Digital Filmmaking & Media Arts

Digital Filmmaking & Media Arts

The Digital Filmmaking and Media Arts track gives students a wide variety of hands-on TV production and digital filmmaking experiences

With a strong emphasis on theory and the art of storytelling through the use of sound and pictures, students learn the skills needed to communicate their ideas so that viewers of their work not only understand an idea, but feet it as well.  

Students work on a variety of HD as well as 4K cameras such as the Panasonic GH-4 and the new Blackmagic Ursa-Mini. Students learn lighting, cinematography, sound, and editing from tenured professors as well as adjunct faculty who are professionals in their fields. 

Digital Filmmaking and Media Arts Student Project (Videos)

  • The Art of Filmmaking:
  • The Bluffs Season One
  • The Bluffs Season Two
  • The Bluffs Season Four
  • The Bluffs Season Five

Student Telly Awards

  • Samone Roberts - Silver Telly for The Gardener 2020

    Telly Awards

  • Matt Alvarado - Silver Telly for The Investment 2018

    Telly Awards

  • Josh Boehnke - Bronze Telly for The Man With the Machine 2017

    Telly Awards

  • Matt Alvarado- Silver Telly for The Lady and The Phantom 2016

    Telly Awards

  • Kate Young - one of 4 Finalists in the 2014 Script-Pipeline Student Screenwriting Contest

    Telly Awards

Several of the faculty have worked professionally in Hollywood. Classes are taught in the largest TV Studio in southern Colorado and in the field. Students have an opportunity to learn sports TV production and become eligible to work for the Media Center shooting sporting events on campus.  

Digital Filmmaking & Media Arts Track (PDF)

Required Courses Course # Course Title
6 courses/18 CHs
All required courses are offered
every semester.
COMM 2030 Introduction to Communication Theory
COMM 2250 Introduction to Film and Video (Meets LAS Humanities Req.)
COMM 3100 Directing for Film and Television (Meets LAS Hum. Req.) (FA semester only)
COMM 3270 Digital Cinematography (FA semester only)
COMM 3300 Screenwriting
COMM 4270 Digital Film Production (Prereq.- COMM 2250) (SP semester only)

Foundation Courses

Foundation Courses Course # Course Title
Foundation Courses
Select one course from each category
for a total of 3
classes/9 credit hours
Category 1: Film & TV History and Criticism
COMM 3450 The History of TV Programming (SP semester only) Req.)
COMM 3500 American Cinema (Meets LAS Hum. Req.)
COMM 3850 Walt Disney: The Nexus of Communication and Imagination (SP semester only)
Category 2: Film & TV Production
COMM 2270 Sports and Studio TV Production
COMM 4170 Documentary Film and Video
COMM 3460 Digital Film Editing
Category 3: General Communication
COMM 2900 Writing for the Media
COMM 3250 Principles and Practices of Advertising
COMM 3470 Interactive Digital Media and Storytelling

Elective Courses

Elective Courses Course # Course Title

Students may choose any four courses (12 credit hours) from the list unless they took that class as a Foundation Course.

Please note the prerequisite courses required for desired upper division courses in order to take them early in the program of study.

Students are encouraged to complete an internship during their program of study

COMM 1000 Contemporary Mass Media
COMM 1020 Interpersonal Communication Meets LAS Soc. Sci. Req.)
COMM 1440 Foundations of Leadership
COMM 2100 Public Speaking (Meets LAS Oral Comm. Req.)
COMM 2270 Sports and Studio TV Production
COMM 2900 Writing for the Media
MUS 2950 Audio Engineering
COMM 3000 UCCS TV Workshop: The Bluffs - Studio
COMM 3010 UCCS TV Workshop: The Bluffs - Writing
COMM 3200 Principles and Practices of Public Relations
COMM 3250 Principles and Practices of Advertising
COMM 3400 Digital Communication Technologies
COMM 3450 The History of TV Programming (Offered Spring semester only)
COMM 3460 Digital Film Editing
COMM 3470 Interactive Digital Media and Storytelling
COMM 3500 American Cinema (Meets LAS Hum. Req.)
COMM 3650 Mass Media and Society
COMM 3850 Walt Disney: The Nexus of Communication and Imagination (SP semester only)
COMM 4000 Rhetorical Dimensions in Communication (Meets LAS Hum. Req.)
COMM 4010 Privilege and Oppression in Popular Culture (FA semester only)
COMM 4140 Media Effects
COMM 4170 Documentary Film and Video
COMM 4460 Advanced Editing & Colorization
COMM 4690 Internship in Communication (with approval of Internship Director)
COMM 4900 Special Topics in Communication (with approval of Director of Undergraduate Studies)
COMM 9400 Independent Study in Communication (with approval of Director of Undergraduate Studies)

*All courses are subject to change based on the needs of the department

 


Suggested 1st Year

Course # Course Title
COMM 2030 Introduction to Communication Theory
COMM 2250 Introduction to Film and Video (Meets LAS Hum. Req.)
One Foundation  Course Select a foundation course from the foundation table above

Suggested 2nd Year

Course # Course Title
COMM 3100 Directing for Film and Television (Meets LAS Hum. Req.) (FA semester only)
COMM 3270 Digital Cinematography (FA semester only)
One Foundation  Course Select a foundation course from the foundation table above

Suggested 3rd Year

Course # Course Title
COMM 3300 Screenwriting
Foundation Course Select a foundation course from the foundation table above
Elective Course Select an elective course from the elective table above
Elective Course Select an elective course from the elective table above

Suggested 4th Year

Course # Course Title
COMM 4270 Digital Film Production (COMM 2250 Prerequisite) (Offered Spring semester only)
Elective Course Select an elective course from the elective table above
Elective Course Select an elective course from the elective table above

Contacts

David R. Nelson
Chair, Communication Department
Professor
Director of Digital Filmmaking and Media Arts Track
Academic Office Building 516
drnelson@uccs.edu
719.255.4129


Laura Eurich M.A.
Associate Chair, Communication Department
Senior Instructor
Director of Undergraduate Studies/lnternships
Academic Office Building 518 l
leurich@uccs.edu
719.255.4112


Note: All communication majors should receive academic advising with Professor Eurich at least once a year.