Classes
This is a comprehensive list of all the classes we offer. Please note that all classes are not always offered. Frequency will be in the description.
Register for classes at sfcc.edu
Screenwriting
FDMA 1560 - Screenwriting I
Credits: 3
[Previously offered as: FILM 175] An introduction to writing scripts for media and film. Students are introduced to narrative film structure and produce a script.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 109.
Offered: Fall and Spring.
FDMA 2560 - Screenwriting II
Credits: 3
Previously offered as: FILM 275] A second level course exploring the feature length screenplay. Students will learn the techniques of marketing a script, pitching ideas, and finding and working with a Hollywood agent.
Prerequisite(s): FDMA 1560.
Offered: Fall and Spring.
Pre Production
FDMA 2820 - Producing and Directing the Independent Film
Credits: 3
[Previously offered as: FILM 239] The study of pre-production, production and post-production processes needed to produce and direct the independent motion picture. Students will complete a script breakdown, shooting schedule, budget and design a distribution roll-out plan. Students will discuss and analyze contractuals, film unions and crew management.
Offered: Occasionally.
FDMA 2125 - Film Crew II
Credits: 4
[Previously offered as: FILM 141] The second of three courses (FDMA 2120, FDMA 2125 and FDMA 2130) designed to train students to become working members of film crews. It will be taught by working film professionals. Content will be lecture and hands-on. Students complete the semester by working as part of an actual film crew as below-the-line and above-the-line crew members.
Prerequisite(s): FDMA 2120 and FDMA 1130 .
Offered: Fall and Spring.
FDMA 2860 - Business of Film
Credits: 3
[Previously offered as: FILM 201] A study of the business of filmmaking focusing on how to produce an independent film. Students explore budgeting and script breakdown, setting up a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC), taxes, roll-out plans, union and non-union productions, contracts, deal memos and general entertainment law. This course also covers filming permits, production insurance and production agreements.
Prerequisite(s): FDMA 2120 and FDMA 1130 or permission.
Offered: Fall and Spring.
Production
FDMA 1210 - Digital Video Production I
Credits: 3
[Previously offered as: FILM 130] An introduction to digital video production. Students learn camera operation, lights and audio equipment. Hands-on production is completed in the studio and on location.
Offered: Fall and Spring.
FDMA 2525 - Video Production II
Credits: 3
[Previously offered as: FILM 230] An in-depth exploration of digital video production, including camera, lighting and sound production techniques for studio and field production. This class will help the filmmaker visualize and execute a digital film in a real-world team environment.
Prerequisite(s): FDMA 1210 or FDMA 1450 or FDMA 1460 and FDMA 1220.
Offered: Occasionally.
FDMA 1130L - Film Crew I Lab
Credits: 1
[Previously offered as: FILM 140L] Corequisite for Film Crew I. Students complete International Alliance of Technical Stage Employees (IATSE 480, OSHA) safety training, a fitness assessment and training in basic nutrition and environmental concerns specific to film set work. Students complete technical workshops for equipment operation. Students are responsible for fees required for certification.
Corequisite(s): FDMA 2120.
Offered: Summer, Fall and Spring.
FDMA 2120 - Film Crew I - Introduction to Film and Media Workflow
Credits: 3
[Previously offered as: FILM 140] An introduction to the film industry. This class teaches film production processes, film crew hierarchy, film production set-safety and etiquette and provides hands-on training in industry standard film production equipment. Students complete the semester by participating as below-the-line crew members on a short film.
Corequisite(s): FDMA 1130L.
Offered: Summer, Fall and Spring.
FDMA 2130 - Film Crew III
Credits: 9
[Previously offered as: FILM 240] This is the third of three courses designed to train students to become working members of film crews. Students work in teams to complete a short motion picture.
Prerequisite(s): FDMA 2125 and permission.
Offered: Occasionally.
