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Film and Television Production

The Division of Film and Television Production of the School of Cinema-Television offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts and the Master of Fine Arts degrees.

The primary goals of the degree programs in film and television production are to develop the student's ability to express original ideas on film or video and to instill a thorough understanding of the technical and aesthetic aspects of motion pictures and television. Courses in production provide individual and group filmmaking experiences and the opportunity to learn all aspects of filmmaking in a collaborative environment.

Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts in Cinema-Television with a track in production is granted through the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences in conjunction with the School of Cinema-Television. Students study within a framework which combines a broad liberal arts background with specialization in a profession. Bachelor of Arts students are enrolled in the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, where they take their pre-professional courses, including the general education requirements. Major courses are selected from the curriculum of the School of Cinema-Television. The degree requires 128 units including 16 lower division units and 24 upper division units in Cinema-Television. A maximum of 40 CNTV upper division units will apply to the B.A. degree.

Applicants must submit a supplemental application and materials to the Undergraduate Production Program. For specific instructions, contact the Cinema-Television Office of Admission, University Park, Los Angeles, CA 90089-2211, (213) 740-2911 or online at www-cntv.usc.edu.

General Education Requirements The university's general education program provides a coherent, integrated introduction to the breadth of knowledge you will need to consider yourself (and to be considered by other people) a generally well-educated person. This program requires 6 courses in different categories, plus writing, foreign language and diversity requirements, which are described in detail in the General Education Program section.

Production Sequence

Undergraduates admitted to the Film and Television Production Program are required to take CTPR 241 Fundamentals of Cinema Technique, CTPR 242 Fundamentals of Cinematic Sound and CTPR 290 Cinematic Communication. CTPR 241, CTPR 242 and CTPR 290 are introductory production courses taken either in the second semester of the sophomore year or the first semester of the junior year after a student has completed the minimum required units and requirements toward his or her USC degree. CTWR 413 Writing the Short Script I is taken concurrently with CTPR 241, CTPR 242 and CTPR 290, and these four courses are prerequisites for the next production sequence, CTPR 310 and CTPR 376.

CTPR 241 is an experiential course dealing with the technical and aesthetic principles of directing, cinematography, editing, sound and the development of ideas through a cinematic vocabulary.

CTPR 242 introduces cinematic sound design, recording, editing, mixing and finishing through lectures, demonstrations and exercises.

In CTPR 290 students are taught the principles of film making through demonstrations, hands-on production and critical analysis. Each student makes five digital video non-dialogue projects using equipment supplied by the school. Approximately $1,000 should be budgeted for miscellaneous expenses, lab and insurance fees.

CTPR 310 Intermediate Film Production and CTPR 376 Intermediate Cinematography is the second required production sequence. These courses are also taken concurrently. In these workshops students work in teams of two, learning to collaborate and explore the expressive potential of sound and image through the production of two 16mm black and white films. Both are non-dialogue projects. Each student directs and prepares the soundtrack for the project he or she has written and is cinematographer and editor for his or her partner's project. Most equipment and materials are provided by the school. However, approximately $1,950 should be budgeted for miscellaneous expenses, lab and insurance fees.

To qualify for enrollment in CTPR 310 and CTPR 376, students must fulfill all requirements outlined in the CTPR 310/376 guidelines distributed in CTPR 242. Students are required to form their own partnerships and will not be allowed to register and participate without having a qualified partner.

CTPR 310 and CTPR 376 are interrelated courses that cannot be taken separately. Therefore, should a student fail to achieve a minimum grade of C (2.0) in either CTPR 310 or CTPR 376 (see the section on grade requirements) both courses must be retaken the subsequent semester.

Following CTPR 310 and CTPR 376, students can take one or more of the following courses: CTAN 448; CTPR 480; CTPR 484; CTPR 486.

CTAN 448 Introduction to Film Graphics-Animation is a practical course in concepts, media and techniques related to the graphic film.

In CTPR 480 Production Work I (prerequisite: CPTR 310, CTPR 376) production students form crews of eight to 10 persons to produce a synchronous sound project in one semester. Each student is responsible for a specific aspect of the production: director, line producer, assistant director, cinematographer, editor or sound.

Film/video stock, processing, equipment and facilities are provided by the school. There are extra personal expenses associated with all production workshops.

The selection of scripts and directors for the advanced production workshop (CTPR 480) is made by the production faculty. Note: To qualify to direct an advanced production workshop, a student must complete CTPR 480 (non-directing position) and take a specified directing class.

CTPR 484 Advanced Multi-Camera Television Workshop is a class in which students will produce a half-hour situation comedy pilot in one semester.

CTPR 486 Single Camera Television Dramatic Series (prerequisite: CTPR 479) is a class in which students collaborate on the production and post-production of an original episodic drama, 44 minutes in length, that is shot on original sets.

CTPR 241, CTPR 242, CTPR 290, CTPR 310, CTPR 376 and CTPR 480 cannot be waived or substituted with another course or transfer credit under any circumstances.

