Radio/Television/Film

https://communication.northwestern.edu/academics/radio-television-film/index.html

The Department of Radio/Television/Film offers education in the history, theory, and production of media. Broad-based and interdisciplinary in orientation, the department offers a range of perspectives on media forms from cinema to broadcast and cable television to alternative media to emerging technologies. Courses emphasize that media are social and cultural practices in dialogue with the broader context of the humanities. The department is dedicated to integrating theory and practice, creating intersections with other disciplines, and fostering cutting-edge media production. Originality, critical analysis, and vision are valued in both scholarly research and creative work. The department’s goal is to educate students and citizens to critically interpret contemporary media, envision alternative structures in theory and practice, and reinvent the media of the future.

Production facilities include 16mm film and HD equipment, sound stage, and editing suites; advanced audio postproduction; and state-of-the-art computer graphics. Students operate the 7,200-watt FM radio station WNUR, which serves the Chicago area and also broadcasts on the Internet. The School of Communication funds multiple active student-run cocurricular production groups and offers students opportunities for internships at television and radio stations and production companies in the Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles areas. Frequent guest lectures are offered by alumni with careers in media and by other well-known professionals.

Programs of Study

Learning Objectives

Undergraduate majors in Radio/Television/Film become fluent in the production of media, the critical and cultural analysis of media, and the craft of writing for the media. They receive hands-on training in filming, editing, directing, producing, and writing for a range of media forms, including films, television, animation, soundtracks, audiovisual installations, video games, and new media. They examine media cultures around the world and throughout history to situate media production in social, economic, and political context. Honing their skills, students develop unique voices through media production and screenwriting, informed by a comprehensive, critical study of the culture and history of film, television, sound media, and digital media.

Courses in the Department of Radio/Television/Film are designed to achieve a combination of the following learning outcomes:

  • Understand and describe the cultural, historical, aesthetic, economic, ethical, and political factors influencing contemporary media arts;
  • Compare, critique, and assess diverse styles and traditions of media production across time and from multiple cultural and national contexts, drawing upon multiple theoretical and methodological approaches;
  • Demonstrate competency in writing and creating media in multiple styles, genres, and modes of production;
  • Create original media works that demonstrate a distinctive artistic voice;
  • Integrate skills in writing, storytelling, production, and analysis to develop innovative and original approaches to research and practice in media.

Courses

RTVF 190-0 Media Construction (1 Unit)   Introduces the core components of media-idea, image, sound, and sequence- with the technical fundamentals involved in shooting and editing video. Students work with SLR and digital video cameras and with Photoshop and Final Cut Pro editing software, completing four projects in different genres during the quarter. Prerequisite for all upper-level production courses. Required for majors; typically taken in first year.

RTVF 202-0 First-Year Topics Seminar (1 Unit)   Beginning seminar focused around a special topic of media analysis, history, or theory. Students will learn research, analytic, and writing skills while focusing on issues relevant to film, media and/or digital arts and culture. SOC First-Year Seminar

RTVF 220-0 Analyzing Media Texts (1 Unit)   Introduction to media analysis, with a focus on the aesthetics of film and television texts and how these features are informed by industrial and cultural contexts. Provides a grounding for upper-level Screen Cultures courses. Required for majors; typically taken in first year.

RTVF 260-0 Foundations of Screenwriting (1 Unit)   Introduction to writing for the screen (film, television, and/or computer). Structure, character, dialogue, format, voice, scope, pace, context. Lecture/workshop. Prerequisite for upper-level writing courses in the department.

RTVF 298-0 Studies in Media Topics (1 Unit)   Theoretical or practical or both; emphasis on evolving trends.

RTVF 310-0 Television History (1 Unit)  

Political, cultural, social, and industrial history of television, from the classic network era to the post-network contemporary period of media convergence and streaming. Exploration of programs as well as major events and shifts in television history.

Historical Studies Foundational Discipline

RTVF 312-1 History of Film I (1 Unit)  

International survey of the social, cultural, industrial, and aesthetic history of film from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century.

Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

RTVF 312-2 History of Film II (1 Unit)  

International survey of the social, cultural, industrial, and aesthetic history of film from the mid-20th century to the present (pertaining to “medium of expression”). .

RTVF 313-1 History of Documentary Media (1 Unit)  

International survey of the cultural history and aesthetics of documentary media.

RTVF 313-2 Documentary Film & Video (1 Unit)  

Contemporary work and issues in documentary film and video.

RTVF 314-0 History of the Recording Industry (1 Unit)  

Exploration of the history of the recording industry from the invention of the phonograph in 1877 to recent developments in digital audio.

RTVF 315-0 Audio Drama (1 Unit)  

International survey of the social, cultural, industrial and aesthetic history of radio and audio drama, from the classical era of the 1930s to podcast-based dramas today, including key historical themes, concepts and practices. May be repeated for credit, depending on the change in topic.

