Film and Television
18 courses · Antelope Valley College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Winter 2027 · Spring 2027
FTV 101 Introduction to Film
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 lecture hours, 27 lab hours, 72 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Students are introduced to the language and technology of filmmaking through the examination of great films and filmmakers. The course features a broad range of domestic and international cinema and investigates the culture, politics, and social histories of the periods in which the films were produced. The successful student becomes more aware of the complexity of film art, more sensitive to its nuances, textures, and rhythms, and more perceptive in reading its multilayered blend of image, sound, and motion.
FTV 103 Introduction to Television
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is designed to develop the student's ability to form a critical perspective of the television industry. Students are introduced to the business and history of television programming, genre conventions, production techniques, narrative forms, as well as various modes of television criticism. By studying key texts and programs, they will develop an appreciation of television as an art form and its impact on our culture.
FTV 107 History of Film, Pre 1950
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 lecture hours, 27 lab hours, 72 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Students examine the development of world cinema from the pre-cinema machines to 1950. The course investigates the aesthetic, theoretical, technological, economic, cultural, and social factors that contributed to the development of the medium. Attention is paid to the historical development of formal devices such as the shot, editing, mise-en-scene, sound design, color and black and white, and the evolution of the narrative film form.
FTV 108 History of Film, 1950-Present
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 lecture hours, 27 lab hours, 72 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Students examine the development of world cinema from 1950 to the present. The course investigates the aesthetic, theoretical, technological, economic, cultural, and social factors that contributed to the development of the medium. Attention is paid to the historical development of formal devices such as the shot, editing, mise-en-scene, sound design, color and black and white, and the evolution of the narrative film form.
FTV 121 Beginning Motion Picture Production
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 lab hours, 108 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides an introduction to the basic theory, terminology, and practice of motion picture production as applied in feature films, films made for television and internet through developed skill sets, and teamwork in pre-production, production, and post-production processes. Topics covered will include composition and editing techniques, camera operation, field lighting, audio recording, and basic editing. Students will leave the class with a completed final project.
FTV 134 Introduction to Screenwriting
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
The course provides students with practical experience writing film scripts. Topics include story structure, character development, dialogue, developing and refining a treatment, script formatting and pitching. Students engage in peer critiques as well as evaluate professionally produced film scripts.
FTV 155 Film Festival Analysis
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 lecture hours, 18 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course introduces students to contemporary independent film and its makers through direct participation in the Antelope Valley College Independent Film Festival. Students will evaluate a wide variety of strategies used in visual storytelling as well as have the opportunity to interact directly with working professionals in the film industry. Recommended for transfer and degree bound students as well as anyone with a general interest in off-Hollywood film.
FTV 199 Work Experience Education
- Units
- 1-8
- Hours
- 432 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students must also attend a scheduled orientation or meet individually with the supervising instructor for an individual orientation. Work Experience Education is supervised employment designed to provide students a realistic learning experience through work. The ultimate goal is to teach students skills and attitudes that will equip them to function and adapt as an employee in a variety of situations and jobs. Work Experience Education is supervised employment extending classroom-based occupational learning in an on-the-job learning situation related to the students' educational major or occupational goal. Credit may be accrued at the rate of one to eight units per semester.
FTV 201 Intercultural & Women's Film
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 lecture hours, 27 lab hours, 72 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course introduces students to different gender, racial, sexual, and cultural images in American and international cinema through the examination of representative films and filmmakers. It examines the evolution of cultural, racial, and sexual stereotypes in film and contrasts those images with efforts by filmmakers to challenge such stereotypes and more accurately portray diversity in cinema. The successful student will become more aware of the complex interplay between cultural representations in cinema and audience perceptions and become more adept at applying critical theories to analyze these images. The films, texts, and classroom materials examine a broad range of domestic, independent, and international cinema, making students aware of the culture, politics, and social history of the periods in which the films were produced.