Course Requirementsunits
CTCS 190Introduction to Cinema4
CTCS 200History of the International Cinema I2
CTCS 201History of the International Cinema II2
CTPR 241Fundamentals of Cinema Technique (taken concurrently with CTPR 242, CTPR 290, CTWR 413)2
CTPR 242Fundamentals of Cinematic Sound2
CTPR 290Cinematic Communication (taken concurrently with CTPR 241, CTPR 242, CTWR 413)4
CTPR 310*Intermediate Film Production (taken after CTPR 241, CTPR 242, CTPR 290, CTWR 413 and concurrently with CTPR 376)4
CTPR 376*Intermediate Cinematography (taken after CTPR 241, CTPR 242, CTPR 290, CTWR 413 and concurrently with CTPR 310)4
CTWR 413Writing the Short Script I (taken concurrently with CTPR 241, CTPR 242, CTPR 290) 2
CTWR 414The Screenplay2

*Note that enrollment in CTPR 310/CTPR 376 requires meeting specific guidelines.


and a choice of:
CTPR 371Directing for Television, or
CTPR 475Directing: Mise-en-Scene (Prerequisite: CTPR 310 and CTPR 376)4

One of the following courses is required:
CTCS 392History of the American Film, 1925-19504
CTCS 393History of the American Film, 1946-19754
CTCS 394History of the American Film, 1977-Present4
CTCS 400Non-Fiction Film and Television4
CTCS 464Film and/or Television Genres4
CTCS 469Film and/or Television Style Analysis4

One of the following courses is required subsequent to completing CTPR 310/376:
CTAN 448Introduction to Film Graphics–Animation4
CTPR 480Production Workshop I (narrative or documentary or video)4
CTPR 484Advanced Multi-Camera Television Workshop4
CTPR 486Single Camera Television Dramatic Series4

Grade Point Average Requirements

A minimum grade of C, 2.0 (A = 4.0), must be earned in all required and prerequisite courses. A grade of C- (1.7) or lower will not fulfill a major requirement.

Students who do not earn the minimum grade of C (2.0) in CTPR 241, 242, 290, 310 and 376 after repeating these requirements will be disqualified from the program.

Limitations on Enrollment

No more than 40 upper-division units can be taken in the major without approval of the Dean, College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.

Registration in graduate level courses (numbered 500) for undergraduate credit requires prior approval of the School of Cinema-Television.

Curriculum Review

Cinema-Television majors are expected to meet with an advisor every semester to review their progress. Contact the Student Affairs Office (Carson Television Center, Garden Level G-130), (213) 740-8358, for appointments.

Master of Fine Arts

The Master of Fine Arts degree with a Film and Television Production track requires a minimum of 40 units in cinema-television at the 400 or 500 level. A thesis is not required for the M.F.A. degree.

Applications for the graduate production program are accepted for both fall and spring semesters. See a current Graduate Study Application for deadlines. Applicants must submit supplemental applications and materials to the Graduate Production Program. For specific instructions, contact the Cinema-Television Office of Admission, University Park, Los Angeles, CA 90089-2211, (213) 740-2911 or online at www-cntv.usc.edu.

Graduate Preparation Production Courses

In addition to the 40 units, students are required to take 12 units of prerequisite courses (CTPR 507x Production I and CTPR 508x Production II) in their first year. These courses provide intensive preparation considered necessary for graduate studies in production at USC and cannot be waived or substituted with transfer credit.

CTPR 507x Production I (6 units) is designed to introduce the fundamental principles of motion picture production, emphasizing visual and auditory communication. The course is organized in correlated production, acting and sound sections. Each student makes five non-dialogue projects, serving as writer, producer, director, cinematographer, sound designer and editor. Projects are shot using digital cameras and edited on non-linear systems. Approximately $1,200 should be budgeted for miscellaneous expenses, lab and insurance fees. CTPR 507x is taken concurrently with CTWR 528 in the first semester.

In CTPR 508x Production II, students working in crews of two produce two 16 mm black and white films. Both are non-dialogue projects. The primary goal is to communicate effectively through sound/image relationships. Each student directs and prepares the soundtrack for the project he or she has written and is cinematographer and editor for his or her partner's project. Students must form their own partnerships and will not be allowed to register or participate without having a qualified partner. Most equipment and materials are provided by the school, but approximately $1,600 should be budgeted for miscellaneous expenses, lab and insurance fees. CTPR 508x is taken concurrently with CTWR 529 and one of the following: CTCS 501; CTCS 502; CTCS 503; CTCS 504; CTCS 505.

CTPR 507x and CTPR 508x are preparatory courses and do not count toward the total 40 units required for the degree. A minimum grade of C (2.0) in CTPR 507x and CTPR 508x is required in order to continue in the Master of Fine Arts program. Students earning lower than a C (2.0) in a preparatory or core production course may repeat the requirement on a one time only basis upon approval of the division chair.

