;

Film and Digital Media B.A.

Information and Policies

Introduction

Students in the general film and digital media major develop an understanding of major movements in world cinema and different aesthetic approaches to the medium, while studying the cultural impact of television and the rise of video and digital art in recent decades.

The critical studies concentration is designed for film and digital media majors who have a special aptitude for and interest in the history and theory of film, television, video, and digital media. This rigorous program can help prepare undergraduates for graduate work in critical studies.

Students in the production concentration are encouraged to demonstrate technical proficiency and creative vision in film and digital media production while also studying the histories and theories of these media. Within the production concentration, students may choose based on their interests to complete a film production pathway or a digital media pathway.

The integrated critical practice concentration is designed for film and digital media majors who have a special aptitude for and interest in combining work in critical studies and production. The concentration provides them with a more rigorous pathway through the major and, in their senior year, allows them to work on a senior project that integrates creative and intellectual work.

Students in all facets of the major acquire skills in media analysis while maintaining a broadly based, liberal arts perspective. 

Students enrolled in film and digital media production classes have access to audio, video, and digital production and postproduction equipment. Facilities include a digital media lab; stop-motion animation lab audio recording studio; sound stage with green screen; digital nonlinear editing rooms; video format conversion rooms; a computerized sound effects library; and student equipment checkout. Additionally, computer laboratories equipped for digital image manipulation, web authoring, and interactive interface design and viewing rooms are available. The critical studies facilities include classrooms equipped for high-end film, video, and data projection. The library holdings in film and video history, theory, and literature are complemented by a large collection of films, videos, laser disks, and DVDs, including a diverse range of international feature films, experimental film and video work, animation, silent films, and documentaries.

Some courses offered by the Film and Digital Media Department are restricted in enrollment; admission is based on completion of prerequisites and other specific written application requirements. Admission to advanced film production courses is generally restricted to third- and fourth-year students and is based on the submission of a portfolio of work produced in the introductory production class (FILM 170B) for the film production pathway. Students pursuing the digital media pathway must earn a grade of B or better in FILM 170A for acceptance into that pathway and other digital media production workshops.

Upper-division digital media and production studio courses require coursework to be completed on computers. Instruction in and software for production courses utilizes the macOS platform and primarily consists of Apple and Adobe video production software packages. Many UCSC students purchase laptop computers. Film and digital media students who are considering purchasing a laptop computer for production work are encouraged to consult with the department’s operations staff. A list of recommended computer configurations and information regarding education pricing on software packages is available on the Film and Digital Media website.

Academic Advising for the Program

Students seeking advice regarding the major may email fdmadvising@ucsc.edu or call the department’s main line at (831) 459-3204. Transfer students please also see the sections below regarding Transfer Information and Policy, Transfer Admission Screening Policy and Getting Started at UCSC as a Transfer Student.

Getting Started in the Major

Though no preparatory classes are required to be successful in the major, prospective students may opt to study introductory film analysis and production courses to become familiar with film and media concepts and techniques.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who earn a B.A. in film and digital media will gain the skills, knowledge, and understanding that will enable them to:

  1. Demonstrate their ability to employ research skills, including the use of appropriate print and technology sources in the discipline, to construct effective arguments.
  2. Demonstrate that they understand the pre-production, production, and postproduction digital media and filmmaking process.
  3. Demonstrate the relationship between different types of form and meaning through the creation of film and digital media projects or the critical analysis of them.
  4. Demonstrate their ability to work collaboratively to produce a film or digital media project.
  5. Demonstrate broad knowledge of film and media history internationally.
  6. Demonstrate scholarly writing skills appropriate to the discipline of film and digital media.
  7. Demonstrate an ability to analyze, interpret, and critique films and media from a variety of theoretical perspectives using the critical vocabulary and methodologies of the discipline.
  8. Demonstrate their ability to articulate and defend their research and practice in a critical environment.

Major Qualification Policy and Declaration Process

Major Qualification

Declaration of the Film and Digital Media Pre-Major

Students who have completed one lower-division course (FILM 20A, FILM 20B or FILM 20C) with a grade of C or better are eligible to declare the film and digital media pre-major. Pre-majors are expected to complete the requirements to declare the major by the end of their second year. Transfer students must declare the pre-major no later than their second quarter in residence.

Declaration of the Film and Digital Media Major

Prior to declaring the film and digital media major, students must pass FILM 20A and FILM 20B or FILM 20C with a grade of C or better. Students may choose to take FILM 20P to fulfill the third lower-division requirement but this course does not count toward declaring the major.

Acceptance into the film and digital media major does not constitute acceptance into any of the concentrations (production, critical studies, or integrated critical practice). Transfer students should also consult the Transfer and Information Policy section for instructions about declaring the major.

Appeal Process

Students may appeal a negative decision within 15 days by submitting an appeal letter to the Film and Digital Media undergraduate adviser. The department will notify the student of the outcome within 15 days of receipt of the appeal.

