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Academy for Creative Media

ACM 210 Introduction to Cinematic Digital Production (3)

Introduction to the basic techniques of cinematic digital production and allows them to explore their personal voice in this process. A-F only.

ACM 215 Introduction to 3D Computer Animation (3)

A basic overview of the 3D animation production process, including modeling, texturing, rigging, animation, lighting, and rendering. A-F only. Pre: 255.

ACM 216 Fundamentals of Animation (3)

Introduction to traditional styles and methods of hand drawn 2D, digital, and stop motion animation through theory and practice. A-F only. Pre: 255 and ART 113, or consent.

ACM 255 Introduction to Cinema and Digital Media (3)

Introduction to the study of cinema: history, aesthetics, and cultural impact. A-F only.

ACM 310 Cinematic Narrative Production (3)

Production-intensive course with collaborative as well as individual projects. Theories and application of basic digital cinema productions, including camera, lighting, sound, and editing. ACM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 255 (or concurrent).

ACM 312 Cinematography (3)

Comprehensive course in visual styles supporting screen narratives through a study of principles of camera elements, operations, lighting, color and composition. Professional role and responsibilities of cinematographer. Project-oriented. Must have access to manually controlled still camera. ACM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 310.

ACM 314 Experimental Art and Animation (3)

Provides students an opportunity to experiment with new mediums while collaborating with artists from different backgrounds, such as art, theatre, dance, film, and animation. ACM, ART, THEA, DNCE majors only. Pre: 216 (or concurrent) or ART 113 or THEA 353 (or concurrent) or THEA 356 (or concurrent), or consent. (Cross-listed as ART 315 and THEA 314)

ACM 315 Narrative Game Design (3)

Storytelling through computer games. Effect of interactivity on narrative. Interactive plot structures, conceptual design, artwork, audio, cinematography, two- and three dimensional computer graphics. Design and programming of game narrative using scripting languages. ACM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 215 and 216 and B or better in 255, or consent.

ACM 316 3D Character Animation (3)

Creating the illusion of life through the principles of animation. Application of theory to practical scene work with emphasis on acting and personality in animated characters. ACM majors only. Sophomore standing or higher for (C). A-F only. Pre: 215 and 216 and B or better in 255 and ART 113 for (B); 216 (with a C or better) for (C), or consent.

ACM 317 3D Cinematography and Dynamics (3)

Computer animation directing and cinematography for the design and creation of visual effects. Using particles and dynamics systems to simulate natural phenomena. Compositing of visual layers. ACM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 215, 216, and 255; or 215, 310, and 255; or consent.

ACM 318 Classical 2D Full Animation (3)

Hand drawn full animation techniques; rough animation, inbetweening, clean up animation and digital color processes. Digital line testing, sync dialog and other advanced skills for classical 2D full animation. ACM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 216 and 255 and ART 113, or consent.

ACM 320 Animation Production I (3)

Students work independently to produce a short, animated film. Emphasis on visual storytelling and character animation. ACM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 316B, and 350 or 355.

ACM 321 Storyboarding and Animatics (3)

Exposes students to the history, application, format, styles, and methods of creating storyboards and animatics. Visual storytelling will be analyzed by examining the foundational components of the visual language of a film. ACM majors only. Sophomore standing or higher. A-F only. Pre: 255 or consent.

ACM 325 Visual Effects (3)

Introduction to the history, theory, design and execution of visual effects for the screen. Project-based learning in traditional photographic and digitally-generated special effects. ACM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 215 and 216, or 310, or consent.

ACM 330 Independent Producing (3)

Fundamentals of producing for independent filmmaking, focusing on business acumen and role of the producer through various stages of production. Topics include proposal writing, script breakdowns, budgeting, scheduling, legal issues, festival strategy, and distribution. ACM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 310 (or concurrent), or 316B (or
concurrent).

ACM 350 Screenwriting (3)

Introduction to the basics of writing a short narrative screenplay for film or television. Students learn the fundamentals and format of screenwriting as well as basic elements of
storytelling and character development. ACM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 255, 310 (or concurrent) or 215 (or concurrent); or consent.

