Creative Media

Creative Media is commercial art: the convergence of art, technology, and commerce.  The Academy for Creative Media Maui incorporates storytelling, media & cinema analysis, screenwriting, graphic design, photography, video, audio, motion graphics, animation, marketing, publicity, and journalism.  We emphasize foundational knowledge and skills, understanding of intellectual property and ethical concerns, and best practices in the field to foster professional attitudes for success in advertising, web marketing, publishing, motion picture and television production, programming, and more.  Students enjoy project-based growth experiences that elevate critical thinking and awareness of related industries and vast career possibilities for commercial artists.

Our general Creative Media Associate of Science (AS) degree consists of core classes, general education, and nine credits of approved specialization electives.  To develop a focused skill-set students are encouraged to commit to a pathway in Graphic Design, Filmmaking, or Web Development.  Additionally, thirty-credit Certificates of Achievement (CA) exist for each discipline, and are also attained in the organic pursuit of the AS.

Majors are required to earn a letter grade of C or better for core and specialization courses, to prepare students for the job market, as entrepreneurs, or continuation to a four-year degree.  Students planning a transfer should consult a counselor about requirements for entrance into that school.  Notably, an articulation agreement with UH West Oahu allows AS graduates the opportunity to pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA).

Contact Program Coordinator Brian Kohne (984-3315, bkohne@hawaii.edu) for info.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Apply effective communication and critique skills with peers and clients.
  2. Demonstrate skills in professional use of creative media applications and equipment.
  3. Describe ethical and legal aspects regarding the creation and use of creative media.
  4. Produce creative media project using critical thinking and basic design concepts.

Degrees and Certificates

Classes

CM 105 : Storytelling: Find Your Voice in Creative Media

Introduces students to core principles of Digital Storytelling as a career, and inspires passion, focus, and commitment. Students explore the nature of storytelling and storytellers through media such as movies, literature, spoken word, television, web, news, classic and commercial art, and are exposed to media professionals as guest presenters. Students then apply what they learn by creating a/their digital story in video or website form.

Credits

3

CM 119 : Movies from Script to Screen

Introduces the interconnected processes of screenwriting, production, editing and marketing for digital motion pictures. Examines primary considerations when planning digital video projects. (Formerly CM 115)

Credits

3

CM 120 : Introduction to Digital Video

Develops foundational skills in pre-production and production for both studio and field-based video projects. The course emphasizes technical aspects of digital cinematography and sound recording as well as fundamentals of field and TV studio production in terms of conceptual development, planning, writing, storyboarding, editing, and project management. In addition, students will be introduced to basic rules of visual composition, sequencing and storytelling.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

CM 152 with grade C or better(or concurrent), or consent

CM 123 : Photoshop and Illustrator

Introduces the basic tools and features of raster image editing, photo retouching, and color correction of images. Focuses on the fundamental drawing techniques of vector illustration graphics, including pen tool paths, objects, and type with specific attention to practical applications.

Credits

3

CM 125 : Introduction to Graphic Design

Plan, develop and produce visual communications for print and electronic formats. Elevate skills and prepare for a career in graphic design with hands-on experience while utilizing industry-standard software to explore your creativity in a design-centric and project-focused environment.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

CM 123 with grade C or better, or consent.

CM 139 : Media Analysis: Comedy

Explores literary humorists such as Mark Twain and Hunter S Thompson, the rise of comedy in Radio/TV/Film in the mid-twentieth century, groundbreaking stand-up comedians such as Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, and Chris Rock, plus iconic classics Saturday Night Live and Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Students will discover the science of comedy and utilize proven techniques to inject humor into both their writing and commercial art.

Credits

3

CM 144 : Media Analysis: Graphic Novel

Examines the history, evolving art forms and cinematic interpretations of comic books. Topics include the process of artistic adaptation, contrasting approaches to creating narrative and visual structures, historical and social responses to the material and how the creation of graphic novel artistry on film can accelerate or condescend the intent of the original author.

