200 Level Courses
FAVS 204: Film Art. 3 credits.
Explores the cinematic arts as they're related to other forms, including audio arts, dance, theater, painting, sculpture, games, and comics. Introduces traditional film forms and evolving filmmaking practices. Considers film as commercial product and a means to address justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Teaches how to watch, analyze, and research film through writing, visual storytelling, and storyboards.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 225: Introduction to World Cinema. 3 credits.
This course explores examples of many kinds of films from around the world, including documentary, fiction, and experimental. Students will learn to analyze film language and structures, with attention to cinema's many contexts, including economic institutions, historical events, political and social issues that shape and are shaped by movies.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 233: Sound Editing and Recording. 3 credits.
This course instructs students on the theories, techniques and technologies pertaining to recording audio in the field and studio and to audio editing and mixing for film and video. The course will be lecture based with practical lab and field exercises applying concepts and equipment presented during the lecture.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 250: Business of Film and Television. 3 credits.
This course provides an overview of the film & television industry from a business perspective. Students learn basic filmed entertainment business practices and protocol, including film financing, copyright & trademark, anti-trust, trademark, IP licensing, Agents & Managers, Entertainment Unions & Guilds, film distribution, and marketing techniques.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 255: Video Production for Film. 3 credits.
This course is a hands-on methods course in video production for film. Through practice, reading, film viewing and discussions, you will be introduced to the art and activity of digital filmmaking across film genres. Students must complete reading, writing, and production assignments that justify and plan for their creative choices. Handouts describing projects, expectations and evaluative criteria will be provided.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 260: Video Editing for Film. 3 credits.
This course will instruct on the theories and technical expertise pertaining to video editing by utilizing various video editing software. The course will combine lectures, discussions, and demonstrations with hands on projects.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 280: Writing for the Moving Image. 3 credits.
This course is an introduction to writing for the moving image through lecture, discussion, and critiques of exercises and written works. By the end of the semester, each student will have produced a variety of analyses and/or blueprints for creative moving image projects including short fiction, commercial advertisement, scripted television, collaborative fiction, short non-fiction reality programming. and other forms.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
300 Level Courses
FAVS 300: Global Horror Film. 3 credits.
This course is an introduction to the horror film genre. Looking at various national and transnational cinemas, the course traces horror’s development from its literary beginnings through contemporary filmic storytelling. We’ll consider artistic, commercial, and sociopolitical aspects of the horror film and explore themes such as war, terror, and censorship. Students will learn to identify how horror texts both reflect and influence cultural interdependence and inequality across the world.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 304: Film Forms. 3 credits.
Analyze formal elements of film, documentary, television, and digital content. Develop critical thinking and writing, with emphasis on collaboration. Practice diverse forms of writing, including analysis and criticism, creative essay, digital content, and social media. Consider filmmaking and film viewing in multiple contexts, including production and commercial industries; political and cultural systems; identity and community formations.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts. Equivalent to ENGH 373.
FAVS 311: Producing I. 3 credits.
Provides students with the basics of film producing. Students gain creative, business, and legal skills needed to develop, produce and sell an independent, commercially viable motion picture film. Students engage with writing treatments, script breakdown, pitching, budgeting, creating shooting schedules, financing, hiring and managing cast and crew, and other areas in producing.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 312: Film Lab. 3 credits.
A hands-on producing class where students take roles as producers, assistant directors, location managers, script supervisors, production and costume designers, casting assistants, etc. in the development, pre-production, and production of a scripted short film. The course moves from development through production in an apprentice style environment with a seasoned director. This gives students "real-world" experience in independent film production.Offered by Film & Video Studies. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 9 credits.
FAVS 320: Afrofuturism and Their Kin. 3 credits.
