Cinema Course Descriptions

Descriptions of all LACC Cinema Courses Included on this page:

Cinema 1 - Introduction To Motion Picture Production
Cinema 2 - Beginning Motion Picture Workshop
Cinema 3 - The History Of Motion Pictures
Cinema 4 - History Of The Documentary Film
Cinema 5 - Introduction To Screenwriting
Cinema 6 - Motion Picture Photography
Cinema 7 - Advanced Cinematography And Creative Techniques
Cinema 9-1 - Beginning Motion Picture Sound Production
Cinema 9-2 - Intermediate Motion Picture Sound & Post-Production Sound Design
Cinema 10 - Introduction To Film Directing
Cinema 17 - Advanced Motion Picture Post-Production NEW
Cinema 18 - Introduction to Film Genres
Cinema 20 - Business Of Motion Picture Production
Cinema 25 - Producing Digital Video Features
Cinema 32-1 - Editing Fundamentals I
Cinema 32-2 - Editing Fundamentals II
Cinema 33-1 - Digital Video Production Workshop I
Cinema 38-1 - The Motion Picture Grip
Cinema 38-2 - The Motion Picture Electric
Cinema 60 - Entertainment Industry Careers Below-The-Line Production Skills NEW
Cinema 501 - Media Aesthetics & Design for Film and Digital Media
Cinema 911 through 941 Cooperative Education and Work Experience
Law 33 - Law and the Media

Note: Cinema 1, 2, 3, and 4 or Cinema 18 are prerequisites for most of the LACC cinema classes. We recommend that you take them the first semester.

CINEMA 2 - BEGINNING MOTION PICTURE WORKSHOP (3 UNITS-UC/CSU)

(5 hours per week during Fall and Spring Semesters)

Introductory workshop in practical filmmaking. A lecture and laboratory workshop including script, storyboard, direction, cinematography, sound, and editing techniques. Each student will be responsible for making short films. Required of all cinema majors. Open to all others. We suggest taking Cinema 1 concurrently where much of the technical information will be taught.

Cinema 1, 2, 3, and 4 are prerequisites for most of the other LACC Cinema classes. We recommend that you take them all the first semester so you may continue seamlessly through the program.

This class leads to several certificates

During the semester, each student will write, direct, and produce three films on digital video. While the school has equipment for student use, the inventory is not large. While we have a limited number of cameras (Zooms and Canon Vixias) and tripods (Bogens) that you can check-out, we suggest you purchase your own equipment for convenience. We have editing stations (iMac's with video editing software), so if you don't have your own editing system, we have stations for you to complete your projects. There is no need to buy expensive equipment for this class; any smart phone that shoots video, digital video camera and recent computer (PC or Mac) will generally be just fine although there may be some technical limitations. Consult with your instructor or technical staff. This equipment can be used in subsequent classes as well. We suggest that you withhold purchasing any equipment for this class until you attend the first class meeting to get more information. (Please note: While we can give full technical support for our equipment, there will be limitations with support for your own personal system.) Cinema 2 is offered both day and night each semester.

For your convenience, there are several sections of this class each Fall and Spring. No required book, but the Cinema 1 book "The Filmmakers Handbook" might be referenced. Note: This class is offered in Face-To-Face and online formats​

Required materials: Smartphone or other video camera or DSLR. Paper for note taking, SD memory card(s) for the LACC Zoom & Vixia cameras. You may incur other expenses when producing your projects, but costs vary depending upon circumstances. If you purchase your own digital video camera, camera tripod, and computer with software, the costs can be considerably higher depending upon the equipment you choose. Many students use smartphones with video capacity for this class

CINEMA 4 - HISTORY OF THE DOCUMENTARY FILM (3 UNITS-UC/CSU)

(4 hours per week during Fall and Spring Semesters)

The development of films dealing with the truth and reality TV programing. Film types seen and discussed include: historical, animated, propaganda, educational, commercial, cinema verite and direct cinema. Students will develop critical standards for judging documentary films. Required of all first semester cinema majors. Open to all others. Note: This class is offered in Face-To-Face and online formats.
Cinema 1, 2, 3, and 4 are prerequisites for many of the other LACC Cinema classes. We recommend that you take them the first semester.

This class leads to several certificates

Held in our theater, you will view a variety of documentary films. You will write papers and/or take tests. This class is offered both day and night each semester.

Required textbook: A New History of the Documentary Film - Second Edition by Betsy McLane. ISBN 1441124578 (List Price $34.95)

Other materials required: Paper for note taking. Some instructors will require scantron forms.

CINEMA 6 - MOTION PICTURE PHOTOGRAPHY (3 UNITS-UC/CSU)

(4 hours per week during Fall and Spring Semesters)

Introduction to cinematography, including optics, camera operation, lighting, laboratory procedures, terminology, and aesthetics. Students will do individual and group projects using digital camera equipment.

Note: Enrolled students will be dropped and non-enrolled students may not add if not present at the first class session.

