The inclusion of Cinematic Arts within the Department of Art and Art History says much about our approach. We believe that filmmaking is an art that must be mastered by disciplined practice and reflection. We train and mentor filmmakers under the studio art model with a balanced dose of exercise and theoretical appreciation.
The Department of Art and Art History at UTA has an excellent reputation for educating young filmmakers, preparing them for the creative challenges and professional rigors of the motion picture industry. The success of our graduates is the result of a well-designed, three-tiered program. An introductory level of technical and aesthetic principles, an intermediate level to widen narrative skills, and an advanced level to produce high-quality portfolio ready work.
This process begins in CINEMA PRODUCTION 1 class. Students acquire foundational skill sets in the craft and technology of filmmaking by planning, shooting, and editing their short films as a group.
We believe that storytelling is the cornerstone of our art; this is why a solid SCREENWRITING 1 class is also a foundational instruction at this level. Students learn industry-standard screenwriting formats and techniques to create vivid descriptions, fresh and authentic dialogue, all within a clear and engaging storyline. SCREENWRITING 2 class furthers every aspect of the craft and incorporates more complex narrative techniques and specific genre approaches. Apart from being a principal part of our curricula, screenwriting is also a process of artistic self-discovery and growth. We are not only interested in training skilled storytellers. We want those stories to display a distinct artistic voice.
At the intermediate level, student filmmakers accelerate through a program of technical and aesthetic exercises exploring and developing specific skill sets and sensibilities they will use throughout their work. Students are introduced to higher levels of image capture in Cinematography through the control and manipulation of light and camera. The Directing classes investigate processes of interpreting screenplays through camera and performance, focusing on the Director -Actors' work. With the skills developed at this level, the students are ready to convey ideas and elicit emotions in profound, powerful, and polished film pieces.
In Advanced Cinema Production (ACP), and other advanced level courses, students generate a complete portfolio per semester while refining their skills and defining their artistic voice. Our program also includes specific genre study courses that explore in detailed the skills and ideas particular to specialized areas in filmmaking. They explore 2D and 3D Animation, Documentary filmmaking, Video Art, Commercial Video, and Narrative Filmmaking. Students are encouraged to explore and follow their interests in the areas most suited to their career aspirations. Special topics courses supplement the regular curriculum to fill specific niche areas. Cinematography, Advanced Editing, Sound, Producing are among these classes.
Our students also learn how to write their stories in the editing room. In theory and practice, they learn that montage is the single aspect that cinema has not borrowed from any other art. Our training in the various aspects of post-production is progressive. By the end of the third level, they have had a comprehensive understanding and practice of visual editing, sound design, color grading, and the fundamental aspects of visual and acoustic effects. So, students are ready to create their Thesis film.
For students interested in Fiction Film, the ACP: FICTION class is the pinnacle of our program that equips students in the planning, managing, and delivering of a film. Students are submerged in an intensive "real world" motion picture production. Students create a production company as a class, develop a script, and produce a short, fiction film. They comprehend critical aspects of the industry, such as contracts, legal procedures, budgeting, scheduling all under the pressures of an independent film production.
To celebrate all our work and recognize our students’ progress, our entire community gathers at the end of every semester to watch every film produced. This End of Semester Showcase unites us all -from first-year undergraduate students to Master film candidates- in front of one screen. In these extraordinary parties, we also celebrate the contribution and support of our actors, crews, friends, and families. As our mission statement says: "We are a community devoted to storytelling through the cinematic art form and to each other's creative self-discovery and growth."
The mission of the Cinematic Arts area is to nurture and train filmmakers to become well-rounded artists as well as responsible storytellers.
We are a community devoted to storytelling through the cinematic art form and to each other's creative self-discovery and growth. Our purpose is to train and mentor but also to inspire and challenge.
We believe in a personal and inclusive film instruction that embraces multiple genres, strong ethics, and professional standards within the cinematic tradition.
The Maverick Film Production company is a team comprised of Film/Video graduate students, faculty and undergraduate students at Art and Art history Department at UTA. The company provides high quality media production service to UTA campus and the local Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) community. Maverick Film Productions is an opportunity for students to gain more professional experience as a crew to work on client-based film productions.
The Maverick Film Production company provides departments, student organizations and individuals with low-cost media production service that assist with promoting UTA services and activities. It’s located in155A in Fine Art Building and has a color-grading/editing room, a visual effects room, and a production office. The editing stations are also used for our advanced film production students and graduate students for their final color-grading and editing.
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Video production is essential in the media today, from promotional clips and commercials, to narrative films. The Commercial Film Production minor provides technical skills in digital video production, client collaboration and concept development, and the application of aesthetic abilities needed by students who want to work in the commercial film industry. In addition, it will provide you an excellent foundation in media production, preproduction, and related skills. This minor pairs well with other disciplines requiring video production for entertainment, promotion, and training.
Available to all majors at UTA, the Commercial Film Production minor immerses the student in the most current innovations in video production, and sound and video editing. The minor's courses use in-depth analyses of emerging creative, technical, and entrepreneurial processes as they become present in the current commercial film industry. This minor will focus on adaptive critical thinking to prepare students for a career in the commercial film industry of the near present and moving into the future.
Upon completion of a minor in Commercial Film Production, students will:
After completing four required courses, students can choose from a range of upper level classes depending on individual goals.
The student’s major department must approve any minor. However, students interested in Commercial Film Production as a minor should consult an Art and Art History
Department advisor/HTMLfaculty advisor to determine the most advantageous selection of courses. A Commercial Film Production Minor requires at least 18 credit hours in a given program, including credit hours of advanced work. Procedures for course clearance will be outlined at www.uta.edu/art or students may email: art-arthistory@uta.edu.
Introduction to the video and filmmaking production process, techniques, history and aesthetics through the use of digital video, basic film, and basic digital (computer) video and audio editing. Students will write, produce, and edit a number of short original works.
Film Aesthetics and Analysis and is a course in which students experience the critical screening of selected significant films and learn concepts and approaches to film analysis and criticism. The course will examine the emergence of the film form, the elements of film language, formal approaches and principles of film analysis, and the workings of motion pictures as a means of narrative expression.
Advances the principles and elements of design to the world of time-based media and the principles of animation. Focuses on advanced compositing and animation techniques including kinetic typography, motion tracking, and image replacement and compositing. Topics may also include film titles, and industrial and commercial film. May be repeated once for credit. ART 2304 and ART 2358; or permission from the instructor.
Special studies in film/video that respond to emerging technologies, immediate needs, and specialized topics. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: ART 3358 (Intermediate Film); or permission from the instructor.
EXAMPLE: Producing Takes a holistic approach to assist the student in learning the art of Producing for Film. Spearheading development, managing production/post-production and securing distribution. Students acquire a comprehensive understanding of the three major components necessary to make a film - Time, Money and Labor.
Historical surveys of nonfiction film, experimental cinema, and genres (e.g., the western, the gangster film, science-fiction films), as well as geographical or national movements (e.g., German expressionism, Italian neo-realism, French new wave) and film theory and criticism. The particular subject will change from year to year. Prerequisite: Any two of the three courses ART 1309, ART 1310, and ART 1317; or permission from the instructor.
An opportunity to apply academic training as participant/observer in a professional organization relevant to a major area of concentration. With permission of advisor, internships may be repeated for up to a maximum of nine hours credit. Internships must be arranged with the internship supervisor in the semester prior to enrolling for this course. Prerequisite: permission from the instructor.
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Associate Professor
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Associate Professor Of Practice
Interested in the programs offered by the Art & Art History department? Talk to an advisor!