Visual and Performing Arts
The visual and performing arts are a vital part of Pacifica. The curriculum will be centered around our belief that students need a basic understanding of the arts through classroom instruction and the ability to express their knowledge and creativity through production work. This two-fold approach provides a balanced arts education.
The course of study at Pacifica will include a minimum of two semesters of UC approved Visual & Performing arts classes. Students will be required to complete two sequential semesters in one discipline.
Different from writing or speaking, the Visual & Performing arts is a unique way of communicating experience, and the proper training in arts develops a healthy lifelong aesthetic. The arts are important at Pacifica because they help develop the ‘whole student’ (body, mind, soul, and spirit).
In such a backdrop, the objectives of the Pacifica visual and performing arts department are to:
- Develop in students the language of aesthetics -- including various art forms and their individual, historical, and cultural context.
- Develop in students the skills necessary to comprehend and respond to art, design forms, the visual environment, and to the relationship between form and content.
- Heighten student’s personal perception and awareness of the world and their reactions and responses to it.
- Teach skills necessary to use and manipulate materials while encouraging experimentation.
- Build a tradition of craftsmanship in all the artistic disciplines.
- Encourage students to observe, analyze, think, make decisions, and solve problems in the exploration of personal expression.
- Develop a corporate dimension to the arts in a predominantly individualistic fine art culture.
- Develop opportunities for the Pacifica student to develop a breadth of learning across artistic disciplines.
- Develop opportunities for the Pacifica student to develop a depth of learning in a specific discipline.
- Develop an array of opportunities for the Pacifica student to apply concepts learned to production experiences.
Beginning Drawing and Painting Grades 9-12 (Year Course) UC Approved
This course is an introductory course in the Visual Arts track of the Visual and Performing Arts Department. Beginning drawing and painting is designed to help students learn to investigate the principles and elements of art and apply these principles to their own artwork. Students will study and analyze works of art ranging from the Renaissance to modern artists with an emphasis on elements such as: line quality, shape, space, value, form, proportion, composition, balance, rhythm and movement. Students will enhance their drawing and painting skills using many different mediums and tools such as pencil, ink, charcoal, pastel, acrylics, watercolor and collage.
Mixed Media Grades 9-12 (Year or semester course)
This course is an alternative introductory course in the Visual Arts track of the Visual and Performing Arts Department for the hands-on student with an interest in design and 3D art forms. Mixed Media explores how art and design permeate our lives. Students create projects ranging from fine art to design with an emphasis on repurposing materials, incorporating found objects and combining visual art with non-visual elements such as drama (performance art), dance (motion), music (sound) and interactivity. The course will expand the students' worldview of practical applicatioin of art and design as well as guide them through exploring varied apporaches to visual communication.
Advanced Art Grades 10-12 (Year Course)
The advanced art course gives students the opportunity to deepen their understanding of 2D and 3D art forms including drawing, painting, sculpture, installation, performance and video art. The course is structured for the serious art student, with an emphasis on advancing technical skills, concept development and study of a variety of media through bi-weekly projects. The exposure and exploration of varied art forms will provide the students with a broad scope of the visual arts.
Advanced Art AP Grades 11-12 (Year Course)
The final course in the Visual Arts track of the Visual and Performing Arts Department, AP advanced art guides students in the creation of their AP portfolio and development of their style and thematic body of work. After exploring varied art forms, the AP student will concentrate on mastering their choice of medium (drawing, 2D design or 3D design). Students will conceive, design and produce a sophisticated collection of works demonstrating mastery in their area of concentration.
Photography Grades 9-12 (Year Course)
The photography course is a project-based course in digital and film photography. Students will explore different forms of photography including conceptual, still life, portraiture, editorial, photojournalism, advertising, fashion, food, landscape and urban photography. In addition to learning Photoshop basics, for the digital portion of the course, students will learn about film processing and film camera controls. Students will gain and demonstrate knowledge of compositional elements, lighting and style as well as study and investigate significant contributions to the world of photography and fine art.
FILM STUDIES
American Cinema (Film History 1900-2000) Grades 9-12 (One Year) UC Approved
This course is the introductory course on the Film Track of the Visual and Performing Arts Department. American Cinema introduces basic film making theory and vocabulary, as well as a survey of American film history from the silent era to modern digital production. Students will watch films that demonstrate historical and artistic high-water marks, expand their awareness of film criticism, and develop their own informed opinions about what makes a film “great.”
Digital Film Production 1 Grades 9-12 (One Year)
Prerequisite: American Cinema or Instructor Approval
The second course in the Film Track of the Visual and Performing Arts Department, this course puts the lights, camera, and action in the hands of student filmmakers. Students learn elements of pre-production, production, and post; concepts of screenwriting, story boards, shooting scripts, scheduling, budgeting, production design, cinematography, editing, and sound design will be covered. Students will work in groups to create two five minute films first semester, as well as work on their own individual projects. Students will produce the spring break film semester as well as organize the Screen Student Film Festival.
Digital Film Production 2 Grades 9-12 (One Year)
Prerequisite: Digital Film Production
The final course in the Film Track of the VPA, this course expands on the material Of Digital Film Production I. Digital II students have first priority as Cinematographer or Director for all Digital Film productions, including the Spring Break Film. All Digital II students write, direct and produce their own thesis film of 5 to 10 minutes by the end of the second semester.
MUSIC
Guitar Grades 9-12 (One Year)
This year-long course offers students with varying levels of musical experience in a formal music setting the opportunity to earn elective credit. Students develop a foundation of music theory and practical technique applicable to all music genres. This course if taught with a differentiated curriculum in order to facilitate the key musical concepts across a spectrum of ability and age levels. Students build a performance portfolio that requires diversity of genres from ability-specific classical etude to contemporary songs. Development in music reading skills is paramount to achieving the course objectives. Practice in and outside of class, alone, or with others, will facilitate technical growth. The course offers creativity expressed through composition and improvisation at all ability levels through various projects.
THEATRE
Introduction to Theater Grades 9-12 (One Year) UC Approved
Introduction to Theater is both an historical and hands-on approach to the performing arts, dramatic literature, and modern theater techniques. It is the first course in the Theater Track of the Visual and Performing Arts Department. Students read scripts, study historical playwrights, and analyze the historical context of staged drama, while also performing scenes rehearsed in and out of class. Students will help on all Pacifica theater productions, learning light board operation, set design, prop design, and stage management.
Intermediate Acting Grades 9-12 (One Year)
Prerequisite: Introduction to Theater or Instructor Approval
This is the second course in the Theater Track of the Visual and Performing Arts Department. This course focuses strictly on performance and acting techniques, ranging from mask work to Shakespeare to modern American realism. This course develops the actor’s sense of truthful behavior in imaginary circumstances through exercises of movement, improvisation, sense memory, and relaxation. Emphasis is made on the inter-connected relationship to voice, body, imagination and intention. Students audition for all Pacifica productions, and participate either on-stage, back-stage or in pre-production.
Senior Thesis Theater Grade 12 (One Semester)
Prerequisite: Intermediate Acting and Instructor Approval
The final course in the Theater Track of the Visual and Performing Arts Department, Thesis is a senior honors project. Thesis students develop, in coordination with their instructor, a performing art work of art to be shared as part of the i.Sight Festival. The course functions as a seminar, meeting twice a week one on one, over the course of a semester. The goal of Senior Thesis is to stretch an artist’s individual voice as performer, playwright, director, designer, etc. culminating in a critiqued final. Students successfully completing this course receive High Arts Honors upon graduation.