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 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.
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.
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 at least 24 upper division units in Cinema-Television. A maximum of 40 CNTV upper division units will apply to the B.A. degree.
General Education Requirements
Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree must complete the general education requirements of the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, Division of Humanities.
Diversity Requirement
All students must pass one course from the list of courses approved to meet the standard diversity requirement. These courses carry the designation "m" for multiculturalism.
Production Sequence
Undergraduates admitted to the Film/Video Production Program are required to take CNTV 241 Fundamentals of Film and CNTV 290 Visual Communication. CNTV 241 and 290 are introductory production courses taken during the junior year after a student has completed at least 64 units toward his or her USC degree. CNTV 413 Writing the Short Script I is taken concurrently with 241 and 290, and these three courses are prerequisites for the next production sequence, CNTV 310 and 376.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 taught 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 $800). 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 $1,000-$1,500 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 CNTV 310/376 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 CNTV 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. Note: To qualify to direct an advanced production workshop, a student must complete CNTV 480 (non-directing position) and take a specified directing class.
Course Requirements
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 *CNTV 476 and 548 are not available every semester. Students can make the following course substitutions: CNTV 484 Advanced Multi-Camera Television Workshop for CNTV 476 or CNTV 448 Introduction to Film Graphics-Animation for CNTV 548.
Undergraduate registration in CNTV 548 requires prior approval by the School of Cinema-Television.
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- or lower will not fulfill a CNTV requirement.
Curriculum Review
Cinema-Television majors are required to appear before the Cinema-Television Undergraduate Committee one year prior to graduation for a curriculum review. Contact the Student Affairs Office (Carson Television Center, Garden Level 106), (213) 740-8358, for further information.
Master of Arts
The Master of Arts degree with a track in Film/Video Production is granted by the Graduate School in conjunction with the School of Cinema-Television. A minimum of 34 units in cinema-television at the 400 or 500 level is required. In addition to the 30 units of course work, students must register for a minimum of two semesters of thesis units (CNTV 594a and b).
Graduate Preparation Production Courses
In addition to the 34 units, students are required to take 12 units of prerequisite courses (CNTV 507x Production I and CNTV 508x Production II) in their first year. These courses provide intensive preparation considered necessary for graduate studies in production.CNTV 507x Production I is designed to introduce the fundamental principles of motion picture production. The course involves instruction, projects and readings in directing, cinematography, editing, sound design and production management. Each student makes five Super 8mm non-dialogue films using his or her own equipment. Students must provide their own Super 8 camera, tripod, projector, viewer and splicer and approximately $800 for film and processing. A tape recorder is highly recommended. CNTV 507x is taken concurrently with 501 and 528 in the first semester.
In CNTV 508x Production II, students working in crews of two produce two non-dialogue projects whose primary goal is to communicate 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. It is mandatory for students to form their own partnerships. Most equipment and materials are provided by the school, but there are other expenses associated with the projects produced in CNTV 508x. Approximately $1,000-$1,500 should be budgeted by the student for the purchase of personal equipment, supplies, transportation, props, and so on. CNTV 508x is taken concurrently with CNTV 502 and CNTV 529 in the second semester.
Students must earn a minimum grade of C (2.0) in CNTV 507x and 508x to continue in the Master of Arts program. Students who earn lower than C (2.0) in any required CNTV course may petition to retake the course once. Permission to retake any prerequisite or core production courses requires prior departmental committee approval. CNTV 507x and 508x are preparatory courses and will not count toward the total 34 units required for the degree.
Students who do not earn the minimum grade in CNTV 507x and 508x or satisfy the degree requirements after repeating a CNTV course will be disqualified from the program.