FDMA 2135 - Film Crew IV
Credits: 9
[Previously offered as: FILM 241] The first of two courses that span a full academic year. In FILM CREW IV students who have been accepted will produce and direct their film and/or media project Students will work with instructors during this process and have access to equipment, technology and student crew members to complete their production. Students must have completed their pre-production for their project and have followed the submission guidelines published by the college before taking this class.
Permission required.
Prerequisite(s): FDMA 2130 and FDMA 2165.
Offered: Occasionally.
FDMA 2140 - Film Crew V
Credits: 9
[Previously offered as: FILM 242] The second of two courses that span a full academic year. In FILM CREW V students who have been accepted will complete the post-production process for their film and/or media project. Students will work with mentors during this process and have access to equipment, technology and student crew members to complete their production. Students will have a deadline for completion set by the instructors. Upon completion all students must participate in the college’s end of the year screening program as well as submit to four film festivals statewide.
Permission required.
Prerequisite(s): FDMA 2135.
Offered: Occasionally.
FILM 244 - Advanced Film Lighting
Credits: 3
Advanced course in film lighting skills for the professional motion picture and television industry. This course covers general electrical concepts, cabling, generators, electrical power stations, and on-set safety. Students focus on both studio and location lighting. Students gain practical experience through use of industry standard equipment, including tungsten, HMI, LED, and natural lighting.
Prerequisite(s): FDMA 2120 and FDMA 1130
Offered: Fall and Spring
FDMA 2170 - Advanced Grip Training
Credits: 3
Advanced course in grip skills for the professional motion picture and television industry. This course covers building and operation of camera dollies, jibs, general rigging techniques, and on-set safety. Students gain practical experience through use of industry standard equipment.
Prerequisite(s): FDMA 2120, FDMA 1130
Offered: Summer, Fall, Spring
FDMA 2520 - Introduction to Cinematography
Credits: 3
[Previously offered as: FILM 280] The Director of Photography (or Cinematographer), in close collaboration with the Director and Production Designer, helps determine the look of a film. This course is designed to introduce students to the technical and aesthetic fundamentals of creating, developing, and collaborating on the visual elements of storytelling, using camera framing, lensing, and lighting fundamentals such as shadows, light and color.
Prerequisite(s): (FDMA 1210 or FDMA 2120) and (FDMA 1210 or FDMA 1450 or FDMA 1460).
Offered: Occasionally.
FDMA 2215 - Digital Cinematography II
Credits: 3
[Previously offered as: FILM 281] Teaches professional skills for digital video motion photography. Students use professional camera, lighting, and grip equipment; develop digital acquisition workflow for post-production; work in small film crews; and apply professional cinema techniques to image acquisition.
Prerequisite(s): FDMA 2520.
Offered: Occasionally.
FDMA 2215L - Digital Cinematography Lab
Credits: 3
[Previously offered as: FILM 281L] An entry level course that focuses on training students for the position of First and Second Assistant Camera in the film and television industry. Students will work with industry standard camera equipment in real world conditions. Students will learn to prepare a camera gear and lenses, prepare camera reports, work with digital file management, and 4K workflow.
May be taken twice for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisite(s): FDMA 2120 and FDMA 1130 and FDMA 2520.
Offered: Summer, Fall and Spring.
Film 236 - Sound For Film
Credits: 3
This class is a broad overview of Sound for Film, from set to post. In the first half of the class students will gain experience assisting the production of the Film Crew Seminar by working as members of the sound crew. This real world experience is second only to working on a ‘real’ film set. Great intro for those interested in pursuing work in the film industry as well as giving budding directors/producers the experience of learning what it takes to get great sound on set and avoid “fixing it in post.” In the second part of the class, focusing on post-production, students will open a ‘picture locked’ video in Pro Tools and learn the process of cleaning up dialogue and creating sound design elements. Students are also encouraged to bring in their own sound equipment to better understand how to use it in the field. Prerequisites: MART 160 and FILM 131. Offered: Spring. Two lecture hours, two lab hours.
