Television, Radio & Film (TRF)
TRF 200 Selected Topics (1-6 Credits)
Public Communications
Exploration of a topic (to be determined) not covered by the standard curriculum but of interest to faculty and students in a particular semester.
Repeatable
TRF 205 Sight, Sound and Motion (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Study and practice of the aesthetic structures and production processes involved in creating effective motion picture, television and sound content.
Prereq: COM 117
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking
TRF 210 Topics in Foundational Skills in Production (1 Credit)
Public Communications
Five-week, one-credit workshops focused on fundamental aesthetics and practices involved in creating high quality production values in television and film production.
Repeatable 3 times for 3 credits maximum
TRF 211 Screenwriting (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Exploring the craft of writing involved in motion picture, television and digital media storytelling through in-depth study and practice.
Prereq: COM 117
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking
TRF 235 Principles and Practices: Television-Radio, Film Industries (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Origins and dynamics of corporate structures, revenue models, content, distribution, and regulation in the television, radio, film, and interactive media industries.
Prereq: COM 107
Shared Competencies: Information Literacy and Technological Agility
TRF 270 Experience Credit (1-6 Credits)
Public Communications
Participation in a discipline or subject related experience. Student must be evaluated by written or oral reports or an examination. Permission in advance with the consent of the department chairperson, instructor, and dean. Limited to those in good academic standing.
Repeatable
TRF 280 International Course (1-12 Credits)
Public Communications
Offered through SUAbroad by educational institution outside the United States. Student registers for the course at the foreign institution and is graded according to that institution's practice. SUAbroad works with the S.U. academic department to assign the appropriate course level, title, and grade for the student's transcript.
Repeatable
TRF 290 Independent Study (1-3 Credits)
Public Communications
Exploration of a problem, or problems, in depth. Individual independent study upon a plan submitted by the student. Admission by consent of supervising instructor(s) and the department.
Repeatable
TRF 300 Selected Topics (1-6 Credits)
Public Communications
Exploration of a topic (to be determined) not covered by the standard curriculum but of interest to faculty and students in a particular semester.
Repeatable
TRF 340 Topics in Critical and Historical Perspectives (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Double-numbered with TRF 640
Non-print media as art forms and social, political and cultural forces. Critical analysis of individual products of broadcasting and motion pictures in relation to the systems for which they were created. Additional work required of graduate students
Repeatable 4 times for 12 credits maximum
Shared Competencies: Civic and Global Responsibility
TRF 380 International Course (1-12 Credits)
Public Communications
Offered through SUAbroad by educational institution outside the United States. Student registers for the course at the foreign institution and is graded according to that institution's practice. SUAbroad works with the S.U. academic department to assign the appropriate course level, title, and grade for the student's transcript.
Repeatable
TRF 400 Selected Topics (1-6 Credits)
Public Communications
Exploration of a topic (to be determined) not covered by the standard curriculum but of interest to faculty and students in a particular semester.
Repeatable
TRF 415 Camera Acting for Writers, Producers & Directors (3 Credits)
Public Communications
This course provides students studying for careers behind the camera with an understanding of the actor¿s process from script to performance and how applying acting techniques can play a crucial role in the student¿s career.
Shared Competencies: Communication Skills
TRF 420 Topics in Screenwriting (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Double-numbered with TRF 620
Instruction will include new screenwriting theories, maturing conceptual models, and address developing and future trends in screenwriting procedures and best practices. Additional work required of graduate students.
Repeatable 2 times for 6 credits maximum
Prereq: TRF 211
TRF 421 Feature Film Writing (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Double-numbered with TRF 621
Study and practice of the craft of feature film writing. Additional work required of graduate students.
Prereq: TRF 211
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking
TRF 422 Comedy Writing (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Double-numbered with TRF 622
Study and practice of the craft of comedy writing for television and film. Additional work required of graduate students.
Prereq: TRF 211
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking
TRF 423 Writing the One-Hour Drama (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Double-numbered with TRF 623
This course teaches the student the craft of writing for television, focusing on construction of the one-hour drama. Students will pitch, outline and write an original dramatic television pilot and series ¿bible¿. Additional work is required of graduate students.
Prereq: TRF 211
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking
TRF 424 Script Development (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Double-numbered with TRF 624
Screenwriting theory and the script development process: writing topics include story structure, genres, character development, dialogue, and script formatting. Business topics include pitching, writing script coverage, supervising development, and breaking into the industry. Additional work is required of graduate students.
Prereq: TRF 211
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking
TRF 425 The Writer's Journey (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Students will explore the fundamentals of writing for the screen through lecture and a simulated professional writers¿ room in which students pitch ideas, write scripts and receive feedback from instructors and students.
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking
TRF 429 Creative Producing (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Double-numbered with TRF 629
Students learn to be creative producers and managers. They form ¿companies¿ and work with writers to rewrite. They provide development notes, create look-books, casting lists and develop other projects as they would in the real world. Additional work is required of graduate students.
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking; Communication Skills
TRF 430 Topics in Entertainment Business (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Double-numbered with TRF 630
Instruction will include new entertainment business theories, maturing conceptual models, and address developing and future trends in entertainment business procedures and best practices. Additional work required of graduate students.