This class leads to several certificates

The class will study the basics of composition with an emphasis on lighting. During the first half of the semester, each student will shoot still photos which will be viewed by the class and graded by the instructor. In the second half, each student will shoot cinematography exercises. Costs (other than textbook) vary between $50 - $300 depending upon scope of the projects. The student is expected to furnish his/her own camera for the still film and/or digital exercises. The school will provide lighting equipment.

Required Textbook: Cinematography Theory and Practice, 2nd Edition by Blain Brown, Focal Press.

CINEMA 9-1 - BEGINNING MOTION PICTURE AND TV SOUND (3 UNITS-CSU)

(4 hours per week)

Students learn the basics of motion picture production and post-production sound. Students use digital audio recorders, microphones, and booms and learn how to properly record sound. Students learn to loop and mix sound using a digital audio program.

Note: Enrolled students will be dropped and non-enrolled students may not add if not present at the first class session.

This class leads to several certificates

The student will learn the basics of production and post-production motion picture sound. Each will master the operation of various digital recorders as well as microphone placement and booming. Post-production techniques will be studied. Total cost of materials for class is approximately $100.

Required textbooks: The Location Sound Bible by Ric Viers

CINEMA 10 - INTRODUCTION TO FILM DIRECTING (3 UNITS-UC/CSU)

(4 hours per week during Fall and Spring Semesters)

This is an introduction to the crafts of acting and directing for the film medium. Students will choose a script, cast it, rehearse their actors, and present a scene in class, along with a production package including script notes, scene goals, character analysis, storyboard, and shot list.

This class leads to several certificates

The student will be required to direct one or two scenes with actors. Each week new scenes will be presented which the class and the instructor will evaluate.

See Instructor for list of suggested texts.

CINEMA 18 - INTRODUCTION TO FILM GENRES (3 UNITS-UC/CSU)

Students explore the main film genres along with the specific contributions of the major filmmakers in each genre, and the style and practices of studio production, marketing, and distribution. Each class includes the screening of a signification feature-length film that typifies or exemplifies that genre.

Book: An Introduction to Film Genres - Friedman et al.

Note: This class is offered in Face-To-Face and online formats​

CINEMA 25 - PRODUCING MOTION PICTURE FEATURES (3 UNITS)

This is a pre-production class.

Students research and prepare independent motion picture projects. Activities include: developing screenplays, researching state of the art media and business issues, analyzing professional production solutions, and creating business plans. Students will learn professional standards for intellectual property, privacy and publicity rights, as well as financing contracts, production issues, capture, distribution formats/outlets, and marketing. Students do case studies of contemporary "independent film" projects, including micro-budget films as well as low-budget films.

Note: This class is offered in Face-To-Face and online formats​

CINEMA 32-2 - EDITING FUNDAMENTALS II (3 UNITS-CSU)

(5 hours per week during Fall and Spring Semesters)

Students develop advanced editing techniques and gain practical skills in visual effects, motion graphics, compositing, sound design, color correction, and finishing. Students gain workflow knowledge and explore the entire post-production process through footage provided in class and their own footage. Student will work in Adobe Premier™ and Avid™, with a possibility to become and AVID™ certified editor at the end of the class. Work will be screened and analyzed in class, and advanced techniques will be demonstrated and applied.

This class leads to several certificates

No Required Textbook. Note: Enrolled students will be dropped and non-enrolled students may not add if not present at the first class session.

CINEMA 38-1 - THE MOTION PICTURE GRIP (3 UNITS)

In this hands-on course, students learn basic grip skills and safe operation of grip equipment and tools presently in use in motion pictures, both in studio and on location. The equipment, tools, and safe practices include, but not are not limited to: C-Stands, Jr. Stands, Baby Stands, Overhead Stands, Flags, Nets, Diffusion, Butterflies, Gels, Diffusion, Aerial Lifts, Ladders, Dollies, Camera Support, Rigging, Knots, Cutting and Shaping Light, Manipulating Light, Lists and Schedules, Maintaining a Staging Area, Set Etiquette, Crew Hierarchy, Tools of the Trade, and Set Safety.

Note: This class is offered in Face-To-Face Only

CINEMA 60 - ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY CAREERS BELOW-THE-LINE PRODUCTIONS SKILLS I (3 UNITS)

(4 hours per week during some semesters)

This introductory course is designed to help students develop the skills needed to obtain and keep a position in the motion picture and television industries. Skills taught include working with production managers, first assistant directors, production designers, and script supervisors, with a focus on basic safety issues relevant to each department. Learn how to be a PA (Production Assistant)

Required textbooks: The Complete Film Production Handbook, Fourth Edition, ISBN-10: 024081150X Eve Light Honthaner 2010

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE: Cinema 911, 921, 931, 941 (1 - 3 UNITS - CSU)

Film and Television students receive credit for acceptable internships in the industry under the direction of supervising Cooperative Education director. Students meet virtually with the director and keep a diary of their work. Internship opportunities are made available to the Cinema-Television Department, but it is the responsibility of the student to secure one. This course is offered every semester and is repeatable. No textbook. The student must be enrolled in seven or more units at LACC (which may include up to four Co-op Ed units).

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