Students who do not earn the minimum grade in CTPR 507x and CTPR 508x or satisfy the degree requirements after repeating a required course will be disqualified from the program.

CTIN 584, CTPR 507x, CTPR 508x, CTPR 546L, CTPR 581abcz, CTPR 583, CTPR 586ab and CTPR 587abcz cannot be waived or substituted with transfer credit under any circumstances.

Three-Year Requirements for the M.F.A. in Production

Year One, First SemesterUnits
CTPR 507xProduction I6
CTWR 528Screenwriting Fundamentals2
8

Year One, Second SemesterUnits
CTCS 501History of the International Cinema Before World War II, or
CTCS 502History of the International Cinema After World War II, or
CTCS 503Survey History of the American Sound Film, or
CTCS 504Television, New Media and Culture, or
CTCS 505Survey of Interactive Media2
CTPR 508xProduction II6
CTWR 529Intermediate Screenwriting2
10

Year Two, First and Second SemestersUnits
CTPR 506Visual Expression2
CTWR 516Advanced Motion Picture Script Analysis2

One of the following courses:
CTCS 501History of the International Cinema Before World War II, or
CTCS 502History of the International Cinema After World War II, or
CTCS 503Survey History of the American Sound Film, or
CTCS 504Television, New Media and Culture, or
CTCS 505Survey of Interactive Media2

Take two of the following courses; the second may be taken in year three.
CTIN 541aDesign for Interactive Media4
CTPR 545Intermediate MultiCamera Television Workshop4
CTPR 546LProduction III (non-directing capacity)6

Six units from the required cinema-television electives (8 units if CTIN 541a and CTPR 545 are chosen)
CTPR 484Advanced Multi-Camera Television Workshop4
CTPR 531Planning the Production (prerequisite to develop a CTPR 546L documentary project)2
CTPR 532Intermediate Directing (prerequisite to qualify to direct a CTPR 546L or CTPR 583 project)2
CTPR 533Directing Techniques2
CTWR 533abWriting the Feature Script4-2
CTPR 534Intermediate Production Design2
CTPR 535Intermediate Editing2
CTPR 537Intermediate Cinematography2
CTPR 538Intermediate Producing2
CTPR 539Intermediate Graphics2
CTPR 540Intermediate Sound2
CTPR 542Intermediate Electronic Imaging2
CTAN 543Intermediate Computer Animation2
CTPR 551Planning the Advanced Production2
CTPR 552Advanced Directing2
CTWR 553**Advanced Screenwriting4
CTPR 554Advanced Sound2
CTPR 555Advanced Production Design2
CTPR 556Advanced Editing2
CTPR 557Advanced Cinematography2
CTPR 558Advanced Producing2
CTPR 559Advanced Graphics2
CTAN 563Advanced Computer Animation2
CTPR 566Developing and Selling Your Film and TV Projects2
CTPR 568Advanced Electronic Imaging2
CTWR 572Practicum in Directing Actors for Film2-4
CTWR 574Advanced Seminar in Directing Actors for Film2

Year Three, First and Second SemestersUnits

One course from the following:
CTIN 584*Graduate Interactive Group Project6
CTPR 546LProduction III (director or different crew position)6
CTPR 581abcz*Individual Production Workshop4-2-2-0
CTPR 582abz*Advanced Production Seminar2-2-0
CTPR 583*Graduate Television Production6
CTPR 586ab*Production IV6-0
CTPR 587abcz*Group Production Workshop4-2-2-0
CTWR 553**Advanced Screenwriting4

*Students must complete the prerequisites and follow the guidelines for CTIN 584, CTPR 581abcz, CTPR 582abz, CTPR 583, CTPR 586ab and CTPR 587abcz.

**Four units of Cinema-Television electives at the 400 or 500 level if CTWR 553 is chosen.


One of the following critical studies courses:
CTCS 464Film and/or Television Genres4
CTCS 469Film and/or Television Style Analysis4
CTCS 510Case Studies in National and/or Regional Media4
CTCS 511Seminar: Non-Fiction Film/Video4
CTCS 518Seminar: Avant-Garde Film/Video4
CTCS 564Seminar in Film and Television Genres4
CTCS 567Seminar in Film/Television and a Related Art4
CTCS 569Seminar in Film and Television Authors4
CTCS 587Graduate Television Seminar<\#000>4

Cinema-Television Electives
A minimum of 2 units of Cinema-Television electives at the 400 and 500 level is required.

Grade Point Average Requirements

A grade point average of at least 3.0 (A = 4.0) must be maintained in all USC course work toward the master's degree. Courses in which a grade of C- (1.7) or lower is earned will not apply toward a graduate degree.

Time Limit

Students must maintain satisfactory progress toward their master's degree at all times. The time limit to complete all requirements is three years from the first course at USC applied toward the Master of Fine Arts degree. Course work more than seven years old is invalidated and will not be applied toward the degree.

Graduate Review

One year prior to graduation, students must see their academic advisors for a curriculum and graduation review. Contact the Production Faculty Office for forms (213) 740-3317.