How to Declare a Major

All students are required to attend a declaration of major workshop in order to officially declare the major. Declaration workshops are offered each quarter before the deadline to declare and are posted on the department’s website. Please contact fdmadvising@ucsc.edu with questions.

Transfer Information and Policy

Transfer Admission Screening Policy

Students planning to apply in this major are not required to complete specific major preparation courses for consideration of admission to UC Santa Cruz. Prospective transfer students entering at the junior level are encouraged to complete FILM 20A through UCSC Summer Session prior to their transfer, especially if they will be pursuing one of the concentrations available. Transfer students should be able to complete the general major within two years.

Students who have not fulfilled their general education requirements prior to transferring and pursue one of the film and digital media concentrations, a double major or minor, or study abroad may need additional time to complete their requirements.

Getting Started at UCSC as a Transfer Student

All transfer students must enroll in at least one lower-division major course (FILM 20A, FILM 20B, or FILM 20C) during their first quarter in residence. Transfer students are strongly encouraged to enroll in FILM 20A during the Summer Session preceding their first quarter in residence. After completing one lower-division course (FILM 20A, FILM 20B, or FILM 20C) with a grade of C or better, transfer students may declare the film and digital media pre-major.

At least one course out of FILM 20A, FILM 20B, or FILM 20C must be taken at UCSC. Transfer students who wish to have equivalent lower-division courses count toward their film and digital media major requirements must petition the department unless the courses are articulated at assist.org.

Letter Grade Policy

Students pursuing this major must take the courses required to declare, FILM 20A, FILM 20B and/or FILM 20C for a letter grade.

Course Substitution Policy

The department allows up to two courses to substitute for major requirements. At least one course out of FILM 20A, FILM 20B, or FILM 20C must be taken at UCSC.

Study Abroad

The department strongly encourages students to explore studying abroad while attending UCSC. We allow up to two courses from abroad to substitute for major requirements. See Course Substitution Policy above for details. An exception is allowed for students who are in the Sussex Exchange Program which allows up to three course substitutions if approved by our faculty.  

Honors

Honors in film and digital media are awarded to graduating seniors whose academic performance in their major coursework is judged by a faculty committee to be consistently excellent to outstanding. Students must have at least a cumulative GPA of 3.5 in the major to be considered for Honors.

Three Year Pathway

The Film and Digital Media Department has a three-year pathway designed for students who want to complete their Film and Digital Media B.A. in three years. It is an intensive program which includes all of the courses for the current film and digital media general major as well as all general education requirements and electives required for the university. Students may complete all courses required for the general major only. No concentration options are available for this pathway, though the general major does allow students to take up to two production courses. Students should begin this pathway in their frosh year to be able to complete the required courses in three years. A sample planner can be found on the university advising website. For more information, contact the undergraduate adviser.

 

General Film and Digital Media Major

The general film and digital media major requires three lower-division and nine upper-division courses in residence and satisfaction of the senior comprehensive requirement. Students must include among these 13 courses at least one upper-division, 5-credit course that focuses on diversity (i.e., non-Western perspectives; races/ethnicities, genders, classes, sexualities or abilities). A list of courses satisfying the department’s diversity requirement is available at the department office. Students in the general film and digital media major may apply for admission to the critical studies concentration (see Critical Studies Concentration below), the production concentration (see Production Concentration below), or the more rigorous integrated critical practice concentration (see Integrated Critical Practice Concentration below) within the major.

Course Requirements

Lower-Division Courses

FILM 20AIntroduction to Film Studies

5

Two additional 20-level courses:
FILM 20BIntroduction to Television Studies

5

FILM 20CIntroduction to Digital Media

5

FILM 20PIntroduction to Production Technique

5

FILM 20P cannot be used toward declaring the major

Upper-Division Courses

Core Curriculum

Students in the general major complete the following required upper-division core curriculum:

FILM 120Introduction to Media Theory

5

One course from each of the following three groups:
Group 1:
FILM 130Silent Cinema

5

FILM 132AInternational Cinema to 1960

5

FILM 132BInternational Cinema, 1960 to Present

5

Group 2:
FILM 134AAmerican Film, 1930-1960

5

FILM 134BAmerican Film, 1960-Present

5

Group 3:
FILM 136AExperimental Film and Video

5

FILM 136BHistory of Television

5

FILM 136CVisual Culture and Technology: History of New Media

5

FILM 136DDocumentary Film and Video

5

Plus one course from the following to satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement:
FILM 194AFilm Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194BElectronic Media Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194CNew Media Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194DFilm History Seminar

5

FILM 194EInternational Cinemas

5

FILM 194FFilm and the Other Arts

5

FILM 194GNew(s) Media

5

FILM 194SSpecial Topics Seminar

5

Electives

Five upper-division elective courses are to be chosen from the following:

  • up to five additional upper-division critical studies courses in film and digital media (see Electives for the Integrated Critical Practice Concentration for a list of upper-division critical studies courses)
  • up to two upper-division courses in film and digital media production (see Production Concentration for a list of upper-division production courses)
  • up to two upper-division courses offered by other departments or another institution; course substitutions must be pre-approved by the Film and Digital Media Department
  • at least one course must focus on diversity, i.e. non-Western perspectives; races/ethnicities, genders, classes, sexualities, or abilities. See list below.
Courses that Satisfy the Diversity Requirement
ANTH 110PIndia and Indian Diaspora through Film

5

FILM 132AInternational Cinema to 1960

5

FILM 132BInternational Cinema, 1960 to Present

5

FILM 165AFilm, Video, and Gender

5

FILM 165BRace on Screen

5

FILM 165CLesbian, Gay, and Queer Film and Video

5

FILM 165DAsian Americans and Media

5

FILM 165EChicana/o Cinema, Video

5

FILM 165GGender and Global Cinema

5

HAVC 141OSex, Lies, and Surveillance: Contemporary Documentary Arts

5

LALS 122Media and Nationalism

5

LALS 124Brazilian Cinema

5

Students may submit a petition to the department to have other courses reviewed to satisfy the diversity requirement. Please send course syllabi to fdmadvising@ucsc.edu for review.

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students of every major must satisfy that major’s upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) requirement. Film and digital media majors receive detailed information and guidance about the major's DC requirement from the department's undergraduate adviser.

The DC requirement is met by passing one course from each of the two following categories:

First Category
FILM 130Silent Cinema

5

FILM 132AInternational Cinema to 1960

5

FILM 132BInternational Cinema, 1960 to Present

5

FILM 134AAmerican Film, 1930-1960

5

FILM 134BAmerican Film, 1960-Present

5

Second category:
FILM 194AFilm Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194BElectronic Media Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194CNew Media Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194DFilm History Seminar

5

FILM 194EInternational Cinemas

5

FILM 194FFilm and the Other Arts

5

FILM 194GNew(s) Media

5

FILM 194SSpecial Topics Seminar

5

FILM 196ASenior Project in Narrative Production

5

FILM 196BSenior Project in Screenwriting

5

FILM 196CSenior Documentary Workshop

5

FILM 197Senior Digital Media Workshop

5

Comprehensive Requirement

Senior Seminar

Seniors in the general film and digital media major satisfy the comprehensive requirement with a senior seminar (courses in the FILM 194 series).

FILM 194AFilm Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194BElectronic Media Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194CNew Media Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194DFilm History Seminar

5

FILM 194EInternational Cinemas

5

FILM 194FFilm and the Other Arts

5

FILM 194GNew(s) Media

5

FILM 194SSpecial Topics Seminar

5

Planners

Plan One is a guideline for students committed to the major early in their academic career and interested in pursuing a concentration; Plan Two is a guideline for students considering the major after their freshman year.

Students who are interested in the production concentration, the critical studies concentration, or the integrated critical practice concentration should consider Plan One to be better prepared for the application process to the concentrations. However, four-year students following Plan Two may also be able to pursue a concentration and still meet their expected graduation term. 

Plan One

Year Fall Winter Spring
1st (frosh) FILM 20A FILM lower-division requirement FILM lower-division requirement
     
     
2nd (soph) FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
FILM 120 FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
     
     
3rd (jr) FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
FILM upper-division elective FILM upper-division elective
FILM upper-division elective    
     
4th (sr) FILM upper-division elective FILM upper-division elective FILM 194
     
     

Plan Two

Year Fall Winter Spring
1st (frosh) FILM 80A or FILM 80M FILM lower-division requirement FILM lower-division requirement
     
     
2nd (soph) FILM 20A FILM 120 FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
     
     
3rd (jr) FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
FILM upper-division elective
FILM upper-division elective FILM upper-division elective  
     
4th (sr) FILM upper-division elective FILM upper-division elective FILM 194
     
     

Two-Year Transfer Planner

Year Fall Winter Spring

3rd (jr)

FILM 20A

FILM lower-division
requirement

FILM lower-division
requirement

FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
FILM 120 FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
  FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
 
4th (sr) FILM upper-division elective FILM upper-division elective FILM upper-division elective
FILM upper-division elective FILM upper-division elective FILM 194
     

*Students who completed FILM 20A in UCSC Summer Session or have an approved substitution will be given enrollment priority for an additional upper-division elective. These students will attend a declaration workshop to create an academic plan and declare the pre-major in fall quarter.

**Students who earned a C or better in the fall offering of FILM 20A attend  a winter declaration workshop to create an academic plan and declare the pre-major. Students will be admitted to the major at the end of winter quarter after passing FILM 20C with a C or better.

