Minor in Communication | Department of Art & Performing Arts

The Minor in Communication is structured in a way that takes the student on the journey a story takes till it manifests itself on screen; from Ideation and Writing, Basic Photography and Sound Recording, understanding the Grammar of Cinema as it developed, Film and Video Production and Post-production where the cinematic vision is fully realized with a foray into the world of Digital Media Art for those so inclined.

Key Information

Department

Art & Performing Arts

School

School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS)

No. of Credits

18

Objective
This course imparts training in Motion Picture Production. In the contemporary world, video has percolated into every industry as an important aspect of communications. Apart from the mainstream entertainment industry, every manufacturer, retailer or service provider produces a range of videos for Corporate, Training, Internet or Promotional use. A person with these production skills will be a valuable asset to any organization as well as have a much higher market-value. This is a Compulsory course and Com-199 is a pre-requisite. Methodology — Combination of Lectures, Tutorials, Film Screenings and Studio Exercises.

Number of Seats — 15

In order to get a Minor Degree in Communication, the students should complete 18 credits by choosing and successfully completing courses according to their interests from a bouquet of courses that are offered by the department.

Category A

Course code

Title

Credit

COM193

Sound Sense

4

This course will introduce you to sound, sound perspective and its aesthetics. The main task would be to listen and thoughtfully consider what you hear and explore what sound is and how we sense and perceive it. Throughout the course we will focus on how sound design conveys meaning and how sound functions with the visual in animation, video and film. We will explore how moving images can be used to strengthen and illustrate relationships and add dimension to sound (and the reverse!) We will also look at how sound is used in these formats to strengthen visual language, provide cues to what is occurring visually, create a sense of space (depth) and place (location), focus attention on objects and actions, provide for compositional structure or to create psychological (emotional) ambience.

COM195

Screen Writing Workshop

4

Objective — The workshop takes a hand-on approach to learning the elements of writing for the screen. A screenplay is to a film what an architect’s design is to a building. Any outstanding film starts with a great script. The student will be guided through the process of creating a full-fledged Screenplay. They will get an opportunity to collaborate with students in the Film & TV Production course and see their vision realized on screen. This course is of great value to anyone who may contemplate a career, even part-time, in writing for Feature Films and Television. This is an Optional Course.

Methodology — Combination of Lectures and Tutorials, ending with a fina Screenplay Submission.

Number of Seats — 20

COM196

Film and TV Production (Basic)

6

Objective —The aim of this course is primarily to impart knowledge and training required in Motion Picture Production. In the contemporary world, video has percolated into every industry as an important aspect of communications. Apart from the mainstream entertainment industry, every manufacturer, retailer or service provider produces a range of videos for Corporate, Training, Internet or Promotional use. A person with these production skills will be a valuable asset to any organization as well as have a much higher market-value.

Methodology — Combination of Lectures, Tutorials, Film Screenings and Studio Exercises.

Number of Seats — 10

Note: COM199 is a pre-requisite for this course.

COM197

Editing and Post Production

6

This course orients the student towards an understanding of the processes that govern Film and Video Post-production with an emphasis on how shots are edited within scenes to create the cinematic experience. Film screenings, both short and long, will be analysed for editing techniques and followed by instructor-led discussions. These will be supplemented by Theoretical Lectures, Suggested Reading, Web Videos and other online resources to reinforce the learning of the various techniques used in cinema.

Methodology: Combination of lectures, presentations, film screenings and short exercises.

No. of Seats: 16

Note: COM199 is a pre-requisite for this course.

COM198

Cinema Between Two World Wars

4

Objective — This Optional course is a historical survey of cinema during a time when most of its grammar and syntax developed — a period in which a mechanical invention grew into the most enduring and pervasive art of modern times. In tracing the trends in World Cinema, the course will contextualize certain films that highlight the socio-political events that shaped that era.

Methodology — Combination of Lectures, Film Screenings and Tutorials.

Number of Seats — 30

COM199

Image and Sound Studio

4

Objective — This course is designed to familiarize the student with basic photographic and sound recording skills through hands-on training, short lectures and guided tutorial sessions. This is a Compulsory basic-level course which serves as a pre-requisite to COM-196 and 197.

Methodology — Combination of Lectures and Practical Studio Exercises.

Number of Seats — 30