The Media School
Specialization in Narrative Filmmaking (Bachelor of Arts in Media)
Students on Summer 2018, Fall 2018, or Spring 2019 requirements MDAS25
Requirements
The specialization requires at least 9 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
- Narrative Filmmaking. Three (3) courses:
- MSCH-F 392 Media Genres
- MSCH-P 331 Introduction to Screenwriting
- MSCH-P 335 Production as Criticism
- MSCH-P 351 Advanced Video Field and Post Production
- MSCH-P 352 Editing for Cinema
- MSCH-P 360 Motion Picture Production
- MSCH-P 361 Intermediate Motion Picture Production
- MSCH-P 362 Cinematography
- MSCH-P 422 Color Correction & Finishing
- MSCH-P 431 Feature Film Screenwriting
- MSCH-P 432 TV Series Writing
- MSCH-P 436 Advanced Production Workshop (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-P 440 Directing the Cinematic Story
- MSCH-P 441 Directing Actors for Cinema
- MSCH-P 452 Topics in Design and Production (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-P 455 Topics in Music Scoring for Visual Media (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-P 460 Advanced Motion Picture Production
- MSCH-P 467 Short Film
- MSCH-P 470 LA Production
- MSCH-V 470 Issues in Media (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- Three (3) credit hours from the following:
- MSCH-X 472 Media Internship
- MSCH-X 474 Journalism Internship
MSCH-F 392 Media Genres
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Topic varies. Analysis of typical genres, such as westerns, situation comedies, documentaries, etc. Problems of generic description or definition: themes, conventions, iconography peculiar to given genres.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours in CMCL-C 392 and MSCH-F 392.
- Summer 2025CASE AHcourseSpring 2025CASE AHcourseFall 2024CASE AHcourse
MSCH-P 331 Introduction to Screenwriting
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- C- or higher in MSCH-C 223 or MSCH-C 250
- Description
- Introductory course covering formal elements of Hollywood-style narrative screenwriting, focusing on screenplay format, stages of story development, story structure, character arcs, plotting, conflict, theme, point-of-view, dialogue, subtext, and scene description. Analyzes distinctions between literary writing and screenwriting.
MSCH-P 335 Production as Criticism
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-C 223 and MSCH-C 229; or consent of instructor
- Description
- By modeling the techniques of historically significant films, provides both conceptual and hands-on experience for researching, writing, and producing different genres of cinematic media. Emphasizes conceptual processes from script to the completed film.
- Summer 2025CASE AHcourseSpring 2025CASE AHcourseFall 2024CASE AHcourse
MSCH-P 351 Advanced Video Field and Post Production
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- C- or higher in MSCH-C 223 and MSCH-C 228, or consent of instructor
- Notes
- Lab fee required
- Description
- Teaches advanced technical skills and creative principles to produce content for broadcast, commercial, informational, and artistic television. Topics covered include technology, production design, content and structure, composition, lighting, portraiture, audio, editing, color correction, and television broadcast delivery requirements. Opportunities to create projects for external clients may be available through the Office of Service Learning.
MSCH-P 352 Editing for Cinema
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-C 223 or MSCH-C 250, or consent of instructor
- Description
- Analyze and assemble dramatic scenes under a variety of conditions and narrative strategies. Examine editing theories, techniques and procedures, issues of continuity, effects, movement and sound as they relate to the fundamentals of cinematic montage and visual storytelling. Explore a variety of topics and experiences designed to broaden understanding of the art of cinematic storytelling and montage.
MSCH-P 360 Motion Picture Production
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-C 229
- Description
- A hands-on introduction to the technical and aesthetic basics of making 16mm silent films, including the skills needed to design, direct, light, shoot, and edit this type of production
MSCH-P 361 Intermediate Motion Picture Production
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- of higher in MSCH-C 229; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Focuses on the ecology of the department-based work environment of a professional motion picture set. Provides practice in the various film crew roles, including producer, director, cinematographer, gaffer, script supervisor, production designer, assistant director, sound recordist, boom operator, data wrangler/editor, grip, and unit production manager.
MSCH-P 362 Cinematography
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or above in MSCH-C 229 and MSCH-P 361
- Description
- Focuses on camera to post workflows and professional camera crew skills, including how to operate cinema package cameras and light for cinematic productions. Explores and evaluates cinema techniques that are utilized in film and television production.
