Certificate of Achievement in Show Business – Commercials, Voice-Over, Film Acting

The Certificate of Achievement in Show Business – Commercials, Voice-Over, Film Acting will provide students a singular exposure to show business careers, i.e. acting, writing, producing, in television markets both network and cable, as well as positions in commercials, animation performance, and voice acting arenas.

Students will earn the skillsets and competencies required to earn gainful employment in the entertainment industry. These can include, but are not limited to, commercial content and structure, microphone and camera techniques, sight reading material, techniques for connecting to audiences, blocking, teleprompter reading techniques, and actor-to-actor communication.

Upon completion of the following courses the student will have a broad based and factual knowledge of the world of “Show Business” and the specialties to pursue gainful employment. 

There are no materials fees associated with this program.

10 per year

The Long Beach City College Certificate of Achievement in Show Business – Commercials, Voice-Over, Film Acting serves students who seek employment in the greater Los Angeles region. This curriculum offers a sequential series of courses that are generally offered in the private sector as stand-alone expensive, fee-based courses and/or workshops. For instance, the cost of a typical 6-hour acting and/or commercial workshop generally begins at $500. By situating this Certificate of Achievement in the curriculum of Long Beach City College, the program faculty can better serve the mission of the community college by providing students directly applicable skillsets and tools for gainful employment.

The Certificate of Achievement in Show Business – Commercials, Voice-Over, Film Acting will provide students a singular exposure to show business careers, i.e. acting, writing, producing, in television markets both network and cable, as well as positions in commercials, animation performance, and voice acting arenas.

Students will earn the skillsets and competencies required to earn gainful employment in the entertainment industry. These can include, but are not limited to, commercial content and structure, microphone and camera techniques, sight reading material, techniques for connecting to audiences, blocking, teleprompter reading techniques, and actor-to-actor communication.

There are no fees for materials in the program.

1. Identify the different types of commercials and demonstrate the skills of how to successfully audition at an acceptable industry level.

2. Differentiate character, story, and the skill set to execute a believable audition.

3. Identify the different style of voice acting and studio recording techniques required to complete a successful audition.

Long Beach City College is one of the only community colleges in the region that offer a curriculum of this type. By situating this Certificate of Achievement in Show Business – Commercials, Voice-Over, Film Acting in the curriculum of Long Beach City College, the program faculty can better serve the mission of the community college by providing students directly applicable skillsets and tools for gainful employment. This curriculum offers a sequential series of courses that are generally offered in the private sector as stand-alone expensive, fee-based courses and/or workshops. For instance, the cost of a typical 6-hour acting and/or commercial workshop generally begins at $500.

The Certificate of Achievement in Show Business – Commercials, Voice-Over, Film Acting will increase enrollment. There is no other community college in the neighboring service area that offers a sequential sequence of courses in this discipline. The two-semester timeframe for the certificate mirrors the rapid pace at which students can learn about these skills in private workshops and standalone courses at a fraction of the cost. 

The two-semester structure of the program is geared for increasing completion. Institutional Effectiveness data demonstrates that student success rates are improved in 8-week courses versus 16-week courses. This program will capitalize on that research. The new program will also condense three pre-existing certificates of accomplishment into a single, streamlined certificate of achievement. Not only will this support student completion rates, but it will better serve the Long Beach City College district as it seeks to revamp curriculum in light of a new funding formula.

The program faculty anticipate an enhanced student experience with the completion of Building J, the LBCC auditorium. The majority of these courses will be taught in this renovated space.  Program faculty also anticipate working with the LBCC marketing team to ensure the community’s awareness of the new program and its benefits, to ensure steady enrollment.