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Understanding Genre: How to Develop a Hollywood Classic

understanding-genre-how-to-develop-a-hollywood-classic-filmtvx476-242
FILM TV X 476.242

Focus on story components that make for a good movie. Identify the various film genres and how style, form, content, mood, camera work, lighting, and pacing work together to deliver a satisfying cinematic experience.

Typically Available
Winter
Summer
Duration
As few as 11 weeks
Units
4.0
Current Formats
In Person
Cost
Starting at $785.00

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What you can learn.

Break down and analyze classic Hollywood genres: action, drama, comedy, fantasy, science fiction, mystery-thriller, and horror
Critically examine each genre and its target audience
Articulate and sell your ideas in the development process

About This Course

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 together to fulfill expectations and deliver a satisfying cinematic experience. Each week, through lecture, discussion and film clips examining its visual language and its evolution over time, you break down and analyze one of the genres on which Hollywood thrives: action, drama, comedy and romantic comedy, fantasy and science fiction, the mystery-thriller and horror. Instruction also covers an examination of each genre's target audience and provides you with a common language with which to articulate and sell your ideas in the development process.

Summer 2026 Schedule

Date
Details
Format
 
-
Tuesday 7:00PM - 10:00PM PT
Instructor:
REG#
408921
Fee:
$785.00
In Personformat icon
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
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Notes

Internet access required. Materials required. 

Deadline
Refunds only available from April 27, 2026 to July 05, 2026
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
Book: An Introduction to Film Genres by Lester Friedman
Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Lecture
Tue Jun 23, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Gayley Center
Lecture
Tue Jun 30, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Gayley Center
Lecture
Tue Jul 7, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Gayley Center
Lecture
Tue Jul 14, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Gayley Center
Lecture
Tue Jul 21, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Gayley Center
Lecture
Tue Jul 28, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Gayley Center
Lecture
Tue Aug 4, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Gayley Center
Lecture
Tue Aug 11, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Gayley Center
Lecture
Tue Aug 18, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Gayley Center
Lecture
Tue Aug 25, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Gayley Center
Lecture
Tue Sep 1, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Gayley Center

This course applies toward the following programs