The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway. It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.
The courses have been intentionally placed and should be prioritized in
the order
in which they appear. If you are unable to take all the courses in
a semester, you
should prioritize enrolling in the courses in the order below.
Some courses have
been noted as “Appropriate for Intersession” 
. Should you need (or want) to take
classes
in the summer and/or winter intersessions,
the program recommends these courses as appropriate for the condensed
schedule of
the intersessions.
Some pathways combine a “Certificate of Achievement” and an “Associate
Degree”. If
you are pursuing only the Certificate of Achievement, you are only
required to take
the courses marked “Program Requirement” 
.
All pathways include at least one “Gateway Course” 
which introduces you to the program and/or field of study and helps you
decide if you want to continue with this Academic and Career Path.
Most Associate degrees (though not Associate Degrees for Transfer)
require satisfying the SMC Global Citizenship requirement. If the Program
Requirements do not include a “Global Citizenship course” 
, be sure to select a General Education course that also satisfies Global Citizenship.
The Digital Media A.S. Degree program is a comprehensive study of the digital post-production processes used in the entertainment industry. The required coursework begins with the Digital Media Foundation Certificate of Achievement, combining a solid foundation in visual storytelling with hands-on experience using digital media software applications.
After successfully completing the Digital Media Foundation, students pursue a concentration in either Digital Audio Post-Production or Digital Video Post-Production. Each concentration reflects an area of industry specialization, and is awarded as a second Certificate of Achievement. Students must complete the required coursework for the Digital Media Foundation and at least one concentration to be eligible for the Digital Media A.S. Degree.
Throughout the Digital Media A.S. Degree program, students learn to develop professional skills, demonstrate those skills in effective entry-level portfolios, and work collaboratively on team-based projects. Students may also participate in internships with industry partners when available.
Upon completion of the program, students will:
- Upon completion of the program, students will be able to create an effective digital media portfolio for transfer or entry-level employment that demonstrates an understanding of industry-standard tools and methodologies.
Icon Key
-
Gateway Course
-
Program Requirement
-
General Education -
Appropriate for
Intersession
-
Available Online -
Global Citizenship
Digital Media (with AUDIO Post-Production Concentration)
60-63 Units
This introductory course prepares students to create effective stories for entertainment projects through an understanding of the fundamentals of storytelling and story structure. Covering a broad history of story from cave paintings to video games, the course will explore archetypal figures and motifs as well as the evolution of hero myth narratives. Emphasis will be placed on the social and cultural impact of modern storytelling.
Effective project management plays a key role in the execution and completion of digital media projects. In this introductory course, students will learn step-by-step how a project develops and evolves through the project management process. The entire digital media workflow from scripting, budgeting, shooting, post-production, finishing, distribution and marketing will also be covered. Students will get an overview of how the courses at the CMD interrelate and fit within this total workflow. Guest speakers will provide current industry trends on how projects are produced, finished and distributed.
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 "hands-on" 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. *Catalog Course Comment: This course uses Avid Pro Tools.
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 visuals and sound in non-linear digital video post-production. Topics will include digital vs. analog, time code, frame rates, frame size, aspect ratios, broadcast and streaming codecs and distribution formats. *Catalog Course Comment: This course uses Adobe Premiere Pro.
SMC GE Area IV-A Course 3 units
This class is designed for students who are either undecided about their educational or career goals, validating their decisions, or seeking to transition into a new career. Students are guided through a process that focuses on their individual interests, skills, personality and values to aid in the selection of a major, determine a career direction and develop career goals. Students will relate their self-assessment information to possible college major and career choices. Decision-making models and goal setting techniques are examined and will be used to develop short and long term education and career plans.
- E - Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development
This course covers the skills and concepts needed to create and manipulate images specifically for use in digital media projects. Students will learn the core concepts of working with image formats, brushes,selection tools, channels and layers as well as digital painting and color correction techniques.
In this course, students will combine skills acquired in the advanced digital media courses to design and implement sound for their portfolio projects. Areas covered include live audio recording, working with prerecorded audio elements, and inventing sounds using foley techniques. The principles of sound sweetening and multi-track layering will be addressed, as well as multi-track compositing. Students will also learn techniques to seamlessly move audio files between audio and video editing tools. *Catalog Course Comment: This course uses Avid Pro Tools.
