Mission
Mission
Located in the heart of Los Angeles, the Filmmaking program at Woodbury University provides a practice-based education coupled with strong academics. We prepare graduates with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a wide variety of film and media careers. Through a creative learning environment, students will discover their artistic voice, take their place in the entertainment profession, and enrich the cultural life of our communities.
Additional Learning Opportunities
It is the philosophy of the Filmmaking Department that students be exposed to both historical and professional aspects of the discipline. Students will become acquainted with current filmmakers and film movements, and will have the opportunity to experience international approaches to filmmaking during their education. Additionally, through networking with industry practitioners and membership in professional organizations, they are exposed to the operations of professional practice.
Internship/Field Experience
Prior to graduation, students must complete 120 hours of internship or field experience at such places as a production or post- production facility, agency or management company, or marketing company.
Woodbury’s Career Development Office offers a variety of programs, services, and resources to assist students in exploring careers and securing internships. The faculty works with students individually to develop successful internship search strategies and helps students connect with employers through internship postings, résumé collections, on- and off-campus interview opportunities, alumni connections, and employer outreach.
Technology and Computer Requirements
The Filmmaking Department requires its graduates to be literate in the current media of representation and communication as demonstrated by the following:
- Proficiency in computer systems operations, including communications, upgrades, and management
- Proficiency in internet research through completion of LSCI 105, Information Theory and Practice; LSCI 106, Information Sources in Architecture and Interior Design; LSCI 205, Information in the Disciplines, or appropriate equivalent. Bibliographic documentation of database use and citation of web-based sources is required of all Filmmaking students.
- Proficiency in word processing, document formatting, and file management for both print and digital distribution
- Proficiency in computer-based programs for editing, screenwriting, sound design, budgeting, and pre- production planning
Media literacy is embedded in the curriculum at all levels, and Filmmaking students are expected to demonstrate these proficiencies through successful completion of their coursework.
Students are responsible for email and ISP accounts; student-owned computers used on campus should have a network and/or wireless card for access to the University’s Wi-Fi network.
Program Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
Both studio and lecture courses require production of various filmmaking projects specific to the learning outcomes of each course. Projects may include screenplays, posters, pitches, pre- production packages, cinematography, sound recordings, sound designs and final sound mixes, acting scenes, fictional narrative films, documentary films, business plans, budgets, and research papers. Additionally, evidence of learning is assessed at the end of the second year of study. In the senior year, students complete their thesis films. Student self-assessment is required in both the progress and thesis processes.
Aesthetics and Design
- Students will demonstrate the aesthetic principles of film.
- Students will demonstrate design principles considered in media production and post- production.
Communication
- Students will demonstrate how film is a medium of communication.
Film Production
- Students will produce work from concept to finished product.
- Students will produce a supervised thesis project.
Film Distribution
- Students will demonstrate marketing procedures for distribution and exhibition.
History
- Students will have functional knowledge of the history of film.
Practical Experience
- Students will serve an internship or have work experience within the film industry.
Assessment Process
Placement Exam Requirements
Filmmaking students who have not received transfer credit for a 200-level math course are encouraged to take the Math Placement Exam, but it is not required. See the Academic Proficiencies and Placement Section of the Academic Journey chapter of this catalog for more information.
Formative Assessment Experiences
Student performance and achievement in Filmmaking is evaluated systemically throughout the program via ongoing formal and informal assessment strategies. The department specifies four key areas for measured assessments that include both formative and summative benchmarks and involve multiple forms of evaluation. These processes provide a vehicle to assure program quality and promote continuous improvement in the effectiveness of teaching, the level of student work, and the design of the curriculum. Evidence of learning is assessed through the progress portfolio review at the end of the second year of study. This process documents student progress and is required for entrance into upper- division studios.
Progress Portfolio Review
At the end of the sophomore year, students are required to submit a portfolio of their work. The portfolio should demonstrate sufficient development of the knowledge and skills of narrative filmmaking, and the ability to integrate that cumulative knowledge and skill into original, creative, and meaningful films. Faculty members review these portfolios.
Summative Assessment Experiences
Student work is also evaluated through the thesis project, which assesses the pre-production, production, and post-production methodologies used.
In order to illustrate required professional and filmmaking competencies before graduation, students must successfully complete their Thesis Project.
