Cinema Class Descriptions

101 Beginning Film Production Workshop (3) UC:CSU

Prerequisite: Cinema 107 with a grade of C or better.
Co-Requisite: Cinema 107 on a contractual basis (completing it concurrently with a C or better).
Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 2 hours. Comprehensive overview of all aspects of basic film theory and its application via exams, exercises, and “hands-on” exercises culminating in a 1-minute 16 mm TV-commercial. NOTE: Students will be required to provide instructional materials to complete class assignments. Additional time required.

102 Film Genres (3) UC:CSU

Prerequisite: None.
Lecture, 3 hours.
This course is an analytic and critical overview of a variety of film genres, exam- ining them from aesthetic, sociological and psychological perspectives. Particular emphasis will be given to how genre inter- acts between story content and audience with regard to gender roles and social struc- ture, ethnicity, and socio-economics. Genres can include comedy, drama, action- adventure, suspense-thriller, animation, musical, horror and science-fiction.

103 Diversity in Cinema (3) CSU

Prerequisite: None.
Lecture, 3 hours.
This course is an analytic and critical overview of diverse cultural representation in film from historic, aesthetic, sociological, philosophical and psychological perspec- tives. This includes an examination of established mainstream culture paradigms and how they intersect with minority cul- tures in terms of gender, ethnicity, religious, and other societal aspects. Further, the dis- cussion will include minority access to development, production, distribution and exhibition.

104 History of Documentary Films (3) UC:CSU

Prerequisite: None.
Lecture, 3 hours.
A historical overview of the art and craft of documentary and non-fiction films, from the silent era to contemporary times, both American and foreign, with an emphasis on the “classics”, propaganda, educational, docudrama, and avant-garde.

105 History of Motion Pictures (3) UC:CSU

Prerequisite: None.
Lecture, 3 hours.
Introductory overview of the history of cinema both American and foreign, from the earliest silents to contemporary times with an emphasis on the first 75 years, via screenings, lectures, readings about the major artistic, social, economic, and technological trends.

106 The Art of Animation and Special Effects (3) CSU

Prerequisite: None.
Lecture, 3 hours.
An analytical overview of traditional and experimental animation techniques, both American and foreign, past and present, as well as special effects, including optical, mechanical, mattes, miniatures, pyrotechnics, atmospherics, make-up, digital, and others.

107 Understanding Motion Pictures (3) UC:CSU

Prerequisite: None.
Lecture, 3 hours.
Analytical critical survey of motion pictures as an art form, entertainment industry, and communication medium via screenings, lectures, readings about classic and contemporary films, American and foreign, theatrical and non-theatrical.

110 Motion Picture Sound (3) CSU (Same as Media Arts 110)

Prerequisite: Cinema 101 with a grade of C or better.
Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 2 hours.
Intermediate course dealing with all aspects of film sound recording, mixing, and editing form theory to application, centering on learning the basic parts and functions of professional motion picture sound equipment, as well as sound techniques and aesthetics. NOTE: Students will be required to provide instructional materials to complete class assignments. Additional time required.

111 Developing Content for Movies (3) CSU

Prerequisite: None.
Lecture, 3 hours.
This survey course presents an overview of the film industry. It introduces the student to the art of creating and selling for the entertainment industry. Students will learn how to acquire, develop, create and pitch material, as well as gain an understanding of the structure of the industry. NOTE: Students will be required to provide instructional materials to complete class assignments. Additional time required.

115 Cinematography (3) CSU

Prerequisite: Cinema 101 with a grade of C or better.
Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 2 hours.
Intermediate course dealing with all aspects of cinematography from theory to application, centering on learning the basic parts and functions of 16mm cameras, lenses, lighting equipment, accessories as well as cinematography techniques and aesthetics. NOTE: Students will be required to provide instructional materials to complete class assignments. Additional time required.

117 Creative Cinematography Techniques (3) CSU

Prerequisite: Cinema 115 and 106 with a grade of C or better, or concurrent enrollment
Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 2 hours.
Advanced course dealing with both practical and experimental cinematography techniques centering on creative exercises relative to animation, special effects, lighting, and other production processes. NOTE: Students will be required to provide instructional materials to complete class assignments. Additional time required.

120 Film Editing (3) CSU (Same as Media Arts 120)

Prerequisite: Cinema 101 with a grade of C or better.
Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 2 hours.
Intermediate course covering theory, techniques and aesthetics of film/digital video non-linear editing. A variety of industryoriented digital applications, with emphasis on Final Cut Pro, will be utilized in the editing exercises. NOTE: Students will be required to provide instructional materials to complete class assignments. Additional time required.

123 Motion Picture Production Workshop I (3) CSU

Prerequisite: Cinema 107, 110, 115, and 120 with a grade of C or better.
Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 2 hours.
Advanced course in motion picture production. Each student will be required to produce, write, direct and shoot a 16mm, film, as well as to crew for other assigned films. NOTE: Students will be required to provide instructional materials to complete class assignments. Additional time required.

124 Motion Picture Production Workshop II (3) CSU

Prerequisite: Cinema 123 with a grade of C or better.
Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 2 hours.
Advanced course in film post-production. Each student will be required to edit, sound record and mix, cut negative and time answer print in order to complete the 16mm, film shot in Cinema 123. NOTE: Students will be required to provide instructional materials to complete class assignments. Additional time required.

125 Film Production Workshop I (3) CSU

Prerequisite: Cinema 107, 110, 115, 120 with grades of C or better; only Cinema 107 may be taken concurrently on a contractual basis.
Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 2 hours.
Advanced course in practical filmmaking, with each student required to produce/write/direct and tech a professional 16mm PSA commercial with sound, as well as crew for other assigned films. When the course is repeated, the project may be a 16mm sync-sound production. (Cinema 123 and 124 together equal Cinema 125). NOTE: Students will be required to provide instructional materials to complete class assignments. Additional time required.

185 Directed Study - Cinema (1) CSU
285 Directed Study - Cinema (2) CSU
385 Directed Study - Cinema (3) CSU

Prerequisite: Approval of project.
Conference, 1 hour per unit.
Allows student to pursue Directed Study in Cinema on a contract basis under the direction of supervising faculty. Credit limit: A maximum of 3 units per subject in Directed Study may be taken for credit.

UC CREDIT FOR INDEPENDENT STUDY/DIRECTED STUDY COURSES NUMBERED 185, 285, AND 385 IN ANY DEPARTMENT IS NOT AUTOMATIC; CREDIT IS CONTINGENT ON UC CAMPUS EVALUATION AFTER APPLICATION AND ADMISSION. THESE UNITS SHOULD NOT BE USED TOWARD CALCULATION OF THE MINIMUM 60 UNITS NEEDED FOR ADMISSION TO THE UC.

911-921-931-941 Cooperative Education - Cinema Arts (1-4) CSU

Cinema is approved for Cooperative Work Experience Education credit. (Workplace experience in Cinema integrating classroom Cinema studies; requires approval of Dept. Chair as well as Work Experience Director). See Cooperative Education, catalog page 72, for prerequisite, course description and credit limits.

Media Arts Department
Los Angeles Valley College
5800 Fulton Avenue
Valley Glen, CA 91401
[818] 947-2600 x5503