For more than 25 years, the Cinema program has been known for giving students hands-on, “real world” experience in the fields of visual storytelling, aesthetics, composition, directing, producing, screenwriting, cinematography, lighting, audio and editing. Teaching you the skills to thrive in the competitive film industry is our priority.
We use the latest technology, including Red Digital Cinema Cameras, Final Cut Pro X and Adobe Premiere CC 2020. Saddleback offers a full set of filmmaking tools such as dollies, steadicams, and industry-standard lighting, camera, and audio packages. Our productions each year are featured in the Newport Beach Film Festival and we consistently send our students to the top university film schools or place them in desirable internships and jobs.
The diverse curriculum allows you to experience each crew position so you can find what works for you and where your talent lies. Every production crew functions as a team working in tandem to complete films. There are no auteurs in our program.
Courses are designed to teach you the technical skill and discipline to succeed in the film industry.
Curriculum
Curriculum changes as industry standards transform. Please refer to the Saddleback College Catalog website as the following requirements may have changed since this webpage was published.
Cinema Certificate Program
Core Courses
| Course ID | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CTVR 40* | Television and Film Scriptwriting I | 3 |
| CTVR 101 | Video Production Basics | 3 |
| Select from Specialty Area below | 15 | |
| Total Required Units | 18-21 | |
Specialty Area 1—Cinema Required Courses:
| Course ID | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CTVR 31* | Film Production I | 3 |
| CTVR 32* | Film Production II | 3 |
Electives: (9 units)
| Course ID | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CTVR 42* | Television and Film Directing | 3 |
| CTVR 111* | Audio and Sound Design for Television and Film | 3 |
| CTVR 129* | Documentary Production | 3 |
| CTVR 140* | Television and Film Scriptwriting II | 3 |
| CTVR 151 | Non-Linear Editing I | 3 |
| CTVR 233* | Film Production III | 3 |
| CTVR 251* | Non-Linear Editing II | 3 |
| CTVR 262 | Production Management | 1 |
| CTVR 264* | Cinematography | 2 |
| CTVR 266 | Script Supervising for Film and Television | 3 |
| CTVR 280* | Cinema/Television/Radio Employment Skills | 3 |
| CTVR 290* | Acting for the Camera I | 3 |
| CTVR 291* | Acting for the Camera II- Creating a Character | 3 |
| CWE 180* | Cooperative Work Experience: Cinema | 1 |
*Course has a prerequisite, corequisite, limitation, or recommended preparation; see course description.
Associate Degree
Associate in Science Degree
Completion of the certificate program and a minimum of 60 units including the general education requirements with an overall GPA of 2.0 qualifies the student for the Associate in Science degree. A minimum of 12 units must be completed at Saddleback College.Associate in Arts Degree
Complete a minimum of 60 units including the total number of units described above and the General Education requirements with an overall GPA of 2.0 to qualify for the Associate in Arts degree. A minimum of 12 units must be completed at Saddleback College.General Education Requirements for Associate Degrees
Refer to the Graduation Requirements or to the CSU-GE and IGETC patterns in this catalog for specific courses which meet general education requirements. Refer to ASSIST.org and to the transfer institution's catalog for transfer requirements.Cinema Occupational Skills Awards
| Course ID | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CTVR 31* | Film Production I | 3 |
| CTVR 32* | Film Production II | 3 |
| CTVR 101 | Video Production Basics | 3 |
| Select from Restricted Electives | 6 | |
| Total Required Units | 15 | |
Restricted Electives:
| Course ID | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CTVR 40* | Television and Film Scriptwriting I | 3 |
| CTVR 42* | Television and Film Directing | 3 |
| CTVR 111* | Audio and Sound Design for Television and Film | 3 |
| CTVR 140* | Television and Film Scriptwriting II | 3 |
| CTVR 151 | Non-Linear Editing I | 3 |
| CTVR 233* | Film Production III | 3 |
| CTVR 251* | Non-Linear Editing II | 3 |
| CTVR 262 | Production Management | 1 |
| CTVR 264* | Cinematography | 2 |
| CTVR 266 | Script Supervising for Film and Television | 3 |
| CTVR 280* | Cinema/Television/Radio Employment Skills | 3 |
| CTVR 290* | Performance for Television and Film | 3 |
| CWE 180* | Cooperative Work Experience: Cinema | 1 |
*Course has a prerequisite, corequisite, limitation, or recommended preparation; see course description.