Three-Year Requirements for the M.A. in Production
Year One, First Semester Units CNTV 501 History of the International Cinema: Silent Film 2 CNTV 507x Production I 6 CNTV 528 Screenwriting Fundamentals 2
Second Semester Units CNTV 502 History of the International Cinema: Sound Film 2 CNTV 508x Production II 6 CNTV 529 Intermediate Screenwriting 2
Year Two, First and Second Semesters Units CNTV 506 Visual Expression 2 CNTV 546L Production III (non-directing capacity) 6
Six units from the following: CNTV 484 Advanced Multi-Camera Television Workshop 4 CNTV 531 Planning the Production (prerequisite to develop a CNTV 546L project) 2 CNTV 532 Intermediate Directing (prerequisite to qualify to direct a CNTV 546L project) 2 CNTV 533ab Writing the Feature Script (students planning a script thesis should take CNTV 533a and 533b in their second year) 4-2 CNTV 534 Intermediate Production Design 2 CNTV 535 Intermediate Editing 2 CNTV 537 Intermediate Cinematography 2 CNTV 538 Intermediate Producing 2 CNTV 539 Intermediate Graphics 2 CNTV 540 Intermediate Sound 2 CNTV 542 Intermediate Electronic Imaging 2 CNTV 543 Intermediate Computer Animation 2 CNTV 551 Planning the Advanced Production (prerequisite for 586L and 581) 2 CNTV 552 Advanced Directing 2 CNTV 553 Advanced Screenwriting 4 CNTV 554 Advanced Sound 2 CNTV 555 Advanced Production Design 2 CNTV 556 Advanced Editing 2 CNTV 557 Advanced Cinematography 2 CNTV 558 Advanced Producing 2 CNTV 559 Advanced Graphics 2 CNTV 563 Advanced Computer Animation 2 CNTV 568 Advanced Electronic Imaging 2 CNTV 572 Practicum in Directing Actors for Film 2-4 CNTV 574 Advanced Seminar in Directing Actors for Film 2
Four units must be taken from the following critical studies courses: CNTV 464 Film Genres 4 CNTV 469 Film Style Analysis 4 CNTV 510 Case Studies in National Media 4 CNTV 511 Seminar: Non-Fiction Film/Video 4 CNTV 518 Seminar: Avant-garde Film/Video 4 CNTV 564 Seminar in Film Genres 4 CNTV 567 Seminar in Film and a Related Art 4 CNTV 569 Seminar in Film Style Analysis 4
CNTV electives
A minimum of four units of CNTV electives at the 400 and 500 level is required.Year Three, First and Second Semesters
The third year is spent working on the M.A. thesis. Students enroll in CNTV 594abz (two units each semester) until the thesis has been accepted by their thesis committee and the Graduate School.
Thesis
A minimum of two semesters of thesis (CNTV 594a and b) is required.A thesis must be submitted in one of the following forms:
(1) A feature-length screenplay (students must complete CNTV 533ab Writing the Feature Script prior to beginning a film script thesis).
(2) A thesis film or video (CNTV 531 and 546L are prerequisites for a film or video proposal); thesis films or videos are intended for projects that are commercially and independently funded outside of the university. These projects do not qualify for USC resources, facilities or equipment.
(3) A written thesis which usually entails research in the area of film or television production.
All thesis proposals (script, film, video or written research thesis) must be approved by the Cinema-Television Graduate Committee. Guidelines for script and film/video production theses are established by the Cinema-Television faculty and are published annually. Each thesis project must be supervised by a guidance committee consisting of three of the full-time production faculty.
Students planning to choose a written or screenplay thesis should also consult the Format for Theses and Dissertations section of the most current USC Catalogue.
Grade Point Average Requirement
A minimum grade point average of at least 3.0 (A = 4.0) must be maintained in all USC course work toward the master's degree (not including CNTV 507x and CNTV 508x) and to qualify for registration in 594ab Thesis. 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 for completing all requirements (including thesis) is five years from the first course at USC applied toward the Master of Arts degree. Course work more than seven years old is invalidated and will not be applied toward the degree.
Graduation Review
Graduate students are required to appear before the Cinema-Television Graduate Committee one year prior to graduation for a curriculum review. Contact the Student Affairs Office for appointments at (213) 740-8358.
Master of Fine Arts
The Master of Fine Arts degree with a Film/Video 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; however, course work involves participation in advanced film/video production courses.
Graduate Preparation Production Courses
In addition to the 40 units, students are required to take 12 units of prerequisite courses (CNTV 507x Production I and CNTV 508x Production II) in their first year. These courses provide intensive preparation considered necessary for graduate education in production.
CNTV 507x Production I is designed to introduce the fundamental principles of motion picture production. The course provides instruction, projects and readings in directing, cinematography, editing, sound design and production management. Each student makes five 8mm non-dialogue films using his or her own equipment. Students must provide their own Super 8 camera, tripod, projector, viewer and splicer and approximately $800 for film and processing. A tape recorder is highly recommended. CNTV 507x is taken concurrently with 501 and 528 in the first semester.
