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, web page: http://cinema-tv.usc.edu.
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
As of fall 1997, the university has instituted a new general education program, designed to be a simpler, more coherent and more integrated introduction to the breadth of knowledge outside the major discipline which is expected of every undergraduate who receives a degree from USC. This new program requires six courses in different categories, plus writing and diversity requirements, which are described in detail here. In addition, students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree must meet foreign language requirements described in detail here.All students who (1) enter the School of Cinema-Television as freshmen in the summer of 1997 or later; or (2) begin college elsewhere in the summer of 1997 or later; or (3) began college earlier but transfer to USC in the summer of 2000 or later must satisfy the requirements of the new general education program. Other students whose schedules permit are encouraged to follow the new program as well. However, continuing and transfer students in the fall of 1997 may elect to satisfy a "transitional" plan instead.
Production Sequence
Undergraduates admitted to the Film/Video Production Program are required to take CTPR 241 Fundamentals of Film and CTPR 290 Visual Communication. CTPR 241 and CTPR 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. CTWR 413 Writing the Short Script I is taken concurrently with CTPR 241 and CTPR 290, and these three courses are prerequisites for the next production sequence, CTPR 310 and CTPR 376.CTPR 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 CTPR 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.
CTPR 310 Intermediate Film and Video Production and CTPR 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 CTPR 310 and CTPR 376, students must fulfill all requirements outlined in the CTPR 310/376 guidelines distributed in CTPR 241. It is mandatory for students to form their own partnerships. Students will not be allowed to register for CTPR 310 and CTPR 376 without having a qualified partner.
Because of the structure of CTPR 310 and CTPR 376, these courses cannot be taken separately. Therefore, should a student fail to achieve a passing grade on either CTPR 310 or CTPR 376 (see the section on grade requirements) both courses must be retaken the subsequent semester.
CTPR 480 Production Workshop I follows CTPR 310 and CTPR 376. In CTPR 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 (CTPR 480) is made by the production faculty. Note: To qualify to direct an advanced production workshop, a student must complete CTPR 480 (non-directing position) and take a specified directing class.
CTPR 290, 310, 376, 480 cannot be waived or substituted with another course or transfer credit under any circumstances.
Course Requirements
Required courses Units CTCS 190 Introduction to Cinema 4 CTCS 200 History of the International Cinema I 2 CTCS 201 History of the International Cinema II 2 CTPR 241 Fundamentals of Film (taken concurrently with CTPR 290, CTWR 413) 4 CTPR 290 Visual Communication (taken concurrently with CTPR 241, CTWR 413) 4 CTPR 310* Intermediate Film and Video Production (taken after CTPR 241, CTPR 290, CTWR 413 and concurrently with CTPR 376) 4 CTPR 376* Intermediate Film and Video Cinematography (taken after CTPR 241, CTPR 290, CTWR 413 and concurrently with CTPR 310) 4 CTWR 413 Writing the Short Script I (taken concurrently with CTPR 241, CTPR 290) 2 CTWR 414 The Screenplay 2 *Note that enrollment in CTPR 310/376 requires meeting specific guidelines.
and a choice of: CTPR 371 Directing for Television, or CTPR 475 Directing: Mise-en-Scene (prerequisites for CTPR 475 are CTPR 310 and CTPR 376) 4 One of the following courses is required: CTPR 392 History of the American Film, 1925-1950 4 CTCS 393 History of the American Film since 1950 4 CTCS 400 Non-Fiction Film 4 CTCS 464 Film Genres 4 One of the following courses is required subsequent to completing CTPR 310/376: CTAN 448 Introduction to Film Graphics-Animation 4 CTPR 480 Production Workshop I (narrative or documentary or video) 4 CTPR 484 Advanced Multi-Camera Television Workshop 4
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 major requirement.Students who do not earn the minimum grade in CTPR 241, 290, 310 and 376 after repeating these requirements will be disqualified from the program.
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 (CTPR 594a and b).
Graduate Preparation Production Courses
In addition to the 34 units, students are required to take 12 units of prerequisite courses (CTPR 507x Production I and CTPR 508x Production II) in their first year. These courses provide intensive preparation considered necessary for graduate studies in production.CTPR 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. CTPR 507x is taken concurrently with CTCS 501 and CTWR 528 in the first semester
In CTPR 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 CTPR 508x. Approximately $1,000-$1,500 should be budgeted by the student for the purchase of personal equipment, supplies, transportation, props, and so on. CTPR 508x is taken concurrently with CTCS 502 and CTWR 529 in the second semester.