- Skills Advisory: DMPOST 2
This computer based course will introduce students to the fundamentals of digital audio design for video games, and provide them with the basic tools to use the technology effectively and creatively. Practical experience will be balanced by an emphasis on understanding the fundamentals of the technology and its applications within the game industry. Topics covered will include principles of good audio design; the essential hardware and software tools of music production in a digital environment; characteristics and differences between various audio formats; basic principles of sound waveform editing; and recording techniques for interactive and video integration.
- Skills Advisory: DMPOST 2
This course will introduce the art, technology, language, and appreciation of film, exploring the varieties of film experience, film and the other arts, and the ways of viewing. Students will learn about the basic cinematic techniques and structures, including mise-en-scene and montage, use of cinematic time and space, the image, soundtrack, and the script. Consideration will also be given to analyzing the fundamentals of film production, directing, acting, and editing; how the elements of the production process are analyzed separately, then brought together to show how they create the emotional and intellectual impact of the film experience. Film examples will be screened in class.
- Skills Advisory: ENGL 1
- 3A: Arts
- C1 - Arts, Dance, Music, Theater
- Area III: Humanities
SMC GE Area IV-B Course 3-5 units
In this course, students will learn the skills necessary to digitally record and produce music at a professional level. Hands-on practical techniques will reinforce an understanding of recording, editing, programming and mixing for music production. Topics covered will include recording with microphones, programming electronic instruments, MIDI, proper use of audio effects and music mixing techniques. *Catalog Course Comment: This course uses Avid Pro Tools.
- Skills Advisory: DMPOST 20
This course introduces the fundamentals of designing sound for digital media including film and television using a combination of practical and technological toolsets. Through a parity of theoretical and hands-on application, concepts will be disseminated and applied using industry-standard practices and equipment. Primary topics covered will include practical MIDI setup and implementation, basics of audio synthesis, exploration and use of digital Virtual Instruments, advanced signal processor controls and application as well as best practices for field and Foley recording.
- Skills Advisory: DMPOST 20
SMC GE Area I Course 3 units
SMC GE Area II-A Course 3 units
Elective Course 3 units
This course focuses on completing the visual experience through balancing and mixing of audio elements to support a moving image. Students will gain hands-on experience with the Avid S6 audio mixing worksurface, an industry-standard tool and essential for mixing audio to video. Students will be introduced to audio mixing best practices and apply these concepts to in-class and inter-disciplinary projects. Multi-channel and object-based mixing will be explored and utilized to enhance story and on-screen events. COURSE NOTE: Operational knowledge of Avid Pro Tools is required.
- Skills Advisory: DMPOST 23
This advanced computer-based course covers the design and production of a faculty supervised project for portfolio development. Students will produce post-production projects utilizing original and provided footage. Emphasis will be placed on aesthetic quality and technical execution of the narrative format. Students will complete multiple projects for their online site as well as a demo reel of their work. Multiple editing software will be utilized in this course.
- Corequisite: DMPOST 24 or
- Corequisite: DMPOST 32
SMC GE Area II-B Course 3 units
Elective Course 3 units
Elective Course 2-3 units
Digital Media (with VIDEO Post-Production Concentration)
60-63 Units
This introductory course prepares students to create effective stories for entertainment projects through an understanding of the fundamentals of storytelling and story structure. Covering a broad history of story from cave paintings to video games, the course will explore archetypal figures and motifs as well as the evolution of hero myth narratives. Emphasis will be placed on the social and cultural impact of modern storytelling.
Effective project management plays a key role in the execution and completion of digital media projects. In this introductory course, students will learn step-by-step how a project develops and evolves through the project management process. The entire digital media workflow from scripting, budgeting, shooting, post-production, finishing, distribution and marketing will also be covered. Students will get an overview of how the courses at the CMD interrelate and fit within this total workflow. Guest speakers will provide current industry trends on how projects are produced, finished and distributed.
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 "hands-on" 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. *Catalog Course Comment: This course uses Avid Pro Tools.
