Associates Degree in Film Production

Digital film and video technology has transformed filmmaking, making it possible to produce independent movies and video projects without huge budgets, expensive cameras or large crews. This development allows many different organizations today use film and video as part of their work. Whether the goal is to fulfill a personal artistic vision, market a product or advance a cause, the fundamental need to tell a story remains paramount, and film is a powerful means to do it. In this two year / 40 unit program, students receive direct, hands-on experience creating visual stories that are intelligent, emotional, compelling, succinct and informative. The program covers the primary aspects of film production, including screenwriting, production, cinematography, editing, sound, film acting and directing, as well as more advanced and specialized areas such as post production sound, animation and motion, video journalism and documentary, mass and social media, marketing and the business of film. Students will learn: • Visual storytelling concepts, including story development, script format, film vocabulary, production tools, filmmaking protocol and workflow • Directing and producing techniques including camera placement, blocking scenes, directing on-camera performers, documentary interviewing, communicating with collaborators and crew management, • Camera skills including basic camera angles, moving image composition and lighting • Audio recording fundamentals, basic sound editing and mixing • Editing skills including how to write and shoot with the edit in mind, and creating visual effects and graphics • Advanced camera and lighting skills including advanced shooting and lighting techniques using advanced equipment • Advanced picture and sound editing skills, animation and effects techniques including use of professional software • Advanced camera specific acting and directing skills including multi-angle, multi-take single-camera performance techniques and communication skills and using these to bridge the requirements put out in the script and necessary for editing. • Production design skills including storyboarding, setting, costume and make-up design. • Documentary and video journalism skills including the planning, scripting, scheduling, shooting and editing techniques peculiar to documentary style film production. • Film-specific business skills such as creating a business plan for either a film project or small film/video business; budgeting; scheduling; film marketing; film distribution; and monetization of film/video in social media. The Associates Degree provides a platform from which to launch further study of film production as well as necessary industry skills, processes and practices to work on a film crew, produce an independent film, create and run a small film/video business and moneitize video in the many social media outlets available today. This degree also gives students crucial communication and storytelling tools they may apply in almost any area of study where film and video are utilized today. Students emerge with short films and other film project materials for their personal or professional portfolio.

2018/2019: Enrolled, 20 / Completers, 10 2019/2020: Enrolled, 30 / Completers, 15 2020/2021: Enrolled, 40 / Completers, 20

The US Bureau of Labor projects the number of jobs in film and video writing, producing, directing, editing, sound and special effects has grown since 2014 and the trend will continue through 2024. In the Coachella Valley the number of jobs in each of these areas created or vacated annually justifies the creation of a new film production program at College of the Desert. 2015 Jobs: Multimedia Artists and Animators, 228; Producers and Directors, 391; Writers and Authors, 1,084; Sound Engineering Technicians, 138; Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Motion Picture, 111; Film and Video Editors, 190; Grand Total, 2142 2018 Jobs: Multimedia Artists and Animators, 239; Producers and Directors, 407; Writers and Authors, 1,144; Sound Engineering Technicians, 146; Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Motion Picture, 114; Film and Video Editors, 199; Grand Total, 2249 2015-18 Change: Multimedia Artists and Animators, +11; Producers and Directors, +16; Writers and Authors, +59; Sound Engineering Technicians, +8; Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Motion Picture, +3; Film and Video Editors, +9; Grand Total, +105 The Associates Degree in Film Production address these employment needs by teaching students how to write, direct, produce, edit and analyze content for film and electronic media. With an emphasis on storytelling using current digital technologies, students will become immersed in the film and video production process from scripting through distribution. They will become competent in understanding how film and video is created and how it reaches and affects an audience. Students will, through required and elective courses, become skilled in film analysis, screenwriting, the production process, cinematography, editing, production design, acting and directing for the camera, documentary and the business of film. In addition, students will apply these skills through certain electives to specific areas of interest including video journalism, mass media, new media and marketing.

Required Core (24 units) (suggested sequencing) (* denotes proposed courses): RTV 06 Introduction to Film (3) (Yr 1, Fall); RTV 09 Basic Screenwriting (3) (Yr 1, Spring); RTV 10 Basic Film Production (3) (Yr 1, Fall); RTV 11 Advanced Film Production (3) (Yr 1, Fall); DDP 020 Editing (3); (Yr. 2 Fall); RTV 13 Cinematography* (3); (Yr. 2 Fall); TA 010 Production Design (3); (Yr. 2 Fall); RTV 12 Film Production III Capstone* (3) (Yr. 2 Spring) Electives (16 units) (suggested sequencing): MC 001 Mass Media (3) (Yr. 1, Fall or Spring); BUMA 027 Principles of Marketing (3) (Yr. 1, Fall or Spring); J 003A News Reporting & Writing (3) (Yr. 1, Fall or Spring); DDP 030 / ART 031 Digital Photography (3) (Yr. 1, Fall or Spring); MUS 078A Sound Editing & Mixing (3) (Yr. 2, Fall or Spring); DDP 021 After Effects (CGI) (3) (Yr. 2, Fall or Spring); BUMA 028 Small Business (3) (Yr. 2, Fall or Spring); J 005 Intro to Social Media (3) (Yr. 2, Fall or Spring); RTV 14 On Camera Acting* (3) (Yr. 2 Fall); RTV 15 Video Journalism & Documentary* (3) (Yr. 2 Spring); RTV 95A RTV Work Experience (1-4) (Yr. 1 & 2, Fall or Spring) Major Degree Total: 40 units Completion of Local GE or CSU GE or IGETC pattern: Transferable elective (as needed to reach 62 units) DEGREE TOTAL: 60 units Proposed Sequence (Required + Elective + GE + Kinesiology 2 units): Year 1, Fall = 6 + 4 + 6 units Year 1, Spring = 6 + 4 + 4 units Year 2, Fall = 6+ 4 + 6 units Year 2, Spring = 6 + 4 + 4 units TOTAL UNITS: 60 units