editing to create a cohesive music video that demonstrates wholeness and cohesiveness from start to finish. Prerequisites: CANM 284 and/or CANM 288 or consent of the professor. Equipment and software needs: Adobe Creative Cloud, a camera, and a computer. (4 credits)
• CANM 313 Documentary Filmmaking
Documentary films have their basis in the real world. They are made for a variety of purposes but fundamentally they explore the entire range of human experience. This course will examine the role of documentary filmmaking and all the various forms of the documentary. It will be a fascinating journey that will take students all over the globe and throughout history dealing with a wide range of issues both past and present. In this course, students will also examine how to make a documentary. It is therefore very practical in its focus. The first requirement to any documentary is knowing what the story is and what kind of story makes a good documentary. Having chosen a story, there is then the realization of it. Students will learn what is required to make the all-important pitch. They will then choose some stories and make short documentaries about them. (4 credits) Prerequisites: MC—F288 or MC-F310 and MC—F284
• CANM 320 The Art of the Cut
This is an advanced video editing course where students learn the fundamental artistic elements of video editing. In this course, students will learn a variety of techniques such as rhythm, flow, the ability to enhance an actor’s performance through editing, visual storytelling, methodology for keyboard shortcuts, and accelerating the editing process. This course will be building on what is explored in the Video Editing course and taking it to the next level. Students will integrate the principle that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts and that every element of filmmaking finds its fulfillment in the cut. Prerequisites: CANM 284 or CANM 310 and CANM 288. (4 credits)
• CANM 330 Directing Actors
This course will introduce you to the study of directing actors. You will be taught the fundamentals of preparing as a director for a role or scene. We will cover the specific demands of acting for the camera and discuss the differences between stage and film techniques. Through a variety of exercises, you will acquire the tools to direct actors to perform on camera with confidence. Topics covered include: diverse directorial styles; audition and rehearsal techniques; working with actors on a scene and character development; improvisation; story and text analysis; developing, blocking, and shooting a character-driven scene; editing a performance. Prerequisites: Only open to CANM major, specialization, minor, or content of the professor. (4 credits)
• CANM 258 Graphic Illustration Arts
In this course you will be introduced to the tools to create a wide range of projects turning your imagination into reality. You will have the opportunity to create professional designs, digital collages and illustration and graphic art. Deepen the understanding of your creative process and articulate your ideas from abstract to concrete. Equipment and software needs: basic computer skills, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. (2 credits)
• CANM 260 Digital Arts
Explore and learn the fundamentals of modern methods of digital arts. Learn different methods of graphic art, ranging from digital illustration, vector art, photo-manipulation, collage, formatting text and exporting for different media and to achieve a wide range of possibilities. This class will focus on teaching the basics of Adobe Suite, including Photoshop and Illustrator. Prerequisite: basic computer skills, drawing, painting or photography skills, Adobe Creative Cloud. (4 credits)
• CANM 270 Digital Photography
Digital photography helps strengthen the connection between the photographer’s vision and the resulting images by providing nearly instant feedback and furnishing ever-subtler tools for self-expression. In this course, students learn foundational principles that underlie digital photography, while using principles of consciousness to consolidate both the experience and understanding of digital photography. Topics include: mastering the digital camera, managing a digital workflow, principles of composition and lighting, and expressing the photographer’s vision in the digital darkroom using Lightroom and Photoshop. Prerequisite: computer skills. $20 lab fee. (4 credits)
• CANM 275 Studio Photography
The Studio Photography course will provide the foundational skills to attain well-balanced images of light, shadow, color, and composition. Students will explore a variety of different lighting scenarios of studio photography such as portrait photography, fashion photography, product photography, black and white processing and more. We will then explore the foundational principles of post-production processing beginning with RAW digital processing in Adobe Lightroom to prepare photos for additional JPG processing in Adobe Photoshop to create stunning and captivating images while integrating principles of consciousness and self-expression. Prerequisites: Basic computer skills, Adobe Creative Cloud (4 credits)
• CANM 233 Digital Music Production
With modern music recording and production being more accessible than ever, anyone with a computer can share the melodies in their head with the world. Be it a symphony or the next number one hit single, students will learn to use music creation software to make their dreams come true. Minor knowledge of music preferred. Students will learn basic compositional techniques as well as production and sound engineering methods to bring as much clarity to their vision as possible. (4 credits) Prerequisite: basic computer skills.
• CANM 234 Mixing and Mastering
The Mixing and Mastering course is designed to give students a well-rounded and foundational understanding of how to use the proper tools to separate, exemplify, equalize, compress, route, monitor and export audio to create a clear and pleasing sound to for listener that expresses all the audible frequencies available in a song. Students will work to mix and master their own music from the Digital Music Production course or in collaboration with fellow colleagues. Prerequisite: CANM 233. (4 Credits)
• CANM 204 Science Fiction and Fantasy
