Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Cine: Imaging & Optics (Face-to-Face)

FILM 3100-01

Course: FILM 3100-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Filmmaking, Art, & Design
CRN: 31740

Course Description

Theory and practice of cinematography, with emphasis on optics and digital imaging systems workflow, exposure, framing, aspect ratios, composition, shot selection, coverage, movement, lighting, color theory, color correction, and color grading. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Filmmaking majors only

Required Texts

None

Learning Outcomes

MEDIA PRODUCTION
Learning Outcome | Activity/Assignment | Assessment Method
Effectively utilize imaging systems, optics, and lighting to complete intermediate-level cinematography exercises and a short narrative film. | Completion of cinematography video exercises and a short narrative film. | Graded using rubrics for proper utilization and workflow of imaging systems, optics, lighting, and non-linear editing to complete intermediate-level cinematography exercises and a short narrative film.
Effectively utilize camera stabilization and support systems to complete intermediate-level cinematography exercises and a short narrative film. | Completion of directing video exercises and a short narrative film. | Graded using rubrics for proper utilization of camera stabilization and support systems to complete intermediate-level cinematography exercises and a short narrative film at intermedia level.
COMMUNICATION
Learning Outcome | Activity/Assignment | Assessment Method
Effective visual communication techniques | Completion of cinematography exercises derived from director’s interpretation of the script at intermediate-level. | Graded using rubrics for proper utilization of camera placement and movement.
Effective crew communication techniques | Completion of a shooting script, shot lists and storyboards together with the director of the final short narrative film, communication of those concepts to the camera crew. | Graded using rubrics for proper utilization of pre-visualization through shooting script, shot lists and storyboards.
CRITICAL THINKING
Learning Outcome | Activity/Assignment | Assessment Method
Effectively troubleshoot stages of cinematography process | Completion of cinematography exercises utilizing imaging systems, optics, lighting and camera support equipment. | Graded using rubrics for completion of various aspects of cinematography, including the utilization of imaging systems, optics, lighting and camera support equipment.

Course Requirements

Grading
  • Attendance & Participation - 150pts (15%)
  • Exercises – 850pts (85%)
  • Camera and Optics Training – 100pts
  • Equipment Workshop – 100pts
  • Lighting Training – 100pts
  • Scene Recreation Workshop – 200pts
  • Final Project – 350pts
Grade Scale
LetterPercent
A93-100%
A-90-92%
B+86-89%
B83-85%
B-80-82%
C+77-79%
C74-76%
C-70-73%
D+67-69%
D63-66%
D-60-62%
F59% or less
Assessment

students will be assessed based on their understanding of the technologies and concepts covered in class & how that understanding is reflected in their creative work. Final grade will largely reflect the quality and sincerity of students' effort in this class.

Course Outline

MODULE 1: CAMERA AND OPTICS TRAINING
Week | Session | Assignment
Week 1 | Lecture: Introduction to cinematography concepts and terminology | Watch instructor-assigned tutorials
Week 2 | Lab: Cinema Camera & Optics Training | Choose from instructor-approved scenes
Week 3 | Lab: Equipment Workshop | Choose from instructor-approved scenes
Week 4 | Lab: Equipment Workshop | Watch Instructor-assigned tutorials
Week 5 | Lab: Lighting Training | Choose from instructor-approved scenes & Breakdown the scene for cinematography
Week 6 | Lab: Scene Recreation Workshop | Choose from instructor-approved scenes & Breakdown the scene for cinematography
Week 7 | Lab: Scene Recreation Workshop | Choose from instructor-approved scenes & Breakdown the scene for cinematography

