Cinema

College of Creative Arts
Dean:

Department of Cinema
A & I Addition 245
415-338-1629
Fax: 415-338-0906
E-mail: cinedept@sfsu.edu
Chair: Jan Millsapps

Undergraduate Office: A&I 243
415-338-6510
Graduate Office: A&I 243
415-338-1724

Faculty

 Professors--Clark, Ferrero, Goldner, Kasdan, Kitses, Kovacs, Lewis, R., Nichols

Associate Professors--Amlin, Holmes, Millsapps, Veeder

Assistant Professor--Lippit

Programs

B.A. in Cinema

Minor in Cinema

M.A. in Cinema Studies

M.F.A. in Cinema

Program Scope

The Cinema Department was founded amid the political activism and artistic experimentation of the sixties. Today, as it was then, the Cinema Department is committed to a curriculum which recognizes cinema as an independent, powerful, and unique medium of expression. Cinema programs combine theory and practice; students are encouraged to engage in scholarship and to pursue all forms of cinema production.

The goal of undergraduate instruction in the Cinema Department is to foster creative, critical, and independent endeavor as part of a liberal arts education. Students in the B.A. program complete core courses, including film history and critical studies, before continuing in advanced theory/criticism, screenwriting and production, or animation. Students are encouraged to combine courses from several areas in their major program. All areas lead to a B.A. in Cinema. A Minor in Cinema is also available.

The M.A. in Cinema Studies is intended for individuals who wish to pursue research and writing in selected areas of film scholarship. The M.A. provides a foundation in film history, theory, and criticism, and prepares the student for further study at the Ph.D. level. A thesis project allows for focused research on a specific topic.

The M.F.A. in Cinema emphasizes a knowledge of cinematic tradition, the development of individual creative vision and proficiency in technical crafts. The program integrates new processes, aesthetics, and technologies and encourages the development of original modes of expression. Course work emphasizes cinema production, with possible specialization in animation. Parallel course work in theory and aesthetics are included in years one and two.

The M.F.A. aims to: (1) provide students with rigorous, professional training in cinema production in conjunction with an understanding of cinema history, theory, and aesthetics; (2) inform students about current and emerging production practices and technologies to prepare them to become leaders and innovators in creating the cinema of the future; (3) prepare filmmakers who wish to teach cinema at the college or university level.

General Education Classes in Cinema

The Cinema Department offers the following General Education courses to any San Francisco State University student:

CINE 102	Introduction to Contemporary Cinema
CINE 308	Third World Cinema
CINE 325	Focus on Film Topics (topics to be specified)
CINE 342	Documentary Film
CINE 373	Film and Society
CINE 404	Gender and Film

Facilities

 The Cinema Department is housed in one of the most comprehensive and modern production facilities in Northern California. The state-of-the-art facility includes a 150-seat screening theatre, a 2500' shooting stage, editing and post-production areas for both sprocket and electronic media, sound recording and mixing studios with digital audio workstations, an animation studio with film and computer workstations, an on-line computer laboratory, and the Cinema Studies Center.

Career Outlook

Cinema graduates often work as independent film producers or in varying capacities within the film industry--as producers, directors, cinematographers, editors, sound recordists and mixers, animators, and multimedia artists. Many B.A. graduates continue with advanced studies in either production or theory/criticism. The M.A. prepares graduates to work in areas of applied film scholarship or to pursue doctoral study in cinema. The M.F.A. degree prepares graduates to work as independent producers, to assume creative professional roles within the film industry, or to teach at the college or university level.

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN CINEMA

Admission to the Program

 Application Filing Periods. Applications for admission to the Cinema Department are accepted by the university's Office of Admissions only during the application filing periods of November 1-30 (for admission the following Fall) and August 1-31 (for admission the following Spring). Applications received at other times will not be considered.

No special application is required to declare a major in cinema; however, all declared Cinema majors must complete the core courses (CINE 101, 300 or 302, 340, and 341) with a grade of C or better in each course and a total grade point average of C+ or better (2.3) in all core courses before advancing in the Cinema program. Credit by examination is possible for certain core requirements. Students who do not meet the minimum grade criteria and are not on academic probation may request a portfolio review in lieu of additional core course work. New and prospective students should consult with the undergraduate advising office for more information. Information is also available on the Cinema Department Web site: http://www.cinema.sfsu.edu.

Change of Major Applicants. Undeclared majors and students enrolled in other disciplines at San Francisco State University who seek to change their major to Cinema must first complete prerequisite core requirements with a grade of C or better in each course and a total grade point average of C+ or better (2.3) in all core courses.

Description of the Program

Advising Process. Each Cinema major is assigned a major adviser. It is the student's responsibility to consult with his/her adviser upon entry into the program and to obtain the adviser's signature on the Cinema Undergraduate Advising Form upon completion of prerequisite core courses. This form is required for enrollment in advanced Cinema courses. Students are encouraged to consult with their advisers on a regular basis as they proceed through the program.