MSCH-P 422 Color Correction & Finishing
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-P 351 or MSCH-P 352; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Focuses on the techniques, tools, and skills required to prepare an edited program for final distribution, including color-correction, stylization, video scopes, and dialogue normalization.
MSCH-P 431 Feature Film Screenwriting
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- of higher in MSCH-P 331; or consent of the instructor
- Description
- Builds on the foundations of MSCH-P 331, by focusing on the creation of original, feature-length Hollywood style narrative screenplays. Workshops delve deeper into genre conventions, story structure, character development, plotting, conflict, theme, point of view, dialogue, and sub text.
MSCH-P 432 TV Series Writing
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-P 331; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Builds on the foundations of MSCH-P 331, by focusing on the development process and writing of a long form narrative series, including the creation of a series bible, an outline for the first season, and a written and revised pilot episode for an original series.
MSCH-P 436 Advanced Production Workshop
- Credits
- 1–3 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- C- or higher in MSCH P-344 or MSCH-P 360 or MSCH-P 361; or consent of instructor
- Description
- A capstone course for the Film, Television, and Digital Production concentration focused on planning, directing, and producing programs or program segments that may air on WTIU, Indiana University\'s public television station.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with different topics for up to nine credit hours.
MSCH-P 440 Directing the Cinematic Story
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-P 361; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Explores the functions involved in directing narrative film through scholarly analysis and hands-on practice. Focuses on scripted storytelling with the goal of developing the unique style, tone, and voice of each visual storyteller.
MSCH-P 441 Directing Actors for Cinema
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-P 361; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Explores the functions involved in directing actors for narrative film through scholarly analysis and hands-on practice. Focuses on cinematic storytelling to build proficiency in communication, collaboration, problem solving, and character/actor development for film and scripted television.
MSCH-P 452 Topics in Design and Production
- Credits
- 1–3 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Exploration of design or production problems and issues in telecommunications. Topics vary.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 30 credit hours
MSCH-P 455 Topics in Music Scoring for Visual Media
- Credits
- 1–3 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- Consent of instructor and demonstrated background in MIDI and composition; and at least junior standing
- Description
- Specialized techniques course developing students' skills in music scoring for visual media.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 18 credit hours.
MSCH-P 460 Advanced Motion Picture Production
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-P 361; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Covers advanced procedures, theories, and techniques for large-scale motion picture production. Main topics include cinematography, lighting, and cinematic digital video editing with a variety of single-cam and dual system recording techniques. Uses HD cameras and jam sync technology and highlights industry-level postproduction workflow.
MSCH-P 467 Short Film
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or above in MSCH-C 229, MSCH-P 331 and MSCH-P 361
- Description
- Focuses on scripted storytelling and provides opportunities to hone individual style as a filmmaker through the production of short films using industry-standard technologies, interaction with local short film producers, and critical analysis of short form cinematic pieces.
MSCH-P 470 LA Production
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- Admission to Semester in LA program
- Description
- The effective communication of ideas through the language of cinema including producing, directing, editing, cinematography and sound. Students produce a video project in collaboration with classmates while studying in greater Los Angeles.
MSCH-V 470 Issues in Media
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Seminar exploring new developments and advanced research in media.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 9 credit hours.
MSCH-X 472 Media Internship
- Credits
- 1–3 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- At least junior standing; at least 12 credit hours completed in the school; and application for internship credit approved by the school
- Notes
- Application is available on the Media School website
- Description
- Faculty-supervised work in a media field related to student's academic interests. Credits based on at least 45 work hours per credit hour with a maximum of 6 credit hours applied toward the B.A. in Media or the B.S. in Game Design. Student must write a critical analysis paper and be evaluated by a workplace supervisor.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours in CMCL-C 382, MSCH-I 382, MSCH-I 497, MSCH-X 472, or TEL-T 497.
- Grading
- S/F grading.
MSCH-X 474 Journalism Internship
- Credits
- 1–3 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- Approval for a College Career Internship
- Notes
- Application is available on the Media School website
- Description
- Supervised internship working in a journalism or media-related role with a professional media organization.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
- Grading
- S/F grading.
- Specialization GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
- Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the specialization.
- A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the specialization—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
- Exceptions to specialization requirements may be made with the approval of the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.