***The following general education requirements cannot be satisfied with Film and Digital Media courses: MF, SI, SR, TA, C

Critical Studies Concentration

The critical studies concentration provides a more rigorous pathway than the general major and offers classes specifically reserved for seniors who have exceptional abilities. Students are eligible to apply for the critical studies concentration in spring quarter of their junior year, provided they have completed or are currently enrolled in FILM 120 and at least three other upper-division critical studies classes. Applicants must already be declared film and digital media majors in good academic standing.

Students will be asked to submit the following application materials:

  • a completed application form
  • a one-page statement of purpose
  • a sample essay
  • a FDM faculty statement of support (submitted directly to the department)

Application materials and instructions are available at the Film and Digital Media Department office. Applications are reviewed by a committee of film and digital media critical studies faculty. Admission to the critical studies concentration will be granted to students who have excellent grades in film and digital media courses, an outstanding writing sample, a clear statement of purpose, and a strong FDM faculty endorsement. Students may reapply a second time if not accepted, but not later than the first quarter of their senior year. Students accepted in the fall quarter of their senior year are not eligible to propose a student-directed seminar as part of their senior comprehensive requirement.

Course Requirements

Lower-Division Courses

FILM 20AIntroduction to Film Studies

5

Two additional 20-level courses:
FILM 20BIntroduction to Television Studies

5

FILM 20CIntroduction to Digital Media

5

FILM 20PIntroduction to Production Technique

5

FILM 20P cannot be used toward declaring the major

Upper-Division Courses

Core Curriculum

Students in the critical studies concentration complete the following required upper-division core curriculum:

FILM 120Introduction to Media Theory

5

One course from each of the following five groups:
Group 1:
FILM 130Silent Cinema

5

FILM 132AInternational Cinema to 1960

5

FILM 132BInternational Cinema, 1960 to Present

5

Group 2:
FILM 134AAmerican Film, 1930-1960

5

FILM 134BAmerican Film, 1960-Present

5

Group 3:
FILM 136AExperimental Film and Video

5

FILM 136BHistory of Television

5

FILM 136CVisual Culture and Technology: History of New Media

5

FILM 136DDocumentary Film and Video

5

Group 4:
FILM 165AFilm, Video, and Gender

5

FILM 165BRace on Screen

5

FILM 165CLesbian, Gay, and Queer Film and Video

5

FILM 165DAsian Americans and Media

5

FILM 165EChicana/o Cinema, Video

5

FILM 165GGender and Global Cinema

5

Group 5:
FILM 187Advanced Topics in Television Studies

5

FILM 189Advanced Topics in Digital and Electronic Media Studies

5

And three courses to satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement:
One course from the following:
FILM 194AFilm Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194BElectronic Media Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194CNew Media Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194DFilm History Seminar

5

FILM 194EInternational Cinemas

5

FILM 194FFilm and the Other Arts

5

FILM 194GNew(s) Media

5

FILM 194SSpecial Topics Seminar

5

Plus the following course:
FILM 199Tutorial

5

FILM 199 supervised independent study for thesis or student-directed seminar preparation

Plus one of the following courses:
FILM 192Directed Student Teaching

5

FILM 195Senior Thesis/Project

5

Electives

Two upper-division elective courses are to be chosen from the following:

  • up to two additional upper-division critical studies courses in film and digital media (see Electives for the Integrated Critical Practice Concentration for a list of upper-division critical studies courses)
  • up to one upper-division course in film and digital media production (see the Production Concentration for a list of upper-division production courses)
  • up to one upper-division course offered by other departments; course substitutions must be pre-approved by the Film and Digital Media Department

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students of every major must satisfy that major’s upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) requirement. Film and digital media majors receive detailed information and guidance about the major's DC requirement from the department's undergraduate adviser.

The DC requirement is met by passing one course from each of the two following categories:

First category
FILM 130Silent Cinema

5

FILM 132AInternational Cinema to 1960

5

FILM 132BInternational Cinema, 1960 to Present

5

FILM 134AAmerican Film, 1930-1960

5

FILM 134BAmerican Film, 1960-Present

5

Second category
FILM 194AFilm Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194BElectronic Media Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194CNew Media Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194DFilm History Seminar

5

FILM 194EInternational Cinemas

5

FILM 194FFilm and the Other Arts

5

FILM 194GNew(s) Media

5

FILM 194SSpecial Topics Seminar

5

FILM 196ASenior Project in Narrative Production

5

FILM 196BSenior Project in Screenwriting

5

FILM 196CSenior Documentary Workshop

5

FILM 197Senior Digital Media Workshop

5

Comprehensive Requirement

Seniors in the critical studies concentration must complete the following to satisfy the campus exit requirement:

Choose one of the following courses
FILM 194AFilm Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194BElectronic Media Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194CNew Media Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194DFilm History Seminar

5

FILM 194EInternational Cinemas

5

FILM 194FFilm and the Other Arts

5

FILM 194GNew(s) Media

5

FILM 194SSpecial Topics Seminar

5

Plus the following course
FILM 199Tutorial

5

Plus one of the following courses
FILM 192Directed Student Teaching

5

FILM 195Senior Thesis/Project

5

Planners

The following is a sample academic plan for students pursuing the critical studies concentration for the film and digital media major. 