This course is an introduction to the cinematic genre of Afrofuturism, or Black Speculative culture, also exploring the sub-genre lenses of Black horror and fantasy. Reading science fiction, horror, fantasy, and other imaginative narrative tropes, we’ll consider how the myriad societal fears regarding race intersect with violence. We’ll engage philosophies around horror that analyze tensions between conjurings of ‘monstrosities’ and the ways in which racial identity is constructed and consumed. As these artists re-envision the Black diasporic past, present, and future, they present alternative visions of the futures of blackness.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 331: Cinematography. 3 credits.
This course aims to recreate a professional camera department environment. By the end of the course, students should be able to understand and perform the function of first assistant cameraperson or second assistant cameraperson on a camera crew. Students will understand the history, function, art, craft, and science of cinematography.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 333: Sound Editing and Recording. 3 credits.
This course instructs students on the theories, techniques and technologies pertaining to recording audio in the field and studio and to audio editing and mixing for film and video. The course will be lecture based with practical lab and field exercises applying concepts and equipment presented during the lecture.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 352: Ethics of Film and Video. 3 credits.
An examination of ethical issues associated with image production and consumption. Topics include the technological development of the film apparatus, privacy, the pursuit of objectivity, excess, consent, and representing others. All issues highlight the increasingly sophisticated and powerful role of film and media authorship. Students will develop a more complex view of the ethics of screen representation (both fiction and nonfiction) and be encouraged to take stock of the ethics of their own media literacy.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 356: Film Marketing. 3 credits.
Provides students with a variety of film and television marketing business strategies and creative skills, including publicity, press kits, advertising, trailers, poster design, film credits, box art, branding, licensing & merchandising, and distribution. As aspiring media entrepreneurs, students learn to professionally manage their careers whether in low-budget independent film or Hollywood blockbuster tracks via self-promotion & publicity.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 365: Documentary Filmmaking. 3 credits.
An introduction to documentary filmmaking in which each student makes a short digital documentary, from concept development to finished piece. The class covers essential technical skills, emerging styles of nonfiction film, and documentary storytelling techniques.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 366: Video Production for Social Change. 3 credits.
This course reflects a professional production environment where student teams, under the instructor’s supervision, produce effective pieces for local community based non-profit organizations. Students will learn the business of working with a real-world nonprofit client and storytelling skills that advance the client mission. Beginning with the discovery process, students will engage the client in assessing their needs and goals for producing a video. They will develop a creative concept/strategy, a budget, and a statement of work/contract. Small teams will then produce their client project as they learn the storytelling strategies that engage by connecting with an audience.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 367: Radical Camera. 3 credits.
This course focuses on the craft of experimental filmmaking. With a focus on films that can be called ‘radical’, this course emphasizes artistry that confronts dominant paradigms. We study film work that is queer, trans, antiracist, and feminist, by artists who express their bodies, ethnicities, disabilities, and identities through innovations in cinematic storytelling. Students will come to understand connections between form and content. Radical Camera guides students in exploring their voice and vision, and supports the production of film work that forges new paths.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 375: Fiction Film Directing. 3 credits.
This course examines techniques for directing fiction films. Students study the directorial approaches of a variety of directors by viewing and critiquing classic films. Students learn about the director's role in each stage of film production. Students shoot, direct and edit fictional scenes and sequences intended to develop and convey the beginnings of the authorial signatures. Notes: Intended for Film and Video Studies majors only.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 377: Interactive Storytelling for Social Change. 3 credits.
Students study the craft of interactive and transmedia storytelling while producing media projects for impact and action. Transmedia is a way of telling stories across media platforms, for both fiction and non-fiction. This allows creators to engage television and film audiences for greater impact. Students will study interactivity as a readily used marketing tool in the film and television industry.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 378: Web Series. 3 credits.
A production course that explores the creative and logistical process of creating a fiction series for the web. Production techniques for web series will be explored, including permissions, contracts, and budgets for web development. The course will consider and study successful web series and explore contemporary discussions and professional organizations centered on web series.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 380: TV Writing. 3 credits.
Students learn about the profession of writing scripted television. Examines the principles and processes of development for television drama and other genres and programming categories. Students become acquainted with the expectations and responsibilities of staff and freelance writing. Develops skills in writing for the small screen(s) by practicing established techniques and identifying contemporary trends.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 383: Feature-Length Scriptwriting. 3 credits.
