Advanced Animation: Maya
F321 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Introduction to 3-D Animation
A course that allows the student to continue the mastering of the Maya software learned in Intro to 3-D Animation. Students will create their own animated short film.
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.
After Effects
F175 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Digital Graphics 1: Photoshop
Students learn this powerful application used to create motion graphics and visual effects for film and video. The course employs text and object animations, compositing videos and images, and adding audio and effects.
Assistant Editing Essentials
F125 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Avid 1
The road to becoming an editor usually begins with apprenticing or assisting an established editor. In this course students will learn the skills required of an assistant editor and the assistant editor’s role in post production, including working with the head editor, setting up the editing room, working with dailies and stock footage, understanding how to read and use a lined script and camera and sound reports, and much more.
Color Timing 1
F265 (4 units)
Prerequisite: 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 Graphics 1: Photoshop
GH145 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Editing Theory & Practice
Hands-on training in the use of computer hardware and software to create digital graphics, starting with the basics and introducing Photoshop and other programs. Develops familiarity with the computer graphics tools necessary to create individual design projects.
Digital Graphics 2: Illustrator & FLASH
GH245 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Digital Graphics 1
A Photoshop-focused class with an introduction to FLASH and Illustrator through which students learn advanced techniques covering a diverse range of artistic processes, from retouching and compositing to advanced type manipulation, professional color and contrast correction, and page layout. Emphasis on individual creativity, mastery of computer design skills, and development of intuitive understanding through the creation of individual design projects.
DVD Studio Pro/Motion
F218 (4 units)
Prerequisite: An advanced editing course (above Editing Theory & Practice)
Through practical application and using two industry-standard Apple programs, students learn to create and edit motion graphics, and to create DVD Masters. Students will make multiple menus, employ copy protection, and create custom particle effects.
Editing: From Dailies to Rough Cut
F217 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Final Cut Pro 1 or Editing: Non Fiction
Students use actual dailies from films and TV projects and edit the scenes as the pace, rhythm, time, and aural and visual relationship dictates to them. This course teaches students the hands-on art of editing beyond the use of software programs that are merely the tools of the editor.
Editing: Mastering the Scene
F222 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Avid 1 or Editing: The Narrative Film
A more intensive chance to work on the art of the editing. Students use actual dailies from film and TV projects to learn how to create both action and the scene itself by understanding the dynamics of the scripted scene and how editing must tell the story. If the script may merely say “The army comes over the mountain.” The director may have shot 108 different pieces. It is the editor who must look at the footage and create the sequence by understanding the pace and rhythm intended as well as the dynamics of the story and characters. Uses the Avid software system.
Editing: Non-Fiction
F124a (4 units)
Prerequisite: Editing Theory & Practice
A practical exploration of the Final Cut Pro digital non-linear editing software. Students learn and use Final Cut Pro on class assignments, their own film and video projects, and those of other students.
Editing Reality
F225 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Final Cut Pro 1 or Editing: Non Fiction
Reality TV is now a staple of the small screen and in few places does the editor take as commanding a role in the final product by creating the narrative from the often hours and hours of footage shot. This course offers the challenge of creating a final product from a production that was mostly unscripted. Uses the Final Cut software system.
Editing: The Feature Film
F420A (a, b, c) (4 units)
Prerequisite: Editing: The Narrative Film
A three quarter course through which, using Avid, students learn the artistry and craft of editing a feature film. Topics include trimming, staying in sync, editing in your timeline, changing audio levels and basic visual effects, as well as understanding the story and characters through which an editor makes his or her work an intricate part of the group endeavor that results on a feature film.
Editing: The Narrative Film
F120a (4 units)
Prerequisite: Editing Theory & Practice
Through project-based learning, students acquire the basic tools for editing using the AVID Media Composer system software. Dailies from filmed projects from feature films to TV films to short films or webisodes can be employed.
Editing Theory and Practice
F122 (4 units)
Prerequisite: None
Learn the language and theory of editing in the viewing section of this class; then put the theories into practice using Final Cut Pro digital non-linear editing software, with some interface with Avid as well. This hands-on class introduces essential skills (digitizing footage, preparing bins for editing, working with time code and creating your personal settings, etc.) and good editing habits along with understanding and appreciation of the role of editing in the storytelling process.
Introduction to 3-D Animation
F346 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Editing Theory and Practice
Students are taught the basics of two and three-dimensional animation using the Maya software. The history of animation is explored, but the emphasis for the student is on learning the tools and creating a short, animated project.
Introduction to Visual FX: Concepts & Techniques
F317 (4 units)
Prerequisite: None
Basic VFX literacy: what producers, directors, writers, and production staff need to know about computer 3-D and beyond. Discussions and demonstrations of miniatures, photo compositing, green screen/blue screen matte technology, as well as today’s hot ticket computer programs—how they work and how you can work with them—the financial realities, farming the work out versus doing it in-house and how to know when you’re being scammed.
Post Production Process
F221 (4 units)
Prerequisite: UPM/AD
The final stage of production is a complicated one. Students will be guided through the entire process that starts when picture wraps and ends with the picture on the screen. Deadlines, editing, rough cuts, color correction, telecine, digital transfers, and DVD dubbing are covered. A complete how-to and where-to-go knowledge of post production will be attained.
Scoring Your Soundtrack
F144 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Pro Tools or Permission of Instructor
This course teaches how to use a computer with a little help from Pro Tools to create and lay the soundtrack for your short film or documentary, and, eventually your feature film. It is hands-on training, and includes field trips to an actual recording studio.
Sound Design Aesthetics
F242a (4 units)
Prerequisite: Pro Tools or Sound Design Basics
A practical introduction to the design of sound for film and video. Students use digital editing equipment to develop sound tracks for a variety of original and assigned projects, and learn with greater depth about ADR. They employ music, sound effects and looping to support both commercial and artistic film, learning the uses—and the limits—of sound design, and also create the sound effects they will employ.
Sound Design Basics
F343a (4 units)
Prerequisite: Production Sound
A straightforward and personal approach to learning the ins and outs of digital audio editing with Pro Tools. Considered to be the industry standard in audio post production, Pro Tools offers an intuitive editing platform paired with an assortment of professional audio plug-ins to enhance your sound. The class includes in-depth lectures and two projects per quarter.
Sound Design to Final Mix
F342a (4 units)
Prerequisites: Sound Design 1 or Sound Design Aesthetics
Explores the powerful role played by sound in telling a story. Students use a film project that demonstrates how sound makes an equal contribution to the emotional aspects of the story, rather than simply narrating the picture. At the end of this course each student has a finished product for their reel and a stronger, truer understanding of the importance of sound in film and of the sound designer’s role.
VFX Production for the 21st Century
CHECK (4 units)
Prerequisite: UPM/AD or Permission of the Dean
This course explores the high-end production environment that is Visual Effects. From summer blockbusters to independent art films, VFX have become a vital tool in the production process of 21st century entertainment. This course opens the door to the modern visual effects production pipeline. Students learn first hand how to breakdown a script for VFX, budget and schedule that breakdown, and implement all elements into a successful VFX pipeline.
