35 mm Cinematography
F403 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Cinematography 1
35 mm cameras are still the principle means of image capture used today to make motion pictures. This class trains the students in the proper use all of the commonly used 35 mm cameras in the world today. Arriflex Ilc, Arri III, Arri 435 ES, Arri 535B, AAton 35 III, and Panavision Gold II are some of the cameras that are demonstrated in class as the student learns to “build” these camera packages from the ground up, learn to load the magazines for each camera, and learn how to thread them.
3-D Cinematography
F325 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Cinematography 2
This course is designed to bring students into the world of stereoscopic film production in all its aspects. Such directors as James Cameron and Peter Jackson have stated they feel 3-D is the future of theatrical exhibition and students trained in the medium will have a competitive edge. This course explores both the history of stereoscopic filmmaking and its applications using cameras often right out of the developer’s workshop.
Advanced Color Theory
GH332 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Visual Design
Employing such techniques as color exercises and experimentation with various materials, this course explores in greater depth the unlimited possibilities of color and its place as a complex language. Course works includes the investigation of additive and subtractive systems in traditional and electronic applications, and the uses of color in various media from website design to design within the frame to product design and further.
Advanced Studio Lighting
F408a (4 Units)
Prerequisite: Digital Studio Lighting
This course will challenge the student to better their skills at lighting with a digital camera. Through a series of hands-on demonstrations, in-class lectures and the practical and personal experiences of lighting assignments, the student will gain a firm working knowledge of the variables in controlling the exposure, contrast ratios, and specific looks of images created with the digital cameras. The use of the Canon XL H1 HDV camera in the class/lab situation will allow the students to acquire the knowledge of the camera and its various menus to manipulate the image quality to satisfy artistic and technical needs.
Camera Essentials
F203 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Principles of Production
An introduction to the responsibilities of camera crew members with emphasis on the positions of first and second assistant camera (AC). Covers camera prep; set-up; changing lenses, filters and magazines; setting T-stops; following focus; slating; marking actors; loading magazines; and keeping camera reports.
Camera Movement
F402 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Cinematography 1
Explores the role of camera movement and demonstrates with in-class, hands-on sessions the tools that are used in the industry: the Glidecam (a self-contained body mounted camera stabilization device), a hydraulic lift camera dolly (Fisher 10) and the proper use of dolly tracks, and the wheelchair camera support system.
Cinema Exteriors & Filters
F206 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Cinematography 1
Gives students the hands-on skills and experience of practical location shooting (street scene, park, mountain range, filling station) in exterior day conditions. Students are trained in the use of the SUNPATH software program for plotting the sun’s path through the arc of the day and of the inclinometer/compass for ascertaining such information as sun direction, shadow length, length of shooting day and where the sun will set. The image control tools used in day exterior shooting, such as reflectors, mirrors, butterflies and frames, are used in-class to demonstrate how to control image quality and continuity.
Cinematography 1: Learning the Art and Craft
F102 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Principles of Production
A hands-on course that serves to familiarize students with the various digital and film cameras they will be using in their productions at Columbia College. The emphasis is on the concepts needed to control the quality of images created, including such techniques as varying the frame rate, shutter speed, exposure, camera filters and color temperature. Students shoot weekly in-class exercises that are screened in subsequent sessions. This course provides the student with the skills needed to reproduce various lighting conditions and create different moods.
Cinematography 2: Mastering the Art and Craft
F202 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Cinematography 1
A continuation of Cinema 1 and dedicated to deepening the students understanding of how to master control over image production in digital and film formats. The goal is to gain control over image production in both film and DV formats in practical situations. Variables in lighting, exposure, camera positions and blocking the action of a scene with a director are covered. Transforming the 24-frame filmed image into the 29.97 digital format is explained and illustrated through weekly hands-on tests.
Cinematography 3: Breaking the Rules
F302 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Cinematography 2
The third level offered in fundamental Cinematography. The class is guided by the idea that we must first learn the rule, we must then master the rules; so that we can, in Cinematography 3, experiment in breaking the rules.
Color Timing 1
F265 (4 units)
Prerequisites: Cine 1, Editing Theory& Practice
The challenges of post production for the cinematographer are studied in this hands-on course in which students learn the art of color correction and protecting the integrity of your visual plan. A further hands-on visit to a telecine facility is part of the process.
Color Timing 2
F365 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Color Timing 1
This course takes the student with a basic understanding of color grading to the next level through an exploration of the looks that can be created in post production, and how work done in production interacts with work done in post.
