Associate in Arts Degree Program

Program Overview

The Film Associate in Arts Degree Program at the College of San Mateo provides a comprehensive foundation in film studies and production. Students gain hands-on experience in all aspects of filmmaking, including scriptwriting, directing, cinematography, editing, and sound design. The program prepares graduates for entry-level positions in the film and television industries or further education at the university level.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Many graduates continue their education at a university, majoring in Film. Career opportunities for those with an A.A., B.A. or advanced degree include film criticism, film education and production in the film and television industries.

Objectives:

• To equip students with a comprehensive understanding of film history, theory, and aesthetics.
• To develop critical thinking and analysis skills in relation to film.
• To train students in various aspects of film production, including pre-production, production, and post-production.
• To prepare students for further education in film at the university level.
• To equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for entry-level positions in the film and television industries.

Program Description:

The Film Associate in Arts Degree Program at the College of San Mateo is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in film studies and production. The program offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers the history of film, film theory, film criticism, film production, and digital media. Students will gain hands-on experience in all aspects of filmmaking, including scriptwriting, directing, cinematography, editing, and sound design. The program also emphasizes critical thinking and analysis, enabling students to engage with film in a meaningful and insightful way.

Additional Information:

• The program is designed to be completed in two years.
• Students may choose to specialize in a particular area of film, such as directing, screenwriting, or cinematography.
• The program offers a variety of internship opportunities to help students gain real-world experience.
• Graduates of the program are well-prepared to transfer to four-year universities to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Film or a related field.

Outline:

The Film Associate in Arts Degree Program at the College of San Mateo consists of two main components:

Required Core Courses (15 units):

• FILM 100 Introduction to Film (3 units): This course provides an overview of the history, theory, and aesthetics of film.
• FILM 120 Film History I (4 units): This course covers the history of film from its origins to the present day, with a focus on early cinema, the Classical Hollywood era, and the emergence of international film movements.
• FILM 121 Film History II (4 units): This course continues the study of film history, focusing on contemporary film movements, auteur cinema, and global cinema.
• FILM 215 Film and New Digital Media (4 units): This course explores the intersection of film and new digital media, including the impact of digital technology on film production, distribution, and exhibition.

Required Selective Courses (3 courses for a total of 9-12 units): Students can choose from a variety of elective courses to tailor their program to their specific interests. Some of the available courses include:

• DGME 100 Media in Society (3 units): This course examines the role of media in society, with a focus on film, television, and digital media.
• DGME 113 Digital Video Production (3 units): This course provides hands-on training in digital video production, including camera operation, lighting, sound recording, and editing.
• DGME 118 Digital Audio Production (3 units): This course provides hands-on training in digital audio production, including sound design, recording, and mixing.
• ENGL 161 Creative Writing I (3 units): This course introduces students to the fundamentals of creative writing, including fiction, poetry, and drama.
• ENGL 162 Creative Writing II (3 units): This course builds on the skills developed in Creative Writing I, with a focus on developing individual writing styles and voices.
• ENGL 163 Creative Writing III (3 units): This course provides advanced instruction in creative writing, with a focus on developing a writing portfolio.
• ETHN 288 African-American Cinema (3 units): This course examines the history and development of African-American cinema, from its origins to the present day.
• ETHN 585 Ethnicity in Cinema (3 units): This course explores the representation of ethnicity in film, with a focus on different ethnic groups and their cinematic representations.
• FILM 122 Film History Focus (4 units): This course offers a more in-depth study of a specific topic in film history, such as the French New Wave, Italian Neorealism, or American independent cinema.
• FILM 123 Documentary Film: Studies and Practice (4 units): This course provides both theoretical and practical instruction in documentary filmmaking, including research, interviewing, shooting, and editing.
• FILM 130 Film Directors (4 units): This course examines the work of major film directors, such as Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, and Akira Kurosawa.
• FILM 135 Film Genres (4 units): This course explores different film genres, such as noir, western, and science fiction.
• FILM 140 Contemporary World Cinema (4 units): This course examines contemporary film from around the world, with a focus on international film festivals and auteur cinema.
• FILM 145 Watching Quality Television (4 units): This course examines the history and development of quality television, with a focus on auteur television and serialized dramas.
• FILM 153 Screenwriting (3 units): This course provides instruction in the fundamentals of screenwriting, including story structure, character development, and dialogue writing.
• FILM 154 Expanded Scriptwriting Skills (3 units): This course builds on the skills developed in Screenwriting, with a focus on developing individual writing styles and voices.
• FILM 200 Film in Focus (4 units): This course offers a more in-depth study of a specific topic in film, such as film theory, film criticism, or film aesthetics.

Careers:

Individuals with an A.A. in Film from the College of San Mateo may pursue careers in a variety of fields, including:

• Film criticism: Film critics write reviews and analyses of films for newspapers, magazines, websites, and other publications.
• Film education: Film educators teach film courses at the high school, community college, and university levels.
• Film production: Film producers oversee all aspects of film production, from development to distribution.
• Film directing: Film directors are responsible for the overall creative vision of a film.
• Screenwriting: Screenwriters write the scripts for films and television shows.
• Cinematography: Cinematographers are responsible for the camera work in a film.
• Editing: Film editors assemble the footage shot by the cinematographer into a finished film.
• Sound design: Sound designers create and mix the sound for films.

Other:

• The Film Associate in Arts Degree Program at the College of San Mateo is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC).
• The program is offered at the College of San Mateo's main campus in San Mateo, California.
• The program is typically offered on a part-time basis, with evening and weekend classes available.
• The program is open to students of all backgrounds and experience levels.
• The program is designed to be affordable and accessible to all students.