Thesis Projects are designed to provide student’s the experience of developing and completing a filmmaking project and demonstrating their ability to address knowledge gained in the previous years of study.
Students must partake in a self-initiated filmmaking project through a rigorous level of work that includes a high degree of critical thinking, skill, and craft.
Program Specific Academic Standards
Below-average work is not acceptable for a professional degree. A minimum grade of “C” is required of all Filmmaking studio courses. Students receiving a grade below a “C” must successfully repeat that studio prior to enrollment in the succeeding studio. It is strongly recommended that students take no more than 12 studio units in a single semester.
Curriculum Summary
Program Major Curriculum
Filmmaking Track
| Unit Type (UT) |
Number of Units (U) |
| Major (MA) |
69 |
| General Education (GE) |
50 |
| Unrestricted Electives (UE) |
6 |
| Minimum Total Units Required |
125 |
Creative Producing Track
| Unit Type (UT) |
Number of Units (U) |
| Major (MA) |
63 |
| General Education (GE) |
53 |
| Unrestricted Electives (UE) |
6 |
| Internship (IN) |
3 |
| Minimum Total Units Required |
125 |
Suggested Sequence of Courses
First Year
Fall Semester
| FILM 110 | Film Production 1 | 3 |
| FILM 220 | Editing | 3 |
| WRIT 113 | First-Year Academic Writing | 3 |
| INDS ___ | Interdisciplinary Core Elective | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Unrestricted Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring Semester
| FILM 115 | Cinematography | 3 |
| FILM 200 | Screenwriting | 3 |
| FOUN 108 | Drawing Workshop for the Moving Image | 3 |
| MDST 120 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| LSCI 105 | Information Theory and Practice | 1 |
| ____ 2__ | Mathematics Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Second Year
Fall Semester
| FILM 101 | Film History | 4 |
| FILM 140 | Sound | 3 |
| FILM 215 | Directing | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Social Science Elective | 3 |
| ____ ___ | General Education Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Spring Semester
| FILM 203 | Acting | 3 |
| FILM 210 | Film Production 2 | 3 |
| WRIT 313 | Advanced Academic Writing | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Art History Elective | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Ethics Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Filmmaking Track
Third Year
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
| FILM 304 | Pre-Production | 3 |
| FILM 310 | Documentary | 3 |
| FILM 401 | Entertainment Marketing | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Film/Media Elective | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Art History Elective | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Natural Science with Lab Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Type:
FILM 304, FILM 310, FILM 401, and Film/Media Elective: MA.
Art History Elective and Natural Science with Lab Elective: GE.
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
| FILM 482 | Thesis 1 | 3 |
| FILM 420 | Entertainment Law | 3 |
| FILM 401 | Entertainment Marketing | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Film/Media Elective | 3 |
| ____ ___ | General Education Elective | 3 |
| ____ 3__ | Upper Division Interdisciplinary Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Type:
FILM 482, FILM 420, and Film/Media Elective: MA.
General Education Elective and Upper Division Interdisciplinary Elective: GE.
Spring Semester
| FILM 483 | Thesis 2 | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Film/Media Elective | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Film/Media Elective | 3 |
| ____ 3__ | Upper Division General Ed. Elective | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Unrestricted Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Type:
FILM 483 and Film/Media Elective: MA.
Upper Division General Ed. Elective: GE.
Unrestricted Elective: UE.
Creative Producing Track
Third Year
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
| FILM 304 | Pre-Production | 3 |
| FILM 310 | Documentary | 3 |
| FILM 401 | Entertainment Marketing | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Art History Elective | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Natural Science with Lab Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
| FILM 400 | Pitching | 3 |
| FILM 420 | Entertainment Law | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Film/Media Elective | 3 |
| ____ ___ | General Education Elective | 3 |
| ____ 3__ | Upper Division Interdisciplinary Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Type:
FILM 400, FILM 420, and Film/Media Elective: MA.
General Education Elective and Upper Division Interdisciplinary Elective: GE.
Spring Semester
| FILM 425 | Short Form Production & Producing | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Film/Media Elective | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Film/Media Elective | 3 |
| ____ 3__ | Upper Division General Ed. Elective | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Unrestricted Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Type:
FILM 425 and Film/Media Elective: MA.
Upper Division General Ed. Elective: GE.
Unrestricted Elective: UE.
Program Minor Curriculum
Pick four of the following courses: