Course Descriptions

PROD 101 Introduction to Production Design
In this course, students are introduced to the fundamentals of production design for stage and screen including the application of costume, scenery, lighting and props and their importance in film, theater, and television productions. Students are introduced to the impact scene, light, costume elements and props have in a complete production or performance.

PROD 110 Drafting for Production Design
This course focuses on drafting for the entertainment designer with the intent of making the student fluent in the language of layout, shape, proportion, contour, mass, detail and the drafting standards set by the United States Institute of Technical Theater.

PROD 130 Scenographic Fundamentals and Applications
Students learn the equipment, techniques, and procedures of technical production for stage and screen. Wood working, metalworking and lighting equipment are experienced and applied.

PROD 150 Introduction to Make-up Design
Make-up design is a subtle, yet essential, part of many artistic undertakings, including fashion, photography, filmmaking, and theatre. After gaining an understanding of the anatomical structures of the head, face, and neck, and the effects of lighting on those structures, students explore make-up products and their applications to create a ???natural??? face, do corrective make-up, and create a character. Professional standards are emphasized in the application of skills to real situations.

PROD 200 Production Management and Administration
Production Management and Administration is a survey course designed to familiarize students with the organizational procedures of the theatre production process. Major areas of study include stage management and production management, with some reference to video and film production management. Prerequisite: PROD 101.

PROD 210 Script Interpretation
This course develops the students' skills to identify relevant structure, plot and themes in script and text work. In addition, students learn the basic themes, structure and concepts that influence production design, performance and other facets of production for stage and screen. Research, critical thinking and analysis of script and text to develop design concepts for production design. The course also develops students' skills to understand the structure, history and overall themes of published/produced work in screen and stage. Prerequisite: ENGL 123.

PROD 212 History of Costume and D??cor
With a sound historical base, lifestyles and societal influences are examined to understand the look of each period. Emphasis is on a chronological examination and is the goal of this class. The sociological and aesthetic aspects influencing the architecture, furnishings and textiles of the period as well as the subtle use of color indicative to specific periods are addressed. Geographical needs that contribute to style and design also are considered. The goal is that students learn the definitive need for conclusive and rigorous research. Prerequisite: PROD 101.

PROD 220 Lighting Design for Stage and Screen I
This course examines lighting design, from the germination of the idea to the final product. Through class discussion and critiques, students' lighting concepts are developed and refined. Prerequisite: PROD 101.

PROD 221 Scenic Design for Stage and Screen I
In this course, students focus on the development of scenic design ideas and their application in theater, film and television. By developing, articulating, and defending design concepts, students demonstrate successful scenic design projects for theater, film and television. Prerequisite: PROD 101.

PROD 230 Introduction to Costume Design
This studio course explores the exciting and creative world of costuming for stage and screen. Assignments enable students to develop skills in areas such as rendering, swatching, play analysis, fabric modification, masks, hats, draping, accessorizing and productions. Additional practicum time is required and assigned by the professor. Prerequisite: PROD 210.

PROD 270 CAD for Production Design
This course focuses on hand drafting for the entertainment designer with the intent of making the student fluent in the language of layout, shape, proportion, contour, mass, detail and the drafting standards established by USITT. Prerequisites: PROD 110, PROD 221.

PROD 300 Rendering for Entertainment Design
Through study of various techniques and medium, design students produce drawings of scenery, costumes, and lighting essential to the production process. By researching influential designers of the 20th century, the student finds a means to communicate with fellow designers as well as evaluate a successful rendering. Prerequisites: PROD 101, PROD 220, PROD 221.

PROD 320 Lighting Design for Stage and Screen II
Through the development of actualized lighting projects, students in this course work examine the process of lighting design projects from the germination of the idea to the final product. Students design lighting for events taking place in theaters, film projects, alternative spaces, as well as for media-based applications. Through class discussion and critiques, lighting concepts are challenged and developed. The final project is a completely documented lighting design including photographs for portfolio. Students in this course complete a lab component that focuses on practical applications. Prerequisite: PROD 220.