Digital Studio Lighting
V220 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Cinematography 1
The particular challenges and demands of lighting for a TV studio production are explored through exercises from the instructor and generated by students. Lectures aid in understanding not just lights and camera, but how electricity itself works.
Experimental Video Workshop
F231 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Cinematography 1
A lot more can be done with the camera than merely shooting narrative or documentary films. The camera is a tool to vast artistic possibilities. Through this course students will execute single channel or installation video art pieces, and, simultaneously, have an expressive, creative experience with the camera unencumbered by the narrative screenplay. This course is designed to expand the student as artist with camera.
Exterior Cinematography
F206 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Cinematography 1
This course is designed to give the students hands-on experience shooting with film and/or digital cameras in practical, real-life locations (convenience stores, gas stations, parks, city streets in exterior/interior day conditions). Students will also be trained in the use of SunPath computer software that is the industry standard for tracking the movement of the sun during the arc of the day.
Landscape Photography
GH241 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Naked Photography: Still Life
The basics of photography in the outdoors. In-class studies of classic landscape paintings and photography are followed by in-the-field photographic work, composing and taking photographs of landscape under various circumstances and conditions. Grades are based in part on the completion of creative projects using landscape photographs.
Music Video Production
V318 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Tier 1
Production workshop for 3-minute music videos, from conception to answer print. Students write their own scripts, prepare schedules and budgets, recruit cast and crew, produce, direct, and shoot their spots, and post produce as well—editing, sfx, music, dubbing, etc.
Naked Photography: Still Life
GH140 (4 units)
Prerequisite: None
An introduction to the principles and practices of still photography, including filters, lenses and film stocks. Students shoot a variety of projects, on campus and off, both independently and as a group, building a portfolio. Individual work may be exhibited on campus.
Portrait Photography
GH242 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Naked Photography: Still Life
An introduction to portrait photography, both small groups and individuals. Classic photographs and classic portrait paintings are studied to understand certain specific effects achieved by the masters. Students develop their own portfolios of original portraits of individuals and small groups. Grades will be based in part on the completion of portrait projects.
Production for New Media
F317 (4 units)
Prerequisite: TIER 1
New Media is a wide terrain, and one that could be a large part of a student’s future in entertainment. Students will create and produce dynamic program content that crosses multiple genres and can be launched on many different platforms – from the web to DVDs to streaming media. You will conceive, produce and post concepts such as “Behind the Scenes” shorts, and shorts for cellular launch, iTunes, downloadable content, and other media. Some emphasis is placed on marketing tools, one of the hottest new media genres.
Shooting the Masters
F285 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Cinematography 2
Through exercises, both chosen by the instructor and generated by students, sequences from classic films – black and white and color – are re-created, illuminating the students on how these masterful moments were accomplished with camera and light.
Storyboard Design
GH151 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Drawing
Through this course students develop a complete understanding of the storyboarding process – upcoming directors, in particular, will hone their “eye.” Students learn the fundamentals of turning a script into a sequence of images, as the class is designed to get them comfortable with the all-important pre-visualizing work flow. A 3-D software system is used in creating the storyboards. Additionally, the class analyzes several elite films and their director’s approach to storyboarding.
The Studio Production: Filming on Film
F133a (4 units)
Prerequisite: Tier 2
Fee: $100 towards cost of telecine
Simulates actual sound stage production. Students direct short (3-minute) scenes on film with 16mm or Super 16mm equipment, budgeting, organizing, scheduling, shooting, editing, and dubbing a completed version of the film. Students rotate crew positions.
Visual FX & Green Screen Cinematography
F305 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Cinematography 1
The challenges and excitement of shooting with a green screen is explored hands-on in this innovative class. In addition to shooting, the class works in tandem with the After Effects class – you shoot, they use After Effects to make what you have shot come alive on the screen. You work together on the final result.
Visual Production Design
F345 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Tier 1
Gives students an “eye” towards the elements in the screen frame that are essential to the entire language of storytelling beyond the words and actions of the actor and the placement of the camera. This course trains directors and cinematographers in particular to understand the importance of color schemes – both lighting and set design, production design, costumes, and other elements to what they are conveying to the audience.
Writing with Light
F408 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Cinematography 2
These advanced lighting courses use both the digital and film cameras to give the students more experience in working with lights and cameras in a practical lighting studio. This course examines the psychological and physiological effects of light on human perception and reaction.
