Assessment Report Standard Format
July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012
PROGRAM(S) ASSESSED Department of Theater Arts, Motion Pictures BA, BFA Degrees
ASSESSMENT COORDINATOR Motion Picture Coordinator Dr. Nicole Richter
1. ASSESSMENT MEASURES EMPLOYED
Briefly describe the assessment measures employed during the year.
 What was done?
a) Senior exit interviews
b) Department alumni surveys
c) Regular Faculty E-mail contacts with alumni
d) Evaluations of students at the end of the first and second years
e) Evaluations of the junior and senior projects
f) Critical presentation of film and digital video projects to the community at large at the
“Big Lens Festival” and at “Documentary Night.”
g) Tracking of student and alumni successes in film festivals and the professional
filmmaking industry.
 Who participated in the process?
All motion pictures faculty and staff participated in various of these activities.
Specifically, a) and b) were done by the Chair; c), d), e), f), and g) were done by all
faculty and staff, with Julia Reichert particularly taking primary responsibility for c); and
g) was carried out by Julia Reichert and J. Russell Johnson.
 What challenges (if any) were encountered?
The Motion Pictures BFA program is currently changing over to digital technology,
particularly in the freshman and sophomore years. The BFA program continues to
operate without a regular budget for equipment purchases and maintenance and we
continue to fall behind on current practices and technology. The condition of the
production equipment, computers, software, and facilities that students use deteriorates
because we don’t have funds to perform simple maintenance and upgrades. The size
of the tiny classroom where instruction in production technique takes place continues to
be an issue, as it has been for the past 20 years.
2. ASSESSMENT FINDINGS
List the objectives and outcomes assessed during the year, and briefly describe the
findings for each.
Virtually all of our students go on to great opportunities and jobs in the motion pictures
industry; and a significant number of our current or recently graduated students received
film festival showings and/or prizes in major international festivals. Our alumni in the New
York City and Los Angeles markets had a number of success stories. Here are a select
few (our student work on the majority of these films with alums): Patrick Steele wrote and
directed a locally made feature film titled “True Nature.” Steve Bognar and Julia Reichert
made a short documentary on the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company titled “Sparkle.”
Tom Mayer directed the documentary “Call of the Scenic River.” This film follows Ohio
filmmaker Tom Mayor's journey as he experiences Ohio's Scenic Rivers, and learns firsthand about non-point-source pollution, and the ecological and economic impacts of water
quality. Filmed by alumni cinematographers Mike King and Adam White. Adam White won
a regional Emmy for his film on aviation “The Restorers.” Others are working in various
capacities such as camera operators, editors, film distributors, producers’ assistants,
location supervisors, and as writers of television shows. Many chose to live and work in
Ohio or elsewhere in the Midwest as free-lance lighting technicians, multimedia producers,
corporate communications producers, and some in local television.
3. RESPONSE TO ASSESSMENT FINDINGS
List planned or actual changes (if any) to curriculum, teaching methods, facilities, or
services that are in response to the assessment findings.
As we switch to semesters, the curriculum has changed to adapt to the new schedule. MP
1800, the first production course, will become digital, instead of film based. Methods of i
instruction will change based on the use of new technology. We are in the process of
expanding our facilities but there is no clear plan for this yet. We have purchased updated
camera equipment and are deciding on new editing technology to keep pace with the
rapidly growing changes in technology.
4. ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES FOR COMING YEAR
Briefly describe the learning outcomes to be assessed during the upcoming year and the
measures that will be used to assess them.
Preparation for employment in the field—Faculty Email Contact with Alumni
Demonstrate knowledge of filmmaking— Evaluations of students at the end of the first and
second years, Evaluations of the junior and senior projects
Communicate effectively—Evaluations of student writing, Critical presentation of film and
digital video projects to the community at large at the “Big Lens Festival” and at
“Documentary Night.”
5. UNIVERSITY LEARNING OUTCOME ASSESSMENT
As part of the HLC Academy project, each program of study will eventually assess two
University Learning Outcomes in required courses in the major. One outcome will be
assessed in 2014-15, and the second will be added in 2015-16. Identify the two ULOs that
will be assessed and, if possible, the likely course(s) to be used.
1. Communicate effectively
2. Demonstrate understanding of contemporary social and ethical issues
University Learning Outcomes: Wright State graduates will be able to:
1. communicate effectively
2. demonstrate mathematical literacy
3. evaluate arguments and evidence critically
4. apply the methods of inquiry of the natural sciences, social sciences, and the arts and
humanities
5. demonstrate global and multicultural competence
6. demonstrate understanding of contemporary social and ethical issues
7. participate in democratic society as informed and civically engaged citizens