PROD 321 Scenic Design for Stage and Screen II
Using a broad range of drawing, ideation and presentation skills, students master the theoretical understanding and studio skills used in the professional arena of performance events, including stage productions, performance art pieces, installation projects, industrial-, film-, and television-specific applications. Students actualize scenic projects and build portfolio level work. Prerequisite: PROD 221.

PROD 330 History of Costume in Film
In this course, students focus on the history and development of costume design and its application in theater, film and television. They also develop design concepts and articulate, defend and demonstrate successful costume and wardrobe projects for theater, film and television. Prerequisite: PROD 230.

PROD 380 Costume Rendering for Construction
This course explores the important connection between rendering and costume construction. Students are encouraged to experiment with various mediums and to develop skills in drawing. Sewing techniques specific to costume building are illustrated by practical application, experienced through opportunities to build for current productions. Prerequisite: PROD 330.

PROD 420 Advanced Costume Design
This studio course extends students' technical and informational base in the history and execution of costume and prop design. Students engage in technical rendering, pattern drafting, the creation of full-color costume plates with swatch sections, and the production of one specialized prop item and period garment. Additional practicum time is required and assigned by the professor. Prerequisite: PROD 330.

PROD 490 Production Design Portfolio
This course guides students through the design and execution of their final portfolio and features an emphasis on research and analysis of aesthetic and conceptual decisions. The end product is representative of the designer's abilities and aesthetic sensibilities, and as such may serve as an introduction to potential employers. Prerequisite: PROD 321 or PROD 420.

PROD 720 Production Design Theory and Practice
This course establishes the theory and development of production design from its development in theater through film and television and finally into contemporary design for exhibition focused outlets including theme parks, performance art and other areas. This course develops the student's aesthetic choices through the research, understanding and criticism of well-known and exemplary design projects in a wide variety of mediums.

PROD 724 Production Design Studio I: Scenic Design
Students develop the essential production design elements that form the foundation of future design aesthetics. Through studio projects and design assignments, students begin to create the foundation for future original production designs. Prerequisite: PROD 720.

PROD 726 Production Design Studio I: Costume Design
This studio course increases the student's technical and informational base in the history and execution of costume design. Students engage in technical rendering, pattern drafting, the creation of full-color costume plates with swatch sections, as well as the production of one specialized period garment. Prerequisite: PROD 720.

PROD 727 PROD Studio I: Lighting for Production Design
Through the development of lighting projects, students in this course work to examine the process of lighting design projects from the germination of the idea to the final product. Students design lighting for events taking place in theaters, film projects, alternative spaces, as well as for media-based applications. Through class discussion and critiques, lighting concepts are challenged and developed. Prerequisite: PROD 720.

PROD 730 Script Analysis for Production Design
This course requires students to apply the established principles of production design theory by producing design projects based on scripts, screenplays or other source material. Students critique their work and that of others. Prerequisite: ARTH 701.

PROD 735 Concept Development for Production Design
Using the research, critical thinking and analysis skills developed in previous script analysis courses, students synthesize the analysis process to identify and evaluate successful production designs and their relationship and origin in script and text-based material. Prerequisite: MPRA 728 or PROD 730.

PROD 741 CAD for Production Design
This course focuses on computer-aided drafting for the entertainment designer, using industry standard software. Students learn and polish their skills in preparing digital production documents to the standards expected in the professional arena of performance events. Prerequisite: PROD 720.

PROD 745 Decorative Arts: Context in Storytelling
This course expands students' knowledge in the decorative arts, costuming, and movements in the visual arts. Students study and manipulate styles of detail in the building arts, interior design, the visual arts, and costumes and apparel to create a context of visual communication supportive of the story narrative. Prerequisite: PROD 724 or PROD 726 or PROD 727.

