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Minor Programs

Minor in Cinema-Television

The minor in cinema-television combines an introduction to this exciting and influential field with a diversified set of classes in production, screenwriting, the film-television industry and critical studies. The curriculum is purposely flexible; students may choose to sample two or more different aspects of the world of cinema and television in their upper division class choices or to concentrate their upper division course work in an area of primary interest, such as production.

A student attending USC may apply to minor in cinema-television if he or she is maintaining normal degree progress. Admissions are made for the fall and spring semesters.

Application Procedures
To be considered for admission to the cinema-television minor program, an applicant must submit the following materials: (1) CNTV departmental application, (2) academic records, including current USC transcripts, (3) personal statement.

Applications and admission information can be obtained from the USC School of Cinema-Television, Office of Admission, Carson Television Center, Garden Level, Room G-130, or telephone (213) 740-2911 or online at www-cntv.usc.edu.

Course Requirements for the Minor
A total of 24 units is required for the minor in cinema-television, 8 in lower division courses and 16 in upper division courses.

Required Lower Division Courses (8 units)
Required CoursesUnits
CTCS 190*Introduction to Cinema4
CTCS 191Introduction to Television and Video4
*Gateway course

Upper Division Requirement (16 units)
A minimum of 16 units is required from the classes listed below. Courses may be taken from more than one category.

Critical StudiesUnits
CTCS 392History of the American Film, 1925-19504
CTCS 393History of the American Film, 1946-19754
CTCS 400Non-Fiction Film and Television4
CTCS 407African American Cinema4
CTCS 409Censorship in Cinema4
CTCS 464Film and/or Television Genres4
CTCS 469Film and/or Television Style Analysis4

ProductionUnits
CTIN 483Programming for Interactivity4
CTPR 327Motion Picture Camera3
CTPR 335Motion Picture Editing3
CTPR 371Directing for Television4
CTPR 375Functions of a Director4
CTPR 385Colloquium: Motion Picture Production Techniques4
CTPR 422Makeup for Motion Pictures2
CTPR 423Introduction to Special Effects in Cinema2
CTPR 455Introduction to Production Design2
CTPR 456Introduction to Art Direction2
CTPR 470Practicum in On-Screen Direction of Actors4

WritingUnits
CTWR 315x*Filmwriting3
CTWR 412Introduction to Screenwriting2
CTWR 414The Screenplay2
CTWR 416Motion Picture Script Analysis4
CTWR 431Screenwriters and Their Work2
CTWR 494x*Practicum in Screenplay Development2

*CTWR 315x and 494x cannot be applied toward degree credit for cinema-television majors.

The Film-Television IndustryUnits
CTCS 466Theatrical Film Symposium4
CTPR 386Art and Industry of the Theatrical Film4
CTPR 410The Movie Business: From Story Concept to Exhibition2
CTPR 425Production Planning2
CTPR 460Film Business Procedures and Distribution2
CTPR 461Television Station Management2

Grade Point Average Requirement
A minimum grade of C (2.0) in each course is required. A grade of C- (1.7) or lower does not fulfill a minor requirement.

Film, Video and Computer Animation Minor

The minor in animation offers students an introduction to the theory and practice of animation, including its relationship to the history of art and cinema, creative writing and basic film production. It provides students with an opportunity to create both personal and collaborative work in a wide range of genres, from traditional character to contemporary experimental and computer animation. This includes painting, cel, stop motion, collage, mixed media, 2- and 3-D computer animation software and interactive digital media. Successful completion of a final project is required.

Most students will enter the minor in animation program in their sophomore year at USC.

A student enrolled on the undergraduate level at USC may apply to minor in animation if he or she is maintaining normal degree progress and is not undergoing any type of departmental, academic or university disqualification.

Animation minor applications are reviewed by a panel of faculty members, with admissions made for the fall semester only. A maximum of 12 students will be admitted per year.

Application Procedures
To be considered for admission to the minor in animation, the applicant is required to submit the following materials: (1) CNTV departmental application, (2) academic records including current USC transcripts, (3) personal statement, (4) two letters of recommendation, and (5) portfolio (prints, slides, film and/or video). Applications and admission information can be obtained from the USC School of Cinema-Television, Animation and Digital Arts Program Office, Marcia Lucas Post-Production Building, Room 200, (213) 740-3986 or online at www-cntv.usc.edu.

