Program Goals
The US Bureau of Labor projects the number of jobs in film and video writing, producing, directing, editing, sound and special effects has grown since 2014 and the trend will continue through 2024. In the Coachella Valley the number of jobs in each of these areas created or vacated annually justifies the creation of a new film production program at College of the Desert.
2015 Jobs: Multimedia Artists and Animators, 228; Producers and Directors, 391; Writers and Authors, 1,084; Sound Engineering Technicians, 138; Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Motion Picture, 111; Film and Video Editors, 190; Grand Total, 2142
2018 Jobs: Multimedia Artists and Animators, 239; Producers and Directors, 407; Writers and Authors, 1,144; Sound Engineering Technicians, 146; Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Motion Picture, 114; Film and Video Editors, 199; Grand Total, 2249
2015-18 Change: Multimedia Artists and Animators, +11; Producers and Directors, +16; Writers and Authors, +59; Sound Engineering Technicians, +8; Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Motion Picture, +3; Film and Video Editors, +9; Grand Total, +105
The Associates Degree in Film Production address these employment needs by teaching students how to write, direct, produce, edit and analyze content for film and electronic media. With an emphasis on storytelling using current digital technologies, students will become immersed in the film and video production process from scripting through distribution. They will become competent in understanding how film and video is created and how it reaches and affects an audience. Students will, through required and elective courses, become skilled in film analysis, screenwriting, the production process, cinematography, editing, production design, acting and directing for the camera, documentary and the business of film. In addition, students will apply these skills through certain electives to specific areas of interest including video journalism, mass media, new media and marketing.