Media History & Comm. Policy

The technological developments that have influenced the growth and development of our electronic modes of communication. Forms of media including radio, television, telephones, videocassette recorders, satellites, cable TV, electronic mail, robotics, and computers. The basic approach to these forms is historical, with an examination of their social impact.

Sem-Screenwriting

Lecture, discussion. An examination of the art, craft, and business of screenwriting from theoretical and practical perspectives. Topics include screenplay format and structure, story, plot and character development, dialog and scene description, visual storytelling, pace and rhythm, analysis of professional and student scripts and films, and more. Written work includes three screenwriting projects. The focus is on writing for narrative films and, to a limited extent, TV programs. Prerequisite: COMM film course.

ST-Intro Studio Directing

Students will learn basic concepts and techniques of studio television production, with a focus on directing live programs in a full-scale studio facility on the UMASS campus. The course includes lecture presentations, production exercises, script-writing projects, and studio production projects. Finally, each student will write, produce, and direct a live studio production.
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