FTV 203 African-American Cinema
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 lecture hours, 27 lab hours, 72 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
The course analyzes the evolution of the Black image in cinema from the beginning of motion pictures to the present. Particular attention will be paid to role African Americans have played in the development of the American film industry. Students investigate the origins of racial and ethnic stereotypes in film as well as examine contemporary challenges filmmakers face in more accurately and fairly representing minorities in cinema. The successful student will become more aware of the complex interplay between cultural representations in cinema and audience perceptions and become more adept at applying critical theories to analyze these images. The films, texts, and classroom materials examine a broad range of Hollywood and independent cinema, making students aware of the culture, politics, and social history of the periods in which the films were produced.
FTV 215 Directing for Film and Video
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 lecture hours, 27 lab hours, 72 contact hours total
- Advisory
- Completion of FTV 101 and FTV 121.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students are introduced to the fundamental techniques of directing for film and video. Various methods and techniques of working with actors are examined along with blocking and staging scenes. Topics include script analysis, formulating a creative vision for the scene, mise-en-scene, directing actors for camera, basic camera coverage strategies, camera movement motivation and composition, and working with a crew. Students will apply various techniques and theories to in-class scene work.
FTV 220 Advanced Screenwriting
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 contact hours total
- Prerequisite
- Completion of FTV 134.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Advanced students utilize techniques from the introductory course to complete a professional, polished feature film screenplay. Students may also choose to bring in a first draft and perform a rewrite and polish through instructor consultation and workshops with their classmates. The course will focus on the application of advanced screenwriting techniques, including alternate story structures, subplots and subtext, and genre conventions as well as examine current business practices and case studies in the film industry.
FTV 230 Digital Cinematography
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 lab hours, 108 contact hours total
- Prerequisite
- Completion of FTV 121.
- Advisory
- Completion of FTV 101.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Students apply fundamental techniques of motion picture photography to a series of short video projects. Topics include theories of cinematography, advanced video camera operation, composition and framing, basic camera angles, camera movement, coverage strategies, lighting techniques, working with a production crew, and specific techniques for low budget digital cinematography.
FTV 241 Beginning Audio Production
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 lecture hours, 54 lab hours, 90 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course serves as an introduction to the theory and practice of audio production for broadcasting, internet, film, and music recording applications. Students will learn the fundamentals of sound design and aesthetics, microphone use, and digital recording equipment. Students gain hands on experience recording, editing, and mixing audio for various applications. Upon completion, students will have basic knowledge of applied audio concepts, production workflow, equipment functions, and audio editing software.
FTV 242 Writing and Pre-Production of the Short Film
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 72 lecture hours, 72 contact hours total
- Prerequisite
- Completion of FTV 121.
- Advisory
- Completion of FTV 134.
- Transfers to
- CSU
The course guides students through the writing and pre-production processes of making a short film. Students learn methods and techniques of screenwriting and project development. Emphasis is placed on exercising sound business and management practices when planning a production. Students will develop a story concept into a shooting script, create storyboards and a shot list, assemble cast and crew, and plan and schedule a film shoot.
FTV 244 Production and Post-Production of the Short Film
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 lab hours, 108 contact hours total
- Prerequisite
- Completion of FTV 121 This course guides students through production and post-production processes of making a short film.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students learn methods and techniques of taking a project through production and shooting, post-production, and distribution. Topics includes blocking and staging, camera rehearsals, creating shot lists, call sheets, organizing a shooting plan, crew positions and responsibilities, set procedures and protocol, mise-en-scene, picture editing, sound design, titles and festivals. Emphasis is placed on students developing sound business and management practices within a creative production environment.
FTV 251 Contemporary American Independent Film
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 72 lecture hours, 72 contact hours total
- Advisory
- Completion of FTV 101.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course introduces students to contemporary American independent film and its makers. Students examine both the positive and negative factors that influence filmmaking outside the Hollywood studio system as well as how independent themes communicate different messages about American culture to audiences. The course pays particular attention to a rising wave of women, minority, and gay and lesbian filmmakers producing short and feature narrative, documentary, and experimental film and video.
FTV 261 Religion and Cinema
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 63 lecture hours, 27 lab hours, 90 contact hours total
- Advisory
- Completion of FTV 101.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course challenges students to consider and analyze the way religious ideas and institutions are presented in contemporary cinema. Students examine the social implications of film on American values and culture. The course demonstrates the power of cinematic images to define, enrich, and sometimes pervert the human experience.