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 visuals and sound in non-linear digital video post-production. Topics will include digital vs. analog, time code, frame rates, frame size, aspect ratios, broadcast and streaming codecs and distribution formats. *Catalog Course Comment: This course uses Adobe Premiere Pro.
SMC GE Area IV-A Course 3 units
This class is designed for students who are either undecided about their educational or career goals, validating their decisions, or seeking to transition into a new career. Students are guided through a process that focuses on their individual interests, skills, personality and values to aid in the selection of a major, determine a career direction and develop career goals. Students will relate their self-assessment information to possible college major and career choices. Decision-making models and goal setting techniques are examined and will be used to develop short and long term education and career plans.
- E - Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development
This course covers the skills and concepts needed to create and manipulate images specifically for use in digital media projects. Students will learn the core concepts of working with image formats, brushes,selection tools, channels and layers as well as digital painting and color correction techniques.
This course focuses on the advanced 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 using advanced techniques of layering, rotoscoping and motion graphics. This course will utilize a industry standard editing application with a shared storage server. *Catalog Course Comment: This course uses Avid Media Composer.
- Skills Advisory: DMPOST 3
This hands-on course focuses on communication design for motion. Students will conceptualize, design and produce visual communication solutions using motion. Motion Graphics is a form of communication with a range of applications: film, television, communication design, branding, advertising and web. Projects will cover best practices for animation and visual effects in broadcast design, film titles, and video production by combining narrative storytelling, graphics and typography.
- Skills Advisory: GR DES 33
- Skills Advisory: GR DES 64
This course will introduce the art, technology, language, and appreciation of film, exploring the varieties of film experience, film and the other arts, and the ways of viewing. Students will learn about the basic cinematic techniques and structures, including mise-en-scene and montage, use of cinematic time and space, the image, soundtrack, and the script. Consideration will also be given to analyzing the fundamentals of film production, directing, acting, and editing; how the elements of the production process are analyzed separately, then brought together to show how they create the emotional and intellectual impact of the film experience. Film examples will be screened in class.
- Skills Advisory: ENGL 1
- 3A: Arts
- C1 - Arts, Dance, Music, Theater
- Area III: Humanities
SMC GE Area IV-B Course 3-5 units
Digital compositing is the process of digitally manipulating a combination of source images to produce a seamless whole. This course provides a complete overview of the compositing process as it is used in film/television, visual effects, and multimedia. Areas covered include image creation and manipulation techniques as well as design and color fundamentals. Through a series of exercises and projects, students will develop the aesthetic and technical skills necessary for integrating diverse visual elements into cohesive imagery. *Catalog Course Comment: This course uses Adobe After Effects.
- Skills Advisory: DMPOST 4
This hands-on course focuses on communication design and common professional uses of advanced motion graphics. Students will conceptualize, design and produce innovative time-based visual communication solutions using motion design theory and techniques. Exploring a wide range of applications (film, web, television, communication design, branding and advertising), students will create projects with advanced techniques for animation and visual effects in broadcast design, film titles and video production by combining typography, graphics and narrative storytelling.
- Skills Advisory: GR DES 71
SMC GE Area I Course 3 units
SMC GE Area II-A Course 3 units
Elective Course 3 units
This course introduces the process of finishing a film. Students will learn the normal workflow in post-production of converting all the original footage to lower resolution proxies for editing. Students will use industry-standard software to conform these proxies back to the original footage and prepare the footage for final color correction. Students will learn to analyze with technical scopes to adjust each shot, balance the exposure and contrast, adjust the color tint and saturation, and to correct any inconsistencies from one shot to another. This course will cover the technical as well as the aesthetics of film finishing with the use of professional monitoring equipment and industry-based control panels.
- Skills Advisory: DMPOST 30
This advanced computer-based course covers the design and production of a faculty supervised project for portfolio development. Students will produce post-production projects utilizing original and provided footage. Emphasis will be placed on aesthetic quality and technical execution of the narrative format. Students will complete multiple projects for their online site as well as a demo reel of their work. Multiple editing software will be utilized in this course.
- Corequisite: DMPOST 24 or
- Corequisite: DMPOST 32