Students must earn a minimum grade of C (2.0) in CTPR 507x and CTPR 508x to continue in the Master of Arts program. Students who earn lower than C (2.0) in any required Cinema-Television course may petition to retake the course once. Permission to retake any prerequisite or core production courses requires prior departmental committee approval. CTPR 507x and CTPR 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 CTPR 507x and CTPR 508x or satisfy the degree requirements after repeating a required course will be disqualified from the program.
CTPR 507x, 508x, 546L cannot be waived or substituted with transfer credit under any circumstances.
Three-Year Requirements for the M.A. in Production
Year One First Semester Units CTCS 501 History of the International Cinema: Silent Film 2 CTPR 507x Production I 6 CTWR 528 Screenwriting Fundamentals 2 Second Semester Units CTCS 502 History of the International Cinema: Sound Film 2 CTPR 508x Production II 6 CTWR 529 Intermediate Screenwriting 2 Year Two First and Second Semesters Units CTPR 506 Visual Expression 2 CTPR 546L Production III (non-directing capacity) 6 Six units from the following: CTPR 484 Advanced Multi-Camera Television Workshop 4 CTPR 531 Planning the Production (prerequisite to develop a CTPR 546L project) 2 CTPR 532 Intermediate Directing (prerequisite to qualify to direct a CTWR 546L project) 2 CTWR 533ab Writing the Feature Script (students planning a script thesis should take CTWR 533a and 533b in their second year) 4-2 CTPR 534 Intermediate Production Design 2 CTPR 535 Intermediate Editing 2 CTPR 537 Intermediate Cinematography 2 CTPR 538 Intermediate Producing 2 CTPR 539 Intermediate Graphics 2 CTPR 540 Intermediate Sound 2 CTPR 542 Intermediate Electronic Imaging 2 CTAN 543 Intermediate Computer Animation 2 CTPR 551 Planning the Advanced Production (prerequisite for 586L and 581) 2 CTPR 552 Advanced Directing 2 CTWR 553 Advanced Screenwriting 4 CTPR 554 Advanced Sound 2 CTPR 555 Advanced Production Design 2 CTPR 556 Advanced Editing 2 CTPR 557 Advanced Cinematography 2 CTPR 558 Advanced Producing 2 CTPR 559 Advanced Graphics 2 CTAN 563 Advanced Computer Animation 2 CTPR 568 Advanced Electronic Imaging 2 CNTV 572 Practicum in Directing Actors for Film 2-4 CTWR 574 Advanced Seminar in Directing Actors for Film 2 Four units from the following critical studies courses: CTCS 464 Film Genres 4 CTCS 469 Film Style Analysis 4 CTCS 510 Case Studies in National Media 4 CTCS 511 Seminar: Non-Fiction Film/Video 4 CTCS 518 Seminar: Avant-Garde Film/Video 4 CTCS 564 Seminar in Film and Television Genres 4 CTCS 567 Seminar in Film/Television and a Related Art 4 CTCS 569 Seminar in Film and Television Authors 4
Cinema-Television electives
A minimum of four units of Cinema-Television 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 CTPR 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 (CTPR 594a and b) is required.A thesis must be submitted in one of the following forms:
(1) A feature-length screenplay (students must complete CTWR 533ab Writing the Feature Script prior to beginning a film script thesis).
(2) A thesis film or video (CTPR 531 and CTPR 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 CTPR 507x and CTPR 508x) and to qualify for registration in CTPR 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 (CTPR 507x Production I and CTPR 508x Production II) in their first year. These courses provide intensive preparation considered necessary for graduate education in production.CTPR 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. CTPR 507x is taken concurrently with CTCS 501 and CTWR 528 in the first semester.
In CTPR 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 CTPR 508x. Approximately $1,000-$1,500 should be budgeted by the student for the purchase of personal equipment, supplies, transportation, props, and so on. CTPR 508x is taken concurrently with CTCS 502 and CTWR 529 in the second semester.
CTPR 507x and CTPR 508x are preparatory courses and do not count toward the total 40 units required for the degree. A minimum grade of C (2.0) in CTPR 507x and CTPR 508x is required in order to continue in the Master of Fine Arts program. Students earning lower than a C (2.0) in a preparatory or core production course may repeat the requirement on a one time only basis upon approval of the CNTV Graduate Committee.
