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MS in Digital Cinema 
The only master's degree program of its kind in the country, the Master of Science in Digital Cinema degree emphasizes technical and technology-based topics and practices of cinema production.
 

MS in Digital Cinema 2009


The MS Degree in Digital Cinema emphasizes the technical and technology-based topics and practices of digital cinema. Such topics and practices include post-production editing of video and audio, the integration of video and audio, special effects and computer-generated imaging, and modes of digital distribution. Find out more about the Digital Cinema program.


Concentrations


The MS in Digital Cinema offers two programs of graduate study for students.

The Cinema Program is the advanced study of all aspects of digital filmmaking including screenwriting, producing, directing, cinematography, editing, and sound design. The emphasis of the program is on the individual student's development as a digital filmmaker and storyteller.

The Animation Concentration features a program of study in traditional animation (hand-drawn and stop-motion), 3D modeling and character animation for cinema and game art, in addition to the core cinema courses.

Find out more at the Digital Cinema Website

What Students Learn From This Program

  • Post-production editing of video and audio
  • The integration of video and audio
  • Special effects
  • Computer-generated imaging

Grade and GPA Requirements


Grades: Students must receive a grade of B- or better in each prerequisite course and a C- or better in all other courses.

GPA: Students must maintain a graduate level GPA of 2.50 or higher while pursuing their degree. Students will not be approved for graduation with less than a 2.50 GPA. Students with a 3.90 or higher will graduate with distinction.

Program Requirements 2009

To view Graduate Program Requirements for previous years click here.

The program follows a three-phase sequence, with each phase preparing the student for the subsequent phase. The master's degree program consists of:

  • Prerequisite Phase
  • Core Knowledge Phase
  • Advanced Phase
  • Option for the MFA Phase

Upon acceptance into the masters degree program, the student will meet with their faculty advisor to discuss required courses for the Prerequisite Phase. The Prerequisite Phase is intended to ensure that all students enter graduate courses with an equivalent background. While completing this phase, a student is considered a conditionally admitted masters student. In the Core Knowledge phase, a student will follow a sequence of courses to acquire an understanding of the technological and theoretical foundations for the particular degree. In the Advanced Phase of the program, the fundamental information learned previously allows a student to study advanced topics within their chosen degree. This phase adds depth to the work completed in the Core Knowledge Phase. Individual interests and needs are also addressed through a series of elective courses chosen in consultation with the student's faculty advisor.

Master of Science in Digital Cinema 2009
The Cinema Program
 

Prerequisite Phase
Students must demonstrate prerequisite competencies by transcript or by successful completion of the following courses:
Offered Fall  
In class Online  
√ √      DC 201 Introduction to Screenwriting   
√        DC 210 Digital Cinema Production I   
√        DC 220 Editing I   
 
and a choice of two from the following list:
Offered Fall  
In class Online  
√        DC 215 Digital Sound Design   
√        DC 275 Cinematography and Lighting   
√        ANI 230 3d Modeling for Animation and Gaming   
√        ANI 231 3d Animation for Cinema and Gaming   
√        GAM 244 Game Development I   
√        GAM 245 Game Development II   
 
By taking these courses and receiving a grade of a B- or better in each, the student will have completed the requirements of the Prerequisite Phase. All or part of the Prerequisite Phase may be waived if a student has the equivalent academic background. Alternatively, students with practical experience may complete a Graduate Assessment Examination (GAE) to show competency in a prerequisite. All students are blocked from enrolling in Core Knowledge Phase courses prior to completing their prerequisites. The student must submit an online Change of Status request when the Prerequisite Phase is completed to inform the Student Services offices that the block can be removed. The online request must be submitted two weeks before the student intends to register for graduate level classes. The student will then be considered a fully admitted student, and may pass to the Graduate Phase of the program. Students may submit the Change of Status request by logging in to MyCDM.

Core Knowledge Phase
The core knowledge phase is designed to provide a common foundation in digital cinema production. Fully admitted students in the Core Knowledge Phase may register for a maximum of four Advanced Phase courses. The Core Knowledge Phase courses for the MS in Digital Cinema are:
Offered Fall  
In class Online  
√        DC 460 Digital Cinema Proseminar   
         DC 461 Production Workshop   
         DC 462 Production Seminar   
 

Advanced Phase
The advanced phase provides specialized knowledge in digital cinema topics, as well as allowing students to choose a particular emphasis for their studies.

