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Theatre Arts Film

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses Faculty

Associate Degree

A.A. in Film

The Film degree will provide the opportunity for students to develop a core foundation in various aspects of film history, diversity, and production. Students can learn the collaborative nature of filmmaking through classroom presentations and hands-on crew experiences. The process allows students to develop skills in all areas of the craft while exploring both the creative and technical aspects of production. Students learn an appreciation of film as a medium of communication. This degree provides lower division preparation for transfer to a baccalaureate degree in this field.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Degree Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
TAFILM 300 Introduction to Film (3) 3
   or ENGLT 400 Introduction to Film (3)
TAFILM 302 History of Film (3) 3 - 6
or [ TAFILM 303 History of Film: 1880's through 1950's (3)
and TAFILM 304 ] History of Film: 1950's to Present (3)
TAFILM 307 Diversity in American Film 3
TAFILM 330 Film Making 3
A minimum of 18 units from the following: 18
ENGLT 403 Film Adaptations (3)
MUSM 322 Introduction to Film Music (3)
MUSM 356 Pro Tools 101, Introduction to Pro Tools (1.5)
MUSM 357 Pro Tools 110 Intermediate Pro Tools (1.5)
MUSM 362 Mixing and Mastering Music Projects (3)
MUSM 366 Pro Tools 201, Advanced Pro Tools (1.5)
MUSM 367 Audio for Video Post Production (3)
TA 356 Acting for the Camera I (3)
TA 420 Stagecraft (3)
TA 422 Stage Lighting (3)
TA 430 Costume Construction (3)
TA 437 Stage Make-up I (3)
TA 438 Stage Make-up II (2)
TAFILM 309 From Stage to Screen: Production Design and Art Direction (3)
TAFILM 320 Cinema Genres (3)
TAFILM 332 Film Production Workshop I (3)
TAFILM 333 Film Production Workshop II (3)
TAFILM 334 Film Production Workshop III (3)
TAFILM 340 Film Editing (3)
TAFILM 341 Advanced Film Editing (3)
TAFILM 343 Motion Graphics for Video (3)
TAFILM 344 Introduction to Digital Effects (3)
TAFILM 345 Intermediate Digital Effects (3)
TAFILM 347 Color Correcting and Grading for Film (3)
TAFILM 360 Screenwriting (3)
Total Units: 30 - 33

The Film Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus the local SCC General Education Requirement, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See SCC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • describe the development of film and the art of filmmaking.
  • compare and contrast different cinematic styles and structures.
  • analyze films for their effective use of visual techniques.
  • formulate an independent and critical aesthetic perspective on the cinema.
  • develop and apply film production elements to independent projects.
  • exhibit fundamental skills necessary to obtain employment in the film industry.
  • fulfill various requirements for transfer to a baccalaureate degree program in this field.

Career Information

Skills learned in this program could lead to employment in the following fields: production management, camera (i.e. director of photography, camera operator), lighting (i.e. rigger, lighting technician), sound (i.e. production mixer, boom operator), grip, set decoration, production design, props, make-up, film editing, acting, and directing.

Certificates of Achievement

Film Production Certificate

The Film certificate will provide the opportunity for a core foundation in various aspects of film production. The collaborative nature of filmmaking will be taught through classroom presentations and hands-on crew experiences. The process allows students to explore both the creative and technical aspects of production. Students learn an appreciation of film as a medium of communication. This certificate focuses on hands-on production and the understanding of the film making process.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
TAFILM 302 History of Film (3) 3
   or TAFILM 303 History of Film: 1880's through 1950's (3)
   or TAFILM 304 History of Film: 1950's to Present (3)
TAFILM 330 Film Making 3
A minimum of 12 units from the following: 12
MUSM 322 Introduction to Film Music (3)
MUSM 356 Pro Tools 101, Introduction to Pro Tools (1.5)
MUSM 357 Pro Tools 110 Intermediate Pro Tools (1.5)
MUSM 366 Pro Tools 201, Advanced Pro Tools (1.5)
MUSM 367 Audio for Video Post Production (3)
TA 356 Acting for the Camera I (3)
TA 420 Stagecraft (3)
TA 422 Stage Lighting (3)
TA 430 Costume Construction (3)
TA 437 Stage Make-up I (3)
TA 438 Stage Make-up II (2)
TAFILM 332 Film Production Workshop I (3)
TAFILM 333 Film Production Workshop II (3)
TAFILM 334 Film Production Workshop III (3)
TAFILM 340 Film Editing (3)
TAFILM 341 Advanced Film Editing (3)
TAFILM 343 Motion Graphics for Video (3)
TAFILM 344 Introduction to Digital Effects (3)
TAFILM 345 Intermediate Digital Effects (3)
TAFILM 347 Color Correcting and Grading for Film (3)
TAFILM 360 Screenwriting (3)
Total Units: 18

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • describe the development of film and the art of filmmaking.
  • compare and contrast different cinematic styles and structures.
  • analyze films for their effective use of visual techniques.
  • formulate an independent and critical aesthetic perspective on the cinema.
  • develop and apply film production elements to independent projects.
  • exhibit fundamental skills necessary to obtain employment in the film industry

Career Information

Skills learned in this program could lead to employment in the following fields: production management, camera (e.g. director of photography, camera operator), lighting (e.g. rigger, lighting technician), sound (e.g. production mixer, boom operator), grip, set decoration, production design, props, make-up, film editing, acting, and directing.


Film Studies Certificate

The Film Studies certificate will provide the opportunity for students to develop a core foundation in various aspects of film history, diversity, appreciation, and production. The collaborative nature of filmmaking will be taught through classroom presentations and hands-on crew experiences. The process allows students to explore both the creative and technical aspects of production. Students learn an appreciation of film as a medium of communication. This certificate focuses on the analytical understanding of the film making process rather than on hands-on production.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
TAFILM 300 Introduction to Film (3) 3
   or ENGLT 400 Introduction to Film (3)
TAFILM 302 History of Film (3) 3 - 6
or [ TAFILM 303 History of Film: 1880's through 1950's (3)
and TAFILM 304 ] History of Film: 1950's to Present (3)
A minimum of 9 units from the following: 9
ENGLT 403 Film Adaptations (3)
MUSM 322 Introduction to Film Music (3)
TAFILM 307 Diversity in American Film (3)
TAFILM 309 From Stage to Screen: Production Design and Art Direction (3)
TAFILM 320 Cinema Genres (3)
TAFILM 330 Film Making (3)
TAFILM 332 Film Production Workshop I (3)
TAFILM 360 Screenwriting (3)
Total Units: 15 - 18

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • describe the development of film and the art of filmmaking.
  • compare and contrast different cinematic styles and structures.
  • analyze films for their effective use of visual techniques.
  • formulate an independent and critical aesthetic perspective on the cinema.
  • exhibit fundamental skills necessary to obtain employment in the film industry.
  • develop and apply film production elements to independent projects.

Career Information

Skills learned in this program could lead to employment in the following fields: production management, director, assistant director, production researcher, film critic, and acting.