The following courses are open to enrollment by any student who has been accepted to the college except where prerequisites are indicated. Please call (310) 434-3700 or visit the Academy website at academy.smc.edu for information on admission to the Entertainment Technology program which offers courses in Animation, Digital Media, Game Design, and Digital Effects. Internships are also available.
ET 3, Principles of Project Management 3 units
Transfer: CSU • Prerequisite: None.
Effective project management plays a key role in the execution and completion of interactive media projects. In this introductory course, students will learn step-by-step how a project develops and evolves through the project management process. Topics include planning, time management, risk management, team management, contract administration, and budgeting. Students will identify the components of a project management team, project manager roles and responsibilities, and organizational structures in interactive media. Case studies and problem solving will provide insight into practical applications of project management techniques.
1373 Arrange-9 Hours ONLINE-E Gast M W
Above section 1373 is a Distance Education course conducted over the Internet. For additional information, go to smconline.org (schedule of classes).
ET 11, Computer Skills for Digital Media 3 units
Transfer: CSU • Prerequisite: None.
This introductory course covers the computer skills, concepts, and essential software needed to work successfully in the fields of computer animation and interactive media. Students will learn the use of general computer skills such as file organization for projects, keyboard shortcuts, using local area networks, and using proper file suffixes. Digital image concepts such as vector and rastor images, color bit depth, and pixel dimensions will be introduced. Key software applications will be covered for rastor image editing, vector image editing, audio, web browsing, and spreadsheets.
1374 Arrange-15 Hours ONLINE-E Abode Jr P J
Above section 1374 is a Distance Education course conducted over the Internet. For additional information, go to smconline.org (schedule of classes).
ET 24A, Introduction to 3D Animation 2 units
Transfer: CSU • Advisory: Entertainment Technology 11.
This introductory course provides an overview of the tools available for the creation of 3D digital animation. Through a series of lectures and weekly exercises, students will be introduced to the basics of character rigging and animation. This course is intended for industry professionals who would like to gain an understanding of 3D software. The course material of ET 24A is similar to that of ET 24 but does not require a final project. Students who have completed ET 24 may use ET 24A as a review course.
This course uses Autodesk Maya.
4067 6:30p-9:35p MW AET 108 Williams V J
Above section 4067 meets at the Academy of Entertainment and Technology, 1660 Stewart Street.
ET 31A, Digital Video Fundamentals 3 units
Transfer: CSU • Advisory: Entertainment Technology 11.
This introductory course familiarizes students with the fundamental aspects of digital video production. Covering acquisition formats, authoring formats and delivery formats, the class provides a strong foundation for working with digital picture (both motion picture and still pictures) and digital sound in non-linear digital video post production. Topics will include digital vs. analog, time code, frame rates, frame size, frame aspect ratio, pixel aspect ratio, data transfer rates, key frames, NTSC and PAL television standards, image composition and acquisition, video capture and compression. The technical aspects of video hardware and computer hardware will also be covered.
This course uses Apple Final Cut Pro and Avid Express.
4068 5:30p-9:45p TTh AET 123 Gerds E L
Arrange-3 Hours
Above section 4068 meets at the Academy of Entertainment and Technology, 1660 Stewart Street.
ET 31B, Digital Video Editing 3 units
• Prerequisite: Entertainment Technology 31A.
This course focuses on the fundamental techniques, skills, and theories of editing as well as the technical requirements for assembling a digital video project. Through a series of hands-on projects, students will put traditional theories of picture and sound editing into practice. The course will also cover the history of nonlinear editing and provide an overview of the post production process.
4069 5:30p-9:45p MW AET 123 Eggert M L
Arrange-3 Hours
Above section 4069 meets at the Academy of Entertainment and Technology, 1660 Stewart Street.
ET 34, Web Animation I 3 units
Transfer: CSU • Advisory: Entertainment Technology 11.
This class focuses on all aspects of web animation, giving special attention to characters and graphics, as well as interactivity and light programming. Students learn the tricks of controlling file size, special approaches for importing and creating animation, and all other production techniques needed for building complete web animation projects.