Major Requirements. All undergraduate majors are required to complete at least 45 upper division units in Cinema or approved electives in related disciplines. Lower division courses such as CINE 101 and 102 are approved for general education purposes, but do not count toward the major. Only one unit of CINE 325 will count toward the major. Students who wish to enroll in advanced courses in cinema studies or in screenwriting/production must first complete the appropriate foundation courses as listed below.

Please note that successful completion of core requirements and consultation with a major adviser are necessary for enrollment in all other cinema courses. Prerequisites listed for all courses are strictly enforced. Enrollment in certain advanced production courses is limited by available resources and requires submission of portfolio materials; students who wish to enroll in these courses should consult their major adviser or the Undergraduate Office about portfolio requirements and deadlines.

Students who wish to pursue the animation emphasis should consult with the animation coordinator about entry into animation courses; a portfolio is required.

Up to seven upper division units taken as CR/NC (credit/no credit) may count toward the Cinema major. Up to six transfer units from two-year institutions may count toward the Cinema major; these courses must be equivalent to Screenwriting I (CINE 355) or Film Production I (CINE 310). Lower division transfer courses equivalent to CINE 101 and CINE 102 will not count toward the major. Upper division transfer units in Cinema or related disciplines may be evaluated by the student's major adviser for possible credit toward the major.

Courses for this program are listed in alphabetical sequence (consult Index for page reference).

NOTE: CINE 101, 340, 341, and either 300 or 302, must be completed before enrolling in any other cinema courses; the second film history course should be completed the following semester.

Units

Core Courses

CINE 101	Introduction to Cinema				3
CINE 300	Film History I					3
CINE 302	Film History II					3
CINE 340	Critical Studies				3
CINE 341	Critical Studies Discussion Group		1
Total for core							13

Cinema Studies Emphasis

 Students who wish to enroll in advanced cinema studies courses must complete the following foundation courses:

Units

Required Courses

Core Courses (listed above)					13
CINE 372	Film Theory					3
One of the following:						3
CINE 373	Film and Society
CINE 308	Third World Cinema
CINE 342	Documentary Film
Units from approved Cinema electives selected on advisement	26
Total for major							45

Screenwriting and Production Emphasis

 Students who wish to enroll in advanced screenwriting or production courses must complete the following foundation courses:

Units

Required Courses

Core courses (listed above)					13
CINE 310/316	Film Production I and Laboratory (3/1)		4
One of the following:						3
CINE 354	Short Format Writing
CINE 355	Screenwriting I
Units from approved Cinema electives selected on advisement	25
Total for major							45

Animation Emphasis

 The animation curriculum provides students with a knowledge of the processes involved in developing animated films from initial planning through shooting and post-production. Students work in a variety of techniques, including cel, model, computer, and effects animation. Advanced study may emphasize either film or computer animation.

NOTE: Enrollment in animation courses requires consent of instructor. Admission to CINE 360 is limited and requires submission of portfolio materials. Contact the animation coordinator for further information.

Units

Required Courses

Core courses (listed above)						13
[Animation students may substitute CINE 
365 for one of the required Film History courses in the core.]
CINE 360	Animation I						3
CINE 362	Animation II						3
CINE 365	History of Animation or
CINE 465	Contemporary Animation					3
CINE 366	Animation III 						3
CINE 368	Advanced Animation Workshop 				3
Elective units selected on advisement					17
Total for major								45

MINOR IN CINEMA

 This program does not lead to a credential or degree, but is intended to give students an opportunity to further their interests in cinema in an organized manner. A minimum of twenty (20) units, planned and approved by an undergraduate adviser, is required. Ten of these units must be upper division units.

MASTER OF ARTS IN CINEMA STUDIES

Admission to the Program

 The Cinema Department accepts a small number of new M.A. students for the Fall semester only.

Application for admission requires two distinct processes: (1) application to the graduate admissions office of the university as specified in this Bulletin, and (2) submission of application materials specifically requested by the Department of Cinema. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or better in the last two years of undergraduate study. Applicants with degrees in areas other than film who show exceptional potential will be considered for admission to the program if they have completed at least three advanced courses in film study, including one in film theory.

The admission materials specifically requested by the Department of Cinema include:

All prospective M.A. students may contact the Cinema Department Graduate Office for specific questions and application forms. Write: Graduate Committee, Department of Cinema, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132. This information is also available on the Cinema Department Web site: http://www.cinema.sfsu.edu.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: first level proficiency is assessed by means of the Graduate Essay Test (GET). Level Two: second level proficiency is assessed by means of the thesis proposal normally prepared in CINE 897.