RTVF 316-0 Media and Cultural Theory (1 Unit)  

Introduction to the analysis of audiovisual media through debates in cultural studies and critical theory broadly construed.

RTVF 321-0 Authors (1 Unit)  

Examines the media output of specific practitioners, whether they be directors, writers, producers, or performers. In doing so, the course both explores and questions the notion of authorship in media. May be repeated for credit, depending on the change in topic.

RTVF 322-0 Genre (1 Unit)  

An introduction to the concept of genre and its role in shaping and analyzing narrative media, with reference to various popular forms and social contexts. May be repeated for credit, depending on the change in topic.

RTVF 325-0 Media, Gender, and Sexuality (1 Unit)  

Introduces students to field debates at the intersection of film and media studies and gender and sexuality studies.

RTVF 326-0 Film & Media Criticism (1 Unit)  

Introduces students to the history and craft of audiovisual media criticism with the aim of developing students' skills in writing criticism for popular audiences.

RTVF 330-0 Culture Industries (1 Unit)  

Critical approaches to the intersection of business and modern media forms, including analysis of how media industries transform culture into products for local, national, and transnational consumption.

RTVF 341-0 Media Technologies (1 Unit)  

Explores the role technologies play in media. May be repeated for credit, depending on the change in topic.

RTVF 345-0 History of U.S. Cinema (1 Unit)  

Survey of the social, cultural, industrial, and aesthetic history of the cinema of the United States, including Hollywood and independent cinema.

RTVF 351-0 National Cinema and Media (1 Unit)  

Explores the cultural, historical, geographical, and aesthetic contexts of cinema and other media in relation to shifting discourses of national identity around the world. May be repeated for credit, depending on the change in topic.

RTVF 353-0 Media Industries and Globalization (1 Unit)  

Explores theories of globalization and media, including transnational media production, marketing, and reception of film, television, and/or digital media in various creative industries and economies.

RTVF 358-0 Topics in Improv (1 Unit)  

In-depth study and practice of improv techniques and aesthetics. Sample topics include Intro to Improv, Improvising Characters, Writing and Performing Stand-up, Writing with Improv, Improvising the Text-based Collaborative Show, Improvised Comedy Web Series.

RTVF 360-0 Topics in Media Writing (1 Unit)  

Various approaches to screenwriting, emphasizing different modes and genres, such as the short film, the feature film, screenplays based on preexisting material, the teen film, interactive computer scenarios. May be repeated for credit, depending on the change in topic.

Prerequisite: RTVF 260-0.

RTVF 363-0 Writing the TV Pilot (1 Unit)  

Students will learn the craft of writing a television pilot in this small, workshop-based course.

Prerequisite: RTVF 260-0.

RTVF 364-0 Writing the Feature (1 Unit)  

Students will learn the craft of writing a feature film in this small, workshop-based course.

Prerequisite: RTVF 260-0.

RTVF 365-0 Writing the Adaptation (1 Unit)  

Students will learn the craft of writing an adaptation in this small, workshop-based course.

Prerequisite: RTVF 260-0.

RTVF 368-1 Introduction to Acting for the Screen (1 Unit)   Foundational concerns and practices for screen acting. Scene analysis, rehearsal, staging and camera space, casting, editing for performance. Creating and portraying characters for most effective capture by the camera. Film directing techniques as related to the actor. Required introductory course for the Acting for Screen module sequence. Prerequisites : RTVF 190-0 and either THEATRE 171-0 or THEATRE 273-1.

RTVF 368-2 Advanced Acting for Screen (1 Unit)   A retrospective critique of curricular and extracurricular performance work in the Acting for Screen module intended for seniors and other students about to graduate. Course will involve continued advanced scene work, as well as an evaluation of performer’s range and capabilities as they apply to film and television industries, and the student’s professional self-presentation through a self-edited actor reel and resume. Prerequisites: RTVF 368-1/THEATRE 376 and at least one approved Acting for Screen module elective.

RTVF 369-0 Topics in Acting for the Screen (1 Unit)   Production-based courses on a range of practices and methods in acting for screen. May be repeated as topic varies. Counts as elective for the Acting for Screen module. Prerequisite: RTVF 190-0.

RTVF 370-0 Topics in Pre-Production (1 Unit)  

In-depth study of preproduction film, video, and media techniques and aesthetics. Sample topics include storyboarding, producing, and motion graphics.

Prerequisite: RTVF 190-0.

RTVF 372-0 Editing (1 Unit)  

The technique and art of editing for film. Topics include editing for continuity, controlling pace and rhythm, and editing nonlinear narratives.

Prerequisite: RTVF 190-0.

RTVF 373-0 Topics in Sound (1 Unit)  

In-depth study of sound techniques and aesthetics.

