Visual Arts
Visual Arts is a course that introduces students to the four basic art disciplines. The disciplines are drawing and painting, two-dimensional design and three-dimensional design. Students will create works of art utilizing a variety of media and learned techniques that express their ideas creatively and effectively. Students will learn how to manipulate the principles and elements of art while they develop technical skills with various tools and media. Art appreciation will be presented to help students analyze the role and development of visual arts in the past and present. This art course presents a core of knowledge essential to all other art classes.

Drawing and Painting
Students will design and execute individual artworks based on elements and principles of design as well as responses to historical, philosophical, and cultural references. Emphasis is placed on skill building and technique in drawing and painting production. A wide variety of media will be addresses including graphite, pen and ink, watercolor, acrylic, and oil paints.
PREREQUISITE: Visual Arts

AP Studio Art: Drawing
Studio Art is for committed art students to pursue their studies in depth. This environment is for the advanced student who wishes to master the skills acquired through rigorous classical training. Those students preparing for a career in Art and/or entrance to a college Art Major will greatly benefit from this course Option: AP Studio Art-College Board. Studio Art Majors may elect to fulfill the requirements for AP Studio Art program during this class. Students fulfill College Board Portfolio requirements. Supply fee required.
PREREQUISITE: Visual Arts

AP 3-D Art and Design
Ceramics/Sculpture is a course designed for students to acquire technical skills, utilizing clay construction and sculpture techniques in a variety of media to express their ideas creatively and effectively, students will study three-dimensional form in the medium of clay. This course includes exploration of basic hand building techniques, throwing, and the process of glazing and firing. Art appreciation will help the students analyze the role and development of ceramics and sculpture, past and present. Students will use these learning tools in the creation of their own three-dimensional projects.

Ceramics/Sculpture II
Ceramics/Sculpture II is a course designed for students who want to pursue the 3D arts. Various new techniques in a variety of media will be introduced, with an emphasis on craftsmanship. Students will do more research-based projects and start to develop concept-based imagery.  This course includes the further exploration of hand-building techniques, throwing, and the process of high fire bisque firing and glazing. Art history will be introduced so students can learn more about different cultures and how they made sculptures. Taking this class will help students reach a level where they will be prepared for the AP 3D course.

Ceramics/Sculpture 3D-AP
Ceramics/Sculpture 3D-AP is a continuation of Ceramics/Sculpture I with emphasis on student assignments suited to individual interests. Course emphasizes advanced concepts in ceramic/sculpture and 3-D design. A student wanting to use this class for 3-D Advanced Placement must have the consent of the instructor, complete a portfolio for AP assessment, and take the AP exam (a portfolio review) at the end of the class. Students not doing AP will complete class projects directed towards individual interests.
PREREQUISITE: Minimum grade of B in Ceramics/Sculpture 1

Digital Design
Learn the art of preparing artwork for printing and get a head start on interviewing and job placement as a Graphic Designer. Class starts with a comprehensive foundation in design methods, conceptual skills and digital techniques to create visually pleasing and effective graphic communications. Then move to the mastery of the Mac platform: publication design using QuarkXPress, digital imaging using Photoshop, and electronic imaging using Adobe Illustrator. As you build mastery of these essential tools, you will learn the requirements of advertising and publication design; and understand the technical requirements of digital prepress.
PREREQUISITE: none

Digital Design, year course
Learn the art of Graphic Design, using the entire Adobe Creative Suite.  Class starts with a comprehensive foundation in design methods, conceptual skills and digital techniques to create visually pleasing and effective graphic communications. Then move to the mastery of the Mac platform: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign are emphasized.  As you build mastery of these essential tools, you will learn the requirements of advertising and publication design; and understand the technical requirements of digital prepress.

Digital Design IIP-AP
Second-year digital design students will achieve mastery in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. They will also complete their digital design portfolios to submit to the AP College Board. They use the entire Adobe Creative Suite. The portfolio is due in May, and after the AP submittal they will continue building their portfolio.
PREREQUISITE: A minimum grade of B in Photo 1.

Digital Design IIP/2D-AP, year course
Second-year digital design students will independently work on their digital design portfolios to submit to the AP College Board. They use the entire Adobe Creative Suite. The portfolio is due in May. After the AP submittal, they will continue building their portfolio.
PREREQUISITE: A minimum grade of B in Digital 1

Film Production
The course covers the history and development of the cinema, documentaries, and other new media and film technologies. Students learn skills and practices in various aspects of cinema and video production by applying the elements of art, principles of design, integration of technology for the effective visual communication of their ideas, feelings, and values. Students develop skills, including camera/recording operation, framing and composition, manipulation of space and time, idea development and communication, the mechanics and psychology of editing, script writing or text creation, light and sound, and impact.