Advancement to Candidacy

Prior to admission, M.A. candidates must have successfully completed three undergraduate film studies courses beyond the introductory level, including one course in film theory (stressing a critical approach or methodology). Deficiencies will be identified on admission to the program and should be completed as soon as possible. All deficiencies must be satisfied prior to advancement to candidacy.

Required Courses for M.A. in Cinema Studies

All students must complete at least 30 units, including the following courses. Upper division courses not used to satisfy graduate admission deficiencies are acceptable as electives on approval by a graduate adviser.

Units

Core Requirements

CINE 700	Introduction to Graduate Study				3
CINE 721	Cinema Aesthetics and Theory I				3
CINE 722	Cinema Aesthetics and Theory II				3
CINE 740	Seminar in Film Theory					3
CINE 745	Seminar in Film History and Criticism			3
CINE 852	Directed Experience in Film Education			3
CINE 897	Research Projects in Cinema Studies			3
CINE 898	Master's Thesis						3
Elective units selected on advisement					6
Minimum total								30
Enrollment in an upper division or graduate-level Cinema course is required in the semester of graduation. Registration may be in a regular university course, Summer Sessions, or Extended Learning's CINE 890.

MASTER OF FINE ARTS IN CINEMA

The 60-unit M.F.A. program is divided into three distinct parts which should be completed in three years, plus time required for creative work production. During the first year, students build a foundation through the study of technical crafts, aesthetics and theory, and creative conceptualization, enabling them to develop and express themselves in the language of images and sounds.

In the second year, this foundation is challenged through exploration of different modes of expression, aesthetics, and technologies; each student conducts research and produces work that requires original thinking, which the student can apply to other problems, technologies, and ways of seeing.

In the third part of the program, students complete an internship and produce a creative work project that is a synthesis of previous work and a reflection of the development of the student's creative voice. M.F.A. students are also expected to gain teaching experience as teaching assistants or teaching associates in the Cinema Department.

Admission to the Program

The Cinema Department accepts new M.F.A. students for the Fall term only.

Application for admission requires two distinct processes: (1) application to the graduate admissions office of the university as specified in this Bulletin, and (2) submission of application materials specifically requested by the Department of Cinema. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate study. Applicants with degrees in areas other than film who show exceptional potiential will be considered for admission to the program.

The admission materials specifically requested by the Department of Cinema include:

All prospective M.F.A. students must contact the Cinema Department Graduate Office for specific information about the department's application process. For further information about the M.F.A., departmental procedures and activities, production costs, and other advising matters, write: Graduate Committee, Department of Cinema, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco CA 94132. Additional information and application forms are available on the Cinema Department Web site: http://www.cinema.sfsu.edu.

Completion of the Degree

To complete the degree, each student must satisfy the university and Cinema Department requirements as stated in this Bulletin. In addition to successful completion of the course of study, each student must meet departmental requirements that include a progress review at the end of the first year, a formal presentation of second year research, and a documented public screening of the student's creative work project.

Under certain circumstances up to 24 units of graduate credit from a M.A. program in film production may be applied toward the M.F.A. Before any such request is considered, all admission requirements must be met and all previous course work must be reviewed and approved by the Cinema Department graduate committee and the Dean of the Graduate Division.

Enrollment in an upper division or graduate-level Cinema course is required in the semester of graduation. Registration may be in a regular university course, Summer Session course, or Extended Learning's CINE 890.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: first level proficiency is assessed by means of the Graduate Essay Test (GET). Level Two: second level proficiency is assessed by means of the creative work proposal normally prepared in CINE 770.

Advancement to Candidacy

Applicants must meet all general university requirements for advancement to candidacy. Prior to admission, all candidates must have completed two courses in cinema studies beyond the introductory level. One of these courses must be in film theory, stressing critical approach or methodology; the other must be in cinema history.

Required Courses

All M.F.A. students must complete 41 units of required classes and 19 units of electives. First and second year courses must be taken in sequence.

Units

First Year:

CINE 701	Creative Process I					3
CINE 710	Production Practice I					4
CINE 712	Production Practice II					4
CINE 721	Cinema Aesthetics and Theory I				3
CINE 722	Cinema Aesthetics and Theory II				3
Total									17

Second Year:

 
CINE 724	Cinema Theory I						3
CINE 726	Cinema Theory II					3
CINE 761	Cinema Laboratory I					3
CINE 762	Cinema Laboratory II					3
Total									12

Internship and Culminating Experience:

 
CINE 765	Internship						3
CINE 770	Seminar in Film Production Research			3
CINE 780	Graduate Film Production II				3
CINE 894	Creative Work Project					3
Total 									12

Elective units chosen upon consultation with a graduate adviser
from upper division production courses, animation courses, graduate
film studies seminars, and approved courses from related disciplines.	19
Total for degree							60