1375 Arrange-15 Hours ONLINE-E Zenhari E F
Above section 1375 is a Distance Education course conducted over the Internet. For additional information, go to smconline.org (schedule of classes).
ET 37, Digital Imaging for Design I 3 units
Transfer: CSU • Advisory: Entertainment Technology 11.
Using Adobe Photoshop, this computer class teaches students how to scan, manipulate, and enhance digital images for graphic reproduction and use on the web. Includes retouching, color adjustment and color correction techniques.
Entertainment Technology 37 is the same course as Graphic Design 64. Students may receive credit for one, but not both.
1376 Arrange-15 Hours ONLINE-E Duganne J A
Above section 1376 is a Distance Education course conducted over the Internet. For additional information, go to smconline.org (schedule of classes).
ET 38, Digital Imaging for Design 2 3 units
Transfer: CSU • Prerequisite: Entertainment Technology 37.
Building on previously developed, advanced Photoshop skills, this course will navigate students through the more highly advanced features of the program to create and manipulate images specifically for use in multimedia, digital video, 2D animation, and 3D animation. Topics include intense and extensive investigations into alpha channel creation and development, lighting effects generation within alpha channels and layer effects, displacement and bump mapping techniques, texture mapping relating to alpha channel and creature surface decoration, and the utilization of techniques incorporating Illustrator and Photoshop together.
1377 Arrange-15 Hours ONLINE-E Duganne J A
Above section 1377 is a Distance Education course conducted over the Internet. For additional information, go to smconline.org (schedule of classes).
ET 40, Digital Audio Fundamentals 3 units
Transfer: CSU • Skills Advisory: Entertainment Technology 11.
This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of digital audio design and provide them with the basic tools to use the technology appropriately, creatively, and effectively. A large element of øhands-onø practical experience will be balanced by an emphasis on understanding the fundamental theoretical principles of the technology and its applications within the entertainment industry. Topics covered will include the basic characteristics and differences between analog and digital audio; principles of good audio design; the essential hardware and software tools of music production in a digital environment; characteristics and differences between the main digital audio formats; basic principles of sound waveform editing; and recording techniques for multimedia and video integration.
This course uses DigiDesign Pro Tools.
1378 1:00p-5:15p TTh AET 123 Beasley F
Arrange-6 Hours
Above section 1378 meets at the Academy of Entertainment and Technology, 1660 Stewart Street.
ET 58, Motion Graphics I 3 units
Transfer: CSU • Prerequisite: Entertainment Technology 11 and 37.
This course introduces students to the motion graphics capabilities of Adobe After Effects. Projects assigned during the course will increase students’ skill with both the creative and the technical challenges posed by motion graphics, each project based on common professional uses of After Effects. Working with the instructor, students will develop final projects that focus on their particular area of interest within the field of motion graphics. All projects completed in this course will be included in the student’s portfolio.
1379 8:00a-12:15p F AET 123 Heaton W B
12:30p-4:50p F AET 123 Heaton W B
Above section 1379 meets at the Academy of Entertainment and Technology, 1660 Stewart Street.
ET 61, History of Animation 3 units
Transfer: CSU • Prerequisite: None.
This course will explore the history of animation through its earliest beginnings to the present. In addition to the chronological order of events, this course will look at the multi-faceted aspects of this relatively modern art form. The influences of economics and social/political pressures on the art form will be examined. Included will be the study of individual animators and studios, big and small; different art techniques, materials 2D and 3D. The class will also examine the principles of movement and how they apply to the zoetrope as well as the computer.
Entertainment Technology 61 is the same as GR DES 74. Students may receive credit for one but not both.
1380 Arrange-9 Hours ONLINE-E Poirier N P
Above section 1380 is a Distance Education course conducted over the Internet. For additional information, go to smconline.org (schedule of classes).
ET 72, Career Exploration 2 units
Transfer: CSU • Prerequisite: None.
