Film-Video and TV Production

Major Courses
Foundation Courses 37 credits
Major Courses 66 credits
Core 39 credits
Stream 27 credits
Internship   6 credits
Minor Courses 15 credits
LFE   3 credits
Total 127 credits
Core Courses – 39 credits
Stream 1: Film-Video and TV Production

This course is a ‘hands-on’ subject on the how-to of film, video and television scriptwriting. The steps and mechanics of preparing a screenplay will be presented and discussed. By the end of the course, students will be able to do research and writing of a standard film/TV script.

This course critically looks at the ways of understanding screen media in Bangladesh. It will outline the development of the Bangladeshi cinema in colonial and postcolonial contexts. It aims to position the role and functions of film and television alongside social and political institutions in contemporary Bangladesh as well as in the then East Bengal and East Pakistan. This course addresses how and why cinema, for ordinary people in contemporary Bangladesh, serve as entertainment while the urban middle-class appreciate only the art cinema films, Indian and Hollywood films and television dramas keeping the local popular cinema apart from their leisure/cultural activities. In order to do that it traces the history of Bangladesh cinema and television as well as presents the key films from different periods and different social contexts. The course aims to focus on key debates on understanding and analyzing texts and institutions of Bangladesh cinema and television. A range of conceptual frameworks will be used to examine Bangladesh media in the course. These will include (but not limited to): history and historiography; teleology and empiricism; colonialism, postcolonialism and neo-colonialism; representation; political economy of the media; nation, ethnicity, race/religion and identity; transnationalism, globalization and localization; and, media convergence. In this course, along with other topics, a particular director of Bangladesh cinema will be specially studied. This semester, the special focus will be on Zahir Raihan.

This course is designed to help students learn to use video camera for effective storytelling. In this course students will study and apply the technical and aesthetic principles of audio-visual production. Students will use camera and lighting equipment and the audio-visual recording and editing labs of the department for a hands-on experience. The will be taught basics of lighting techniques of camera language via demonstration and practice. Also, grammar and psychological impact of camera and lighting choices will be taught. At the end of the semester, students will be required to complete some short assignments and short video projects that reflect the lessons.

The purpose of this course is to introduce professional techniques used in the recording of quality sound, editing and mixing it for film, television and any video production. The course further familiarizes students with the relationship between sound in the form of music and other elements of video production, in theoretical aspects. Listening skills, basic sound theory, microphone selection and recording theory are blocks to understanding the effective use of sound in film and television.   This course enables the student to realize the technical and creative skills needed to integrate sound and music into the production process.

This hands-on practical course will explore and guide students about video and audio editing concept from audio-video capture to output of a complete production including basic visual language of film and television. Students will learn to use video and audio editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2018/ Final Cut Pro 10.4.4 covering project window, preview window, output window, timeline, transition and filters, etc. Students will start with basic audio-video editing techniques and eventually work their own proposed projects. Throughout the course they will edit different types of visual stories such as news story, music video, short drama etc. on their interest.

This course will explore the history, aesthetics, theory and production of the nonfiction film/video from its inception through the present technological advancement. The various functions of the documentary will be examined–as ethnography, tool for social change, political propaganda, art, entertainment, as parody, and as commercial enterprise. Students will be exposed to various works of documentary filmmakers, both from Bangladesh and the world stage. They will be taught interview and research techniques alongside the practical aspects of filming a documentary. Demonstrations and exercises are tools via which they will learn the process of documentary filmmaking.

This course is concerned with fiction directing teaching students how to transform a script to screen image. Students will learn to prepare shooting script, take decisions regarding cinematography, art direction, casting and post-production. Students will explore and experiment with the video medium through a series of short exercises that will improve their technical knowledge, skills, and creativity. Selected films will be screened during class throughout the semester to enhance the critique process. Finally, students will be required to make a film project that will reflect the lessons.

This course is structured to provide the technical and aesthetic concepts involved in building a successful TV Drama. Using lectures, screenings and hands-on exercises, students will gain an in-depth understanding of TV Drama and the business of TV Drama. Technical and aesthetic aspects of scripting, lighting, camera work, continuity, post production editing, logistics and budgeting will be incorporated into this course that have to explore and experiment through a series of short exercises. At the end of the course students will be required to produce pilot episode of a drama. During the course students will be required to complete short written/visual assignments.

This course outlines current film/TV business practices and standards. The funding, promotion and distribution of film and TV projects will receive particular attention. Students will also look at how to structure a freelance career as a filmmaker or TV content provider. 20% of the course will consist of industry visit, lecture/ workshop/ seminar by industry expert.