FDMA 2610 - Directing I
Credits: 3
[Previously offered as: FILM 190] Introduction to the creative process of a film director. Students participate in hands-on workshops and develop stories for motion media, create screenplays and work with actors in short scenes using current technologies in film, television and web-based media production. Prerequisites: ENGL 109 and FDMA 2120 and FDMA 2125. Offered: Fall and Spring. Two lecture hours, two lab hours.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 109 and FDMA 2120 and FDMA 2125.
Offered: Spring.
FDMA 2620 - Directing II
Credits: 3
[Previously offered as: FILM 290] A second level course in directing techniques used in film, television and web-based productions. Designed for students with some acting and directing training. Students participate in hands-on workshops and create, direct and act in short films using current technologies in film, television and web-based media production.
Prerequisite(s): FDMA 1420 and FDMA 2610.
Offered: Fall.
DOCUMENTARY
FDMA 2315 - Documentary Film Production I
Credits: 3
[Previously offered as: FILM 210] An introduction to planning and producing a short documentary film. In this workshop-based class, students work individually and in teams.
Prerequisite(s): FDMA 1210 or FDMA 1450 or FDMA 1460 and FDMA 1220.
Offered: Occasionally.
FDMA 2330 - Documentary Film Production II
Credits: 3
[Previously offered as: FILM 211] A second-level workshop class in which students work individually and in teams learning and utilizing the necessary skills to plan, produce, shoot and edit a short documentary film. Students will learn the business of documentary filmmaking and begin the processes needed for distribution.
Prerequisite(s): FDMA 2315.
Offered: Occasionally.
FDMA 2999 - Documentary Capstone Project
Credits: 4
A capstone course for documentary filmmaking. This course consists of the production of a documentary short film. It is designed to provide the opportunity to produce and direct a documentary on a major subject of interest. Students develop a documentary concept, create a pre-production plan, and execute it, resulting in a finished documentary production.
May be taken twice for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisite(s): FDMA 2315 and FDMA 2330, or permission.
Offered: Fall
Post Production
FDMA 1220 - Introduction to Digital Video Editing
Credits: 3
[Previously offered as: FILM 131] The basics of the post-production process for non-linear video editing. Students work with multiple video formats and create short movies for multiple distribution platforms. Skills include media management and professional terminology.
Offered: Summer, Fall and Spring.
FDMA 2340 - Editing II
Credits: 3
[Previously offered as: FILM 231] A second level class in non-linear video editing. Training includes various non-linear software tools expanding on concepts learned in Editing I. Students will complete individual short editing projects. Students will provide their own removable hard drive.
Prerequisite(s): FDMA 1220.
Offered: Summer, Fall and Spring.
FDMA 2145 - Post-Production Color Compositing
Credits: 3
An intermediate course in color grading, color compositing, and post-production using DaVinci Resolve. This course provides hands-on training in the theories, techniques, and practice of digital color grading and editing with the DaVinci Resolve post-production editing system. Students explore the core principles of color compositing and color grading to enhance and bring a new layer of story to images and film
Prerequisite(s): FDMA 1220 or FDMA 2340 or FDMA 2345
Offered: Fall and Spring
Film Theory
FDMA 1110 - Film History
Credits: 3
[Previously offered as: FILM 155] A survey of the history of cinema - investigating the process by which the original “cinema of attractions” evolved into a globally dominant form of visual storytelling. Students explore the development of cinema both as an art form and as an industry, and consider the technological, economic, cultural factors, and key international movements that shape it.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 109.
Offered: Fall and Spring.
FDMA 1700 - Film Theory and Criticism
Credits: 3
[Previously offered as: FILM 160] An exploration of the nature of film as a complex cultural, psychological, and political medium through the discussion of key theoretical and critical approaches. Includes realist theory, genre criticism, auteur theory, structuralism, feminist theory, and journalistic criticism. The course combines weekly feature-length viewings with lectures, group discussions, and written assignments.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 109.