Plan One

Year Fall Winter Spring
1st (frosh) FILM 20A FILM lower-division requirement FILM lower-division requirement
     
     
2nd (soph) FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
FILM 120 FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
FILM upper-division elective FILM upper-division elective  
     
3rd (jr) FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
FILM 165 or
FILM 187 or
FILM 189
FILM 165/
FILM 187/
FILM 189
     
     
4th (sr) FILM 194 FILM 199 FILM 192 or
FILM 195
     
     

Two Year Transfer Planner

Year Fall Winter Spring
3rd (jr) FILM 20A FILM lower-division requirement FILM lower-division requirement
FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
  FILM 120 FILM upper-division elective
4th (sr) FILM 165/
FILM 187/
FILM 189
FILM 165/
FILM 187/
FILM 189
FILM upper-division elective
FILM 194 FILM 199 FILM 192 or
FILM 195
     

*Students who completed FILM 20A in UCSC Summer Session or have an approved substitution will be given enrollment priority for an additional upper-division elective. These students will attend a declaration workshop to create an academic plan and declare the pre-major in fall quarter.

**Students who earned a C or better in the fall offering of FILM 20A attend declaration workshop to create an academic plan and declare the pre-major. Students will be admitted to the major at the end of winter quarter after passing FILM 20C with a C or better.

***The following general education requirements cannot be satisfied with Film and Digital Media courses: MF, SI, SR, TA, C

Production Concentration

Admission to the production concentration is selective, based on promise and accomplishment shown in the student’s work. After completing FILM 170B (prerequisite for most film/video production courses) students may apply to the production concentration. Students who complete FILM 170A (prerequisite for most digital media production courses) with a B or better are also eligible to pursue the production concentration though they will aim to fulfill the requirements with digital media production courses and other production courses that do not require the FILM 170B prerequisite.

FILM 170B students apply by submitting works created in FILM 170B to a portfolio review conducted at the end of each quarter. These student works are reviewed by a committee of film and digital media production faculty. Instructions for the portfolio review are available at the Film and Digital Media Department office. Students should note that production courses are in high demand and that faculty/student ratios and equipment resources limit the number of applicants accepted into the production concentration. Students may apply a second time if not accepted.

FILM 170A students who complete the course with a B or better apply by submitting a statement of intent to pursue the digital media pathway in production. Students are required to meet with the undergraduate adviser to discuss their digital media plan prior to submitting their statement of intent.

If a student accepted into the production concentration is unable to meet all the requirements for the concentration, they will be advised to complete the graduation requirements for the general major. Application materials and instructions for all production courses are available each quarter online.

Course Requirements

Lower-Division Courses

FILM 20AIntroduction to Film Studies

5

Two additional 20-level courses
FILM 20BIntroduction to Television Studies

5

FILM 20CIntroduction to Digital Media

5

FILM 20PIntroduction to Production Technique

5

FILM 20P cannot be used toward declaring the major

Upper-Division Courses

Students in the production concentration complete the following required upper-division core curriculum:

FILM 120Introduction to Media Theory

5

Plus one of the following courses
FILM 170AFundamentals of Digital Media Production

5

FILM 170BFundamentals of Film and Video Production

5

FILM 170A: prerequisite for most digital media production courses

FILM 170B: prerequisite for most film/video production courses

Upper-Division Production Courses

Two upper-division film and digital media production courses from the following:

FILM 150Screenwriting

5

FILM 151Film Directing

5

FILM 170AFundamentals of Digital Media Production

5

FILM 170BFundamentals of Film and Video Production

5

FILM 171ASound

5

FILM 171CSpecial Topics Workshop: Found Footage

5

FILM 171DSocial Information Spaces

5

FILM 171FSpecial Topics Workshop: Autobiographical Film

5

FILM 171SSpecial Topics in Film and Digital Media Production

5

FILM 172Narrative Video Workshop

5

FILM 173Narrative Digital Media Workshop

5

FILM 175Documentary Video Workshop

5

FILM 176Experimental Video Workshop

5

FILM 177Digital Media Workshop: Computer as Medium

5

FILM 178APersonal Computers in Film and Video

5

FILM 178BAdvanced Personal Computers in Film and Video

5

FILM 179ASpecial Topics in Animation

5

FILM 179BDocumentary Animation Workshop

5

If FILM 170A is taken as the prerequisite for the digital media courses, FILM 170B may be used to satisfy one of the two other required upper-division production course requirements. If FILM 170B is taken as the prerequisite for the film/video courses, FILM 170A may be used to satisfy one of the two other required upper-division production course requirements.

