Course Descriptions - Theater, Film, and Television

The North Star Film Project (TFT 1110) is a student activity class in which students will meet at least one hour per week in a laboratory format to produce short films from scripts written in the NHCC Introduction to Screenwriting each spring. Participating students learn about planning, rewriting, shooting, editing, and mixing a film into a finished product, ready for viewing. Students in this class may repeat it for credit, and may also participate in the Capstone version of the class for 3 credits once they have completed the prerequisites for that version of the class (TFT 2110).

Students attend performances of plays in order to understand the elements of theatrical and dramatic production. Students develop criteria for the evaluation of productions as they explore the complexities of theatre and its reflection of society. They also examine their own biases and value systems and how they affect their evaluation processes regarding artistic, societal, and personal points of view.

This introductory-level course explores forms and modes of theater in order to examine theaters import as a live, performing art of human expression. Analysis will consider both written dramatic literature (plays as texts) and performances of fully staged theater productions (recorded and live). Investigations will explore the ways in which societies shape theater and, in turn, how theater has shaped societies. Examinations will consider a spectrum of theater genres and historical eras from ancient Greek theater to Shakespeare to modern musicals to leading works of the 21st century by women and BIPOC creatives. Participants will develop methods of critical analysis to consider and interpret central elements of staged performance, including: the techniques and technologies of theatrical storytelling, the work of visual representation for performance, modes of acting and physical movement, and representations of race and gender in theater. Explorations will also delineate the specialized crafts of theater artists (i.e., playwrights, actors, designers, and directors). Participants will come to understand the ways in which theater and its multifaceted strategies of representation and creativity for performance are an integral and defining feature of human experience and expression.

This course is an introduction to the history and techniques of entertaining and communicating ideas through motion pictures. The course consists of viewing, analyzing, discussing and writing about films as a means of understanding visual communication and developing greater visual literacy.

This course is an introduction to television's history, development, emerging technologies, influence, and future. It explores digital convergence as well as programming, distribution, regulation, and audience, constantly emphasizing the effect of money on this pervasive medium. Both television shows and movies about television will help illuminate the course content.

This course introduces basic video production concepts and techniques with an emphasis on using the elements of motion and sound as creative artistic tools. Students will critically analyze video in terms of genre, context, meaning, visual language and form and then produce and edit their own short projects that explore creative and experimental applications of the medium rather than the traditional mass communication form. Students are encouraged to use their own computer for editing if possible. Basic knowledge of the computer is helpful.

This course is an introduction to screenwriting, dealing with the basics of drama, story, character, structure, dialogue, and meaning. It explores these elements with writing exercises that develop skills in plotting, exposition, suspense, and action. It focuses on visual storytelling, helping students to discover observable actions and images that can convey ideas effectively, while constantly emphasizing how well-developed characters' needs and wants drive the structure and conflict of an engaging story. It is intended to acquaint students with the craft of screenwriting; to be a beginning course in the field that will help prepare students for further work.

This course is an examination of how theatre design (set, costume, properties, and lighting) are used to support the production of a play. The elements of design- line, texture, color, and form- are explored as they have been and are currently used by designers and directors for theatrical productions. Students analyze dramatic literature and create design projects.

American Cinema is a class in which students look at American films that have played a role in American film history from its beginnings to the present. They explore America's filmmaking history and its contributions to American culture, specifically considering the many diverse communities portrayed in these films as well as filmmakers from these often minority communities. These selections include films by or about African Americans, Asian Americans, Latino Americans, Native Americans, GLBT Americans, and the contributions of American Women throughout film history. The course consists of viewing, analyzing, discussing and writing about American films as a means of understanding the impact of these works on our diverse American culture.

World Cinema is a class in which students look at films from around the world. They explore various non-English-speaking countries' contributions to filmmaking and world culture that have been made by these countries' films. They look at two films from each country studied: one that exemplifies the historical/cultural concept that is associated with that country's films and one contemporary film from that country. The course consists of viewing, analyzing, discussing and writing about films from other cultures films as a means of understanding the impact of these works on our own as well as other cultures.

American Musical Theatre is designed to enlighten the learner about the basics of musical theatre production and its genesis as a uniquely American art form. Also, the course will take a close look at the context in which these musicals were created and how they challenged society at that time. In addition, the course will examine the writing of the book, lyrics and music of many shows in an attempt to better analyze and evaluate the content.

This course introduces the student to the elements of theatrical design and its implementation for a stage production. The student will gain practical experience and a working knowledge of set construction techniques, and lighting and sound equipment and their use. Safety standards will be emphasized, as well as competencies in utilizing various power and hand tools. Students will work on construction and operating crews in support of college theatre productions.

This course uses lectures, discussions, and interactive exercises to learn, demonstrate, and evaluate the principles of improvisation including basic stage awareness, non-verbal communication, self-awareness, and team work. Students will work in ensemble to understand, evaluate, and use the concepts of objective, intention, and motivation. Written analyses as well as presentations may be used to demonstrate understanding of these skills and concepts.

