Courses

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.

Exploration of the distinctive qualities of documentary film and how visual rhetoric shapes sociopolitical landscapes. Learn about how the aesthetics and structure of documentary films affect considerations of ethics, point of view, and persuasion. Topics of study include the voice of documentary, documentary modes, the influence of social media, cultural and national representation in documentary, and digital technology in the context of nonfiction.

This course examines the international history of cinema from its late 19th century origins to the 1930s. The development of film technology, aesthetics, and genre are covered from 1880s France to the establishment of the Hollywood Studio System. Topics include early film technology, the development of Classic Hollywood style, French Impressionism, German Expressionism, Soviet Montage, early animation, the introduction of sound technology, and the establishment of the Hollywood studio system.

This course examines the international history of cinema from the 1930s to the 1960s. The development of film technology, aesthetics, and genre are covered from the 1930s studio systems of England, Japan, and India to the New Waves cinemas of France, Germany, and Eastern Europe in the 1960s. Topics include Socialist Realism, Auteurism, Poetic Realism, and American Cinema in the Postwar Era.

This course examines the international history of cinema from the 1960s to the present. The development of film technology, aesthetics, and genre are covered from the documentary and experimental films of the 1960s to the digital cinema of the current era. Topics include New Hollywood, political cinema of the 1960s and 1970s, continental and subcontinental cinemas post 1970, media conglomerates, and global film culture.

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.

Examination of international history of documentary film from the 1890s to the present. The development of film technology, aesthetics, and genre are covered from proto-documentary films of the late 19th century to the digital cinema of the modern era. Topics include Soviet documentary, ethnographic film, 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. We will explore Hitchcock's films in terms of their themes, stylistic tendencies and social/historical context. Hitchcock's enduring influence and place in film history is explored in depth.

Study the enduring appeal and social/political commentary 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 hard-boiled 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 in writing for cinema, emphasizing professional format, screenplay structure, building conflict, character and thematic development, and visual storytelling skills. Students will create the first act of an original screenplay.

An intermediate course in writing for cinema, emphasizing professional format, screenplay structure, building conflict, character and thematic development, and visual storytelling skills. These skills are employed in creating the second act of an original screenplay.

An advanced screenwriting course focused on professional format, deep character, theme, and plot development, escalating conflict, and enhanced visual storytelling skills. Students in CINE 75C will complete Act III, the final act of a feature screenplay ideally developed in CINE 75B, and engage in intensive revisions.

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

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. One unit of credit is earned for 54 hours of unpaid or paid work.