Program Overview

Film & TV Creative Producing Program

The Film & TV Creative Producing program offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers various aspects of film and television production. The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the entertainment industry.

Undergraduate Courses

• CP 310: Film Production Company Development This course introduces students to the operation of a production company, including building a film slate, identifying intellectual properties, and developing viable projects.
• CP 320: Introduction to Film Scheduling and Budgeting This course covers the fundamentals of film scheduling and budgeting, including script breakdown, shooting schedule creation, and working budget development.
• CP 323: Pre-Production Workshop This course provides hands-on experience in pre-production, including professional scheduling, budgeting, and pre-visualization software. PREREQUISITE(S): By instructor permission only.
• CP 340: The Fundamentals of Pre-Production This course focuses on the key steps of pre-production for a feature film, including cast and crew deals, location agreements, clearance, insurance, and working with major unions.
• CP 343: Independent Film Producing This course introduces students to the principles and strategies of independent film producing, including packaging material, fundraising, foreign sales, and festival and distribution strategies.
• CP 350: Producing for Animation and VFX This course introduces students to the key concepts behind producing for computer animation and visual effects in live-action filmmaking.
• CP 360: Producing Television This course discusses the different roles of the television producer and showrunner, including line, segment, coordinating, field, executive, and supervising producers. PREREQUISITES: FILM 110, TV 306, or TV 307.
• CP 364: Reality Television Production This course develops a reality or factual show concept and treatment, including techniques and methods to build engagement and conflict within the reality or factual genre.
• CP 366: The Business of Television This course provides historical background on the television business, including the regulatory system, operational structure of stations and networks, and programming policies and strategies.
• CP 380: Contracts and Negotiations This course introduces students to the principles and strategies of entertainment law, including chain of title, production legal, clearance, music licensing, and delivery requirements.
• CP 382: Distribution and Exhibition This course explores the commercial and economic structure of the contemporary film industry, including the development of "Hollywood" as a distribution mechanism and the revenue stream from box office and ancillary markets.
• CP 399: Independent Study This course allows students to pursue independent study in film and television production, with variable credit. PREREQUISITE(S): Consent of dean.

Graduate Courses

• CP 410: Creative Producing This course introduces students to the role of the Creative Producer, including building a film and television slate, identifying intellectual properties, and developing viable projects.
• CP 412: Feature Film Development This course focuses on feature film development from a producer's perspective, including evaluating completed screenplays and developing them into films.
• CP 414: Television Development This course focuses on scripted television development from the producer's perspective, including the industrial process and personnel of networks, as well as creative strategies for guiding a project from concept ideation to hit series.
• CP 420: Scheduling & Budgeting This course covers the fundamentals of film scheduling and budgeting, including script breakdown, shooting schedule creation, and working budget development.
• CP 423: Pre-Production Workshop This course provides hands-on experience in pre-production, including professional scheduling, budgeting, and pre-visualization software. PREREQUISITE(S): By instructor permission only.
• CP 440: Pre-Production for Producers This course focuses on the fundamentals of pre-production for a feature film, including cast and crew deals, location agreements, clearance, insurance, and working with major unions.
• CP 442: The Agency This course examines the essential role talent and literary agencies perform in the entertainment business, including packaging films with talent and securing distribution.
• CP 444: The Talent Manager This course examines the critical role the talent manager performs in today's entertainment industry, including operating as producers and working with talent to develop and sell projects.
• CP 446: The Studio Executive This course provides an overview of the various departments at a major motion picture studio, including developing projects and overseeing production and distribution.
• CP 448: The Network Executive This course provides an overview of the television departments at a network, including developing shows and managing productions.
• CP 450: Producing Reality Television This course examines the process for producing reality shows, including developing ideas and creating pitch decks.
• CP 452: Producing Commercials & Music Videos This course examines the process and production techniques for producing commercials and music videos, including industry standards and client relations.
• CP 460: Producing Television This course examines the creative and business skills required for producing television, including reviewing different genres and styles of television production.
• CP 480: Entertainment Law for Producers This course introduces students to the principles and strategies of entertainment law, including chain of title, production legal, clearance, music licensing, and delivery requirements.
• CP 482: Distribution and Exhibition This course explores conventional and emerging modes of motion picture distribution, including digital streaming and exhibition.
• CP 484: Post Production for Producers This course provides an overview of the post process for producers, including key stages of post from edit to delivery.
• CP 498: Pre-Production Internship This course offers the opportunity to reflect on an internship while gaining professional experience, industry contact, and referrals in the development and pre-production stages of film and television.
• CP 499: Post-Production Internship This course offers the opportunity to reflect on an internship while gaining professional experience, industry contact, and referrals in the production and distribution stages of film and television.
• CP 511: Creative Producing Thesis I This course requires students to complete a final thesis project, including creating a film and television slate and developing viable projects.
• CP 512: Creative Producing Thesis II This course allows students to revise their thesis projects based on feedback from the instructor and thesis advisors.
• CP 540: Producing for Directors: Pitching, Packaging, and Distribution This course explores current avenues for the development of the student director for a professional career, including film festivals, fundraising, self-distribution, and pitching. PREREQUISITE: FILM 487.
• CP 599: Independent Study This course allows students to pursue independent study in film and television production, with variable credit. PREREQUISITE(S): Consent of instructor.
• CP 701: Thesis Continuation This non-credit course is required for students who have completed all required coursework and are using university facilities for thesis production and/or post-production. PREREQUISITE: FILM 510 or ANI 640.