ACM 352 Screening Asian Americans (3)

Survey of Asian and Asian American representations in American film and television from the silent era to the present, with an emphasis on Orientalism and multiculturalism, as well as performance and spectatorship. ACM majors: A-F only. Pre: junior standing or consent. (Cross-listed as AMST 352)

ACM 355 Oral Tradition to Screenplay (3)

Adapting the stories, styles, and cultural values of oral tradition storytelling to cinematic narratives. A-F only. Pre: 255, and 310 (or concurrent) or 215 (or concurrent); or consent.

ACM 360 Indigenous Aesthetics (3)

Aesthetic theories and practices of indigenous cultures of the Pacific and their adaptation to the screen in cinematic storytelling. A-F only. Pre: 255 or consent.

ACM 370 Directing the Actor on Screen (3)

Introduction of the screen-director to the craft of acting for the camera. Students will develop collaborative communication skills and learn practical techniques to elicit spontaneous and relaxed performances from actors. A-F only. Pre: 255 (or concurrent) and consent.

ACM 372 Editing for Cinema (3)

Advanced course examining the theory, techniques, and practices of motion picture editing; use of non-linear digital editing systems; and practical experience in digital
editing projects. ACM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 310 (or concurrent) or 316B (or concurrent), or consent.

ACM 374 Post Production Sound (3)

Practical course on the theory, art, and techniques of sound recording, editing, and design for cinema. Students work on projects involving dialogue and sound effects in post production. ACM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 310 or 316B, and 372.

ACM 375 Directing the Camera for the Screen (3)

Detailed analysis of cinematic grammar, placement, movement, focus, and effects of the camera to create the mise en scene. Practical exercises and projects to apply theory to individual creative work. ACM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 310, and 350 (or concurrent) or 355 (or concurrent).

ACM 380 Genre and Narrative Theory in Creative Media (3)

Focus on the concept of genre, genre films, genre film criticism and popular genres such as
Western, film noir, documentary, and Chinese martial arts. A-F only. Pre: 255 or consent.

ACM 382 Authors in Creative Media (3)

In-depth study of the auteur theory and specific application to authors in creative media, such as film directors, animators, screenwriters or game designers. A-F only. Pre: 255 or consent.

ACM 384 Study Abroad (3)

Intensive study of selected topics, genres, filmmakers, or digital media production in the host country in a UH Mânoa approved study abroad location. Repeatable one time. A-F only. Pre: 255 and consent.

ACM 385 Topics in Creative Media (3)

Topics of interest to faculty and students; taught by regular and visiting faculty. Repeatable one time on different topics. ACM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 255 or consent.

ACM 386 Techniques in Creative Media (3)

Specialized techniques in the creation of digital media: taught by regular and visiting faculty. Repeatable one time in different topics. ACM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 310 (or concurrent) or 316B (or concurrent), or consent.

ACM 390 Workshop in Creative Media (V)

Short-term intensive workshop in focused area of media production. Repeatable up to six credits. ACM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 255 or consent.

ACM 399 Independent Group Project (V)

Participation in a group research or creative project under supervision of ACM faculty member. Only six credits of 399/499 in any combination can be applied to meet requirements for the major. A-F only. Repeatable up to six credits. ACM majors only. Pre: 310 or 316B, and 350, and consent.

ACM 405 Documentary Production (3)

Analysis and practical knowledge of the documentary process including, but not limited to, research, organization and story structure, shooting, camera coverage, and editing. ACM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 310, and 350 or 355; or consent.

ACM 410 Advanced Cinematic Production (4)

Production of a major cinematic/digital narrative project. Working in groups, each student takes on creative and technical role and responsibilities of a principle crew position. Emphasis on artistic form in narrative development; timely execution from pre- to post-production. Repeatable one time with instructor approval. ACM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 310, and 350 or 355; or consent.

ACM 412 Advanced Cinematography (3)

Applies the basic foundations, techniques, and theory of cinematography (covered in ACM 312) to a more informed and crafted practice with Camera and Lighting Scene study workshops, and research exercises and film projects. ACM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 310 and 312.

ACM 415 Computer Game Production (3)

Students will work as a team to produce to design and produce a computer game: 2D and 3D elements, animation, story, music, audio, and project software. ACM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 315 or ICS 313, or consent.

ACM 419 Virtual and Augmented Reality Programming (3)

Students will learn to develop virtual reality and augmented reality applications with
turnkey tools as well as through programming. Prior programming experience is not required for this course. Pre: any 110(Alpha) or 111 or ACM 215. (Cross-listed as ICS 486).

