Cinema

An introductory course that examines the history, development, and influence of Hollywood on American culture. The course also covers the evolution of cinematic form in the United States and its influence on international film style.

This course examines how evolving digital technology has dramatically altered how we understand society, politics, and culture in the context of documentary. The course explores the aesthetics of documentary and how digital technology has transformed how we understand the rhetoric of documentary form and culture. Topics of study include documentary modes, citizen journalism, social media, digital convergence, transmedia storytelling, immersive journalism, and interactive documentary.

History of cinema as a unique expressive medium from 19th century origins to the mid- 20th century. Aesthetics of silent and sound films, relation of film techniques to content, films in social/historical context and in relation to other arts and popular culture. Screenings in class for study and analysis.

History of cinema as a unique expressive medium from the mid 20th century to the present. The post-WWII film renaissance: movements, genres and changing technologies; the expansion of filmmaking to newly represented people, places and ideas; cinema in the digital age.

An introductory course that addresses the formal analysis of cinema. The course covers filmmaking techniques such as cinematography, editing, mise-en-scène, sound, lighting, acting, and narrative.

An introductory course that addresses documentary film history, methods, and practices. This is a survey course that covers a wide range of documentary topics such as early Soviet documentary, ethnographic films, cinema vérité, Direct Cinema, experimental documentary, and political nonfiction cinema.

An auteur study of the films of Alfred Hitchcock as both the "master of suspense" and an artist of anxiety. Explore Hitchcock's films in terms of their themes, stylistic tendencies and social/historical context. Hitchcock's influence and place in film history is explored in depth.

Study the enduring appeal of film noir's dark shadows, corruption, seductive femme fatales, alienated antiheroes, mid-century psychological struggles, and rain-slicked streets, often adapted from pulp novels and hardboiled crime fiction.

Study the history and development of cult films and the integral role cannabis and drug culture has and continues to play in their creation, production and reception. Considering the social, cultural and political subversion of films screened; reception and ritual practices of cult audiences; analyze the transgressive nature of midnight movies, questions of taste, film aesthetics, and the influence of cult films and cannabis culture on mainstream cinema and branding.

The course offers instruction in basic film production, including fundamentals of digital and analog camera operation, basic editing principles, and an overview of lighting and sound. In-class equipment and crew workshops, assigned technical and creative exercises, individual off-campus film and video projects, in-class screening and critique of student work. Each student completes at least two individual projects.

This course provides students with intensive practice in narrative technique and aesthetics known as the classical continuity system. Emphasis is placed on pre-visualizing, filming and editing scenes which employ continuity, create dramatic effects and encourage audience identification. The history and practice of narrative technique is explored via shooting and editing exercises which culminate in the execution of a final film project.

This course covers all aspects of planning the production of film projects. The skills to estimate, calculate, negotiate and evaluate all costs, legal concerns, insurance issues, permits and pitfalls of film production will be explored. Project budgets and organization for shorts, music videos, commercials, documentaries and narrative feature films are examined.

Develops students' awareness of professions in the field in production, distribution and exhibition and various strategies for achieving success. Puts students face-to-face with commercial and independent filmmakers, editors, public television producers, and exhibition professionals. Students gain both a historical overview of festival exhibition and practical work experience in programming a film festival. Course culminates in City Shorts, the annual spring student film showcase.

Development of the art and practice of cinematography and lighting in the execution of short, single-camera styled projects. Assignments focus on lens choice, motivated camera movement, color temperature & correction, 16mm and digital video camera operation, and lighting design. Students learn to work together as a crew as defined by industry standards.

Introduction to digital film editing and post-production techniques using current industry standard, non-linear editing systems within the cinematic discipline. Editing skills are learned in the context of examining film form, style and aesthetics.

Explore non-narrative filmmaking techniques stressing personal expression through individual production of short films in a historical context. Projects include utilization of a range of different experimental techniques and will reference films screened and discussed in class.

An overview of sound recording and design with a focus on hands-on, practical approaches. Sound recording techniques using a variety of microphones and audio recorders; sound editing and design using digital audio workstations to manipulate sync sound, dialogue, sound effects, music, and for sound mixing. Film screenings, lectures, demonstrations, and field trips.

Advanced work for filmmakers in sound recording, editing, design and mixing for motion pictures. Demonstrations of professional film location sound equipment, digital sound editing workstations, and film sound mixing studios. Film screenings and field trips to complement class lectures, discussions, exercises, demonstrations, group and individual work projects.

An introductory course that offers essential skills in writing a professional nonfiction script. Attention to research methods supporting content development, interviewing technique, story structure, script format, and cinematic grammar are emphasized. Historical nonfiction films and their influence on current work will also be explored.

Building on CINE 54 Cinematography & Lighting, students will further develop their ability to translate theme, story, and emotion into motion picture imagery. Cinematography & lighting skills are refined via single-camera styled projects. Assignments focus on complex lighting design and camera movement as students employ advanced camera, lighting & grip equipment.

An introductory course that addresses writing for cinema. Professional format, story structure and aesthetics are emphasized as these skills are then utilized in creating original screenplays.

Advanced editing skills and techniques to create professional quality projects, including transcoding, color correction, and mastering. Historical and contemporary editing styles are explored.

An advanced course reinforcing writing skills required for visual media and, in particular, cinema. Professional format, character and plot development, film grammar and aesthetics are emphasized in creating and revising original screenplays.

Introduction to documentary filmmaking production, from concept to distribution. Emphasis on fundamental skills including documentary producing, sound recording, lighting, cinematography and editing. Production practice is explored in the context of historical movements and contemporary issues.

Explores the role of the film director in the translation of script to screen through development and execution of single-camera-style projects. Emphasis is on script analysis, pre-visualization planning and blocking, crew management and working with actors.

Introduction to design and creation of professional level special effects for cinema using industry standard tools, including After Effects. Focus is on Computer Generated Imagery (CGI), motion graphics for film/video, and the special effects production process.

Jobs usually arranged by the student, subject to Cinema Department approval. Job experience at CCSF, such as issuing film equipment, mentoring/tutoring cinema students, crewing or editing sound or picture for a local production company, are within the scope of this learning experience of film/video industry or related projects. Two units of credit are earned for 120 hours of unpaid work or 150 hours of paid work. One unit of credit is earned for 60 hours of unpaid or 75 hours of paid work.