Credits

3

CM 146 : Media Analysis: Horror Cinema

Explores the subtext, artistic influences and social relevance within the history of horror films. Covers the varying definitions of the genre, the social and political means in which the subject is examined and focuses on the need for the genre to address and confront troubling societal norms. Students will work at developing abilities at constructive criticism and become familiar with tropes and possibilities within the genre.

Credits

3

CM 147 : Mass Media and Culture

Examines the historical beginnings of electronic media and its global impact by delving into the advent and rise of radio, cinema, television, home computers, the internet, social-media, and emerging technologies. Students develop critical-thinking skills as they further understand the potential of shaping understanding, creating art, commerce, and sharing of ideas on an international scale.

Credits

3

CM 148 : Media Analysis: World Cinema

Introduces students to indigenous, Hawaii, and world cinema history, and encourages creative writing and critical thinking. Subjects cover the origin and growth of international cinema, lingering stereotypes, and perceptions of culture. Students will work on research projects, delve into histories of international and/or island-based cultures, broaden understanding and perspectives on creative arts, explore established norms within narrative and documentary media, and explore the possibilities for future careers in digital media, production, writing and social causes.

Credits

3

CM 152 : Principles of Video Editing

Develops technical and creative skills essential for video editing. Students learn to manipulate existing footage into thoughtful and creative video edits by using Adobe Premier Pro software and discover the technical and creative elements essential for success. (Formerly CM 149)

Credits

3

Prerequisites

CM 123 with grade C or better, or consent.

CM 175 : Motion Graphics and Animation

Introduces two-dimensional digital illustration, animation principles, and techniques. Topics include drawing and manipulating objects, scaling and rotating, creating symbols, tweens, frame by frame animations, nested animations, and animating along a path. Additionally, lessons will include audio integration, synching and basic interactive elements. Projects will utilize the use of vector and raster images, typology and effects to create integrated motion graphics for use in advertising, education or demonstration purposes.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

CM 152 with grade C or better, or consent.

CM 180 : Intermediate Web Technology

Studies and practices creative strategies for the build and maintenance of professional websites using powerful industry-standard tools and advanced methodologies. Explores social media, search-engine optimization, business and advertising paradigms, and emphasizes effective client and project management skills. Students are not required to have prior web-coding experience, but would benefit greatly if they do. This is a hands-on, intensive course for graphic artists and web developers to prepare them for either entry level or advanced work in the field.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

CM 125 with grade C or better, or consent.

CM 220 : Intermediate Digital Video

Develops advanced skills in pre-production and production for both studio and field-based video projects. The course emphasizes technical and creative aspects of digital cinematography and sound recording as well as essential skills for field and TV studio production in terms of conceptual development, planning, writing, storyboarding, editing, and project management. Students must produce, deliver, and exhibit a graduate-level narrative or documentary short film to complete this course.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

CM 120 with grade C or better, or consent.

CM 225 : Intermediate Graphic Design

Explore higher-levels of communication design with in-depth refinement of the creative process and emphasis on typography, composition, and layout. Assigned projects demand effective branding and marketing solutions, compelling logo design, and professional multiple-page interactive document design and layout. Working with industry-leading software including Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign this course prepares students to manage complex projects, and the expectations of their clients.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

CM 125 with grade C or better, or consent.

CM 252 : Intermediate Video and Audio Editing

Emphasizes next-level editing considerations, and professional editorial techniques while also providing support in the completion of Graduate projects for Creative Media filmmaking majors. Editing is at its core communication; students in this course develop strategies within a grand scale of intent, meaning, and impact, while elevating their capabilities with sound effects, dialog preparation, score, and fundamental sound design principles.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

CM 152 with grade C or better, or consent.

CM 285 : Creative Media Capstone

Evaluates the scope of understanding accumulated during the student’s years in the program, with requires delivery of an ambitious final project encompassing their overall knowledge, familiarity and process in their chosen subject area. For designers/ photographers that might be a portfolio, a reel for filmmakers/animators, or for web developers a comprehensive site. Through job market research and development of employment strategies, we also aim to prepare students as entrepreneurs, for the workforce, or continuation to a four-year college.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

CM 175 with grade C or better, or consent.