FMX - Film, Animation, and New Media

A studio production course that provides an introduction and investigation into digital drawing techniques, principals, concepts and styles. This course involves the correlation between digital drawing and themes. Emphasis is on studying digital drawing styles and techniques. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that introduces electronic and digital tools for use in diverse media projects. Covers the history, evolution and theory of relevant technology in order to provide context for the hardware and software used in the class. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that explores 3D computer modeling and creation of physical reproductions of the 3D models using 3D printers. Includes an investigation into the theory and concepts  of additive manufacturing and design. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that gives an introduction to three-dimensional computer animation, exploring the basic techniques of modeling and animation. The course also includes necessary aspects of texture mapping, deformation, motion control, lighting, cameras and rendering. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that teaches the technique of animation as a visual medium, and enables students (regardless of major) to design, script, write, direct and communicate concepts through animation. Emphasizes art, history, movement, audio design and writing. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that teaches introduction to hands-on digital film production and post-production. Each student will complete a short documentary, narrative and experimental film. Technical instruction will include level-one instruction on non-linear digital editing software and an introduction to HD cameras. Students will be introduced to portable equipment at the cage (including cameras, tripods, audio recording tools and more) and production facilities, including the black box studio space. Class will be comprised of technical demonstrations, in-class shoots and critiques of student work. Basic history, theory and aesthetics of related media are presented. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course, students develop professional online portfolios, as assigned, to include: 1) work completed within their majors at UT; 2) work from other institutions in transferred courses; 3) bios, project statements, resumes and cover letters. Final portfolios will be submitted for FMX 398 Junior Portfolio Review to be reviewed by FMX faculty. Class will include brainstorming sessions to solve technical and conceptual problems with the support of fellow students, invited faculty and guest professionals. To be taken with FMX 398 after completion of 44 credits. For Animation, Digital Arts, New Media, or BFA Film and Media Arts programs.

A studio production course that is a continued exploration of graphic and time based tools with emphasis on the creative usage of programming languages. The class will be centered around the interactive manipulation of traditional and experimental time based media and graphics. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that offers students a hands-on opportunity to explore narrative filmmaking using digital technologies in a combined theory and practice approach. Each student completes a series of short digital films relating to the history, theory and aesthetics of narrative film. Technical instruction includes digital cinematography, lighting, sound and editing. Class includes screenings and discussions on the history and theory of the narrative film. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that offers students a hands-on opportunity to explore documentary filmmaking using digital technologies in a combined theory and practice approach. Each student completes one or more short digital films relating to the history, theory and aesthetics of the documentary film. Technical instruction includes digital cinematography, lighting, sound and editing. Class includes screenings and discussions on the history and theory of documentary film and video. Laboratory fee required.

An advanced studio production course that further develops skills in 3D printing skills with a focus in 3D sculpting. Applications in 3D sculpting will be studied in depth to create different types of highly detailed 3D models, from hard surface objects to fantastic creatures and characters. Industry standard software and techniques will be used during class. Retopology, exporting and portfolio/demo reel creation will also be a component of the course. Laboratory fee required.,

A studio production course that investigates three-dimensional computer animation, including advanced techniques of modeling and animation. This course also includes necessary aspects of texture mapping, character rigging, motion control, animation principles, digital lighting, virtual camera principles, particle effects, dynamics and rendering. Laboratory fee required.

An advanced studio production course that investigates and develops skills and knowledge in, 3D computer modeling for game graphics, game asset and animation clip development, coding for interactive content and game engines, and content for virtual and augmented reality. The course will also cover character rigging, surface texturing and digital lighting as it applies to games and interactivity. The integration of content into game engines and the distribution of content along with multiplayer experiences will be covered. Laboratory fee required.