This course provides an overview of various career opportunities within the entertainment industry. By examining the production and postproduction processes of the animation, internet, videogame, film and television industries, students will be able to identify potential career paths. The course will investigate the skill requirements of entry-level career positions and assist students in preparing to apply for these positions.
1381 Arrange-6 Hours ONLINE-E Nagel J G
Above section 1381 is a Distance Education course conducted over the Internet. For additional information, go to smconline.org (schedule of classes).
ET 88A, Independent Studies in Entertainment Technology 1 unit
Transfer: CSU
Please see “Independent Studies” section.
Arrange-3 Hours AET 227D Fria C T
Above section meets at the Academy of Entertainment and Technology, 1660 Stewart Street.
ET 89, Figure Drawing 1 unit
Transfer: CSU • Prerequisite: None.
This course is designed for the advanced drawing student. Students completing this course will have a familiarity with all major issues involved in drawing and visualizing the figure as an animate, three-dimensional form, and will have developed perceptual and manual skills equal to the challenge of understanding the human body as a structure in space, in both static and dynamic modes. Comprehension of figure structure will be both anatomical and perspectival with special emphasis on developing a model of the human figure that can be easily visualized in the imagination and adapted for use in animation and related disciplines.
1383 1:15p-3:15p TWTh AET 233 Post D J
Above section 1383 meets at the Academy of Entertainment and Technology, 1660 Stewart Street.
ET 90A, Internship 1 unit
Transfer: CSU • Prerequisite: 2.0 grade point average and an approved internship with instructor prior to enrollment.
The Internship Program is designed to provide the student with on-site practical experience in a related field. Students spend a minimum of 60 hours during the term in a supervised facility. Exit internship evaluation, time log, and oral are required.
Arrange-9 Hours AET 227D Fria C T
Above section 1384 meets at the Academy of Entertainment and Technology, 1660 Stewart Street.
ET 90C, Internship 3 units
Transfer: CSU • Prerequisite: 2.0 grade point average and an approved internship with instructor prior to enrollment.
The Internship Program is designed to provide the student with on-site practical experience in a related field. Students spend a minimum of 180 hours during the term in a supervised design facility. Exit internship evaluation, time log, and an oral are required.
Arrange-27 Hours AET 227D Fria C T
Above section meets at the Academy of Entertainment and Technology, 1660 Stewart Street.
ET 91, Perspective Drawing 2 units
Transfer: CSU • Prerequisite: None.
This course focuses on the principles of three-dimensional drawing. Emphasis is placed on fundamental concepts such as diminution, foreshortening, convergence and shading. Concepts such as horizon lines, vanishing points, and picture planes will be covered. Perspective drawing methods will be applied to rendering interiors, exteriors, objects and figures.
4070 5:30p-9:30p TWTh AET 102 Brown S S
Above section 4070 meets at the Academy of Entertainment and Technology, 1660 Stewart Street.
ET 92, Figure in Motion 3 units
Transfer: CSU • Prerequisite: None.
This is the foundation course for traditional and computer animators to understand and draw the figure in motion. This course teaches the student to visualize and quick sketch the figure in three-dimensional as it moves through space. Emphasis is placed on construction, volume, key poses and gestures as the figure moves in a given action. Students will also develop portfolio drawings necessary for job interviews in the industry.
4071 4:30p-9:35p MTW AET 233 Karol-Crowther C I
Above section 4071 meets at the Academy of Entertainment and Technology, 1660 Stewart Street.
ET 95, Animal Drawing 2 units
Transfer: CSU • Prerequisite: None.
This course provides students with a working understanding of animal anatomy and movement and its comparison to human anatomy and movement. Students will develop skills in proportional and perspective analysis of animal forms. This class will teach students to sketch a variety of animals both from life and from other visualization techniques.
1387 9:00a-1:00p TWTh AET 233 Robinson K C
Above section 1387 meets at the Academy of Entertainment and Technology, 1660 Stewart Street.