Cinematic Arts, Film and Television Production (BFA)

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The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cinematic Arts, Film and Television Production is a unique four-year program, offered by the School of Cinematic Arts, that combines a liberal arts background with comprehensive specialization in a profession. Students are provided an intensive production experience combined with requirements and electives from other School of Cinematic Arts programs including Critical Studies, Writing, Animation and Interactive Media. The degree requires 128 units, including 64 units in Cinematic Arts, many of which are taken in a sequential order.

Applicants must submit a supplemental application and materials to the Undergraduate Production Program. For specific instructions, contact the Cinematic Arts Office of Admission, University Park, Los Angeles, CA 90089-2211, (213) 740-8358 or online at cinema.usc.edu.

General Education Requirements

The university’s general education program provides a coherent, integrated introduction to the breadth of knowledge you will need to consider yourself (and to be considered by other people) a generally well-educated person. This program is effective for all students entering USC in fall 2015 or later, or transfer students beginning college elsewhere at that time and subsequently transferring to USC. It requires eight courses in six Core Literacies, plus two courses in Global Perspectives (which may double-count with courses in the Core Literacies) and two courses in writing.

Production Sequence

Candidates for the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Film and Television Production are required to take CTPR 285 Lateral Thinking for Filmmaking Practice , CTPR 290 Cinematic Communication , CTPR 294 Directing in Television, Fiction, and Documentary and CTPR 295 L Cinematic Arts Laboratory . These courses are taken in the first two years of the program in preparation for the next phase of the production sequence, CTPR 310 Intermediate Production .

CTPR 285 introduces contemporary concepts of production, emphasizing the variety of contemporary media and significant related concepts. Students will create mini-projects using laptops, phones and networks.

CTPR 290 introduces the interrelationship of visuals, sound and editing in cinematic communication. Students participate in directing and producing workshops as well as individual and group projects. Approximately $1,000 should be budgeted for miscellaneous expenses, lab and insurance fees.

In CTPR 294 , students explore the basic concepts of directing in television, documentary and dramatic narrative by working with actors, documentary production and the creation of short television projects.

In CTPR 295 , students study the aesthetics and tools of the major disciplines of cinematic arts: producing, cinematography, sound and editing.

CTPR 310 Intermediate Production is the second phase of the production sequence. In this workshop students work in small crews, learning to collaborate and explore the expressive principles of visual and audio communication; idea development and realization using image, movement, pace, the spoken word and other sounds. Most equipment and materials are provided by the school; however, approximately $2,000 should be budgeted for miscellaneous expenses, lab and insurance fees.

To qualify for enrollment in CTPR 310 , students must fulfill all requirements outlined in the CTPR 310 guidelines distributed in CTPR 294 .

Following CTPR 310 , students must take CTPR 450 The Production and Post-Production Assistant , and refine their areas of interest by taking advanced-level practicum courses within the major disciplines of production: directing, editing, cinematography, sound, producing and production design. Thereafter students complete the final phase of the production sequence by taking one of the following courses: CTPR 480 , CTPR 484 or CTPR 486 .

In CTPR 480 Advanced Production Workshop , production students form crews in which directors, producers, cinematographers, editors and sound designers collaborate to produce, shoot, edit and deliver a fictional narrative, documentary or experimental project in one semester.

Equipment and facilities are provided by the school. There are extra personal expenses associated with all production workshops.

To qualify for enrollment in CTPR 480 , students must fulfill all requirements outlined in the CTPR 480 guidelines distributed in CTPR 450 .

CTPR 484 Advanced Multi-Camera Television Workshop is a class in which students will produce a half-hour situation comedy pilot in one semester.

CTPR 486 Single Camera Television Dramatic Series is a class in which students collaborate on the production and post-production of an original episodic drama, 44 minutes in length, that is shot on original sets.

CTPR 285 , CTPR 290 , CTPR 294 , CTPR 295 , CTPR 310 , CTPR 480 , CTPR 484 and CTPR 486 cannot be waived or substituted with another course or transfer credit under any circumstances.

Additional Requirements

Grade Point Average Requirements

A minimum grade of C, 2.0 (A = 4.0), must be earned in all required and prerequisite courses. A grade of C- (1.7) or lower will not fulfill a major requirement.

Students who do not earn the minimum grade of C (2.0) in CTPR 285 , CTPR 290 , CTPR 294 , CTPR 295 and CTPR 310 after repeating these requirements will be disqualified from the program.

Limitations on Enrollment

Registration in graduate-level courses (numbered 500) for undergraduate credit requires prior approval from the School of Cinematic Arts.

Curriculum Review

Cinematic Arts majors are expected to meet with an adviser every semester to review their progress. Contact the Cinematic Arts Student Services Office (SCB 105), (213) 740-8358, for an appointment.

Cinematic Arts, Film and Television Production (BFA)

General Education Requirements

Production Sequence

Course Requirements

and a choice of:

One of the following critical studies courses:

Three of the following production practicum courses:

One of the following production courses:

One course from the following:

Four units from the following:

Additional Requirements

Grade Point Average Requirements

Limitations on Enrollment

Curriculum Review