An advanced studio production course that investigates and develops skills in, simple script writing, directing, choreography, and animation in the area of motion capture for film, games, computer simulations, and interactive media. Computer character design and computer character rigging will be a component to facilitate original creative outcomes. This course offers the opportunity for students to offer professional services to the community in the form of motion capture data. It also seeks to prepare students to work with dancers, performers, athletes, and actors in their animation, VFX and game development careers. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that introduces students to digital visual effects (VFX) for film, animation, new media and television. Through hands-on creative VFX assignments students will gain basic skills, including: compositing, keying, matchmoving, rotoscoping, camera projection and basic 3D animation. Students will learn how visual effects have evolved globally, and are used in the gamut of productions from cutting edge music videos to groundbreaking films and documentaries. Students will create portfolios of their own work through the exploration of contemporary VFX techniques used within the professional and independent industry.  Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that covers the aesthetics and techniques of motion picture cinematography through hands-on demos and assignments. Instruction includes camera operation with in-class workshops utilizing  Canon DSLR, RED Scarlet and Blackmagic cameras, inter-changeable lenses, filters, lighting, diffusion screens, car-mounts and support systems. Underwater cinematography, macro cinematography, time lapse, and other specialized techniques will be covered. Through this course students will creatively explore the principles of cinematography including, composition, exploring the X and Z axis, use of light, color theory, depth of field, and more. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that will encourage experimentation and innovation in sound design for motion pictures, animation, and new media. Instruction and assignments will include techniques in location and studio recording, audio post-production, including ADR, sound effects editing, and mixing that can be applied to a wide array of media - from films, to mobile applications, to audio installation. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that explores the roles in the creative decision-making processes of the director, cinematographer and production designer.  It emphasizes the technical, administrative and communication skills that provide the means for successful realization of drama, television, documentary and new media projects.  The aim is to develop a wide range of skills necessary for effective performance in these roles in the context of complex creative collaboration.  Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that professionalizes the implementation and production of animation techniques, including the use of computers. Advanced projects deal with specific problems and exercises in drawing, storyboard and script/visual analysis. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course in creative digital interactive game design and production. Each student will pitch a unique game concept, develop storyboards, prototypes, and layouts, explore user interfaces, interactivity and application architecture, and create the game through industry standard programming languages and mobile platforms. Classes will be comprised of hands-on workshops on UX/UI design concepts, software and coding, critiques of students works in-process, and the basic theory and history behind successful games. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that teaches producing of professional Hollywood style and independent episodic, serial, and long form, and/or interactive digital media productions. Students acquire skills in production budgets, package development, assignment of production roles, script breakdown, shooting schedules, call sheets, location permits, guilds and unions contracts, marketing and sales presentations and including distribution plans for potential projects.  Relevant producing software is taught and utilized. Laboratory fee required

A studio production course that teaches advanced creative and technical possibilities of motion picture editing using the University's advanced digital editing facilities. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that introduces students to the necessary software, and methodology used for writing, shooting and editing the web series for distribution.  Students will write a web series, shoot, edit, and distribute the pilot episode of their web series. Laboratory fee required.

Inquiry based on experience working in the related field.  May be repeated for credit.  Students gain experiential credit for working within the field in a variety of available positions.

A studio production course that simultaneously explores digital based photography and digital manipulation of imagery. Relevant history, theory and aesthetics of related media are presented, along with discussions of the societal impact that digital imaging has introduced. Laboratory fee required.

Independent project developed under the guidance of a Film, Animation, and New Media Instructor.  Students will apply by submitting a project proposal to an FMX professor for 1-4 credits.  May be repeated for variable credits of 1-4 hours per course.

The Junior Portfolio Review is for students in one of the following: BFA in Film and Media Arts, BFA in Animation, BFA in Digital Arts, BFA in New Media, or BA in New Media Production programs only. The review of on-line portfolios developed within the Professional Seminar, will be made by made by at least two FMX faculty members, and / or guest evaluators. It is a zero-credit course taken concurrent with Professional Seminar, during the second semester sophomore year (after completing 44 credits, before 60 credit hours in the major). The review provides feedback and identifies areas of improvement.

A studio production course that allows faculty and/or professionally oriented students to intensively explore topics in digital & new media.  May be repeated for additional credit, with a maximum of 6 credits total.

A studio production course that allows faculty and/or professionally oriented students to select and intensively explore topics in animation.  May be repeated for additional credit, with a maximum of 6 credits total.

This studio production course offers a hands-on approach to exploring the methods through which humans communicate with computers and interact with physical and virtual spaces. Students will create works that explore self-expression and interaction with analog and virtual interfaces, in tangible, digital, or expanded realities. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production capstone course for seniors to complete a thesis film production as the requirement for graduation in the film and media arts degree programs.  Pre-production and production of the senior thesis project will be completed by the end of the semester.  Students pursue production projects of sufficient breadth and depth as to crystallize their experiences at the University.  Should be taken two semesters prior to graduation (fall semester, for spring graduation; spring semester for fall graduation). Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that introduces students to contemporary multimedia installation through both the study of the cutting-edge practitioners within the field and through the production of related projects. Modes of production covered include digital video projection, audio installation, mixed, virtual and augmented reality, and hybrid combinations of the above. Laboratory fee required.

Independent project developed under the guidance of a Film, Animation and New Media instructor.  Students will apply by submitting a project proposal to a FMX professor for 1-4 credits. May be repeated for variable credits of 1-4 hours per course.

A studio production mandatory capstone course for Animation or New Media majors. Each student will create a creative thesis project in their major area that demonstrates the depth and breadth of their learning, leading to exhibition of this work.  This course is required to be taken in students' final semester in the program, and that they exhibit and present their thesis work during the scheduled showcase. Laboratory fee required.