Advanced Film Production
This course will examine specific uses of film and video technology in various entertainment and industry sectors. Students receive advanced training in pre and post production jobs and competencies, current and emerging technologies, and the collaborative nature of the creative process involved in video production.
PREREQUISITE: Film Production

TV Production (Shark TV)
This course provides students skills and competencies in broadcast media including television, radio, web/pod casting, and emerging broadcasting technologies. Students will become familiar with current and emerging technology and practices and the variety of career opportunities that present themselves in the live broadcasting pathways (see Television Production and Radio Presentation for further information). 11th & 12th grade only.

Advanced TV Production
Students will produce segments for a student-run broadcast, news stories, and on-campus events.  In order to achieve this goal students will receive extensive instruction in the areas of broadcast journalism and the television medium.
PREREQUISITE: TV Production

Photography I
In Beginning Photography, students learn the basic functions on both 35mm single-lens reflex cameras and digital single-lens reflex cameras. They learn how to make correct exposures, how to work successfully and safely in a dark room, and how to process and print black and white film, and how to prepare digital images for high-resolution printing. They also get an introduction to Adobe Photoshop. Students study the history of photography and, upon critiquing their own creations, review the artistic concepts of composition, technique, tonality, and light.

Photography IIP/2D-AP
Photography II will explore the use of small and medium format film cameras and Digital SLR cameras. They will be using artificial light including studio electronic flash, tungsten studio light, and hand strobe. Professional quality developing and printing are emphasized. Projects will include portraiture, long exposures, studio, close-ups, product, and action. Students may choose to fulfill the College Board Portfolio Requirements for the AP portfolio submittal in May.
PREREQUISITE: Minimum grade of B in Photo 1.

Symphony Orchestra
The Symphony Orchestra is open to any grade level. It plays the music of major composers from baroque to contemporary. The music performed will be challenging, fun, and rewarding. The Symphony Orchestra performs at least three concerts each year, including one competition or festival performance.

Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble is open to any grade level wind, percussion, and rhythm section players and it performs all types of music, from traditional wind pieces by major composers to film scores and popular music. The musical arrangements will be difficult, challenging and fun. Occasionally this group merges with Concert Orchestra for some performances; it also performs as a separate entity.
PREREQUISITE: Approval of instructor.

High School Chorale
High School Choral is a beginning vocal technique class that encourages students to learn to sing. Emphasis is placed on developing the basics in good vocal production and learning to read music. Students are given individual as well as ensemble coaching by the director. Classical, folk, multicultural, pop and Broadway styles of choral music are learned and performed. Performance requirements include concerts, festivals, clinics, and community events.

Madrigal Ensemble
This is an advanced ensemble audition required. Students will study and perform advanced choral literature for chamber choirs from the Renaissance to the 20th Century periods and will have more experience with a capella singing. They will study diction and pronunciation of other languages such as Latin, Italian, German, French, and English. Students are expected to be proficient with the "moveable do" system of solfege sight-singing.
PREREQUISITE: Previous experience in choir, audition

Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble is open to any grade level wind, percussion, and rhythm section players and it performs all types of music, from traditional wind pieces by major composers to film scores and popular music. The musical arrangements will be difficult, challenging and fun. Occasionally this group merges with Concert Orchestra for some performances; it also performs as a separate entity.
PREREQUISITE: Approval of instructor.

Santa Monica College Dual Enrollment Chamber Singers
This is an advanced ensemble; audition required. Students will receive college credit for this class. It meets two days of the week after school. Students will study and perform advanced choral literature for Chamber Choirs. Students are expected to have previous experience with singing and be proficient in solfege sight-singing.
PREREQUISITE: Enrolled in High School Chorale, High School Symphony Orchestra, or High School Band and audition.

AP Music Theory
This in-depth study of reading and writing musical notation is designed to prepare students for the AP exam in Music Theory. Students will focus on musicianship, theory, and musical analysis while integrating aspects of melody, harmony, texture, rhythm, form, ear training, and composition.
COREQUISITE: Current enrollment in band, orchestra, or choir.

Professional Actor
This advanced theater course is designed to further develop the actor's acting technique through practical application in production. Leadership, commitment, and working well under pressure are stressed.
PREREQUISITE: Drama Instructor Approval Only (Auditions will be held in advance)

Stagecraft Technology
Learn how to conceptualize and design lighting, sound, props, sets, costumes, and make-up. Learn about stage management, production scheduling, and publicity for formal productions. Learn how to use, care and upkeep the equipment and supplies related to production goals.