Science fiction and fantasy writers use their creative intelligence and imagination to explore the full potential of life. The name speculative fiction is given to these popular genres because writers imagine different kinds of human society. Speculative fiction writers imagine what the future will be like, what additional abilities and attributes humans will develop, and how we might use science and technology to redesign life and shape new worlds in other solar systems. They also explore deep themes about what it is to be human, along with the benefits and dangers of technology and powers that are extraordinary. Speculative fiction stories can influence cultural trends, inspire political movements and contribute to debates about a wide range of ethical and social issues. An essential aspect of science fiction and fantasy writing is world-building, and we will dedicate time to looking at software that helps writers with this process. Every world a speculative fiction writer creates must also have compelling characters and a good story. Students will spend time working on story structure and techniques to develop a character. In this course, we focus on the writers of speculative fiction, examine some influential works, and undertake a course project writing a science fiction or fantasy short story or section of a novel. Prerequisites: WTG 191 or consent of the Professor. (4 credits)
• CANM 240 Global Solutions
The Global Solutions course seeks to answer the question, why aren’t we doing enough to avoid the ongoing consequences of climate change, the depletion of natural resources and ecosystems, and loss of biodiversity? Any reasonable person can see that the need is great, the solutions are available, or within reach, and the consequence of not doing enough will be severely detrimental. Every day there are stories about the declining state of our world, and growing evidence of the negative impacts of global warming. Millions of lives are being impacted by the unsustainable use of the planet’s resources on an unprecedented scale and at breakneck speed. These global imbalances and lack of access to resources challenge the human dignity and self-development of hundreds of millions of people. Are there alternatives that provide self-determination, resource sufficiency, the regeneration of natural systems, and just and sustainable practices at every level of society? This course provides a critical understanding of the pressing issues of our world and its people and examines potential solutions that are regenerative for people and the planet. Debate, self-determined research, and course assignments will test all assumptions, examine counterarguments, and open paths for a student to determine their own trajectory. We enable you to discover and integrate new knowledge and experience, and to determine what part you wish to play in the great project of this century, one that we all know we need to achieve for the good of humanity. (4 credits)
• CANM 245 Writing For the Screen
Students will be introduced to the process of preparing a story to be told in a visual medium. Students will learn the basics of script and screenplay writing by participating in basic skills exercises, including dialogue emulation and performance, script-to-screen analysis, and scene adaptation. To produce effective screenplays, students will develop their own toolkit for overcoming challenges in idea conception, story structure, and dialogue. Course work will result in scripts suitable for production in later courses. This is a writing-intensive course (4 credits)
• CANM 376 Media Lab
In this project-based course, the faculty will review the work produced by advanced students up until the course, then the faculty will guide, mentor, and assist students in improving upon and achieving their highest creative vision. In this course, students will be encouraged to experiment and approach their creative process from a place of freedom and intuition. The faculty will facilitate a more exploratory approach to media and cinematic arts and expose the students to a range of filmmakers, artists, musicians, and other such creators to get inspiration and learn from them. At the end of the course, students should have their best work fine-tuned, and be able to create from a deeper level. Prerequisites: 16 credits in MC or CANM courses and consent of faculty.
• CANM 378 Media Lab 2
In this project-based class students will have the opportunity to continue on the progress of the work started in the Media Lab class. Prerequisite: CANM 376
• CANM 380 Creative Studio
This is a capstone course in which individuals who have taken the courses in Cinematic Arts & New Media or other programs, to come together to envisage and then realize a set of core projects across a range of media. These projects are formulated among the student group with the aid of faculty members. The first stage of the course will be the generation of the project ideas, which can include ideas that utilize a range of media or ideas that are focused on a particular medium, film, music, websites, etc. The central goal of the course is for students to apply everything they have learned to these projects. This can be a cooperative venture, so students can be involved in a variety of projects playing different roles on each one. The idea is to produce great projects that get noticed. Prerequisites: courses that teach skills that will be used on the Creative Studio. Creative Studio provides the ideal setting to undertake the senior project for those students who are graduating.
• CANM 382 Creative Studio 2
In this course, students have a chance to further develop their skills, their understanding, and their portfolio by completing advanced media projects in film/ video, web design, graphic design, animation, music and/or sound design. Students may also work on a research essay in the field of their study in order to further develop their critical thinking and research 2015/16 242 skills. (Variable credits — may be repeated for credit) Prerequisite: CANM 380 and consent of the Cinematic Arts & New Media faculty.

General education courses

You should plan to spend 12-14 hours per week for a 4-credit eight-week course. If you are taking 2 courses during an eight week period, you should plan to spend 24-28 hours per week of watching instructional videos and webinars, reading, completing assignments and discussion forum posts, taking quizzes and exams, and studying course materials.

The time it takes to complete an online course successfully depends on your willingness to stick to a regular schedule and learn to study effectively more than on any other factor. The program will apply the principles of Consciousness-Based Education, including the enlivenment of the inner intelligence of the body, through the daily practice of Transcendental Meditation. This is the fundamental approach of Maharishi AyurVeda and a central feature of our programs.