Cinematic Arts & Technology, B.A.
Delivering the knowledge and skills to help shape our culture, generate conversations, and effect positive social change through the cinematic arts.
The B.A. in Cinematic Arts program will take you on a hands-on exploration of the theory and practice of filmmaking in all its forms – including narrative, documentary, experimental, and animation – in which you’ll learn the various elements involved as well as the history of cinematic arts to gain cultural, political, and social perspectives.
Public University Price, Private University Experience
A Lifetime of Value
Cinematic Arts & Technology, B.A.
The Cinematic Arts & Technology program integrates a strong theoretical foundation with practical hands-on skills in a way designed to position you to discover and develop your creative voice, as well as skills in scriptwriting, directing, cinematography, editing, visual effects and animation.
Educational Objectives
Our abundant access to industry-standard technology means you’ll gain the time you need to develop essential skills working with the same equipment you’ll find in the real world, enabling you to hit the ground running upon graduation.
Our small production classes will ensure you get all the time you may need working individually with your faculty mentors, as well as collaborating with fellow students, creating a highly engaging and dynamic experience.
Our emphasis on hands-on learning will take you into the studio applying what you’ve learned using state-of-the-art equipment, empowering you to bring your creative voice and vision to life.
Our longstanding connections with the local region will open up a wealth of collaborative opportunities for you with community partners, which will serve as valuable resources when it comes to creating and completing your films.
Complete all of the following courses:
- CART 200 - Introduction to Filmmaking Units: 4
- CART 228 - Cinematic History 1849-1960 Units: 3
- CART 230 - The Art of Storytelling Units: 3
- CART 301 - Practical Application Units: 2
- CART 303 - Media, Power, and Society Units: 3
- CART 329 - Contemporary Media History Units: 3
- CART 330 - Elements of Cinema Units: 4
- CART 399S - Community-Based Media Units: 4
- CART 490 - Capstone Preproduction and Development Units: 4
- CART 491 - Capstone Completion & Assessment Units: 4
Complete one of the following courses:
- CART 361 - Intro to Editing Units: 4
- CART 422 - Animated Short Films Units: 4
Complete 4 units from the following lower division Research and Development workshops:
- CART 202 - Fundamentals of Production Lighting Units: 1
- CART 203 - Pre-Prod Research Methods Units: 1
- CART 205 - Production Management Units: 1-2
- CART 206 - Marketing Strategies Units: 1
- CART 208 - Business for Filmmakers Units: 2-4
- CART 216 - Art of the Film Pitch Units: 1
- CART 217 - Podcasting Workshop Units: 2
- CART 219 - Storyboarding Workshop Units: 1
- CART 225 - Distribution Workshop Units: 2
- CART 235 - Queer Film Theory Units: 2
- CART 251 - Voice and Speech Units: 2
- CART 255 - The Actor’s Process Units: 2-4
Complete one of the following upper division Research and Development courses:
- CART 315 - Visual Design Units: 4
- CART 318 - Introduction to Animation Units: 4
- CART 340 - Screenwriting Units: 4
Complete one of the following Media Practice and Innovation courses:
- CART 321 - Experimental Production Units: 4
- CART 341 - Film Directing Units: 4
- CART 375 - Cinematography Units: 4
- CART 376 - Documentary Production Units: 4
- CART 424 - Environmental Media Arts Units: 4
Our location will serve as scenic inspiration for your work throughout your time in the program. And through our environmental media arts course, you’ll engage directly with the environment of the Monterey Peninsula.
As a student in the program, you’ll have opportunities to collaborate with national institutions on meaningful, socially minded projects that have a positive effect on the community. Some of these include the Library of Congress on the Veterans History Project, as well as the Transportation Agency of Monterey County.
Faculty & Staff
Our faculty work closely with their students as mentors and guides throughout the program, offering them individualized feedback on their creative projects and sometimes even hiring students to collaborate on their own work.
Luis Camara
Department Chair AY
Jennifer Benge
Administrative Support Coordinator
Two CSUMB alumni participated in a new commemorative exhibit at Lucasfilm in San Francisco.
Evan Norbom, 35, a 2010 graduate of CSUMB’s cinematic arts program, was the lead designer for audio and video systems, and project manager for upgrading the Egyptian Theater.
“It was an amazing and enlightening experience that will hopefully benefit our students and community.”
Questions? We’re Here to Help!
Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you have about the Cinematic Arts & Technology program.
Our experienced and supportive admissions staff is here to provide all the individualized guidance you need.