Grade Point Average Requirement
A minimum grade of C (2.0) in each course is required. A grade of C- (1.7) or lower does not fulfill a minor requirement.

Course Requirements
The following courses are to be taken in a prescribed sequential order. Thirty-two units are required.

CoursesUnits
AHIS 120Foundations of Western Art4
AHIS 121Art and Society: Renaissance to Modern4
CTAN 436Writing for Animation2
CTAN 448Introduction to Film Graphics--Animation4
CTAN 450abcAnimation Theory and Techniques2-2-2
CTAN 451History of Animation2
CTAN 452Introduction to Computer Animation2
CTCS 190Introduction to Cinema4
CTPR 385Colloquium: Motion Picture Production Techniques4

Minor in Screenwriting

The minor in screenwriting is designed to train students in the creatively challenging field of writing for screen and television. Students learn to write feature length screenplays, teleplays in both comedy and drama, and explore specialized areas of their choosing.

Application Procedures
Students should apply after they have completed CTWR 412 or CTWR 315x and received a grade of "B" or better in the course. A signature of support from the CTWR 412 or CTWR 315x professor is required. Students are admitted to the minor program in the fall and spring semesters.

Applications and information can be obtained at the Writing Division Office, Lucas 301, (213) 740-3303 and online at: www-cntv.usc.edu.

Course Requirements
This 24-unit minor consists of three components:
Fundamentals and Feature Development10
Television Component4
Additional Electives10
24

Fundamentals and Feature Development (10 units)*Units
CTWR 412Introduction to Screenwriting2
CTWR 414The Screenplay2
CTWR 415abAdvanced Writing4-2
10

*Juniors and seniors with a 3.0 GPA in good standing may elect to take the graduate equivalent of CTWR 533ab.

Students may begin their television and elective components once CTWR 414 has been completed.

Television Component (4 units)Units
CTWR 434Comedy Writing Genres2
CTWR 435Writing for Film and Television Genres2
4

Additional Electives (10 units)*Units
CTWR 416Motion Picture Script Analysis2
CTWR 430The Writer in American Cinema and Television2
CTWR 434Comedy Writing Genres2
CTWR 435Writing for Film and Television Genres2
CTWR 437Writing the Situation Comedy Pilot2
CTWR 441Writing Workshop in Creativity and Imagination2
CTWR 453Advanced Feature Rewriting4
CTWR 459abEntertainment Industry Seminar2-2
CTWR 499Special Topics2

*As with the fundamentals classes, juniors or seniors with a 3.0 GPA in good standing may elect to take graduate writing electives which include: CTWR 516, CTWR 553, CTWR 572, CTWR 574, CTWR 599.

Grade Point Averages
A minimum grade of C (2.0) in each course is required. A grade of C- (1.7) or lower does not fulfill a minor requirement.

Graduate Courses
Students may not apply more than 16 units of graduate level course work toward their university degree.

Minor in 3-D Animation

The 3-D animation minor merges theoretical concepts and practical skills, to prepare students for a career in their major field of work with incorporation of 3-D animation and interactive technologies. Through integration of three major disciplines (cinema, fine arts and information technology), students gain a solid foundation in a wide range of important industry and academic skills. See the Information Technology Program for course requirements.

Minor in Video Game Design and Management

The video game design minor integrates theoretical concepts and practical skills to prepare students for a career in interactive entertainment, specifically the video game industry. Through integration of two major disciplines (cinema and information technology), students will be exposed to a variety of design concepts related to creating video games. See the Information Technology Program for course requirements. For specific information on admission and application procedures, contact the School of Cinema-TV at (213) 821-2515 or the Information Technology Program at (213) 740-4542.

Minor in Performing Arts Studies

The minor in Performing Arts provides an interdisciplinary inquiry into the nature and aesthetics of the performing arts. It combines the disciplines of cinema-television, dance, music and theatre. The minor is a unique course of study that looks at how the performing arts contribute to a culturally literate society. See School of Theatre for requirements.