Film and video production are, by nature, complex and highly collaborative fields. Whether you are a high-profile director, a high-powered producer, or a highly skilled technician, the more you know about the many disciplines that go into the making of a movie or television program, the better you can do your particular job.
The curriculum at Columbia College Hollywood is designed with this in mind. Your first quarters here expose you to the behind-the-scenes worlds of writing, producing, directing, shooting, sound work, and editing. The emphasis is on active and interactive learning.
In the final quarters of the BFA programs (culminating in the senior Production Workshop project), you bring all your knowledge and experience together to create projects that showcase your vision and skills. As part of your visual reel, these projects serve as a valuable calling card that can open doors and assist you in getting work in the entertainment industry.
Although there is quite a lot of freedom in choosing emphases and electives, the core curriculum is a requirement for each student at Columbia College Hollywood. No exceptions.
The following Core Curriculum represents the basics every film and video maker must know. This is why CCH has developed the required core curriculum. Students must take at least one Tier 1 course per quarter until they have completed them all.
Core Curriculum
Tier 1
(F101) Principles of Production
(F122A) Editing Theory & Practice/Lab
(F105) Visual Design
(F150) Screenwriting 1
(GH130, etc.) Art History (or equivalent)
(GH152A) History of Critical Analysis in Cinema 1
(GH125) Introduction to Acting
(GH135) +Drawing
(GH155) Script Analysis 1
(GH117) +History of Design
(F102) *Cinematography 1
(F141) *Production Sound
*Can be taken after completion of Principles of Production
+Required for completion of degree, but can be taken at any time during a student’s matriculation
Non-Tier Core Requirement
Three (3) courses in motion picture history, including genres, auteurs, topical surveys, movements, etc. may be taken any time after completion of History of Critical Analysis 1; must be taken before completion of degree. TV History may be substituted as a motion picture history course for combined (Cinema/TV) BFA majors. History of Critical Analysis 2 also counts towards fulfilling this requirement.
Tier 2*
(F110) Directing 1
(F127) Unit Production Management/Assistant Directing (UPM/AD)
*May be taken any time after completion of Tier 1
Tier 3
(F135) *Production Workshop 1
(F235) *Production Workshop 2
(F335) *Production Workshop 3
(F435) *Production Workshop Focus (optional)
*Senior status and completion of Tiers 1 and 2 required
