Entertainment Technology

rogram Title: Entertainment Technology

Program award Type: Certificate of Achievement

Program Description:

The Entertainment Technology Certificate will prepare students to design and operate staging, lighting, and audio systems for live event productions. Students will train using analog and digital technologies used in live event productions. Students will work on theatrical and musical events produced by the Fine Arts Division. This 33-unit certificate will train students to enter the workforce as event technicians and assistants. Students will learn best practices when working events and how to interact with producers and performers to ensure that the events meet professional standards.

1.     Program Requirement

Listyour program requirement below

2.     Recommended Sequence

3.      Master Planning – how it fits inthe mission, curriculum, and master planning of the college and highereducation in California?

The Entertainment Technology Certificate, which is aproposed program of the Theatre Department, falls under the Fine Arts Division.The development of this new program responds to the expanded role of eventproduction beyond traditional theatrical productions. Specifically, itaddresses the rise in live event productions post-pandemic. The rise of liveevent productions in Southern California has increased the demand for trainedevent technicians. Employers no longer have the time or resources to apprenticenew workers and prefer trained technicians when hiring. Events vary in size andlocation requiring technicians to be ready to work in a variety of conditions.

The evolution of event technology and its applications hasrevolutionized traditional forms of live entertainment. While event productionhas relied on traditional lighting and sound technologies, such as incandescentand analog workflows, the rise of digital and network technologies means thatstudents must learn a broader sets of skills to remain relevant in theworkforce. Technicians must learn to adapt to changing workflows and deliverprofessional results. These new technologies require specific training andaccess to equipment. The Certificate in Entertainment Technology and itscourses strive to provide students with the necessary training they require toachieve employment in the entertainment industry.

The Theatre Department expects ten graduates withcertificates in Entertainment Technology per year.

The Theatre Department measures its success in terms of skills mastery as evidenced by retention rate and success rate. According to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, Research, and Planning, Spring 2022 enrollment for the Theatre Department (as a unit) comprised 1,575 students. Overall retention rate for that period was 83 percent, with a reported success rate of 70 percent.

Students entering the Certificate program will receive a two-year plan indicating which courses they will need to enroll in and when they will be offered. Beginning with the first course, MUS 106A – Entertainment Technology Fundamentals, students will learn the program expectations and requirements. The remaining courses are structured so that skills acquired in one course pass to the next level. Providing students with a clear understanding of the Certificate from the onset will improve persistence in the program. With improved persistence, the Theatre Department expects ten completers per year.

Based upon discussions with our students, Advisory Committee Members, and other industry experts we anticipate conservative enrollments in the Entertainment Technology Certificate Program, with ten certificate completers each year once the program has matured. The Certificate is a two-year program with the first group of students completing it in Spring 2025.

The Theatre Department expects ten graduates with certificates in Entertainment Technology per year.

The goal of the Theatre Department is to offer a Certificate in Entertainment Technology. This 33-unit certificate will offer technical and practical training for students seeking careers as stage technicians, lighting designers, rigging technicians, and sound engineers. Students will receive professional, certified training in event staging and production using traditional and new technology. The addition of courses for this certificate will allow Cerritos College to become a leader in entertainment technology and production. Students completing this certificate will be prepared to work for live event production houses as technicians and assistants in all aspects of the event or production.

Designed for theatre and music students seeking more technical expertise, the Entertainment Technology Certificate prepares individuals to work on the design and technical aspects of the live event production industry. This program covers the design and operation of live production staging, lighting, and audio systems using analog, digital, and network workflows. The goal is to encompass new event technologies and technical skills needed to work in a variety of venues and productions. Students will learn how to work in theatrical and musical live events in indoor and outdoor venues. Students will train on industry-standard equipment and be eligible to earn professional certification from leading music industry companies.

 Program Requirements

TH 101 – Introduction to Theatre (3 Units)

This broad survey of the entire theatre field focuses on modern theatre practice and theory. Some historical background is provided. Topics include stage lighting and design, acting and directing,properties and costume, theatre architecture, make-up, career opportunities,and play writing.

TH 106A – Entertainment Technology Fundamentals (3Units)

This course is required for entertainment technology majors. This course covers the fundamentals of entertainment technology. This course covers lighting, audio, scenery, stage rigging, and stage management as it pertains to live events. Tools and equipment specific to entertainment technology are presented along with safety protocols. Topics such as trade publications, live event production, and employment opportunities are also discussed.