Students who do not earn the minimum grade in CTPR 507x and CTPR 508x or satisfy the degree requirements after repeating a required course will be disqualified from the program.
CTPR 507x, 508x, 546L, 581abc, 583, 584, and 586ab cannot be waived or substituted with transfer credit under any circumstances.
Three-Year Requirements for the M.F.A. in Production
Year One First Semester Units CTCS 501 History of the International Cinema: Silent Film 2 CTPR 507x Production I 6 CTWR 528 Screenwriting Fundamentals 2 ____ 10 Second Semester Units CTPR 504 Television and the New Technologies 2 CTPR 508x Production II 6 CTWR 529 Intermediate Screenwriting 2 ____ 10 Year Two First and Second Semesters Units CTCS 502 History of the International Cinema: Sound Film 2 CTPR 506 Visual Expression 2 Two of the following (the second may be taken in year three) CTPR 541 Intermediate Interactive Multimedia Workshop 4 CTPR 545 Intermediate Multi-Camera Television Workshop 4 CTPR 546L Production III (non-directing capacity) 6 Six units from the required CNTV electives (8 if CTPR 541 and CTPR 545 were chosen) CTPR 484 Advanced Multi-Camera Television Workshop 4 CTPR 531 Planning the Production (prerequisite to develop a CTPR 546L project) 2 CTPR 532 Intermediate Directing (prerequisite to qualify to direct a CTPR 546L or CTPR 583 project) 2 CTWR 533ab Writing the Feature Script 4-2 CTPR 534 Intermediate Production Design 2 CTPR 535 Intermediate Editing 2 CTPR 537 Intermediate Cinematography 2 CTPR 538 Intermediate Producing 2 CTPR 539 Intermediate Graphics 2 CTPR 540 Intermediate Sound 2 CTPR 542 Intermediate Electronic Imaging 2 CTAN 543 Intermediate Computer Animation 2 CTPR 551 Planning the Advanced Production (prerequisite for CTPR 586ab, CTPR 581ab, CTPR 582abL, and CTPR 583 in a directing or producing position) 2 CTPR 552 Advanced Directing 2 CTWR 553 Advanced Screenwriting 4 CTPR 554 Advanced Sound 2 CTPR 555 Advanced Production Design 2 CTPR 556 Advanced Editing 2 CTPR 557 Advanced Cinematography 2 CTPR 558 Advanced Producing 2 CTPR 559 Advanced Graphics 2 CTAN 563 Advanced Computer Animation 2 CTPR 568 Advanced Electronic Imaging 2 CNTV 572 Practicum in Directing Actors for Film 2-4 CTWR 574 Advanced Seminar in Directing Actors for Film 2 Year Three First and Second Semesters Units One course from the following: CTPR 546L Production III (director or different crew position) 6 CTWR 553** Advanced Screenwriting 4 CTPR 581ab* Individual Production Workshop 6 CTPR 583* Graduate Television Production 6 CTPR 584* Graduate Interactive Group Project 6 CTPR 586ab* Production IV 6 *Students must complete the prerequisites and follow the guidelines for CTPR 581ab, CTPR 583, CTPR 584 and CTPR 586ab.
One of the following critical studies courses: CTCS 464 Film Genres 4 CTCS 469 Film Style Analysis 4 CTCS 510 Case Studies in National Media 4 CTCS 511 Seminar: Non-Fiction Film/Video CTCS 518 Seminar: Avant-Garde Film/Video 4 CTCS 564 Seminar in Film and Television Genres 4 CTCS 567 Seminar in Film/Television and a Related Art 4 CTCS 569 Seminar in Film and Television Authors 4 CTCS 587 Graduate Television Seminar 4 CTCS 588** Bibliography 2 **Four units of Cinema-Television electives at the 400 or 500 level if CTWR 553 or CTCS 588 chosen. Six units of Cinema-Television electives at the 400 or 500 level of both CTWR 553 and 588 chosen.
Cinema-Television Electives
A minimum of two units of Cinema-Television electives 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. 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.
Graduate Review
Graduate students are required to appear before the Cinema-Television Graduate Committee one year prior to graduation for a curriculum review and to file appropriate forms. Contact the Cinema-Television Student Affairs Office for appointments at (213) 740-8358.
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