Required AdvancedPhase Courses
Offered Fall  
In class Online  
         DC 401 Writing the Short Motion Picture   
         DC 495 Directing the Short Motion Picture   
√        DC 476 Visual Design   
         DC 430 Visual Effects   
         DC 421 Production Design   
 

Elective Advanced Phase Courses
Students in this program must choose 3 electives from the following list:
Offered Fall  
In class Online  
         DC 411 Music Video Production   
√        DC 415 Advanced Sound Design   
√        DC 420 Advanced Non-Linear Editing   
√        DC 471 Documentary Production   
√        DC 475 Advanced Cinematography   
√        DC 478 Special Effects and Compositing   
√        DC 489 The Big Picture: the Entertainment Industry   
         DC 490 Directing   
         DC 499 Internship   
√        DC 402 Writing the Feature Film   
         DC 480 Project Bluelight   
√        DC 481 Distribution and Exhibition   
         DC 485 Producing the Feature Film   
√        ANI 430 3d Character Animation   
√        ANI 450 Motion Capture Workshop   
         ANI 431 Advanced 3d Character Animation   
         ANI 479 Advanced 3d Compositing   
√        ANI 490 Topics in Animation   
√        ANI 493 Topics in 3d Animation   
         GAM 424 Game Design Workshop   
 

Students in this program will also have to take 2 graduate-level electives from any CDM MS program.
 

Animation Concentration

Prerequisite Phase
Offered Fall  
In class Online  
√        ANI 101 Animation for Non-Majors   
√        ANI 230 3d Modeling for Animation and Gaming   
√        ANI 231 3d Animation for Cinema and Gaming   
 
and a choice of two from the following list:
Offered Fall  
In class Online  
√        DC 215 Digital Sound Design   
√        DC 275 Cinematography and Lighting   
√ √      DC 201 Introduction to Screenwriting   
√        DC 210 Digital Cinema Production I   
√        DC 220 Editing I   
√        GAM 244 Game Development I   
√        GAM 245 Game Development II   
 
 

Core Knowledge Phase
 
Choose three courses from the following list:
Offered Fall  
In class Online  
√        DC 460 Digital Cinema Proseminar   
         DC 461 Production Workshop   
         DC 462 Production Seminar   
         ANI 460 Animation Graduate Seminar   
 

Advanced Phase
The advanced phase provides specialized knowledge in digital cinema topics, as well as allowing students to choose a particular emphasis for their studies.

Required AdvancedPhase Courses
Offered Fall  
In class Online  
         ANI 400 Animation Production   
√        ANI 435 Advanced 3d Modeling for Animation and Gaming   
√        ANI 430 3d Character Animation   
         ANI 439 3d Texturing and Lighting   
√        ANI 450 Motion Capture Workshop   
 

Elective Advanced Phase Courses
Students in this program must choose 3 electives from the following list:
Offered Fall  
In class Online  
         ANI 431 Advanced 3d Character Animation   
         ANI 479 Advanced 3d Compositing   
√        ANI 490 Topics in Animation   
√        ANI 493 Topics in 3d Animation   
         DC 411 Music Video Production   
√        DC 415 Advanced Sound Design   
√        DC 420 Advanced Non-Linear Editing   
√        DC 475 Advanced Cinematography   
√        DC 478 Special Effects and Compositing   
√        DC 489 The Big Picture: the Entertainment Industry   
         DC 490 Directing   
         DC 499 Internship   
√        DC 476 Visual Design   
√        DC 402 Writing the Feature Film   
         DC 480 Project Bluelight   
√        DC 481 Distribution and Exhibition   
         DC 401 Writing the Short Motion Picture   
         DC 495 Directing the Short Motion Picture   
         DC 421 Production Design   
         GAM 424 Game Design Workshop   
 

Students in this program will also have to take 2 graduate-level electives from any CDM MS program.
 
Career Options: 

The evolution of digital technology has created new and varied career options in motion picture production. While high-profile careers in producing, directing and acting remain competitive, careers in specialties such as digital editing, sound engineering and digital effects design continue to rise.

Many industries, including public relations, advertising, health care and education need professionals skilled in digital media design and production to produce interactive games, instructional materials and promotional materials.

Individuals with a degree in Digital Cinema hold positions as:

  • Film/video Editors
  • Special Effects Directors
  • Directors
  • Cinematographers

Positions requiring skills in digital cinema production can be found on motion picture and television studios, advertising agencies, video editing firms, and computer game companies.

 

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