Offered: Occasionally.
FDMA 2110 - Introduction to Film Studies
Credits: 3
[Previously offered as: FILM 150] Introduction to the fundamentals in film history, criticism and theory. through viewing and analysis of a variety of narrative, documentary, and experimental films, students advance their understanding of key issues in filmic representation and aesthetics. A range of approaches is employed in understanding the aesthetic and cultural significance of the medium, including feminism, post-colunialism, critical race theory and modernism.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 109.
Offered: Fall.
FDMA 2175 - International Cinema
Credits: 3
[Previously offered as: FILM 255] A cinematic exploration of other nations, cultures and ways of perception. Films from around the world provide the basis for such topics as the historical development of a nation’s cinema through the eyes of its leading directors; an in-depth focus on the works of a foreign filmmaker; a multi-cultural comparison of films thematically linked; and other subjects related to appreciating international cinema.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 109.
Offered: Occasionally.
FDMA 2180 - International Horror Cinema
Credits: 3
[Previously offered as: FILM 250] In-depth analysis of international horror cinema in which students explore important contributions from foreign countries to the horror genre. Rare films offer insight into the development of cinema’s portrayal of the terrifying from ghosts to homicidal maniacs, from social judgment to repressed sexuality.
Offered: Occasionally.
FDMA 2195 - Beyond Hollywood
Credits: 3
Concentrates on films that challenge dominant and disciplinary gazes on class, gender, race and sexuality. Through film screenings, readings, and discussions, classes center on the exploration and critique of dominant power, ideologies and institutions in society, providing views from the margins. Through the establishment and use of basic vocabulary and analytic methodologies of film studies, students explore larger theoretical and practical questions about how cinema functions as a cultural and ideological force. Class screenings cover a breadth of world cinema but readings, discussions, and outside film viewings provide a more comprehensive overall picture.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 109.
Offered: Spring.
Acting
FDMA 1420 - Performance for Film and Media I
Credits: 3
[Previously offered as: FILM 145] Introduction to acting skills and techniques unique to film, television and web-based productions. The class includes writing and performing a monologue for the screen, partner scene work, audition preparation and professional filmmaking terminology.
Offered: Summer, Fall and Spring.
FDMA 2420 - Performance for Film and Media II
Credits: 3
[Previously offered as: FILM 245] A second level class that reviews on-camera techniques for performers. Students perform in short film scenes directed by student directors, write and perform short monologues.
Prerequisite(s): FDMA 1420.
Offered: Spring.
Miscellaneous
FDMA 1185 - Experimental Cinema
Credits: 3
Balances practical exercises with a theoretical and historical approach to film that expands and challenges the current views within the independent film industry nationally and internationally. Students experiment with conceptions of filmmaking by creating dialogue and healthy debate while also fostering individual creativity, as filmmakers, artists and citizens of the future.
Offered: Fall.
FDMA 1460 - Women Make Media
Credits: 3
[Previously offered as: FILM 136] Designed for women ages 18+. The class focuses on directing, producing, shooting and editing through hands on workshops. Students in the class will work individually and in teams to create small films. Classes are designed to create media literacy pertaining to female focused subjects and create feminine voice through altruistic behavior. Offered: Occasionally. Three lecture hours.
Offered: Occasionally
FDMA 2160 - Film Crew Seminar
Credits: .5-3
[Previously offered as: FILM 270] Industry specific seminars focused on particular craft areas in the film industry. Seminars are hands-on practical classes.
Students may take the seminar class up to four times for degree credit.
Offered: Occasionally.
FDMA 2165 - Film Crew Internship
Credits: 3
[Previously offered as: FILM 298] Internship students work on various film projects from Hollywood films to independent feature to public service announcements. Student must complete 150 internship hours in the course of one semester. All students participating in the internship program must have a B or better in Film Crew Training I and complete a Production Assistant Workshop.
Prerequisite(s): FDMA 2120.
Offered: Summer, Fall and Spring.