MEA 295 - Professional Practices/Portfolio - Jean Miller
| Course: | Professional Practices/Portfolio |
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| Professor: | Jean Miller |
| Email: | Jean.Miller@canyons.edu |
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| Course Length: |
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Introduction
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Jean Miller received her BA and MS degrees from FSU and has been teaching at COC since 2005. She is a national award-winning TV writer/producer and Emmy Award winning host/producer with over 35 years in broadcasting, at stations in Orlando, San Diego, New York and Los Angeles, and on nationally syndicated television shows seen in over 122 markets. She’s traveled the globe interviewing celebrities and leaders, producing award winning features and reporting on all kinds of interesting people, places and events. She was a host/producer/reporter for LA City View TV and a Media Trainer for the City of Los Angeles. A theater actress since childhood she has performed in a wide range of films, TV programs, commercials, voiceovers, documentaries, educational, industrial and music videos, web series, and many theater productions around the country. She’s an Actors Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA member, a national Emmy nominee for best supporting actor in a drama series, a cast recipient of a SAG Award for Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture, a short film producer and a screenwriter. She continues to work professionally in the media entertainment arts industry and always loves the opportunity to teach, share what she’s learned in her varied career, support her students' creative aspirations, and, in turn, continue to learn, grow and be inspired by them. She has served on both the National Screen Actors Guild Awards Motion Picture Nominating Committee and the SAG Awards Television Nominating Committee. She is an ongoing member of the College of the Canyons Media Entertainment Arts Advisory Committee serving the Santa Clarita entertainment industry community.
Course Introduction
This Professional Practices/Portfolio Course is designed to develop career-building skills for Media Entertainment Arts majors seeking employment in the media industry, transfer to four-year film/media arts degree programs, and application to film and media festivals. It focuses on workforce preparation, including portfolio design and evaluation, creation of professional resumes, cover letters and artists statements and examining networking tools including online marketing and social media.
This course also encourages the development of professionalism suitable to the unique demands of the media industry including personal discipline, adaptability, positivity, creativity, reliability, resiliency and initiative that are prerequisites to success. There is also an emphasis on the "soft skills" of interviewing and networking.
Course Description
This course will provide opportunities to
- Examine promotional portfolio materials and formats of basic marketing principles.
- Identify requirements for employment and advancement to occupations in Arts, Media & Entertainment
- Identify strategies for conducting searches for employment / educational advancement including internships.
- Categorize and learn to utilize appropriate tools, including written materials, visual aids, and oral techniques.
- Design and assemble portfolio, resume and reference materials that conform to accepted formats and industry standards
- Evaluate and assess presentations and interviews according to appropriate advancement activities.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students will be able to create, examine, assess and utilize appropriate presentational skills to present in professional work or advanced educational formats
Students will be able to design and assemble materials and media for portfolios and resumes and cover letters. The goal is to complete or enhance a portfolio project that can be used as a professional demo, and a personal website that can showcase student work.
What to Expect in this Course
Weekly Work Load
The course will be set up in Modules for each major portion of the class. Details will follow in the class syllabus and course schedule available the first day of class.
Students are expected to complete each of the assignments in the module for that week. Assignments and grade point values are listed below
Types of Assessments
ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADES
Goals You will identify your career goals and learn how to develop a three step approach to achieve them in class and beyond 10%
Resume & Cover Letter You will write a draft and revise as needed, a resume and cover letter pertinent to your career aims in the industry.
Assignment is complete after final approved versions. 20%
Map of Relationships - Because networking is a crucial part of success in the industry, you will learn how to create and utilize a Map of Relationships 5%
LinkedIn Profile – You will learn about and create a LinkedIn professional business profile 10%
Portfolio Project. 20%
You will work to complete a portfolio project to include in a personal professional website. Portfolio projects might include compiling drawn media (e.g. characters, storyboards),
assembling/ rendering computer animation, short films, trailers, promo pieces documentaries/animations/music videos, demo reels, individual promotional websites or sizzle reels. .
College Sample or Internship Submissions – 5% of grade.
After reviewing application requirements from various popular film/media schools or industry employers assigned in class, you will complete sample application materials
to help determine if you are meeting or lacking the necessary admission requirements
Mock Interview - 10% of grade
You will learn what it takes to succeed in a job interview, then prepare and submit answers to a twenty question mock job interview based on material available to you from the course.
Final Exam – 20% of grade
Exam will be based on information from assigned reading or video material
Textbook Information
There is no required textbook, but the following materials are recommended reading:
SUGGESTED READING (Not required, but recommended where applicable):
Book 1: Branston, Gil and Stafford, Ray; The Media Student’s Handbook
Book 2 : Parks, Stacy: The Insider’s Guide to Independent Film Distribution
Book 3 : Levy, David: Your Career in Animation: How to Survive and Thrive
Other Relevant Course Information
Attendance
IMPORTANT: Students must be present on the first day of class and submit Day One assignment that day or be dropped as a "no show". Students who miss more than 25% of classes throughout
the semester without an excused absence maybe dropped from the course. Waitlisted students will be taken into class on a first come first served basis as some students drop and spaces become available.
A Final Word or Two
“Only you can make it happen. Believe in yourself, work hard, and always persist toward your dream.”
“The best way to predict the future is to create it” - Abraham Lincoln
WELCOME TO PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES / PORTFOLIO!
LET’S HAVE A VERY INSPIRED & CREATIVE SEMESTER TOGETHER!
Additional Resources
Canvas
This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:
- CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
- CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password
Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.
Online Education
Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.
The Learning Center (TLC)
The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!
Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)
College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.
Online Counseling
The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.
Management of Stress and Mental Health
Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.
Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.
You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.
Veterans Resource Center
The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.
Library
The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!
Last updated: 08/20/2025 Sub#: 329 Sub ID: 87081