Catalogue 2008-09

• The Schools
• USC School of Cinematic Arts
  • Degree Programs
  • General Requirements
  • Critical Studies
  • Film and Television Production
  • Animation and Digital Arts
  • Writing for Screen and Television
  • The Peter Stark Producing Program
  • Interactive Media
  • Interdivisional Program in Media Arts and Practice
  • Minor Programs
  • Courses of Instruction
    • Cinema-Television
    • Animation
    • Critical Studies
    • Interactive Media
    • Production
    • Writing
    • Motion Picture Producing
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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. Applications are accepted year round.

Application Procedures

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

Applications and admission information can be obtained from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, Office of Admission, Carson Television Center, Garden Level, Room G-130, or telephone (213) 740-2911 or online at cinema.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 Courses		Units
CTCS 190*	Introduction to Cinema	4
CTCS 191	Introduction to Television and Video	4

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 Studies		Units
CTCS 392	History of the American Film, 1925-1950	4
CTCS 393	History of the American Film, 1946-1975	4
CTCS 400	Non-Fiction Film and Television	4
CTCS 403	Studies in National and Regional Media	4
CTCS 406	History of American Television	4
CTCS 407	African American Cinema	4
CTCS 409	Censorship in Cinema	4
CTCS 411	Film, Television and Cultural Studies	4
CTCS 464	Film and/or Television Genres	4
CTCS 469	Film and/or Television Style Analysis	4

Production		Units
CTPR 327	Motion Picture Camera	3
CTPR 335	Motion Picture Editing	3
CTPR 371	Directing for Television	4
CTPR 385	Colloquium: Motion Picture Production Techniques	4
CTPR 409	Practicum in Television Production	2, 4
CTPR 422	Makeup for Motion Pictures	2
CTPR 423	Introduction to Special Effects in Cinema	2
CTPR 455	Introduction to Production Design	2
CTPR 456	Introduction to Art Direction	2
CTPR 470	Practicum in On-Screen Direction of Actors	4
CTPR 474	Television Documentary Production	4

Writing		Units
CTWR 315x*	Filmwriting	3
CTWR 412	Introduction to Screenwriting	2
CTWR 414	The Screenplay	2
CTWR 415ab	Advanced Writing	2-4
CTWR 416	Motion Picture Script Analysis	4
CTWR 431	Screenwriters and Their Work	2
CTWR 494x*	Practicum in Screenplay Development	2

The Film-Television Industry		Units
CTCS 466	Theatrical Film Symposium	4
CTCS 467	Television Symposium	4
CTPR 386	Art and Industry of the Theatrical Film	4
CTPR 410	The Movie Business: From Story Concept to Exhibition	2
CTPR 425	Production Planning	2
CTPR 460	Film Business Procedures and Distribution	2
CTPR 461	Television Station Management	2

Animation and Digital Arts		Units
CTAN 432	The World of Visual Effects	2
CTAN 450ab	Animation Theory and Techniques	2-2
CTAN 451	History of Animation	2
CTAN 452	Introduction to 3-D Computer Animation	2, max 4
CTAN 462	Visual Effects	2

Interactive Media		Units
CTIN 309	Introduction to Interactive Entertainment	4
CTIN 482	Designing Online Multiplayer Game Environments	2
CTIN 483	Programming for Interactivity	4
CTIN 488	Game Design Workshop	4

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.

Minor in Animation and Digital Arts

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.

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) Cinematic Arts departmental application, (2) academic records including current USC transcripts, (3) personal statement, (4) two letters of recommendation, and (5) portfolio (prints, slides, CD, DVD, film and/or video). Applications and admission information can be obtained from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, Animation and Digital Arts Program Office, Marcia Lucas Post-Production Building, Room 200, (213) 740-3986 or online at cinema.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.

Courses		Units
AHIS 120	Foundations of Western Art	4
AHIS 121	Art and Society: Renaissance to Modern	4
CTAN 436	Writing for Animation	2
CTAN 448	Introduction to Film Graphics — Animation	4
CTAN 450abc	Animation Theory and Techniques	2-2-2
CTAN 451	History of Animation	2
CTAN 452	Introduction to 3-D Computer Animation	2, max 4
CTCS 190	Introduction to Cinema	4
CTPR 385	Colloquium: Motion Picture Production Techniques	4

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 315x or CTWR 412 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 cinema.usc.edu.

Course Requirements for the Minor

The minor in screenwriting is a specialized course of study for students who desire a solid foundation in the craft of screenwriting. This 24-unit minor consists of three components:

Fundamentals and Feature Development		10
Television Component		4
Additional Electives		10
Total units in the minor		24

Fundamentals and Feature Development (10 units)*		Units
CTWR 412	Introduction toScreenwriting	2
CTWR 414	The Screenplay	2
CTWR 415ab	Advanced Writing	2-4
		10

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

Television Component (4 units)		Units
CTWR 421	Writing the Hour-Long Dramatic Series	2
CTWR 434	Comedy Writing Genres	2
		4

Additional Electives (10 units)*		Units
CTWR 416	Motion Picture Script Analysis	4
CTWR 430	The Writer in American Cinema and Television	2
CTWR 434	Comedy Writing Genres	2
CTWR 435	Writing for Film and Television Genres	2
CTWR 437	Writing the Situation Comedy Pilot	2, max 4
CTWR 439	Writing the Original Dramatic Series Pilot	4, max 8
CTWR 441	Writing Workshop in Creativity and Imagination	2
CTWR 453	Advanced Feature Rewriting	4
CTWR 459ab	Entertainment Industry Seminar	2-2
CTWR 499	Special Topics	2

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 Cinema-Television for the Health Professions

This 24-unit minor is designed for students who plan to enter careers or professional programs in medicine after graduation and are interested in working with film and television producers to disseminate accurate health information to the public. See the Keck School of Medicine for course requirements.

Minor in 2-D Art for Games

This interdisciplinary minor integrates three major disciplines (fine arts, computer science and interactive media) to develop the 2-D visual skills necessary to conceptualize and illustrate images for games. For more information, see Roski School of Fine Arts.

Minor in 3-D Art for Games

The focus of the 3-D Art for Games minor is a trans-disciplinary approach that incorporates the creative, technological and team-based communication skills necessary to develop 3-D art skills for video games. For more information, see Roski School of Fine Arts.

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 (cinematic arts, 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 (cinematic arts 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 Cinematic Arts 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 cinematic arts, 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.

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