Prerequisite: RTVF 190-0.

RTVF 374-0 Topics in Cinematography (1 Unit)  

In-depth study of cinematography techniques and aesthetics.

Prerequisite: RTVF 190-0.

RTVF 376-0 Topics in Interactive Media (1 Unit)  

Exploration of the techniques and aesthetics of interactivity using various media.

RTVF 377-0 Topics in Non-fiction Media (1 Unit)  

In-depth study of nonfiction media techniques and aesthetics.

Prerequisite: RTVF 190-0.

RTVF 378-0 Topics in Post-Production (1 Unit)  

In-depth study of postproduction film, video, and media techniques and aesthetics. Sample topics include color correction, special-effects cinematography, and finishing.

Prerequisite: RTVF 190-0.

RTVF 379-0 Topics in Film/Video/Audio Production (1 Unit)  

In-depth study and practice of one area of film, video, or television. May be taken more than once for credit, depending on changes in topic.

Prerequisite: RTVF 190-0.

RTVF 380-0 Cinematography - Film (1 Unit)  

Techniques, aesthetics, and technologies of lighting for cinema using film and film cameras.

Prerequisite: RTVF 190-0.

RTVF 381-0 Cinematography - Digital (1 Unit)  

Techniques, aesthetics, and technologies of lighting and digital camera skills.

Prerequisite: RTVF 190-0.

RTVF 382-0 Advanced Cinematography (1 Unit)  

Continuation of work started in RTVF 380-0 or RTVF 381-0; greater emphasis on developing advanced lighting skills. Work on industry standard 16mm film cameras and High Definition video cameras. Detailed scene studies focusing on color, composition, and camera movement.

Prerequisites: RTVF 380-0 or RTVF 381-0.

RTVF 383-0 Introduction to Sound Production (1 Unit)  

Introduction to the theories and practice of sound production on set and in the field. Demos, lectures, readings, screenings, and exercises cover basics of using sound recording technology.

Prerequisite: RTVF 190-0.

RTVF 384-0 Introduction to Sound Postproduction (1 Unit)  

Introduction to the theories and practice of sound post-production. Demos, lectures, readings, screenings, and exercises give insight into sound editing and design using digital audio workstations.

Prerequisite: RTVF 190-0.

RTVF 389-0 Practicum in RTVF Research (1 Unit)   Collaboration with a faculty member on design and execution of a media research project. Students learn how to construct and complete a research project and document results. Requires a paper or other form of work product as determined by the faculty member.

RTVF 390-0 Topics in Directing (1 Unit)  

Single-camera dramatic directing, including visualization and breakdown of scripts, camera blocking, and working with actors.

Prerequisite: RTVF 190-0.

RTVF 392-0 Documentary Production (1 Unit)  

Students examine documentary practices and produce their own shorts.

Prerequisite: RTVF 190-0.

RTVF 393-0 2D Computer Animation (1 Unit)  

Animation techniques in the 2-D sphere and incorporation of visual design principles.

Prerequisite: RTVF 190-0.

RTVF 394-0 Experimental Media Production (1 Unit)  

Creation of an experimental work as a linear film or video, an interactive website, an installation, a game, or a multidisciplinary performance.

Prerequisite: RTVF 190-0.

RTVF 395-0 Computer Animation: 3D (1 Unit)  

The fundamental concepts and techniques of 3-D computer modeling and animation. Use of concepts acquired in camera-based production techniques to create a rendered animation.

Prerequisite: RTVF 190-0.

RTVF 397-1 Advanced Directing I (1 Unit)   Three-quarter sequence for students creating advanced artistic production, with critique of work throughout the production and post-production process; conceptual resources offered as needed. Students may work in any genre (documentary, narrative, experimental) and any medium. Admission based on portfolio of previous media work and proposal for project, including script and budget.

RTVF 397-2 Advanced Directing II (1 Unit)   Three-quarter sequence for students creating advanced artistic production, with critique of work throughout the production and post-production process; conceptual resources offered as needed. Students may work in any genre (documentary, narrative, experimental) and any medium. Admission based on portfolio of previous media work and proposal for project, including script and budget.

RTVF 397-3 Advanced Directing III (1 Unit)   Three-quarter sequence for students creating advanced artistic production, with critique of work throughout the production and post-production process; conceptual resources offered as needed. Students may work in any genre (documentary, narrative, experimental) and any medium. Admission based on portfolio of previous media work and proposal for project, including script and budget.

RTVF 398-0 Symposium: Issues in RTVF (1 Unit)  

Special issues and topics in the analysis of audiovisual media and culture. May be repeated for credit, depending on the change in topic.

RTVF 399-0 Independent Study (1 Unit)   Prerequisite: consent of undergraduate dean after submission of petition.