Media Entertainment Arts — College of the Canyons
From newsroom reporting to 3D animation and virtual reality — MEA's courses are designed to put professional tools in your hands from day one.
About the Department
The Media Entertainment Arts department at College of the Canyons prepares students for careers across the full spectrum of modern media — from broadcast journalism and film production to animation, game art, and extended reality design.
Courses are offered at the CSU and UC:CSU transfer level, and many connect directly to Canyons Media, COC’s award-winning student newsroom. Whether you’re earning a transfer degree, a professional certificate, or building skills for the industry — your path starts here.
Journalism & Reporting
News writing, multimedia reporting, on-camera anchoring
Video Production & Film
Cinematography, directing, editing, studio production
Animation & 3D
2D/3D animation, game art, character design, VFX, XR
Writing & Screenwriting
Script formats, short film, feature screenplays
Filter by discipline or browse all courses below. Units shown are semester units. UC:CSU = transferable to University of California & Cal State systems.
Showing 33 courses
Surveys mass communication by examining the interrelationships between media and society, and by defining the history, structures, trends, and technologies of mass media content, including print, radio, television, film, digital media, social media and the internet.
Introduces language and style as it applies to print, broadcast and new media journalism. The foundation course for all journalism programs.
Presents beginning instruction of multimedia journalism including newsgathering, photojournalism, podcasting, social media, animation and text, broadcast media and web.
Focuses on coverage of public affairs beats, including local and regional government, police, courts, and school and city boards. Emphasizes both on- and off-campus reporting and writing/news presentation across multiple platforms.
Recommended: MEA 110
Presents instruction and practicum in multimedia creation and television production, including weekly newsgathering, on-air reporting, studio operation, and written content for online publication at Canyons News.
Recommended: MEA 125
Emphasizes practice in supervising and managing student-produced online content for canyonsnews.com including news, entertainment, features and sports. Capstone course — students produce an industry-standard online portfolio.
Prerequisite: MEA 225
Introduces the theory, terminology, operation and aesthetics of field video production, including direction, camera operation, portable lighting, audio, and video recording equipment for on-location multimedia production.
Presents the theory and technology of collaborative multi-camera studio TV production and explores the production process from script to screen, including lighting, camera, switcher, chroma key, microphones, audio mixer, and media capture.
Presents non-linear editing for film, video, and new media, including basic editing techniques and aesthetic conventions. Students assemble audio/visual media content using professional editing software, hardware, and post-production workflows.
Examines the creative and technical control of HD, UHD, and film cameras, including the demonstration and application of cinematic lighting techniques for both studio and location production.
Introduces the fundamentals of visual storytelling through hands-on experience with digital filmmaking tools. Students explore directing cast and crew, managing each phase of production, and applying narrative structure, production planning, and set protocols in a collaborative environment.
Recommended: MEA 120
Presents designing, planning, and creating an animated film in a team-based environment, integrating studio workflows and production pipelines.
Prerequisite: MEA 106, 118, 131, or 135
Examines advanced filmmaking techniques to create film projects that reflect the personal style of the writer-director, including management skills in directing and producing the independent film.
Prerequisite: MEA 180 or MEA 190
Surveys and analyzes animated motion picture and television masterpieces from their inception to the present, including the ideas and values of the examined animated films as reflected through artistic techniques.
Introduces the principles of animation, laws of motion, timing and motion analysis, within the production of short, animated, narrative videos using traditional and alternate drawing methods.
Recommended: ART 125A
Introduces story development and storyboarding for animation. Emphasis is on visual storytelling and the understanding of traditional story structure for animated film, television, and internet.
Recommended: ART 125A
Introduces 2D computer animation. Drawing tools, bitmaps, symbols, layers, and animation are utilized to create a short 2D animated movie featuring an animated character.
Presents principles and methods of stop-motion animation, including the technical and aesthetic processes of building miniature characters and sets and operating animation software and camera equipment.
Utilizes 2D digital software to create character-driven narratives. Studies design, composition, perspective, atmospheric and psychological lighting, and camera placement for constructing digital 2D animation environments.
Prerequisite: MEA 118 | Recommended: MEA 106
Examines character animation and its techniques in depth. Students complete advanced animation exercises utilizing non-digital methods and design and produce a short animated film.
Recommended: MEA 106
Introduces 3D computer design using Maya software, including modeling, surfacing, textures, lighting, and rendering. Students learn polygon modeling, material creation, environment design, and camera and lighting setups.
Explores 3D computer animation with an emphasis on character animation. Using Maya software, students create characters showing action and emotions.
Recommended: MEA 118
Designing and creating 3D artwork within a real-time, virtual, 3D game environment using 3D software and game engine, including modeling, surface texturing (normal mapping), and interactive object animation.
Prerequisite: MEA 131
Hands-on introduction to designing and developing professional-grade VR and AR applications using user-centered design and iterative workflows. Students create a portfolio of XR solutions addressing critical needs in training, medicine, and gaming.
Recommended: MEA 131 and MEA 218
Presents digital sculpting software to create 3D computer images and characters from concept to digital model, as well as a professional production process to create digital 3D creatures for films and games.
Recommended: MEA 131
Introduces traditional and digital tools to create animated models, emphasizing emotional content and clarity of design, as well as technical conventions.
Recommended: ART 225A
Presents advanced practice and theory of using computer-generated special effects combined with live action, video, and film. Covers compositing, green-screen, rotoscoping, and digital set extensions.
Recommended: GMD 173
Surveys and examines the fundamental components of cinematic art as found in television, film, and digital media. Students analyze how dramatic, narrative, and technological conventions are used to tell stories and create meaning.
Introduces the principles of script writing for short films, television, and social/short-form/vertical video. Students explore storytelling methodologies across various formats while developing original concepts and crafting professional scripts.
Presents writing for film, television, and electronic media and surveys standard industry script formats for commercials, broadcast, film and television narratives.
Explores advanced techniques to complete a professional, polished feature film screenplay. Examines character development, dialogue, genre, and pitching, marketing, business and legal aspects of screenwriting.
Recommended: MEA 108
Prepares MEA majors with career-building skills for entering the media industry, transferring to four-year programs, and applying to festivals. Students develop portfolios, résumés, cover letters, artist statements, and networking strategies.
Requires completion of at least one MEA production course
Supervised work experience in the media and entertainment industry. Students earn college units while working in a professional or campus-based media environment, connecting classroom learning to real-world practice.
MEA courses are open to all College of the Canyons students. No prior experience required for most courses — just show up ready to create.
Focused on news? Learn how to earn your AA-T, AA in New Media Journalism, or the News Reporting & Anchoring certificate.
Explore JournalismApply to College of the Canyons and register for MEA courses. Financial aid and enrollment fee waivers are available.
Visit canyons.eduNot sure which courses to take first? MEA faculty advisors can help you map a schedule that fits your goals.
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