Screenwriting, Certificate of Achievement (C)

Program Overview

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Screenwriting, Certificate of Achievement (C)

Overview

Film and media have profound impacts on how we view the world and ourselves. The Film and Media Studies Department at Santa Barbara City College offers a wide variety of courses designed for film majors and interested non-majors who wish to enhance their knowledge and appreciation of film and media as part of their undergraduate education.

Requirements

• Complete all Department Requirements for the Certificate of Achievement with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better.
• Candidates for a Certificate of Achievement are required to complete at least 20% of the department requirements through SBCC.

Course List

Code	Title	Units
FS 101	Introduction to Film Studies	3-4
FS 101H	Introduction to Film Studies, Honors	3-4
FS 108A	Film Festival Studies	1.5-2
FS 108B	Film Festival Studies	1.5-2
FS 118	Film Genres	3
FS/ENG 173	Screenwriting I	3
FS 174	Screenwriting II	3
FS 179	Screenwriting III	3
Total Units	16.50-18.00

Learning Outcomes

1. Articulate and demonstrate an understanding of the history of U.S. and world cinema, in relation to filmmakers, style, movements, film industries and genres, using film terminology and standard English in written and oral presentations.
2. Articulate and demonstrate an understanding of the theories and critical models of cinema, in relation to auteur studies, style, movements, genre and social ideology, using film terminology and standard English in written and oral presentations.
3. Develop a final draft of a screenplay in industry standard format.
4. Write a final draft of a screenplay with three-dimensional characters, subtextual dialogue, and revealing action.
5. Create a final draft of a screenplay that demonstrates dramatic narrative structure.

Career Opportunities

Students may find employment at:

• Film festivals, such as the Santa Barbara Film Festival
• Film programs at museums, such as the Armond Hammer museum at UCLA or the Los County Museum of Art
• Newspapers, magazines, or websites writing film and media journalism and criticism
• Film and media department at a university, such as the University of California Santa Barbara or the University of California Los Angeles
• Film production for screenplay analysis, and more.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

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Overview:

The Screenwriting Certificate of Achievement program at Santa Barbara City College is designed to provide students with the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to write and produce screenplays for film and television. The program emphasizes the development of narrative structure, characterization, dialogue, and visual storytelling techniques.

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Objectives:

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Articulate and demonstrate an understanding of the history of U.S. and world cinema, in relation to filmmakers, style, movements, film industries, and genres.
• Articulate and demonstrate an understanding of the theories and critical models of cinema, in relation to auteur studies, style, movements, genre, and social ideology.
• Develop a final draft of a screenplay in industry-standard format.
• Write a final draft of a screenplay with three-dimensional characters, subtextual dialogue, and revealing action.
• Create a final draft of a screenplay that demonstrates dramatic narrative structure.

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Program Description:

The Screenwriting Certificate of Achievement program consists of 16.50-18.00 units of coursework. The required courses include:

• FS 101: Introduction to Film Studies (3-4 units)
• FS 108A: Film Festival Studies (1.5-2 units)
• FS 118: Film Genres (3 units)
• FS/ENG 173: Screenwriting I (3 units)
• FS 174: Screenwriting II (3 units)
• FS 179: Screenwriting III (3 units)

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Outline:

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Course Sequence:

The recommended course sequence for the Screenwriting Certificate of Achievement program is as follows:

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Year 1

• Fall Semester
• FS 101: Introduction to Film Studies (3-4 units)
• FS 108A: Film Festival Studies (1.5-2 units)
• FS/ENG 173: Screenwriting I (3 units)
• Spring Semester
• FS 118: Film Genres (3 units)
• FS 174: Screenwriting II (3 units)

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Year II

• Fall Semester
• FS 179: Screenwriting III (3 units)

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Assessment:

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Grading Criteria:

Students in the Screenwriting Certificate of Achievement program will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Class participation
• Quizzes
• Midterm exams
• Final exams
• Screenplay drafts
• Final screenplay

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Teaching:

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Teaching Methods:

The Screenwriting Certificate of Achievement program is taught using a variety of methods, including:

• Lectures
• Discussions
• Workshops
• Screenplay analysis
• Guest lectures from industry professionals

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Faculty:

The faculty in the Screenwriting Certificate of Achievement program are experienced professionals with expertise in screenwriting, filmmaking, and film theory.

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Unique Approaches:

The Screenwriting Certificate of Achievement program offers unique approaches to learning, including:

• The opportunity to work with industry professionals on real-world screenwriting projects
• The opportunity to participate in film festivals and other industry events
• The opportunity to develop a portfolio of screenwriting samples

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Careers:

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Career Opportunities:

Graduates of the Screenwriting Certificate of Achievement program may pursue careers in a variety of fields, including:

• Screenwriting
• Film production
• Television production
• Film criticism
• Film education
• Film festivals
• Museums
• Newspapers
• Magazines
• Websites
• Universities
• Screenplay analysis