In CNTV 508x Production II, students working in crews of two produce two non-dialogue projects whose 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. It is mandatory for students to form their own partnerships. Most equipment and materials are provided by the school, but there are other expenses associated with the projects made in CNTV 508x. Approximately $1,000-$1,500 should be budgeted by the student for the purchase of personal equipment, supplies, transportation, props, and so on. CNTV 508x is taken concurrently with 502 and 529 in the second semester.
Students must earn a minimum grade of C (2.0) in 507x and 508x in order to continue in the Master of Fine Arts program. Students who earn lower than a C (2.0) in any required CNTV course may petition to retake the course once. Permission to retake any prerequisite or core production course requires prior departmental committee approval. CNTV 507x and 508x are preparatory courses and will not count toward the total 40 units required for the degree.
Students who do not earn the minimum grade in CNTV 507x and 508x or satisfy the degree requirements after repeating a CNTV course will be disqualified from the program.
Three-Year Requirements for the M.F.A. in Production
Year One, First Semester Units CNTV 501 History of the International Cinema: Silent Film 2 CNTV 507x Production I 6 CNTV 528 Screenwriting Fundamentals 2
Year One, Second Semester Units CNTV 502 History of the International Cinema: Sound Film 2 CNTV 508x Production II 6 CNTV 529 Intermediate Screenwriting 2
Year Two, First and Second Semesters Units CNTV 506 Visual Expression 2 CNTV 546L Production III (non-directing capacity) 6
Eight units from the following: CNTV 484 Advanced Multi-Camera Television Workshop 2 or 4 CNTV 531 Planning the Production (prerequisite to develop a CNTV 546L project) 2 CNTV 532 Intermediate Directing (prerequisite to qualify to direct a 546L project) 2 CNTV 533ab Writing the Feature Script 4-2 CNTV 534 Intermediate Production Design 2 CNTV 535 Intermediate Editing 2 CNTV 537 Intermediate Cinematography 2 CNTV 538 Intermediate Producing 2 CNTV 539 Intermediate Graphics 2 CNTV 540 Intermediate Sound 2 CNTV 542 Intermediate Electronic Imaging 2 CNTV 543 Intermediate Computer Animation 2 CNTV 551 Planning the Advanced Production (prerequisite for CNTV 586L and 581) 2 CNTV 552 Advanced Directing 2 CNTV 553 Advanced Screenwriting 4 CNTV 554 Advanced Sound 2 CNTV 555 Advanced Production Design 2 CNTV 556 Advanced Editing 2 CNTV 557 Advanced Cinematography 2 CNTV 558 Advanced Producing 2 CNTV 559 Advanced Graphics 2 CNTV 563 Advanced Computer Animation 2 CNTV 568 Advanced Electronic Imaging 2 CNTV 572 Practicum in Directing Actors for Film 2-4 CNTV 574 Advanced Seminar in Directing Actors for Film 2
Year Three, First and Second Semesters Units CNTV 546L Production III (director or different crew position), or 6 CNTV 553* Advanced Screenwriting, or 4 CNTV 581ab Individual Production Workshop, or 6-0 CNTV 586ab Production IV 6-0 CNTV electives
Four units from the following critical studies courses: CNTV 464 Film Genres 4 CNTV 469 Film Style Analysis 4 CNTV 510 Case Studies in National Media 4 CNTV 511 Seminar: Non-Fiction Film/Video 4 CNTV 518 Seminar: Avant-garde Film/Video 4 CNTV 564 Seminar in Film Genres 4 CNTV 567 Seminar in Film and a Related Art 4 CNTV 569 Seminar in Film Style Analysis 4 *CNTV 553 Advanced Screenwriting (4 units) can be taken in lieu of CNTV 586ab or 581ab (6 units). However, students choosing this option must make up the additional two units from CNTV elective courses.
CNTV electives
A minimum of six units of CNTV electives (eight units if CNTV 553 is selected) 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 (not including CNTV 507x and CNTV 508x). 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 for completing 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.
Graduation Review
Graduate students are required to appear before the Cinema-Television Graduate Committee one year prior to graduation for a curriculum review. Contact the Student Affairs Office for appointments at (213) 740-8358.
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