Two critical studies courses

Taken from two of the three following groups:

Group 1:
FILM 130Silent Cinema

5

FILM 132AInternational Cinema to 1960

5

FILM 132BInternational Cinema, 1960 to Present

5

Group 2:
FILM 134AAmerican Film, 1930-1960

5

FILM 134BAmerican Film, 1960-Present

5

Group 3:
FILM 136AExperimental Film and Video

5

FILM 136BHistory of Television

5

FILM 136CVisual Culture and Technology: History of New Media

5

FILM 136DDocumentary Film and Video

5

One course from the following to satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement:
FILM 194AFilm Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194BElectronic Media Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194CNew Media Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194DFilm History Seminar

5

FILM 194EInternational Cinemas

5

FILM 194FFilm and the Other Arts

5

FILM 194GNew(s) Media

5

FILM 194SSpecial Topics Seminar

5

FILM 196ASenior Project in Narrative Production

5

FILM 196BSenior Project in Screenwriting

5

FILM 196CSenior Documentary Workshop

5

FILM 197Senior Digital Media Workshop

5

Electives

Four upper-division elective courses are to be chosen from the following:

  • up to two additional upper-division film and digital media production courses (FILM 150 through FILM 179B, see complete list above)
  • at least two additional upper-division film and digital media critical studies courses (see Electives for the Integrated Critical Practice Concentration for a list of upper-division critical studies courses)
  • up to two upper-division critical studies or production elective courses from another department or another institution; course substitutions must be pre-approved by the Film and Digital Media Department.

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students of every major must satisfy that major’s upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) requirement. Film and digital media majors receive detailed information and guidance about the major's DC requirement from the department's undergraduate adviser.

The DC requirement is met by passing one course from each of the two following categories:

First category
FILM 130Silent Cinema

5

FILM 132AInternational Cinema to 1960

5

FILM 132BInternational Cinema, 1960 to Present

5

FILM 134AAmerican Film, 1930-1960

5

FILM 134BAmerican Film, 1960-Present

5

Second category
FILM 194AFilm Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194BElectronic Media Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194CNew Media Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194DFilm History Seminar

5

FILM 194EInternational Cinemas

5

FILM 194FFilm and the Other Arts

5

FILM 194GNew(s) Media

5

FILM 194SSpecial Topics Seminar

5

FILM 196ASenior Project in Narrative Production

5

FILM 196BSenior Project in Screenwriting

5

FILM 196CSenior Documentary Workshop

5

FILM 197Senior Digital Media Workshop

5

Comprehensive Requirement

Seniors in the production concentration satisfy the comprehensive requirement with one of the following courses:

FILM 194AFilm Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194BElectronic Media Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194CNew Media Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194DFilm History Seminar

5

FILM 194EInternational Cinemas

5

FILM 194FFilm and the Other Arts

5

FILM 194GNew(s) Media

5

FILM 194SSpecial Topics Seminar

5

FILM 196ASenior Project in Narrative Production

5

FILM 196BSenior Project in Screenwriting

5

FILM 196CSenior Documentary Workshop

5

FILM 197Senior Digital Media Workshop

5

Planners

The following are two recommended academic plans for students pursuing the production concentration for the film and digital media major. Plan One is a guideline for students committed to the major early in their academic career; Plan Two is for students considering the major.

Students who are interested in the production concentration should consider Plan One to be better prepared for application to production studio classes in their junior year. However, four-year students following Plan Two should be able to pursue a concentration and still meet their expected graduation term. FILM 20A is not guaranteed to any incoming frosh and most four-year students will use Plan Two as a guideline.

Plan One

Year Fall Winter Spring
1st (frosh) FILM 20A FILM lower-division requirement FILM lower-division requirement
     
     
2nd (soph) FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
FILM 120 FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
     
     
3rd (jr) FILM 170A or
FILM 170B
FILM upper-division production FILM upper-division production
  FILM upper-division elective FILM upper-division elective
     
4th (sr) FILM upper-division elective FILM upper-division elective FILM 194/
FILM 196/
FILM 197
     
     

Plan Two

Year Fall Winter Spring
1st (frosh) FILM 80A or FILM 80M FILM lower-division requirement FILM lower-division requirement
     
     
2nd (soph) FILM 20A FILM 120 FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
  FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
FILM upper-division elective
     
3rd (jr) FILM 170A or
FILM 170B
FILM upper-division production FILM upper-division production
FILM upper-division elective    
     
4th (sr) FILM upper-division elective FILM upper-division elective FILM 194/
FILM 196/
FILM 197
     
     

Two-Year Transfer Planner

Year Fall* Winter** Spring
3rd (junior) FILM 20A FILM lower-division requirement FILM lower-division requirement
FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
FILM 120 FILM upper-division elective
  FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
FILM 170A or
FILM 170B 
4th (senior) FILM upper-division elective FILM upper-division elective FILM upper-division elective
FILM upper-division production FILM upper-division production FILM 194/
FILM 196/
FILM 197
     

*Students who completed FILM 20A in UCSC Summer Session or have an approved substitution will be given enrollment priority for an additional upper-division elective. These students will attend a declaration workshop to create an academic plan and declare the pre-major in fall quarter.

