The Division of Film/Video Production of the School of Cinema-Television offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts and the Master of Fine Arts degrees.
The primary goals of the degree programs in film and video production are to nurture and develop the student's ability to express original ideas on film or video and to instill a thorough understanding of the technical and craft 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.
Applicants for the B.A. or M.A. or M.F.A. degree must submit supplemental application materials to the Film/Video Production Program. For specific instructions, contact the Cinema-Television Office of Student Affairs, University Park, Los Angeles, CA 90089-2211, (213) 740-2911.
CNTV 241 is a lecture course dealing with the technical and aesthetic principles of directing, cinematography, editing, sound and the development of ideas through a cinematic vocabulary.
In CNTV 290 students are introduced to the principles of filmmaking through lectures and hands-on production. Each student makes five Super 8mm non-dialogue films using his or her own equipment. At minimum, a Super 8 camera, projector, tripod, viewer and splicer will be needed, plus substantial funds for film and processing (approximately $500). A tape recorder is recommended.
CNTV 310 Intermediate Film and Video Production and 376 Intermediate Film and Video Cinematography is the second production sequence required for the B.A., Film/Video Production track. 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 one 16mm film and one video project. 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 of Cinema-Television. However, approximately $770-$1,000 should be budgeted by the student for the purchase of personal equipment, supplies, transportation, props, etc. which will also be useful in future classes.
To qualify for enrollment in CNTV 310 and 376, students must fulfill all requirements outlined in the guidelines distributed in CNTV 241. It is mandatory for students to form their own partnerships. Students will not be allowed to register for CNTV 310 and 376 without having a qualified partner.
Because of the structure of CNTV 310 and 376, these courses cannot be taken separately. Therefore, should a student fail to achieve a passing grade on either 310 or 376 (see the section on grade requirements) both courses must be retaken the subsequent semester.
CNTV 480 Production Workshop I follows CNTV 310 and 376. In 480 production majors 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 such as production management, assistant director, cinematographer, editing or sound.
Film/Video stock, processing, equipment and facilities are provided by the School of Cinema-Television. There are extra personal expenses associated with all production workshops.
The selection of scripts and directors for the advanced production workshop (CNTV 480) is made by the production faculty. To qualify to direct an advanced production workshop, a student must complete CNTV 480 (non-directing position) and take a specified directing class.
CNTV 480 is an optional requirement. Students can take CNTV 476 or 548 in lieu of this requirement. CNTV 484 Advanced Multi-Camera Television Workshop can be substituted for CNTV 480 with departmental approval. CNTV 448 can be substituted for CNTV 548.
For course descriptions for CNTV 241, 290, 310, 376, 413 and 480 refer to the Courses of Instruction for the School of Cinema-Television.
| Required courses | Units | |
| CNTV 190 | Introduction to Cinema | 4 |
| CNTV 200 | History of the International Cinema I | 2 |
| CNTV 201 | History of the International Cinema II | 2 |
| CNTV 241 | Fundamentals of Film (taken concurrently with CNTV 290, 413) | 4 |
| CNTV 290 | Visual Communication (taken concurrently with CNTV 241, 413) | 4 |
| CNTV 310* | Intermediate Film and Video Production (taken after CNTV 241, 290, 413 and concurrently with CNTV 376) | 4 |
| CNTV 376* | Intermediate Film and Video Cinematography (taken after CNTV 241, 290, 413 and concurrently with CNTV 310) | 4 |
| CNTV 413 | Writing the Short Script I (taken concurrently with CNTV 241, 290) | 2 |
| CNTV 414 | The Screenplay | 2 |
*Note that enrollment in CNTV 310/376 requires meeting specific guidelines.
| and a choice of: | Units | |
| CNTV 371 | Directing for Television, or | |
| CNTV 475 | Directing: Mise-en-Scene (prerequisites for 475 are CNTV 310 and 376) | 4 |
| One of the following courses is required: | ||
| CNTV 392 | History of the American Film, 1925-1950 | 4 |
| CNTV 393 | History of the American Film since 1950 | 4 |
| CNTV 400 | Non-Fiction Film | 4 |
| CNTV 464 | Film Genres | 4 |
| One of the following courses is required subsequent to completing CNTV 310/376 | ||
| CNTV 476 | Ethnographic Film Production | 4 |
| CNTV 480 | Production Workshop I (narrative or documentary or video) | 4 |
| CNTV 548 | Animation Production II | 4 |
Undergraduate registration in CNTV 548 requires prior approval by the School of Cinema-Television.
Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995