Explore the fundamentals of storytelling through the digital cinema production certificate. Certificate students complete coursework in screenwriting, producing, directing, cinematography and sound, editing, and related fields. They master the aesthetic and technical tools of moving-image storytelling, learn creative decision making, employ collaborative work skills, and apply industry standards. The digital cinema production certificate is relevant to undergraduates across campus who are considering careers in film, television, documentary, and internet-based media.
Prior to declaration, students must complete COM ARTS 355 for a grade of B or higher. In addition, students must earn a grade of B or higher in their first attempt of one of the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COM ARTS 465 | Editing and Post-production for Video and Film | 4 |
| COM ARTS 466 | Writing for Television and Film | 3 |
| COM ARTS 467 | Cinematography and Sound Recording | 4 |
| COM ARTS 468 | Producing for Internet TV and Video | 3 |
| COM ARTS 609 | Special Topics in Production | 3 |
| COM ARTS 651 | Advanced Video Production and Direction | 3 |
Students who meet the Admission criteria should speak with the advisor to declare the certificate.
requirements for the certificate
Four courses and 13 credits are required.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COM ARTS 355 | Introduction to Media Production | 4 |
| Electives | 9 | |
| Editing and Post-production for Video and Film | ||
| Writing for Television and Film | ||
| Cinematography and Sound Recording | ||
| Producing for Internet TV and Video | ||
| Special Topics in Production | ||
| Advanced Video Production and Direction | ||
| Advanced Motion Picture Production Workshop | ||
| Total Credits | 13 | |
Residence & Quality of Work
- 2.000 GPA in all courses approved for the Certificate
- 7 credits in the Certificate must be taken in residence
Certificate Completion Requirement
This undergraduate certificate must be completed concurrently with the student’s undergraduate degree. Students cannot delay degree completion to complete the certificate.
- Demonstrate mastery of the aesthetic and technical tools of moving-image story telling.
- Analyze story structure and illustrate how their creative decisions support their interpretation of story.
- Employ collaborative work skills to perform in the role of leaders or members of production crews/groups.
- Analyze the meaning, form, and process of cinematic work with the goal of providing honest, critical, and instructive feedback.
- Reproduce and apply industry standard methods for media pre-production, production and post-production, and explain the rationale for these methods.
Academic Advising
The Department of Communication Arts academic advisors serve as the advisors for the digital cinema production certificate. They can help you learn more about the certificate, discuss eligibility, declare, or review certificate requirements. Schedule an advising appointment with an advisor or stop by during drop-in hours.
Contact Information:
Steffie Halverson, 6070 Vilas Hall, 608-262-2285, advising@commarts.wisc.edu
Mary Rossa, 6068 Vilas Hall, 608-262-0992, advising@commarts.wisc.edu
Career Advising
The communications, arts & entertainment career community advisor assists students with career preparation, such as exploring career options, learning internship and job search strategies, and writing resumes and cover letters.
Career Exploration and Preparation
Gain Experience
The Department of Communication Arts encourages students to apply the knowledge and skills they attain through coursework to professional settings. Internships and part-time jobs at television networks, nonprofit organizations, talent agencies, magazines, radio stations, advertising agencies, production companies, government agencies, and other communication-related businesses help student gain work-related experience and explore career options. Emails, tweets, and postings provide certificate students with information on opportunities across the country.
Attend events
Throughout the academic year, students have the opportunity to participate in several communication-focused, career-related events, such as guest speakers, career panels, and the advertising and communications career fair.
Communication Arts Alumni Careers At a Glance
After completing a liberal arts education with a communication arts major, communication arts alumni pursue a variety of careers. In a recent survey, communication arts alumni were asked to provide and categorize their occupation. The results are available on the Department of Communication Arts website:
L&S career resources
SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps students leverage the academic skills learned in their major, certificates, and liberal arts degree; explore and try out different career paths; participate in internships; prepare for the job search and/or graduate school applications; and network with professionals in the field (alumni and employers). In short, SuccessWorks helps students in the College of Letters & Science discover themselves, find opportunities, and develop the skills they need for success after graduation.
SuccessWorks can also assist students in career advising, résumé and cover letter writing, networking opportunities, and interview skills, as well as course offerings for undergraduates to begin their career exploration early in their undergraduate career.
Students should set up their profiles in Handshake to take care of everything they need to explore career events, manage their campus interviews, and apply to jobs and internships from 200,000+ employers around the country.
- SuccessWorks
- Set up a career advising appointment
- INTER-LS 210 L&S Career Development: Taking Initiative (1 credit, targeted to first- and second-year students)—for more information, see Inter-LS 210: Career Development, Taking Initiative
- INTER-LS 215 Communicating About Careers (3 credits, fulfills Com B General Education Requirement)
- Handshake
- Learn how we’re transforming career preparation: L&S Career Initiative
Faculty
Eric Hoyt, Associate Professor
Instructional Staff
Aaron Granat, Associate Lecturer; Erik Gunneson, Faculty Associate; Lisa Ellis, Senior Lecturer; James Hirsch, Adjunct Professor
Academic Advising
Steffie Halverson, Academic Advisor; Mary Rossa, Senior Student Services Coordinator
Career Advising
Communications, Arts & Entertainment Career Community Advisor
Communication Arts Instructional media center
The Instructional Media Center (IMC), located in 3160 Vilas Hall, provides state-of-the art equipment for communication arts media-production courses. The IMC circulates industry-standard camera, lighting, grip, and sound equipment for use on set. The Hamel Family Digital Media Lab's 70 editing stations and the department's two sound stages are also managed by the Instructional Media staff.