**Students who earned a C or better in the fall offering of FILM 20A attend declaration workshop to create an academic plan and declare the pre-major. Students will be admitted to the major at the end of winter quarter after passing FILM 20C with a C or better.

***The following general education requirements cannot be satisfied with Film and Digital Media courses: MF, SI, SR, TA, C

Integrated Critical Practice Concentration

The integrated critical practice concentration (ICPC) provides a more rigorous pathway than the general major and offers classes specifically reserved for seniors with exceptional abilities in both critical studies and production who seek to combine creative and scholarly work. Students are eligible to apply for the integrated critical practice concentration in the last quarter of their junior year, provided they have completed or are currently enrolled in FILM 120; at least three other upper-division critical studies classes; and have completed FILM 170A or FILM 170B plus one other course from the 150 or 170 series. Applicants must already be declared film and digital media majors in good academic standing.

Students will be asked to submit the following application materials:

  • a completed application form
  • a one-page statement of purpose
  • a sample essay
  • a FDM faculty statement of support (submitted directly to the department)

Application materials and instructions are available at the Film and Digital Media Department Office. Student application materials are reviewed by a committee of film and digital media faculty. Admission to the integrated critical practice concentration will be granted to students who have excellent grades in film and digital media courses, an outstanding writing sample, a clear statement of purpose outlining a senior project that integrates critical studies and production work, and a strong FDM faculty endorsement. Students may apply a second time if not accepted, but not later than the first quarter of their senior year.

Course Requirements

Lower-Division Courses

FILM 20AIntroduction to Film Studies

5

Two additional 20-level courses
FILM 20BIntroduction to Television Studies

5

FILM 20CIntroduction to Digital Media

5

FILM 20PIntroduction to Production Technique

5

FILM 20P cannot be used toward declaring the major

Upper-Division Courses

Students in the integrated critical practice concentration complete the following required upper-division core curriculum:

FILM 120Introduction to Media Theory

5

One course from each of the following five groups
Group 1:
FILM 130Silent Cinema

5

FILM 132AInternational Cinema to 1960

5

FILM 132BInternational Cinema, 1960 to Present

5

Group 2:
FILM 134AAmerican Film, 1930-1960

5

FILM 134BAmerican Film, 1960-Present

5

Group 3:
FILM 136AExperimental Film and Video

5

FILM 136BHistory of Television

5

FILM 136CVisual Culture and Technology: History of New Media

5

FILM 136DDocumentary Film and Video

5

Group 4:
FILM 170AFundamentals of Digital Media Production

5

FILM 170BFundamentals of Film and Video Production

5

Group 5:
FILM 194AFilm Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194BElectronic Media Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194CNew Media Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194DFilm History Seminar

5

FILM 194EInternational Cinemas

5

FILM 194FFilm and the Other Arts

5

FILM 194GNew(s) Media

5

FILM 194SSpecial Topics Seminar

5

Two courses to satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement:
The following course:
FILM 199Tutorial

5

Plus one of the following courses:
FILM 195Senior Thesis/Project

5

FILM 196ASenior Project in Narrative Production

5

FILM 196BSenior Project in Screenwriting

5

FILM 196CSenior Documentary Workshop

5

FILM 197Senior Digital Media Workshop

5

Electives

And five upper-division elective courses to be chosen from the following:

Two upper-division critical studies courses

In film and digital media chosen from the following:

FILM 160Film Genres

5

FILM 162Film Authors

5

FILM 165AFilm, Video, and Gender

5

FILM 165BRace on Screen

5

FILM 165CLesbian, Gay, and Queer Film and Video

5

FILM 165DAsian Americans and Media

5

FILM 165EChicana/o Cinema, Video

5

FILM 165GGender and Global Cinema

5

FILM 168National Cinema and Culture

5

FILM 168MNational Cinema and Culture: Morocco

5

FILM 180Writing About Film, Television, and Digital Media

5

FILM 185DSound and Image in Theory and Criticism

5

FILM 185RThe Film Remake

5

FILM 185SAdvanced Topics in Film Studies

5

FILM 185XEyeCandy Seminar

5

FILM 187Advanced Topics in Television Studies

5

FILM 189Advanced Topics in Digital and Electronic Media Studies

5

Three upper-division production courses

In film and digital media chosen from the following:

