CINE

History of Documentary Film

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.

International Film History (1960s-Present)

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.

International Film History (1930s-1960s)

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.

International Film History (1880s-1930s)

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.

Introduction to Documentary Film Studies

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.

Film/Video Work Experience

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.

Special Effects

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.

Documentary Filmmaking

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.