ACM 420 Animation Production II (3)

Student teams produce a short, animated film. Prior knowledge of 2D and 3D media authoring tools and animation techniques is necessary. ACM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 320 or consent.

ACM 450 Advanced Screenwriting (3)

Application of narrative principles of character development, story structure and thematic spine to students’ short and feature-length screenplays. ACM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 350 or 355.

ACM 452 (Alpha) History and Film (3)

Explores the many relationships between history and film including how film has reflected and shaped society in the past and our relationship to the past. (C) Europe; (E) world/ comparative. Repeatable one time for different alphas. Pre: junior standing or consent. (C Cross-listed as HIST 452C); (E Cross-listed as HIST 452E)

ACM 455 Indigenous Filmmaking (3)

Theories and studies of indigenous films and creation of a cinematic project based in indigenous cultural and value systems. Students must complete a certification workshop in camera and editing processes to be enrolled in this course. ACM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 310, and 350 or 355; or consent.

ACM 460 Ethics and Film (3)

Ethical theory and dilemmas as reflected in film and filmmaking. Social responsibility for filmmakers. ACM majors only. A-F only. Pre: junior standing and 255.

ACM 470 Directing the Motion Picture (3)

Students direct a narrative live-action short film from prethrough post-production, learning how to develop a directorial vision and how to implement it through storyboarding, scheduling, and collaborative skill sets. ACM majors only. Pre: 310, and 350 or 355, and 370 (or concurrent); or consent.

ACM 480 Oceanic Media and Culture (3)

Involves close textual analysis of film, TV and multimedia content. The course includes cinematic and television screenings. Junior standing or higher. A-F only. Pre: 255 or consent.

ACM 482 The American Documentary (3)

In-depth study of the nature and impact of documentary filmmaking in America, focusing on the interplay between filmmaker, subject, and audience. Will critically examine documentaries for their use of rhetoric, ethics, and narrative voice. Junior standing only. A-F only. Pre: 255 or consent.

ACM 484 Data Visualization (3)

Introduction to data visualization through practical techniques for turning data into images to produce insight. Topics include: information visualization, geospatial visualization, scientific visualization, social network visualization, and medical visualization. Junior standing or higher. Pre: any 215 or ICS 110(Alpha) or ICS 111. (Cross-listed as ICS 484)

ACM 485 Seminar in Creative Media (3)

Intellectual issues in creative media. Conducted by regular and visiting faculty with extensive student participation and scholarly presentation. Repeatable one time on different topics. ACM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 255 and junior standing, or consent.

ACM 486 Capstone Creative Production (3)

Emphasis on advanced production skills in creating a capstone film project to deepen understanding of cinematic storytelling with individuals taking on the role and responsibilities of key crew positions in collaboration. ACM majors only. Pre: 405 or 410 or 420 or 455.

ACM 487 Video Game Design and Development (3)

Students will team design, build, and demonstrate video games or related interactive entertainment environments and applications. Topics will include emerging computer science techniques relevant to the development of these types of environments. Junior
standing or higher. Pre: any 215 or ICS 110(Alpha) or ICS 111. (Cross-listed as ICS 485)

ACM 490 Global Media (3)

Involves close textual analysis and strategic analysis of the globalism phenomenon, with an emphasis on transnational media corporations. ACM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 255 or consent. (Fall only)

ACM 495 Creative Media Internship (V)

Internship in professional cinematic, television, animation and/or digital media production company under professional and faculty supervision. Repeatable up to six credits. ACM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 310 or 315 or 316B, and 350 or 355; and consent.

ACM 499 Directed Study (V)

Independent research or creative project under supervision of ACM faculty member. Only six credits of 399/499 in any combination can be applied to meet requirements for the major. Repeatable up to six credits. ACM majors only. Pre: 310 or 315 or 316B, and 350 or 355, and consent.

THEA 314 Experimental Art and Animation (3)

Provides students an opportunity to experiment with new mediums while collaborating with artists from different backgrounds, such as art, theatre, dance, film, and animation. ACM, ART, THEA, DNCE majors only. Pre: 353 (or concurrent) or 356 (or concurrent) or ACM 216 (or concurrent) or ART 113, or consent. (Cross-listed as ACM 314 and ART 315)