FILM 150Screenwriting

5

FILM 151Film Directing

5

FILM 170AFundamentals of Digital Media Production

5

FILM 170BFundamentals of Film and Video Production

5

FILM 171ASound

5

FILM 171CSpecial Topics Workshop: Found Footage

5

FILM 171DSocial Information Spaces

5

FILM 171FSpecial Topics Workshop: Autobiographical Film

5

FILM 171SSpecial Topics in Film and Digital Media Production

5

FILM 172Narrative Video Workshop

5

FILM 173Narrative Digital Media Workshop

5

FILM 175Documentary Video Workshop

5

FILM 176Experimental Video Workshop

5

FILM 177Digital Media Workshop: Computer as Medium

5

FILM 178APersonal Computers in Film and Video

5

FILM 178BAdvanced Personal Computers in Film and Video

5

FILM 179ASpecial Topics in Animation

5

FILM 179BDocumentary Animation Workshop

5

Graduate seminars, taken with permission of the faculty adviser, may substitute for one of the electives. 

A maximum of two electives may be taken in another department or another institution if pre-approved by the Film and Digital Media Department.

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students of every major must satisfy that major’s upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) requirement. Film and digital media majors receive detailed information and guidance about the major's DC requirement from the department's undergraduate adviser.

The DC requirement is met by passing one course from each of the two following categories:

First category
FILM 130Silent Cinema

5

FILM 132AInternational Cinema to 1960

5

FILM 132BInternational Cinema, 1960 to Present

5

FILM 134AAmerican Film, 1930-1960

5

FILM 134BAmerican Film, 1960-Present

5

Second category
FILM 194AFilm Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194BElectronic Media Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194CNew Media Theory Seminar

5

FILM 194DFilm History Seminar

5

FILM 194EInternational Cinemas

5

FILM 194FFilm and the Other Arts

5

FILM 194GNew(s) Media

5

FILM 194SSpecial Topics Seminar

5

FILM 196ASenior Project in Narrative Production

5

FILM 196BSenior Project in Screenwriting

5

FILM 196CSenior Documentary Workshop

5

FILM 197Senior Digital Media Workshop

5

Comprehensive Requirement

One of the following courses

Seniors in the integrated critical practice concentration must complete one of the following courses:

FILM 195Senior Thesis/Project

5

FILM 196ASenior Project in Narrative Production

5

FILM 196BSenior Project in Screenwriting

5

FILM 196CSenior Documentary Workshop

5

FILM 197Senior Digital Media Workshop

5

Plus the following course
FILM 199Tutorial

5

Planners

The following are two recommended academic plans for students pursuing the integrated critical practice concentration for the film and digital media major. Plan One is a guideline for students committed to the major early in their academic career; Plan Two is for students considering the major.

Students who are interested in the integrated critical practice concentration should consider Plan One to be better prepared for application to production studio classes in their junior year. However, four-year students following Plan Two should be able to pursue a concentration and still meet their expected graduation term. FILM 20A is not guaranteed to any incoming frosh and most four-year students will use Plan Two as a guideline.

Plan One

Year Fall Winter Spring
1st (frosh) FILM 20A FILM lower-division requirement FILM lower-division requirement
     
     
2nd (soph) FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
FILM 120 FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
    FILM upper-division elective
     
3rd (jr) FILM 170A or
FILM 170B
FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
FILM upper-division elective
    FILM upper-division production
     
4th (sr) FILM upper-division production FILM 199 FILM 195 or
FILM 196 or
FILM 197
FILM 194 FILM upper-division production  
     

Plan Two

Year Fall Winter Spring
1st (frosh) FILM 80A or FILM 80M FILM lower-division requirement FILM lower-division requirement
     
     
2nd (soph) FILM 20A FILM 120 FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
  FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
FILM upper-division elective
     
3rd (jr) FILM 170A or
FILM 170B
FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
FILM upper-division elective
    FILM upper-division production
     
4th (sr) FILM upper-division production FILM upper-division production FILM 195/
FILM 196/
FILM 197
FILM 194 FILM 199  
     

Two-Year Transfer Planner

Year Fall* Winter** Spring
3rd (junior) FILM 20A FILM lower-division requirement FILM lower-division requirement
FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
FILM 120 FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
  FILM 170A or
FILM 170B
FILM upper-division production
4th (senior) FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136
FILM upper-division elective FILM upper-division elective
FILM upper-division production  FILM upper-division production FILM 195/
FILM 196/
FILM 197
FILM 194 FILM 199  

*Students who completed FILM 20A in UCSC Summer Session or have an approved substitution will be given enrollment priority for an additional upper-division elective. These students will attend a declaration workshop to create an academic plan and declare the pre-major in fall quarter.

**Students who earned a C or better in the fall offering of FILM 20A attend declaration workshop to create an academic plan and declare the pre-major. Students will be admitted to the major at the end of winter quarter after passing FILM 20C with a C or better.

The following general education requirements cannot be satisfied with Film and Digital Media courses: MF, SI, SR, TA, C