Repeatable 2 times for 6 credits maximum
Prereq: TRF 235
TRF 441 Visual Effects for Live Action (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Double-numbered with TRF 641
Exploration of fundamental visual effects techniques using 2D compositing software to create fix-it-in-post, invisible, and creative VFX for live-action projects. Students will integrate VFX in pre-production, production, and post-production stages to create a short film. Additional work is required of graduate students.
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy and Technological Agility
TRF 442 Multicamera Television Production (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Double-numbered with TRF 642
Students write, design, produce, direct, and program projects specifically for television presentation. Additional work required of graduate students.
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking; Communication Skills; Information Literacy and Technological Agility
TRF 443 The Business of Development, Production and Post-Production (3 Credits)
Public Communications
A practical exploration into business and creative strategies and responsibilities of a feature film, television and documentary producer including an understanding of creative development, finance and packaging content, physical production/post and marketing/distribution.
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy and Technological Agility
TRF 444 Production Management (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Double-numbered with TRF 644
This class delves deep into the world of TV and Film Production Management, laying out the necessary steps and mechanics in pre-production and production which includes scheduling, budgeting, and producing. Additional work is required of graduate students.
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking
TRF 445 Post-Production Practices (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Double-numbered with TRF 645
Explore and perform both the management and technical aspects of the Post Supervisor role on film and episodic TV projects. Planning, budgeting, and scheduling will be examined. Workflows covered include: dailies, editorial, VFX, color, sound, and deliverables. Additional work required of graduate students.
Shared Competencies: Communication Skills; Ethics and Integrity
TRF 446 Working with Actors (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Double-numbered with TRF 646
Students examine the dynamic interplay between directing and acting for the screen, including script analysis, what to look for in auditions, and what good direction looks and sounds like. Additional work is required of graduate students.
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking; Communication Skills; Ethics and Integrity
TRF 447 Animation for Film and TV (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Double-numbered with TRF 647
Exploration of fundamental motion graphics and animation techniques for film and TV. Students will create a variety of 2D animation projects, including short films, music videos, explainer videos, personal branding, opening title sequences, and advertisements. Additional work required of graduate students.
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy and Technological Agility
TRF 448 Audio Storytelling (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Double-numbered with TRF 648
Intermediate study and practice in creating fictional and nonfictional audio content for broadcast and online distribution. Additional work required of graduate students.
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking; Communication Skills; Information Literacy and Technological Agility
TRF 450 Topics in Production (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Double-numbered with TRF 650
Focus on the evolution of TV and Film production forms, consideration of new theories, maturing of conceptual models and the clarification of procedures. Topics will focus on recent developments in the field. Additional work is required of graduate students.
Repeatable 3 times for 9 credits maximum
Prereq: TRF 205
TRF 451 Directing (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Double-numbered with TRF 651
The study and practice of the art of motion picture directing for film and single camera television content. Emphasis is on developing skills necessary to create festival-quality short works with public impact. Additional work required of graduate students.
Prereq: TRF 205
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy and Technological Agility
TRF 453 Short-form Production (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Double-numbered with TRF 653
Techniques of shortform moving image media such as commercials, promos, music videos, show openings, special effects, and high impact packaging. Additional work required of graduate students.
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking; Communication Skills; Information Literacy and Technological Agility
TRF 454 Music Recording (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Double-numbered with TRF 654
Students produce a recording of a musical performance in a 24-track recording studio. Topics include: Aesthetics of recorded sound, acoustics, psycho-acoustics, the multitrack recording process, mixing, microphone techniques, signal processing. Additional work required of graduate students.
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking
TRF 456 Sound for Picture (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Double-numbered with TRF 656
Introduction to theory and production of sound for television and film. Includes information processing, aesthetics, perception of sound, sound/picture relationship, analog and digital sound studios, production recording, signal processing, nonlinear editing and mixing. Additional work required of graduate students.
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy and Technological Agility
TRF 457 Music Underscoring (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Double-numbered with TRF 657
The theory and practice of producing music to underscore visual material. Additional work required of graduate students.
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy and Technological Agility
TRF 459 Documentary Production (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Double-numbered with TRF 659
Student teams write, produce, and edit documentary projects. Additional work required of graduate students.
Shared Competencies: Civic and Global Responsibility; Information Literacy and Technological Agility
TRF 461 Entertainment Business Capstone (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Double-numbered with TRF 661
Business of communications industry focusing on management skills and their effective application. Additional work required of graduate students.
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking
TRF 463 Television, Radio and Film Capstone (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Double-numbered with TRF 663
This advanced course challenges majors to cap their academic experience with a summative project in entertainment media not addressed by specialized tracks of study. Additional work required of graduate students.
Shared Competencies: Information Literacy and Technological Agility
TRF 464 Production Capstone (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Double-numbered with TRF 664
Students develop and produce independent fiction or nonfiction projects to demonstrate mastery of advanced production practices in film, television, sound, music, and short form content creation. Additional work required of graduate students.
