Course of Study
Our three-track curriculum prepares students with the latest tools and techniques to thrive as directors, editors or cinematographers.
ArtCenter’s Film Department combines expert guidance and access to world-class equipment with unparalleled opportunities for students to develop, shoot, edit and film as many video projects as they can complete during the course of the program.
Curriculum is subject to change.
For students entering Fall 2026 and Spring 2027
Directing Track
| TERM 1 | |
| Writing Studio OR Writing Studio: Intensive | 3 |
| Set Safety and Tech Training | 3 |
| Directing 1 | 3 |
| Intro to Cinematography | 3 |
| Intro to Post Production | 3 |
| Design 1: Comp, Light, Color | 3 |
| TERM 2 | |
| Intro to Modernism OR 3 credits from Subject HHIS | 3 |
| Screenwriting 1 | 3 |
| Storyboarding for Directors | 3 |
| Acting Workshop for Directors | 3 |
| Film Editing 1 | 3 |
| Aesthetics of Cinematography | 3 |
| TERM 3 | |
| Screenwriting 2 | 3 |
| Film Production Sound | 3 |
| Directing 2 | 3 |
| Cinematography Technical Training | 3 |
| TERM 4 | |
| History of Cinema 1 OR History of Cinema 2 | 3 |
| Business Affairs for Filmmakers | 3 |
| Line Producing and Production Management | 3 |
| Post Production Sound | 3 |
| Directing 3 | 3 |
| Mid-Program Review | 0 |
| TERM 5 | |
| Pitching | 3 |
| Directing 4 OR From Script to Screen OR PSA & Commercial Workshop OR Cinematography for Directors | 3 |
| Transdisciplinary Studio | 3 |
| TERM 6 | |
| Studio or H&S Electives | 0 |
| TERM 7 | |
| Studio or H&S Electives | 0 |
| TERM 8 | |
| Graduating Review | 0 |
| Professional Preparation | 3 |
| ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS | |
| Humanities and Sciences electives: | |
| Humanities | 3 |
| Social Sciences | 3 |
| Science and Technology | 3 |
| Business and Professional Practice | 3 |
| Any of the above | 21 |
| Studio Electives | 12 |
| TOTAL | |
| Total H&S units | 45 |
| Total Studio Units | 75 |
| Total Required Units | 120 |
Cinematography Track
| TERM 1 | |
| Writing Studio OR Writing Studio: Intensive | 3 |
| Set Safety and Tech Training | 3 |
| Directing 1 | 3 |
| Intro to Cinematography | 3 |
| Intro to Post Production | 3 |
| Design 1: Comp, Light, Color | 3 |
| TERM 2 | |
| Intro to Modernism | 3 |
| Screenwriting 1 | 3 |
| Storyboarding for Directors | 3 |
| Acting Workshop for Directors | 3 |
| Film Editing 1 | 3 |
| Aesthetics of Cinematography | 3 |
| TERM 3 | |
| Screenwriting 2 | 3 |
| Film Production Sound | 3 |
| Directing 2 | 3 |
| Cinematography Tech Training | 3 |
| TERM 4 | |
| History of Cinema 1 OR History of Cinema 2 | 3 |
| Business Affairs for Filmmakers | 3 |
| Line Producing and Production Management | 3 |
| Lighting for Cinematography | 3 |
| Directing 3 | 3 |
| Mid-Program Review | 0 |
| TERM 5 | |
| Pitching | 3 |
| Advanced Cinematography | 3 |
| Transdisciplinary Studio | 3 |
| TERM 6 | |
| Studio or H&S Electives | 0 |
| TERM 7 | |
| Studio or H&S Electives | 0 |
| TERM 8 | |
| Graduating Review | 0 |
| Professional Preparation | 3 |
| ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS | |
| Humanities and Sciences electives: | |
| Humanities | 3 |
| Social Sciences | 3 |
| Science and Technology | 3 |
| Business and Professional Practice | 3 |
| Any of the above | 21 |
| Studio Electives | 12 |
| TOTAL | |
| Total H&S units | 45 |
| Total Studio Units | 75 |
| Total Required Units | 120 |
Editing Track
| TERM 1 | |
| Writing Studio OR Writing Studio: Intensive | 3 |
| Set Safety and Tech Training | 3 |
| Directing 1 | 3 |
| Intro to Cinematography | 3 |
| Intro to Post Production | 3 |
| Design 1: Comp, Light, Color | 3 |
| TERM 2 | |
| Intro to Modernism | 3 |
| Screenwriting 1 | 3 |
| Storyboarding for Directors | 3 |
| Acting Workshop for Directors | 3 |
| Film Editing 1 | 3 |
| Digital Design 1 | 3 |
| TERM 3 | |
| Screenwriting 2 | 3 |
| Film Production Sound | 3 |
| Directing 2 | 3 |
| Cinematography Technical Training | 3 |
| Film Editing 2 | 3 |
| TERM 4 | |
| History of Cinema 1 OR History of Cinema 2 | 3 |
| Business Affairs for Filmmakers | 3 |
| Line Producing and Production Management | 3 |
| Post Production Sound | 3 |
| Film Editing 3 | 3 |
| Directing 3 | 3 |
| Mid-Program Review | 0 |
| TERM 5 | |
| Pitching | 3 |
| Transdisciplinary Studio | 3 |
| TERM 6 | |
| Studio or H&S Electives | 0 |
| TERM 7 | |
| Studio or H&S Electives | 0 |
| TERM 8 | |
| Graduating Review | 0 |
| Professional Preparation | 3 |
| ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS | |
| Humanities and Sciences electives: | |
| Humanities | 3 |
| Social Sciences | 3 |
| Science and Technology | 3 |
| Business and Professional Practice | 3 |
| Any of the above | 21 |
| Studio Electives | 9 |
| TOTAL | |
| Total H&S units | 45 |
| Total Studio Units | 75 |
| Total Required Units | 120 |
The level of talent I was surrounded by when I started here was a bit overwhelming at first, until I realized these were people I’d be able to work with and learn from.
Eli SmithFilm Student
