Film, Media and Communications Optional Emphasis
Students enrolled in the BA or BS film programs can select an optional area of emphasis, although choosing an emphasis is not required. An emphasis helps students focus their coursework in an area of special interest to them in preparation for their future careers. The seven areas of emphases are:
- Documentary: Emphasizes building artistic and technical skills in the production of cinematic non-fiction storytelling.
- Photography: Provides a strong foundation in the aesthetics, technology, and business of capturing the still image.
- Cinematography: Emphasis on controlling light, motion, and the camera lens to tell cinematic stories.
- Film Studies: Focus on academic analysis and appreciation of film and media.
- Writing: Emphasizes fictional and non-fictional storytelling.
- Producing: Focus on the budgeting, organization, and management of media development, production, and distribution.
- Audio Production: Develops specific skills in recording, mixing, and producing audio for live performance, studio, music and cinematic applications.
Emphasis 1: Documentary
Required Courses
Elective Courses for Documentary Emphasis
Choose five of the following courses:
Emphasis 2: Photography
Required Courses
Elective Courses for Photography Emphasis
Choose four courses (12 units) from PHO and/or from the following:
Emphasis 3: Cinematography
Elective courses for Cinematography Emphasis
Choose four of the following courses:
Required Courses
Emphasis 4: Film Studies
Core major courses plus eight additional history or genre classes (24 units), such as
Emphasis 5: Writing
Required Courses
Electives for Writing Emphasis
Choose five of the following courses:
| BUS 21 | The Essentials of Business Writing and Presentation | 3 |
| ENG 106 | Introduction to Creative Writing | 3 |
| ENG 109 | Writing: Voice and View | 3 |
| ENG 150 | Fiction Workshop | 3 |
| ENG 152 | Creative Non-Fiction Workshop | 3 |
| ENG 153 | Writing for Stage and Screen | 3 |
| ENG 155 | Principles of Storytelling: An Introduction to Screenwriting | 3 |
| FLM 118 | New Media | 3 |
| FLM 127 | Documentary Storytelling | 3 |
| FLM 134 | Non-Fiction to Film | 3 |
| FLM 137B | Screenwriting 2 | 3 |
| FLM 137C/FLM 293A | Screenwriting: Production Workshop - Story | 3 |
| FLM 137D | Professional Screenwriting & the Art of the Rewrite | 3 |
| FLM 137E | Developing the TV Series | 3 |
| FLM 137F | Writing the Interactive Story | 3 |
| FLM 100K/FLM 202K | The Business of Screenwriting | 1 |
| FLM 167 | Screenwriting Pitching & Packaging | 3 |
| FLM 177 | Science Fiction & Human Rights | 3 |
| JRN 102 | Advanced Reporting and News Writing | 3 |
| JRN 115 | Multi-Platform Copy Editing | 3 |
| JRN 135 | Science & Environmental Reporting | 3 |
| JRN 145 | Arts & Entertainment Reporting | 3 |
| SPA 109 | Spanish Writing Lab | 3 |
| SPA 111 | Spanish-language Media Writing | 3 |
| SW 109 | Communication & Writing Essentials | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Emphasis 6: Producing
Required Courses
| BUS 5 | Business Law I | 3 |
| BUS 21 | The Essentials of Business Writing and Presentation | 3 |
| FLM 154A | Producing 1: Production Management | 3 |
| FLM 154B | Producing 2: The Indie Feature | 3 |
| FLM 160A | Directing 1 | 3 |
| FLM 193A | Production Workshop: On-Set Production 1 | 4 |
Electives for Producing Emphasis
Choose five of the following courses:
Emphasis 7: Audio Production
Required Courses
Elective Courses for Audio Production Emphasis
Choose four of the following courses (12 units):