Creative Media

Introduces students to core Storytelling principles in commercial art and life, and inspires passion, focus, and commitment to craft. Students explore the nature of storytelling and storytellers in film, television, literature, music, spoken word,and more, and features artists and media professionals as guest speakers. Students apply what they learn by presenting stories in any of a number of forms which reflect their own unique voice.

Introduces traditional styles and methods of hand-drawn 2D animation and fundamental mechanics of motion including paths of action, forces, timing, patterns, anticipation, action and counteraction, balance, weight, squash and stretch, primary and secondary action, and overlap. Students employ animation drawing tablets and “pencil test” software to create frame-by-frame animated motion to learn how to visualize and then represent the action of forms and shapes in motion, and create the illusion of such actions as acceleration, deceleration, collision, anticipation, balance, momentum, and intent.

Introduces the complex interconnected processes of screenwriting, producing, directing, and editing, and also how sound design and score elevate emotional storytelling. Through this unique exploration of the mindset required of above-the-line creatives in the motion picture and animation industry, Students discover the big picture and better understand primary considerations for both Filmmakers and Animators when planning and executing their own digital media projects. (Formerly CM 115)

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

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 in Creative Media.

Explores the rise of comedy in media including groundbreaking cinema, stand-up comics, and iconic TV situation and sketch comedies. Through examination of the masters of the form, students discover the science of comedy and learn to utilize proven techniques to inject humor into their writing, performance, commercial art, and inter-personal relationships.

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 in film and animation can accelerate or condescend the intent of the original author.

Provides an overview on the history of cinema (from gimmick to art form to industry) and the development and professional practice of film criticism. Students become familiar with varying means of writing constructive film reviews, the writers who established the need for film criticism and the films and artists whose work demands a written response. This course empowers students to express their voice through written works, with an intent to inspire them to strengthen their writing abilities, apply their voice to their writing and, perhaps, pursue writing as a profession.

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 develop constructive criticism abilities and become familiar with tropes and possibilities within the genre affectionately known as the cinema of fear.

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.  Ever-evolving trends in mass media distribution and consumption in concert with real-time global events provide students a rich and dynamic experience.

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 issues of representation which plague the industry and society at large, and how motion pictures shape 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.

Develops technical and creative skills essential for video editing. Students learn to manipulate existing footage into thoughtful and creative video edits by using professional software, and discover the technical and creative elements essential for success in Creative Media. (Formerly CM 149)

Introduces two-dimensional digital illustration, animation principles, and techniques for storytellers. 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 visual effects and motion graphics for use in presentations, advertising, motion pictures, and animation.

Explores the use of industry standard tools for the creation of 3D digital animation and the production process. Students learn the terminology and basics of modeling, character rigging, animation, shading, lighting, rendering and tracking.

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 to prepare them for entry level work in the field.

Develops advanced skills in video pre-production and production. 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, collaboration, writing, storyboarding, editing, and project management. Students must produce, deliver, and exhibit a polished narrative or documentary short film to complete this course.

Explores 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 for print and the web. 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.

Emphasizes next-level editing considerations, and professional editorial techniques while also providing support in the completion of Graduate projects for Filmmaking and Animation majors. Editing is 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.

Evaluates the scope of understanding accumulated during the student’s years in the program, with required delivery of an ambitious final project encompassing their overall knowledge, familiarity and process in their chosen subject area. For Photographers or Graphic Designers that might be an online portfolio, or a professional reel or short for Filmmakers and Animators. 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 such as Academy for Creative Media (ACM) Manoa or West Oahu.

Emphasizes disciplined production processes to create the illusion of life through the principles of animation. Students create animated scenes from initial design to final character animation, and learn character modeling, advanced character rigging, character animation techniques, facial animation, and soundtrack synchronization, with an emphasis on acting and personality in animated characters.