PROD 746 Draping as Design for Costume
This course emphasizes the development of skills needed to create advanced shapes and designs directly on the dress stand rather than by using basic blocks or slopers. Students work with different fabric types to learn the use and manipulation of fabric and to learn the variations in fitting procedures. Projects involve developing the conceptual process from the idea to the finished garment, including detailed renderings for construction. Demonstrations and discussions lead to methods suitable for contemporary production methods. Prerequisite: PROD 726.

PROD 749 Production Design M.A. Final Project
The final M.A. project is the culmination of all work, learning and growth of the student over the course of study. The project demonstrates ability and mastery of the design concepts, theory and artistic development of the M.A. student. Prerequisite: PROD 720.

PROD 750 Digital Visualization for Production Design
Techniques for developing designs through the use of digital media are taught integrating various software. Computer-aided drafting uses industry standard software. Digital rendering instruction uses a variety of graphic software. Pre-visualization integrates lighting as well as the dimensional form into the conceptualization, articulation, and communication process with the production team. Prerequisite: PROD 724 or PROD 726 or PROD 727.

PROD 756 Evolution of Production Design
This course is an examination of the development of modern theories of production design. It investigates different responses to the problems of creating a vital performance event in the context of an ongoing evolution of performance by looking at the contributions of significant theorists, designers, and movements. This course develops the student's aesthetic choices through the analysis and criticism of well-known and exemplary production designers and theories. Prerequisite: PROD 724 or PROD 726 or PROD 727.

PROD 762 PROD Studio II: Practical Design Techniques
In this course, students produce design materials in their area of specialization and participate in the execution of these designs for practical projects. Emphasis is placed on developing an in-depth process of analysis and translation of information in a storyline to descriptive performance pictures. The importance of developing the student's ability to collaborate with fellow designers and directors will be stressed. Students explore the actualization of these ideas in a variety of performance media. Prerequisite: PROD 724 or PROD 726 or PROD 727.

PROD 770 Professional Development in Production Design
This course provides students the necessary knowledge, tools and portfolio required for careers in the field of production design. Students evaluate current and future trends of the industry. Emphasis is placed on the essentials of portfolio work and presentation, as well as the development of a business/career plan. Professional contacts are researched and developed. Prerequisite: PROD 762.

PROD 771 Production Design Studio III: Costume Design
The third studio course emphasizes the continued development of skills needed to produce larger and more complex costume design projects. In-depth involvement with production concepts and solutions through lecture and critique are required. It includes the intensive study of patterning and construction techniques, predominantly for periods prior to the 20th century. Demonstrations and discussion lead to methods suitable for modern theatrical productions. Prerequisites: PROD 745, PROD 762.

PROD 772 Production Design Studio III: Lighting for Production Design
The third studio course emphasizes the study of lighting design in a variety of genres: entertainment design, industrial lighting, architectural lighting, art installations, television and film. Advanced lighting technology is integrated into the design process. Projects include hands-on lab work and theoretical designs that integrate a process for working with professional companies. Emphasis is placed on developing projects appropriate to a professional design portfolio. Prerequisites: PROD 745, PROD 762.

PROD 775 Production Design Studio III: Scenic Design
This studio course requires a full presentation materials package (sketches, drafting, renderings, and painter's elevations) for a single ???complex??? production that requires serious scenery shifting and multiple looks. This project, usually an opera or musical theatre, culminates in the completion of fully articulated package of presentation materials. It includes model-making that explores the various construction techniques and materials used in several performance media. Prerequisites: PROD 745, PROD 762.

PROD 780 Special Topics in Production Design
The topic of this course varies from quarter to quarter and focuses on diverse issues in the field of production design. The course gives graduate students the opportunity to pursue projects of interest related to these particular issues. Faculty, course content and prerequisites vary each time the course is offered. The course may include lectures, discussions, individual projects and critiques, depending on the nature of the topic.

PROD 790 Production Design M.F.A. Thesis
The production design thesis is the culmination of the sum total of all work, learning and growth by the student over the course of study. The thesis consists of both a visual and written component.