Training
•One of the longest-standing undergraduate critical studies majors in the country, established in 1973 and enrolling roughly 500 majors
•Combines film and media history and theory, critical writing, and screenwriting with hands-on production coursework
•Production sequence includes Introduction to Production Technology (shooting, lighting, sound, editing), the two-quarter Crew Production course, and Animation across cel, direct, photo, three-dimensional, and computer techniques
•Specialized workshops in Sound Production, Lighting, GreenScreen, and the Coastal Media Project, overseen by Head of Production Chris Jenkins and Equipment Manager Keith Boynton
Professional Development
•Student organizations include the Delta Kappa Alpha professional film society, Filmmakers' Co-op, Focus Media Journal, Women in Media, and Writers' Room
•Department events include the Cam-Con cinematography camp, the Reel Loud silent film festival, and the Word Farm screenwriting workshop
•The Paul N. and Elinor T. Lazarus Scholarship supports screenwriting-focused juniors; the Alexander Sesonske Prize recognizes scholarly essays
Degree Flexibility
•Apply through the standard UC application; the department does not conduct a separate undergraduate admissions review
