Documentary Film Production

This degree or certificate is designed to help students gain the breadth of knowledge, appreciation and understanding of cinematic language that is necessary for documentary film production and to seek employment in the field. These film and TV courses are designed to help students learn the aesthetics, craft and techniques of the documentary film language as they tell meaningful stories through the documentary medium. Students must complete all required courses for a minimum of 22-24 units. Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this program, the student will demonstrate an understanding of documentary film aesthetics and documentary film language as it applied in a documentary film; demonstrate an effective ability to work as a member of a documentary team to achieve the challenges of technical and conceptual goals of a documentary project from origination to the completion of the high quality final deliverable documentary media productions.

Students interested in pursuing a Bachelor's degree, should meet with an academic and/or transfer counselor to discuss transfer requirements.

Associate in Arts Program Map Certificate Program Map

PREREQUISITE COURSES REQUIRED COURSES FOR CERTIFICATE UNITS
  Required Core Courses
   FTVM 46 Field Studies in Film, Television, and Media Arts Production  3
  FTVM 108 Documentary Film Aesthetics
3

FTVM 120
Writing for Media
3
  FTVM 130
Cinematic Storytelling Pathways
2
  FTVM 132
Introduction to Film Production
3
FTVM 132 or equivalent
FTVM 271
Documentary Filmmaking
3

MCOMM 101
Introduction to Mass Communications
3
  Select one course from the following
  FTVM 135
Introduction to Audio Production
3

FTVM 139
Introduction to Editing
3
  TOTAL UNITS REQUIRED 20
NOTE: ADDITIONAL COURSEWORK MIGHT BE REQUIRED IF PREREQUISITES ARE NOT MET.  SEE A COUNSELOR TO PREPARE A STUDENT EDUCATIONAL PLAN. 
February 2026 GCC Catalog Addendum Spring 2026
Important Notice: In the event of a discrepancy between the information presented above and the online and/or print versions of the GCC Catalog, please contact a counselor or the office of Admissions and Records. For previous years requirements please see the catalog from that year.