MODULE 2: CAMERA AND OPTICS PRACTICAL
Week 8 | Lab: Scene Recreation Workshop | Working with the Director - we will merge with the directing class at this time. Please see your instructor(s) for additional information 
Week 9 | Screening: Scene Recreation | 
Week 10 | Lecture: Working with the Director - Shot list, diagrams & storyboards w/ director
Week 11 | Lab: Final Project Cinematography Workshop | Shot list, diagrams & storyboards w/ director
Week 12 | Lab: Final Project Cinematography Workshop | Shot list, diagrams & storyboards w/ director
Week 13 | Lab: Final Project Cinematography Workshop | Shoot & edit final project
Week 14 | Watch: Final Project Rough Cut | Shoot & edit final exercise
Week 15 | Watch: Final Project Final Cut | 
Note: Additional articles may be assigned for reading. Also, although unlikely, additional production exercises may be assigned to the groups.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Assignments that are 1-24 hours late will receive an automatic 15% deduction; assignments that are between 24 and 48 hours late will receive an automatic 30% deduction. Assignments will not be accepted if more than 48 hours late. No exceptions. If an assignment extension is granted, these deductions will not apply as long as the student adheres to the new deadline. 

Attendance Policy

Studio courses are experiential in nature and rely heavily on in-class instruction, collaboration, and critique. As such, attendance is mandatory.

A student who misses more than 25% of scheduled class time (including unexcused absences and tardiness) will receive a final grade no higher than a “C–”, and may fail the course, regardless of performance on assignments.

Excused absences—such as those due to documented illness, university-sponsored activities, or other legitimate circumstances—may be made up with appropriate documentation (e.g., a doctor's note or official university communication). It is the student's responsibility to inform the instructor before the absence when possible and to make arrangements to complete missed work promptly.

Consistent attendance and active participation are essential to your success in this course and in your development as a filmmaker.

You are allowed to miss TWO LECTURES with no penalties. If you are going to have an unexcused absence, do not notify us about it. 

Do not email the INSTRUCTOR about your sick absence, bring a doctor's note. 

If you are missing a large amount of time (several weeks or more), please notify the instructor and explain the situation.

If you have team issues, convey that to the Instructor in detail. Upon intervention, if nothing changes, the majority of the team can fire/expel a team member that may be causing the issues. 

Course Fees

3 Credit(s) | $150 Fee

Additional Policies and Information

Prerequisites
Prerequisites: FILM 2100
Registration Restriction(s): Filmmaking majors only
Content Advisory
Warning: This course deals with the entertainment industry and popular culture. The instructor reserves the right to refer to and to exhibit any materials or discuss any themes that accurately reflect and enhance student’s understanding of the subject, including material meant for mature audiences. All material presented in class is deemed to exhibit scientific, literary, artistic and/or pedagogical value and is therefore appropriate for exhibition to college age students. The instructor does not endorse or subscribe to any opinions depicted in the course materials. If a student is unwilling to read or view certain types of content, please speak with the instructor with regard to the suitability of the class for the student in question.
Class Conduct
  • No use of cell phones in class. No disruptive behavior. No chitchatting & raise hand when wishing to address the class.
Course Changes
Instructor reserves the right to alter the course outline at any time during the semester.
Workload Expectations
WORKLOAD: Students, especially those who are new to higher education environment, are encouraged to create a time management calendar. During a Monday through Friday schedule, there is a total of 120 hours. After subtracting approximately 40 hours for sleep, 80 hours remain. Average student takes 5 classes each semester, which equates to 15 hours of classroom time per week. 65 hours remain. Three hours per day for meals and socializing equals 15 per week, leaving 50 hours. After the 6-hour minimum of homework time per class is factored in: 6x5=30. 50-30=20. The remaining 20 hours are for work or extracurricular activities. In addition, students have an additional 48 weekend hours, portion of which they can devote to school assignments,
  • M-F = 120 hours
  • Sleep = 40 hours (maximum)
  • Eating and socializing = 15 hours (3 hours per day)
  • Class time and travel = 15 hours (12.5 class time per week for five classes)
  • Homework = 30 hours (minimum; 5 classes x 6 hours per class)
  • Work (or extracurricular activities) = 20 hours
  • Weekend = 24 hours of additional homework and/or work time
Coming to classroom unprepared is not conducive to a successful university career, and could result in severe penalties to students' grade.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.