USC Catalogue: The Schools: USC School of Cinema-Television: Interactive Media

Interactive Media

Master of Fine Arts

The division of Interactive Media offers a Master of Fine Arts in Interactive Media as well as a number of courses in computer-based entertainment for non-majors. The fundamental philosophy of the division is coherent with that of the programs of the school, stressing creativity of expression, experimentation and excellence in execution.

The M.F.A. in Interactive Media is a three-year intensive program that requires 56 units of which 46 are requirements and 10 are electives. Of these electives, a minimum of 6 units must be taken in the School of Cinema-Television. Students are required to complete an advanced interactive project which they design and produce.

The program is intended to prepare students for creative careers in the emerging field of interactive entertainment. While the program does not require advanced computer capabilities, familiarity and comfort with computer based authoring and production/post-production tools is recommended.

Computer and digital production facilities for the program are provided by the school. However, students should budget additional funds for incidental expenses for intermediate and advanced projects. Cost will vary depending on the scope of a student's project. For the first year production course, approximately $1,000 will be needed for miscellaneous costs, lab and insurance fees.

The creation of interactive media requires a combination of skills from the traditional media of film and television as well as a deep understanding of the effects of interactivity upon the quality of experience. Therefore, we emphasize and encourage collaboration with students in other Cinema-Television programs.

Approximately 12 students are admitted in the fall semester (there are no spring admissions).

Applicants for the M.F.A. in Interactive Media must submit a supplemental application and materials to the Interactive Media 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.

Sample Three-Year Requirements for the M.F.A. in Interactive Media

Year One, First Semester		Units
CTCS 505	Survey of Interactive Media	2
CTIN 511	Interactive Media Seminar	1
CTIN 541a	Design for Interactive Media	4
CTPR 519x	Introduction to Cinema Technique	2
CTPR 521x	Filmic Communication	2
		11

Year One, Second Semester Units

CTAN 501 Interactive Animation 2

CTIN 511 Interactive Media Seminar 1

CTIN 541b Design for Interactive Media 4

CTPR 506 Visual Expression 2

CTWR 518 Introduction to Interactive Writing 2

11

Year One, Second Semester	Units
CTAN 501	Interactive Animation	2
CTIN 511	Interactive Media Seminar	1
CTIN 541b	Design for Interactive Media	4
CTPR 506	Visual Expression	2
CTWR 518	Introduction to Interactive Writing	2
		11

Year Two, First Semester Units

CTIN 532 Interactive Experience Design 4

CTIN 534 Experiments in Interactivity I 2

Electives 4

10

Year Two, First Semester	Units
CTIN 532	Interactive Experience Design	4
CTIN 534	Experiments in Interactivity I	2
Electives		4
		10

Year Two, Second Semester Units

CTIN 542 Interactive Design and Production 4

CTIN 544 Experiments in Interactivity II 2

CTIN 548 Preparing the Interactive Project 2

8

Year Two, Second Semester	Units
CTIN 542	Interactive Design and Production	4
CTIN 544	Experiments in Interactivity II	2
CTIN 548	Preparing the Interactive Project	2
		8

Year Three, first Semester Units

CTIN 555a Advanced Interactive Project 4

CTIN 558 Business of Interactive Media 2

Electives 2

8

Year Three, first Semester	Units
CTIN 555a	Advanced Interactive Project	4
CTIN 558	Business of Interactive Media	2
Electives		2
		8

Year Three, SECONd Semester Units

CTIN 555b Advanced Interactive Project 2

CTPR 495 Internship in Cinema/Television 2

Electives 4

8

Year Three, SECONd Semester	Units
CTIN 555b	Advanced Interactive Project	2
CTPR 495	Internship in Cinema/Television	2
Electives		4
		8

electives units

At least 6 units from the following:

CMPP 591 Producing Practicum 2

CTAN 451 History of Animation 2

CTAN 452 Introduction to Computer Animation 2

CTAN 462 Visual Effects 2

CTAN 502a Virtual Reality and Stereoscopic Animation 2

CTAN 576 Seminar in Film/Television and New Technologies 4

CTAN 577a Fundamentals of Animation 2

CTCS 409 Censorship in Cinema 4

CTCS 478 Culture, Technology and Communications 4

CTCS 502 History of the International Cinema After World War II 2

CTCS 504 Television, New Media and Culture 2

CTCS 564 Seminar in Film and Television Genres 4

CTIN 482 Designing Online Multiplayer Game Environments 2

CTIN 483 Programming for Interactivity 4

CTIN 488 Game Design Workshop 4

CTIN 499 Special Topics 2-4

CTIN 590 Directed Research 1-12

CTPR 455 Introduction to Production Design 2

CTPR 472 Non-Theatrical Aspects of Film and TV Producing 2

CTPR 530 Producing for Independent Films 2

CTPR 566 Developing and Selling Your Film or TV Projects 2

CTWR 513 Writing the Short Script 2

CTWR 520 Advanced Scene Writing Workshop 2

CTWR 528 Screenwriting Fundamentals 2

CTWR 529 Intermediate Screenwriting 2

CTWR 541 Writing from the Unconscious 2

No more than 4 units from the following*:

CSCI 480 Computer Graphics 3

CSCI 485 File and Database Management 3

CSCI 580 3D Graphics and Rendering 3

electives	units
At least 6 units from the following:
CMPP 591	Producing Practicum	2
CTAN 451	History of Animation	2
CTAN 452	Introduction to Computer Animation	2
CTAN 462	Visual Effects	2
CTAN 502a	Virtual Reality and Stereoscopic Animation	2
CTAN 576	Seminar in Film/Television and New Technologies	4
CTAN 577a	Fundamentals of Animation	2
CTCS 409	Censorship in Cinema	4
CTCS 478	Culture, Technology and Communications	4
CTCS 502	History of the International Cinema After World War II	2
CTCS 504	Television, New Media and Culture	2
CTCS 564	Seminar in Film and Television Genres	4
CTIN 482	Designing Online Multiplayer Game Environments	2
CTIN 483	Programming for Interactivity	4
CTIN 488	Game Design Workshop	4
CTIN 499	Special Topics	2-4
CTIN 590	Directed Research	1-12
CTPR 455	Introduction to Production Design	2
CTPR 472	Non-Theatrical Aspects of Film and TV Producing	2
CTPR 530	Producing for Independent Films	2
CTPR 566	Developing and Selling Your Film or TV Projects	2
CTWR 513	Writing the Short Script	2
CTWR 520	Advanced Scene Writing Workshop	2
CTWR 528	Screenwriting Fundamentals	2
CTWR 529	Intermediate Screenwriting	2
CTWR 541	Writing from the Unconscious	2
No more than 4 units from the following*:
CSCI 480	Computer Graphics	3
CSCI 485	File and Database Management	3
CSCI 580	3D Graphics and Rendering	3

*Courses not listed may satisfy this requirement with approval of the program chair.

Grade Point Average Requirement

An overall GPA of at least 3.0 (A = 4.0) must be maintained in all USC course work toward the master's degree.

A minimum grade of C (2.0) must be earned in all required courses. Students who do not achieve a grade of C (2.0) in the core courses CTIN 532, CTIN 534, CTIN 542 and CTIN 544 after repeating these requirements will be disqualified from the program. The core courses as well as CTIN 555ab cannot be waived or substituted with transfer credits under any circumstances.

Time Limit

Students must maintain satisfactory progress toward their master's degrees at all times. The degree must be completed 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 are required to file M.F.A. forms for a curriculum and graduation review. Contact the Interactive Media Program Office for forms.