MUS 110 – Music Technology Fundamentals (3 units)

This course is required of commercial music and entertainment technology majors. The course covers the fundamental vocabulary,techniques, concepts, and devices used in contemporary music production and related media fields. This course covers sound fundamentals, professional audio equipment, computers, music production software, recording studios, MIDI,electronic music, audio-visual productions, and film. Topics such as trade publications, relevant conventions, and employment opportunities are also discussed.

TH 120 – Theatre Stagecraft (3 Units)

This course introduces the student to the principles and basic techniques of theatrical scenery construction. The class will be involved in scene shop procedures and practices, safe tool usage,materials selection, and fabrication methods.

TH 133 – Stage Crew Activity (2 Units)

This course introduces the student to backstage crew skills and duties in connection with the mounting of college plays. The student will be assigned to running or preparing crews as scenery, lighting,costumes, sound, props, makeup, or house management.

TH 134 – Technical Production (2 Units)

This course introduces the student to technical theatre work in connection with the mounting of college plays. Emphasis is on the design and preparation of scenery, lighting, costume, sound, props, and makeup. Students may also be assigned to a running crew for some of their lab hours.

MUS 145A – Live Sound Techniques (2.5 units)

This course provides an overview of live concert sound reinforcement. Topics include sound system theory and its application.The course covers individual sound system component operation, including microphones, mixers, effects, power amplifiers, and speaker systems. This course offers opportunities for hands-on experiences in troubleshooting, sound checking, and mixing sound for live performance applications. Students are expected to mix live performances.

MUS 157 – Audio Systems Design (2.5 units)

This course trains students to design, implement,and support professional audio systems for studio, theatrical, and outdoor venues. Topics include sound system theory and integration. The course covers analog, digital, and network sound system component design, operation, and diagnostics. This course offers opportunities for hands on experiences in designing and implementing sound systems for a variety of situations. Student swill create several projects for different audio environments.

TH 222 – Stage Lighting (2 units)

This course introduces the student to the theory and practice of modern stage lighting. Emphasis is placed on the design and function of lighting equipment and control systems, as well as color theory,the historical perspective, and hands-on experience.

TH 223 – Portable Entertainment Technology – Lighting(3 units)

This course introduces the student to the principles and basic techniques of portable event staging. The class will cover procedures and practices involved in the general practices and lighting of entertainment events.

TH 224 – Portable Entertainment Technology –Staging (3 units)

This course introduces the student to the principles and basic techniques of portable event staging. The class will cover procedures and practices involved in the staging and audio of entertainment events.

TH 225 – Portable Event Production (2 units)

This course requires the student to set up and run a live event using the skills acquired in the Portable Event Production classes. Students will work in the areas of staging, lighting, and audio on multiple live entertainment events that are open to the public.

TH 226 – Introduction to Scenic Design (2 units)

This course introduces the student to the basic principles and techniques of scenic design for the theater. The class will be involved in the conceptualization, analysis, and actual exploration of the design process. Emphasis will be placed on the development of the individual’s design capabilities and knowledge of contemporary design approaches.

4. Background and Rationale

The Entertainment Technology Certificate, which is a proposed program of the Theatre Department, falls under the Fine Arts Division. The development of this new program responds to the expanded role of event production beyond traditional theatrical productions. Specifically, it addresses the rise in live event productions post-pandemic. The rise of live event productions in Southern California has increased the demand for trained event technicians. Employers no longer have the time or resources to apprentice new workers and prefer trained technicians when hiring. Events vary in size and location requiring technicians to be ready to work in a variety of conditions.

The evolution of event technology and its applications has revolutionized traditional forms of live entertainment. While event production has relied on traditional lighting and sound technologies,such as incandescent and analog workflows, the rise of digital and network technologies means that students must learn a broader sets of skills to remain relevant in the workforce. Technicians must learn to adapt to changing workflows and deliver professional results. These new technologies require specific training and access to equipment. The Certificate in Entertainment Technology and its courses strive to provide students with the necessary training they require to achieve employment in the entertainment industry.

The Theatre Department expects ten graduates with certificates in Entertainment Technology per year.