Communication (Digital Media Production)

College: Communication and Information
Degree: BA, BS
Specialized Admission: Yes

Description of Major

*Please Note: Face-to-face/in-person instruction of this program is available ONLY at the main campus in Tallahassee, FL. This program is NOT available via Online/Distance Learning.*

The Digital Media Production Program is a limited-access, cutting-edge program designed to prepare students for the rapidly changing world of media production.

With the proliferation of video equipment and editing software, digital video production has burst through the confines of television studios and Hollywood conventions, allowing independent teams to create media that is distributed across a host of platforms. This program gives students the skills needed to become confident visual storytellers and media makers.

Digital Media Production students learn the foundation skills of operating professional video cameras, recording sound, and using lighting for dramatic effect. Alongside these production skills, students also learn to use contemporary post production software including Premiere Pro, Audition, After Effects, and 3D animation software like Cinema 4D. Students also have the opportunity to learn emerging immersive technologies, such as VR and 360 video production. These tools, combined with a theoretical background in visual storytelling, prepare students for work in innovative jobs in film and television, sports broadcast, immersive production and on-line video.

The DMP Program focuses on documentary and sports media. Students may choose to study both, as the reality-based techniques learned in each field can be applied to the other. Fast-paced and precise cinematography experience in the sports world, for example, can help in capturing real-life documentary moments with more skill and finesse. Students may also choose to study only documentary or to focus primarily on sports media, though there is no official track for either.

Sports media is an exciting field of production, powering the live broadcasts and in-person experiences sports fans encounter with each game, match, or meet they watch. Students are trained to operate cameras, edit sizzle reels, develop graphics, and master the many positions of the control room during live broadcasts.

Documentary work teaches students to look beyond the surface, finding powerful stories about the important issues of our time. By getting off campus and into the community, documentary work connects students, politicians, and the populace to homemakers and the homeless, and much more. The field of documentary can also be an extension of arts practices in moving image, allowing students to explore ideas of form and aesthetics while engaging with the world around them. These encounters transform aspiring media makers into visionary artists and champions of change building passionate connections to social issues, artistic ideas, and stories that matter.

Note: Specific information related to this interest area is subject to change. Please check with the School of Communication prior to submitting your application.

Prerequisite Coursework

18 hours outside major coursework and beyond General Education and
MMC 2000 (3) Introduction to the Mass Media

Note: State-wide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for acceptable alternative courses, visit the “Common Prerequisites Manual.” This is available from the “Student Services” section of http://www.flvc.org .

Requirements

Admission Requirements to the Upper-Division Major
The School of Communication is a limited access program, restricted by both total numbers of students in each major and minimum grade point average required for application. Each major operates with a different enrollment cap. Achievement of the minimum application GPA does not guarantee admission to a communication major; all admissions are competitive. Admission criteria are available from the School.

An application package must be completed and submitted to the School of Communication, see https://comm-fsu-sm.smapply.us/ .

Minimum requirements for review of application include: an overall GPA of 3.00 on all college coursework attempted; completed application submitted to the School of Communication on or before the first business day in February for each year and transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Students must have completed 52 hours of college coursework by the end of the semester of application.

Acceptance by a faculty committee will be based on a review of the application and transcript, and other relevant materials in light of the published admissions criteria. By the end of the spring semester in which the student is applying for admission, s/he must successfully complete two General Education English courses and two General Education math courses as accepted by FSU.

Major Program of Studies at FSU: 36 hours
No grade below a C minus will be accepted for any course in the major. Maintenance of a 3.00 cumulative GPA is required. The School of Communication reserves the right to refuse admission or discontinue enrollment of any student at any time, if, in the judgment of the faculty, the student does not meet departmental or major standards.

Foundation courses: (6 hours)
SPC 2608 (3) Public Speaking
MMC 3505 (3) Documentary History, Theory and Practice

Advanced courses: (6 hours)
Students select two courses (6 hrs) from a list of approved courses; see advisor

Production Core courses: (9 hours)
RTV 3101 (3) Writing for the Electronic Media
RTV 3531 (3) Single-Camera Video Production
RTV 3571 (3) Digital Media Production Workshop

Advanced Production courses: (12 hours)
Students select four courses (12 hrs) from the approved advanced production list; see advisor

Application/activity courses: (3 hours)
Students complete 3 hours selected from the approved application/activity list; see advisor

Language Requirement
Students formally admitted into any program in the School of Communication must achieve proficiency in one language other than English prior to graduation. Students may fulfill this requirement through a modern, classical, or business language. For students admitted for Fall 2012 and later, S-U grading of modern language courses is acceptable; business language courses must be taken for a letter grade. See the University Bulletin or contact the School of Communication for details (www.comm.cci.fsu.edu).

Minor Coursework: 12 hours or more.
Majors must fulfill minor requirements in one departmental field outside Communication, with the exception of a minor in Hispanic Marketing. Students should check with minor department for specific requirements. Recommended minors include: Film Studies, Business, English, Political Science, Psychology, Journalism (at FAMU), Sociology, World Literature/World Film, Innovation, Humanities, Technology and Society, Information Technology, History, and British Studies (offered only at the London Center).

Digital Literacy: 3 hours
CGS 2060 (3), CGS 2100 (3), or COM 4470 (3).

Oral Communication Competency: 0 beyond major requirements.
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly. SPC 2608 is required for this major and also satisfies this requirement.

Minimum Program Requirements - Summary
Total Hrs. Required 120
General Education 36
Major Coursework 33
Minor Coursework 12 or more
Language Requirement 0-12
Digital Literacy 3
Oral Communication Competency 0 beyond major requirements
Electives to bring total credits to 120

Mapping
Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system. Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion. Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors. View the map for this major at www.academic-guide.fsu.edu/.

Remarks
1. A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, 30 of which must be taken at this University.
2. Half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at this University.
3. The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at this University.
4. The B. A. degree requires a foreign language through the intermediate (2200) level or equivalent.

Employment Information

Salary Information: National Association of Colleges and Employers, Occupational Outlook Handbook

Representative Job Titles Related to this Major: Video Editor, Director of Photography, Camera Operator, Film Director, Film Producer, Documentary Researcher, Arena Video Production Specialist, Technical Director, Broadcast Engineer, Communication Manager, Video Production Specialist, Audiovisual Production Specialist, Critic, Programmer, Media Buyer, Media Analyst, Video Effects Specialist.

Representative Employers: Film studios, video production companies, sports media companies, college and professional sports teams, documentary production companies, post production companies, news stations, internet media companies, public TV and radio, governmental organizations, non-profit organizations, political campaigns, advertising firms, and public relations firms