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking; Communication Skills; Information Literacy and Technological Agility
TRF 465 Hollywood: Game Changers (3 Credits)
Public Communications
In this capstone class, students study the rapidly changing business of Hollywood and explore how these changes affect creative output.
Shared Competencies: Information Literacy and Technological Agility
TRF 467 Screenwriting Master Class (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Double-numbered with TRF 667
Advanced practice built around professional workshops, sponsored by the Center for Popular Television, and guest speakers. Students interact with professionals while working on their screenwriting portfolios. Additional work required of graduate students.
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking
TRF 470 Experience Credit (1-6 Credits)
Public Communications
Participation in a discipline or subject related experience. Student must be evaluated by written or oral reports or an examination. Permission in advance with the consent of the department chairperson, instructor, and dean. Limited to those in good academic standing.
Repeatable
TRF 471 TV Nation (3 Credits)
Public Communications
TV Nation explores the business and creative process that feeds the media machine. Students will learn how programs are created, developed, pitched, and sold. Students will pitch their original ideas to a panel of industry experts.
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking; Communication Skills
TRF 475 Entertainment Industry Practicum (1-3 Credits)
Public Communications
Double-numbered with TRF 675
Students work in a professional setting for a minimum of six weeks. Students are responsible for online participation in discussions, selected readings, written exercises, a journal of observations, and a paper. Additional work required of graduate students.
Repeatable 2 times for 6 credits maximum
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking; Communication Skills
TRF 480 International Course (1-12 Credits)
Public Communications
Offered through SUAbroad by educational institution outside the United States. Student registers for the course at the foreign institution and is graded according to that institution's practice. SUAbroad works with the S.U. academic department to assign the appropriate course level, title, and grade for the student's transcript.
Repeatable 2 times for 12 credits maximum
TRF 490 Independent Study (1-6 Credits)
Public Communications
In-depth exploration of a problem or problems. Individual independent study upon a plan submitted by the student. Admission by consent of supervising instructor or instructors and the department.
Repeatable
TRF 496 Research for Entertainment Media (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Double-numbered with TRF 696
This course focuses on research practices in relation to entertainment media questions and problems. Students become critical consumers and evaluators of qualitative- & quantitative-based reports and metrics. Students apply methodological procedures to questions of particular interest. Additional work required of graduate students.
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking; Scientific Inquiry and Research Skills
TRF 499 Honors Capstone Project (1-3 Credits)
Public Communications
Completion of an Honors Capstone Project under the supervision of a faculty member.
Repeatable 3 times for 3 credits maximum
TRF 500 Selected Topics (1-6 Credits)
Public Communications
Exploration of a topic (to be determined) not covered by the standard curriculum but of interest to faculty and students in a particular semester.
Repeatable
TRF 510 Specialized Practice (1 Credit)
Public Communications
These four-week mini-courses provide specific areas of study not covered in depth in other courses. Examples: Production Management, Budgeting, Editing, Lighting, Location Sound, Videography, and others based on faculty and student interest.
Repeatable
TRF 530 Popular Culture Studies (3 Credits)
Public Communications
In-depth examination of critical issues, aesthetics, genre, and authorship involved in electronic media and cinema. Topics range from television genres to film classics.
Repeatable 4 times for 12 credits maximum
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking; Ethics and Integrity
TRF 545 Television & Radio Performance (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Theory and practice of effective television and radio performance. Closed circuit studio experience planning and presenting educational and commercial material.
TRF 560 Topics in International Perspectives (3 Credits)
Public Communications
In-depth examination of issues and practices involved in international television and film. Topics alternate from semester to semester. Examples include: Global Communication, Ways of Seeing, Comparative Systems, and British Cinema.
Repeatable 2 times for 6 credits maximum
TRF 570 Experience Credit (1-6 Credits)
Public Communications
Participation in a discipline or subject related experience. Student must be evaluated by written or oral reports or an examination. Permission in advance with the consent of the department chairperson, instructor, and dean. Limited to those in good academic standing.
Repeatable
TRF 580 International Course (1-6 Credits)
Public Communications
Offered through SUAbroad by educational institution outside the United States. Student registers for the course at the foreign institution and is graded according to that institution's practice. SUAbroad works with the S.U. academic department to assign the appropriate course level, title, and grade for the student's transcript.
Repeatable
TRF 592 Film Business (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Economics of the film industry. Financing of films, budgets, sources of funds, contracts. Securing distribution. National and international marketing of films. Film rental. Booking films for television or theater. Exploitation of ancillary markets.
Shared Competencies: Information Literacy and Technological Agility
TRF 594 Television Business (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Management principles and practices in electronic media; organizational structures, financial controls, revenue procurement, economic theory, management law, product development, and personnel administration.
Shared Competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking; Communication Skills
TRF 595 Programming and Audience Analysis (3 Credits)
Public Communications
Immersion in the principal programming functions of content development and acquisition, scheduling, and promotion. Survey of scheduling strategies and case studies, hits and misses. Research techniques to understand audience program preferences and choices.
Shared Competencies: Communication Skills; Ethics and Integrity; Scientific Inquiry and Research Skills