This course is an introduction to the development and analysis of feature length screenplays. The approach combines lecture, discussion, screening and presentation of student work. By the end of the semester, each student should have a complete first draft of an original screenplay. Students will also complete story reports and coverage reports of screenplays by other writers.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 399: Special Topics in Film and Video Studies. 1-3 credits.
In-depth presentation and exploration of topical studies. Notes: Subject matter varies. May be repeated when taken under different topics.Offered by Film & Video Studies. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits.
400 Level Courses
FAVS 400: Career Development Seminar. 3 credits.
This course prepares students for a career in the film and video industry beyond the university. Students complete a professionally reviewed resume, cover letter, and experience a formalized interview. Students prepare a written grant proposal and pitch a film project with professional advisors. This class fosters development of a professional online presence and strengthens students’ communication techniques in public speaking.Offered by Film & Video Studies. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
FAVS 431: Advanced Cinematography. 3 credits.
Builds on the foundation of
FAVS 331 and explores advanced techniques in lighting and in post-production (color correction). Where cinematography focuses on cinematography from the perspective of film (celluloid), Advanced Cinematography explores digital cinematography, its advantages and limitations.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 433: Advanced Sound. 3 credits.
Students will learn about advanced fundamental theory, tools, and techniques needed to create and/or implement sound for film. We will utilize the industry standard software Pro Tools. Students will learn nonlinear sound editing, digital audio processing, frequency manipulation, synthesized sound techniques and mixing. We will focus on the power of sound and the contributions it can make not only in enhancing the visuals of a film but in contributing to telling the story within itself.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 450: Internship in Film and Video Studies. 3 credits.
On-the-job training in film and video through approved fieldwork programs. Internships are approved and supervised by the Film at Mason Faculty.Offered by Film & Video Studies. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
FAVS 460: Advanced Video Editing. 3 credits.
This course will instruct students on the theories, techniques and technologies pertaining to video editing for fiction and documentary films, as well as commercials. The course will combine lectures, discussions, and demonstrations with hands on projects.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 475: Advanced Fiction Directing. 3 credits.
Focuses on casting and directing actors, working with production designers, assistant directors, and visual and aural storytelling on an individually directed project. Teaches students how to direct the shooting, production and editing of a fiction film or webisode which further develops their authorial signature.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 483: Feature-Length Scriptwriting. 3 credits.
This course is an introduction to the development and analysis of feature length screenplays. The approach combines lecture, discussion, screening and presentation of student work. By the end of the semester, each student should have a complete first draft of an original screenplay. Students will also complete story reports and coverage reports of screenplays by other writers.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 490: Independent Study. 1-6 credits.
Independent research on specific project under direction of selected faculty member.Offered by Film & Video Studies. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
FAVS 496: Advanced Visual Storytelling. 3 credits.
A culminating capstone seminar devoted to analyzing and synthesizing knowledge and skills gained through undergraduate course work in the screenwriting concentration, resulting in substantial individualized writing projects.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 497: Senior Film Practicum. 3 credits.
A senior capstone course for students in the Production/Post-Production and Producing concentration. Students put their areas of focus (cinematography, editing, sound design, producing, etc.) into practice. Students play a key role in film projects directed by other students throughout the semester. This course includes a written/research component.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 498: Development for Senior Project. 3 credits.
An introduction to the Directing and Producing capstone sequence. In this course, directors and producers engage with the creative process of researching and developing material in film and video for their senior projects. A senior project in Directing and Producing is constituted by a short fiction or documentary film, webseries episode(s) or parallel film project with a running time of 15 minutes or less.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
FAVS 499: Senior Project. 3 credits.
Culminating capstone course in producing and directing that results in the completion of a senior project and related written and visual promotional materials. A senior project in Directing and Producing is constituted by a short fiction or documentary film, webseries episode(s) or parallel film project with a running time of 15 minutes or less.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.