Students will learn and incorporate a movement vocabulary and relaxed vocal projection through a series of group projects throughout the semester. Emphasis is placed on utilization of learned techniques to create character, heightened response to others on stage and to enhance stage presence.

Students select plays and their characters to research, analyze, evaluate, write about, and present or demonstrate character analysis, posture, movement, non-verbal communication, vocal variety, projection, and personal experience and awareness. Students are encouraged to take TFT 1500 (Acting 1: Improvisations and Foundations) before taking this class.

Stage Combat I is an introductory course in the Stage Combat Program, and will focus on unarmed (hand to hand fighting) and armed (found objects, knives, etc.) stage combat. The program conforms to the guidelines put forth by the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD). Telling a story effectively through the use of disciplined and safe stage combat will be stressed, as well as instruction in the history, type and use of various weapons. Students in the performing arts will gain self-confidence in their ability to fulfill the needs of any script calling for stage or screen violence. Students not in the performing arts will gain a firsthand appreciation of the skills necessary to make stage and screen violence look real.

Stage Combat II is the follow-up course to Stage Combat I in the Stage Combat Program. The primary focus of this course will be on performance. The skills learned in Stage Combat I will be reviewed and refined, then applied to the performance of choreographed staged fights within the context of a scene. Students will assign emotional value to the physical circumstances of the scene and act out the intentions of the character. This program conforms to the guidelines put forth by the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD), which contains 90 hours of required instruction. Students in the performing arts will gain self-confidence in their ability to fulfill the needs of any script calling for stage or screen violence. Students not in the performing arts will gain a firsthand appreciation of the skills necessary to make stage and screen violence look real.

Students will have the opportunity to perform in front of the camera and see themselves as the camera records them, revealing their strengths and challenges. Acting techniques specific to working in film and television will be covered along with methods for auditioning, script analysis, character development, communication and style. How to handle camera and editing equipment is also included.

In this class, students choose a particular area of practicum study such as acting, directing, assisting a director, working on a technical crew assignment, or another major responsibility. Students research, analyze and participate in some aspect of a North Hennepin production. This course may be repeated for credit.Prerequisite: Consent of instructor

In this class, students choose a particular area of practicum study such as directing, assisting a director, working on a technical crew assignment, or another major responsibility. Students research, analyze and participate in some aspect of a North Hennepin production. This course may be repeated for credit. Consent of Instructor required.Prerequisite: Consent of instructor

This course will provide flexibility in offering an in-depth review of topics of immediate importance and topical interest. These topics will go beyond the introductory courses in examining specific aspects of the subject matter.

Fundamentals of Directing is open to any student who is interested in learning the basic skills necessary to become adept at directing. The student will learn about the wide variety of responsibilities a director assumes, as well as the range of knowledge every director needs to possess in order to communicate a story effectively on stage or screen. The course will cover the function of the director, script analysis, groundplan and blocking, working with the actor, creating a unified whole, and working collaboratively with a production team. In addition, the course will cover some of the similarities and differences between directing for the stage, film, and television. For students in careers outside the performing arts, this course offers opportunities to gain a deeper appreciation of the process of directing, increase personal self-confidence, and improve communication skills in a team setting. Pre-requisites: TFT 1500 or TFT 1540 or TFT 1210 or TFT 1250 or instructor permission.

The North Star Film Project: Capstone Class (TFT 2110) is an academic class in which film degree candidates shoot the short films they wrote in the Introduction to Screenwriting class. Students meet at least one hour per week in a laboratory format and produce their short films, learning to plan, rewrite, cast, shoot, edit, and mix their films into finished products, ready for viewing. Students in this class may have already participated in the North Star Film Project: Student Activity Class (TFT 1110). Students in the Student Activity Class (TFT 1110) function as actors and crew for those in the Capstone Class. Students in the AA Film Emphasis degree program should have done the following before taking this class:- a completed short film script from the Introduction to Screenwriting class (TFT 1280); - completed the Digital Video class (TFT1270); and. - completed the Fundamentals of Directing class, (TFT 2010).

This course will introduce the student to a variety of plays that will be read and analyzed for content, meaning, structure, genre and historical context. Focus will include looking at the script as a blueprint for theatrical production from several different points of view, as well as analyzing the text utilizing various techniques and methodologies.

Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of writing theatrical plays. They will be expected to work on several creative projects throughout the semester and to participate in workshops in which they will discuss and critique one another's work. Students may also be asked to complete other writing exercises and to analyze a selection of plays to gain a better understanding of the art of play wrighting. Prerequisites: Engl 1900

Continued exploration of the intuitive and imaginative techniques from Acting I with added scene work by American and European playwrights. Work begins with but moves away from simple evaluated scenes and includes specific vocal and physical character choices and script analysis. Advanced partnering skills and inside referent works are explored. Exercises are used to create an imaginative relationship to your partner with flexibility and precision. Students will hone ability to assess properties of effective acting using objective criteria in critique sessions. Class also includes lessons on professional etiquette, the business of acting and ensemble building.

This class gives students an opportunity to attend theatre productions and explore back-stage theatre operations. Students will learn the components of dramatic production and establish a basis for evaluation of a production. May be repeated for credit.