UCLA Extension courses

In the second part of the Directing Workshop series, participants complete short narrative films using their own digital video camera. Focusing on storytelling, instruction teaches participants how to apply the principles and essential elements of dramatic…

Producers, development executives, directors and writers gain practical experience adapting and developing their own stories for motion pictures, movies-of-the-week and miniseries. Emphasis is placed on studying dramatic structure, learning techniques that…

Producers, executives, writers and filmmakers all focus on story components that make for a good movie. Learn to identify the specific characteristics that define various film genres and how style, form, content, mood, camera work, lighting and pacing work…

This comprehensive, hands-on course introduces designers to digital design tools. The course begins with an overview of architectural and interior design concepts; students also review client presentations and see how they were created. Students learn why the…

This course covers basic lighting topics, including light and texture, light and color, focal lighting, light sources, fixture schedules, switching patterns, and the required drawings used by designers in both residential and commercial spaces. Instruction…

Working from evidence-based case studies, students define UX challenges and apply appropriate methods across research, synthesis, design, prototyping, testing, iteration, and presentation for real-world application. Emphasis is placed on intentional method…

In this course, students apply what they have learned to real-world case studies and UX design challenges. Topics include research and observational techniques, the art of information gathering, prototyping, scope definition, journey mapping and empathy maps.…

This course provides an introduction to the functions and capabilities of Adobe InDesign. Students are guided in establishing a professional workflow to design documents for print and digital distribution. Learn how to manipulate type and image and create…

Students with knowledge of the fundamentals of UX move on to iteration: rounds of work and experimentation to hone problem-solving skills. Instruction covers MVP builds, pattern libraries, design at scale, voice and gesture, and end-to-end projects. The…

In this thesis-oriented capstone course, Design Communication Arts students put all they've learned into action to tackle real-world design projects in the civic realm. Public presentation, collaboration, observation, research and problem-solving skills are…

This is a hands-on introduction to the creative process and core elements of graphic design for a variety of outputs, including print and electronic media. Topics include research, typography, imagery, strategy and concept development. Projects are…

This hands-on course covers the fundamentals of type, its characteristics, vocabulary and nomenclature, as well as creative uses of type and how it is integrated in successful design. Working with letterforms is a critical element to successful design.…

Gain a broad understanding of design and its dynamic past to discover inspiration for the present. Survey the history of visual communication, design's sociopolitical and cultural contexts, and the artistic and technological characteristics of various…

Part four of a four-part survey of environmental arts of the Western world, this course traces the major movements in architecture, interior design, furniture, and decorative arts of the twentieth century. Subjects covered include Viennese Secessionism, Art…

This course explores motion graphics in After Effects with AI integration. Students learn animation fundamentals, AI-generated imagery, text-to-video, and conversational AI. Topics include AI history, effortless development, and prompts for design. Hands-on…

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to programming using Java , a powerful and well‑designed object‑oriented language widely used to build large‑scale Internet and intranet applications. Known for its simplicity and readability, Java is also an…

Python is a high-level, dynamically typed, and portable programming language that excels when the cost of software development outweighs performance considerations—which is quite often in practice. Python covers similar territory as Perl and is similarly an…

Gain experiential understanding of improvisational acting and develop a strong improvisational perspective essential to scripted work. Through theater games and improvised scenes, develop tools to make you more trusting of your own impulses and more generous…

Learn about the opportunities available to the independent documentary producer in this overview of the entire documentary production process, from idea through distribution. Emphasis is placed on today's market--for both television and theatrical…

As the first hands-on course in the directing series, you complete four short films using your own video camera. Instruction focuses on the basic building blocks of narrative filmmaking: the shot, mise-en-scene, concept, the actor, environment, sound and…

In this capstone course of the Directing Certificate program, you maximize your learning experience and improve your filmmaking skills through the creation of a short film that is screened for an invited audience after the end of the course. Having first…

This course covers theories and practical applications to understand the makeup of color and how best to use it. Areas covered include general color theory and psychology, effective color creation, perception, management, color language, digital issues,…

This course further introduces the student to the use of line drawings as a medium for communicating design concepts. Beginning with the connections of architectural plan, section, and elevation, the course proceeds to explore the full range of constructed…

Learn to create, manipulate and combine digital images. Develop a working knowledge of Photoshop's features; use the program in 2D print, interactive and web applications; and learn importing and exporting features. Students must have a subscription to Adobe…

Learn to develop memorable identity systems using symbols, icons, logos and comprehensive environments to define and reinforce personality, tone and voice. The goal is to create a meaningful, dynamic relationship with the customer.

