Production Certificate of Achievement

Program Description

The Production Certificate is designed to prepare students for career paths in film, tv, and media production. It emphasizes production of short narrative, documentary, and long form media content. Note: Students who wish to pursue the Associates in Media Production the department advises students to take FTVM 102.

The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program.  Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway.  It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.

Division

Arts & Humanities

Department

Film, Television, and Media

Career and Academic Pathway (CAP)

Arts, Communication, Design

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Qualify for entry-level work in media, television, or film production.

  2. Have an online portfolio of work to demonstrate entry-level skills.

  3. Write a resume for entry level employment in media, television, or film production.

  4. Modify and edit film and media content for distribution.

Program Map

GE General Education
O Available Online
Program Requirement
P Program Prerequisites

1st Semester

12 units
FTVM 130
Film and TV Production Basics

This course is designed for students who are interested in transforming a narrative concept into a practical production. By viewing, discussing, planning, and developing stories. Film, television, and media students will learn skills necessary to produce a film or video in a TV Studio and location environment. Topics include studio signal flow, directing, theory and operation of camera and audio equipment, switcher operation, fundamentals of lighting, graphics, video control and video recording and real-time video production.

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101
  2. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101H
FTVM 122
Acting and Directing for Television and Film

This course provides instruction and practice in acting and directing for television and film, including voice, character development, and creating a visual style.

Course Details:

FTVM 131
Cinematography

In this hands-on course, students will delve into the art and craft of cinematography: the methods and techniques by which motion picture photography and lighting help give a film meaning and aesthetic purpose. Through lectures, demonstrations and exercises in a supervised classroom environment, students will learn to operate state-of-the-art digital and electronic equipment while applying the fundamental principles of lighting, composition, exposure, focus, lens selection, and camera dynamics into purposeful visual storytelling.

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101
  2. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101H
FTVM 233 or FTVM 234 or FTVM 235
This is an in-depth course in techniques of planning, producing, writing, and directing television programs; with an emphasis on polishing technical skills, creativity, and teamwork. Explores advanced video switching techniques, video recording and editing formats, program rundowns, timing, and advanced director's cues. (Formerly RTVF 230)

Course Details:

  1. Prerequisite: FTVM 130
OR

In this course, the techniques of digital short filmmaking and of critical appreciation, while emphasizing students’ personal and creative expression. Topics will include the theory and practice of visualization, the grammar of cinematic storytelling, the aesthetics of various film movements, camera technique, lighting, sound recording, directing, and other fundamentals related to learning the craft of digital filmmaking. Students will work collaboratively to complete a short film by the end of the semester. 

Course Details:

  1. Prerequisite: FTVM 122
  2. Prerequisite: FTVM 130
    3. or
  3. Prerequisite: FTVM 131
OR

This course focuses on techniques of cinema and motion picture production using theoretical and critical rubrics, allowing the student to gain proficiency in producing, directing, cinematography, production design, sound recording, grip/electric, and editing as applied in feature films and films made for television and Internet. Students will develop skills and work as a team while learning the roles and responsibilities of various facets of the filmmaking process during pre-production, production and post-production. Working with previously original scripts written by students, students learn skills that include the visualization of the screenplay, script breakdown, preparation of shot lists, direction of actors, and the staging of action for the camera.

Course Details:

  1. Prerequisite: FTVM 122
  2. Prerequisite: FTVM 130