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.
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.
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.
Major Qualification
Declaration of the Film and Digital Media Major
Prior to declaring the film and digital media major, students must pass FILM 20A and either 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.
Students who are approaching the campus declaration deadline and have not passed FILM 20A and either FILM 20B or FILM 20C, or their transfer equivalents , may petition to declare the major: they will either be approved, denied, or provided with conditions (e.g., completion of some courses with certain grades) to be resolved within at most one more enrolled quarter.
Acceptance into the film and digital media major does not constitute acceptance into any of the concentrations (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 advisor. 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 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. 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.