The young adult novel is one of the fastest-growing and exciting genres in publishing today. With complex young characters, realistic dialogue and gripping prose, readers young and old can't get enough of these novels. In a supportive and inspiring…

What is a poem and how does it differ from prose? What sources can you, the beginning poet, look to for ideas and inspiration? How can you encourage a raw unfinished poem to become a thing of power and beauty? This course provides a series of enjoyable and…

This course is designed for students who want to examine gay men’s lives in fiction and nonfiction. Discussions will include basic milestones that have defined much of gay life, such as coming out, sex, partnership and the AIDS crisis. We will explore what…

Designed for those familiar with the personal essay form and who are already convinced of its unique power to reach the masses, this advanced workshop focuses on revising existing works, analyzing current markets and trends and submitting for publication. You…

This course is for anyone who has a story from "real life" that needs to be told. Sometimes your story is about a person, place, thing or some concealed part of yourself; a remembered time or event; or even something that will happen as you give account to…

Part two of a four-part survey course on the environmental arts of the Western world. This course traces the architecture, landscape architecture, furniture, art, and decorative arts from the Italian Renaissance to the beginning of the nineteenth century in…

Writing out of your life can be a process of self-revelation, a way of discerning the pattern of your life even while you're in the midst of living it. Whether you want to write a memoir or transmute your life into fiction or poetry, this workshop helps you…

Reality is frequently inaccurate. Why not accurately depict that? This workshop is dedicated to kick-starting your imagination with the help of visualization and acting exercises, Oulipo writing prompts, and other creative techniques. We take a leap beyond…

Many aspiring novelists write with the hope that inspiration will come. The result is time wasted on a flabby novel with no clear shape and a sagging pace. On the other hand, story structure gives your novel a skeleton; it forms the bones of your story. And…

Web users today expect sites to provide dynamic user interfaces, fast response times and advanced features. JavaScript delivers that, which is why JavaScript has become such an important programming language for web developers. This course benefits anyone who…

For production managers, producers, corporate finance personnel and production accounting professionals, this course provides you with a practical understanding of the budgeting process, including how to use Movie Magic Budgeting, a budgeting software…

Always wanted to make your own short film but thought you had no experience and no money? In this class for aspiring directors, writers, and producers, you use your own camera to learn how to write, produce, direct and edit a three-to-five-minute short film.…

Learn the development process as it relates to short films with the focus on developing a short film treatment, first draft and second draft. You gain an understanding of the basics of story structure and how the specific storytelling elements—theme, plot,…

Designed for aspiring readers, development executives, producers and storytellers, this course offers a pragmatic, comprehensive overview of story analysis and the tools used by the professional reader. Throughout the course, you learn and practice coverage…

Through improvisation and scene work, explore basic concepts of the Meisner approach to acting with a focus on creating and living in imaginary circumstances. Learn to work more independently, improve rehearsal and research skills, and strengthen vocal and…

This course covers the basic AutoCAD commands used to create and edit 2D CAD drawings, as well as drawing setup, layer control, dimensioning, symbol libraries, display commands, external references, attributes, paperspace/modelspace, and methods for importing…

Discover how this vector-based drawing program integrates into the suite of design tools. Features presented include templates, drawing paths, auto-tracing, blending features, gradient meshes, wrapping type, exporting, shape and pen tools and more. Students…

This course introduces students to strategies in design communication and covers utility of systems, programs, campaigns and design families. Visual presentation and concept development are emphasized.

Learn the function of packaging, including product protection, identity, advertising, safety and communication. This hands-on course focuses on developing and executing materials, concepts and graphics appropriate for effective packaging, including logo…

This course provides a brief overview of the theoretical and practical methods of assessing and implementing the basic counseling skills for treating substance use disorders in family systems. Information is presented through lectures and interactive…

In today's ever-evolving TV business and market, figuring out how and where to sell your "product" can be confusing. Once you've settled on an idea, then what are the next steps? How do TV shows get "on the air?" Producers, development executives, directors…

If directors are the architects of film, then actors are the artisans of a collaborative team working together to realize a singular vision. Through discussions, exercises, casting sessions and the presentation of scenes, you analyze and apply the directorial…

This continuation of ARCH X 438.13A Revit Architecture I covers advanced editing commands, introduction to families, sharing information, viewing tools, visualization, annotation and construction documents. Students prepare worksets, room schedules,…

Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign are covered in this intensive and immersive course to learn the essential Adobe CC programs utilized in graphic design. Become fluent in editing, building and creating design using Photoshop. Learn client branding and how…

This course provides an introduction to the concepts, practices and processes of user experience. Topics include observational research and insight generation, developing user personas and scenarios, information architecture, user interface design,…