Center for Cinematic Arts

Cinematic Center makes ABC 7 News

In line with our mission and Core Principles, our entire student body of over 670 students and our faculty and staff participated in community service and engagement throughout the week at different sites and organizations in the Greater Los Angeles region, as a part of our Catholic Lasallian heritage and founding. The students within our center took it upon themselves to film and produce all the amazing services that their peers were engaging in throughout the week and their hard work paid off when their production was aired on ABC 7 news just a few days later.

Facilities & Equipment

A well-equipped facility and high-quality camera gear provide a conducive environment for creativity and production, offering adequate space for scriptwriting, filming, and editing. Additionally, industry-standard camera equipment ensures that students can capture stunning visuals and achieve the desired cinematic aesthetics, enhancing the overall quality of their projects. Our Cinematic Center fosters collaboration and innovation, crucial for creating impactful multimedia content. These resources serve as the foundation for students' visions to become reality.

The Cyc Wall

A cyclorama, a cyc wall, is a blank, modular walled background with curved surfaces and seamless corners. It can supply what’s called an “infinity background.” This makes the studio seem larger than it is and allows users to hide external equipment off-screen easily. In still photography or video production, this helps make your background almost ‘disappear,’ leaving many possibilities for lighting. This is great for commercials, giving the products full attention, or using a green screen.

Cameras

  1. Canon EOS C70 is a compact and versatile cinema camera designed for content creators seeking high-quality video production in a portable form factor. Combining the power of Canon's Cinema EOS system with the flexibility of a mirrorless design, the EOS C70 features a Super 35mm Dual Gain Output (DGO) sensor. It supports 4K video recording up to 120fps. It offers professional-level features like Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus, high dynamic range recording with Canon Log 2 and 3, and the ability to capture pristine 16+ stops of dynamic range.

  2. Canon EOS R signifies a pivotal step in Canon's imaging evolution, introducing a full-frame mirrorless camera that balances innovative technology with traditional craftsmanship. Built around a 30.3-megapixel sensor, the EOS R captures richly detailed images with remarkable clarity. At the same time, the Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus system covers a vast area of the frame, delivering swift and precise focusing. The camera's customizable, high-resolution electronic viewfinder offers a seamless shooting experience, and its adaptable RF mount not only opens doors to new optical possibilities but also maintains compatibility with EF and EF-S lenses through adapters.

  3. Canon EOS R5 stands as a groundbreaking mirrorless camera, pushing the boundaries of imaging technology for photographers and filmmakers. Featuring a remarkable 45-megapixel full-frame sensor, the R5 can capture stunningly detailed photographs and 8K video recording, setting new standards for resolution and clarity. With its advanced Dual Pixel CMOS II autofocus system, offering 5,940 selectable AF points, the camera achieves unparalleled focusing accuracy and speed.

Lenses

  1. Canon CN-E Sumire Prime Lenses represent a pinnacle of cinematic excellence, purposefully designed to infuse visual storytelling with a distinct and evocative character. Drawing inspiration from the Japanese concept of "Sumire," which means a flower with deep color and subtle gradations, these lenses offer a unique blend of stunning imagery and artistic expression. With a consistent T-stop of T1.5 across the set, these full-frame compatible prime lenses deliver remarkable low-light performance and exquisite bokeh. Their carefully crafted optical construction imparts a cinematic softness to highlights while maintaining exceptional sharpness in the focal plane. They are built for professional cinematographers.

    1. Available Lenses: 35mm T1.5 / 50mm T1.5 / 85mm T1.3 (PL Mount Lenses with a PL→RF Mount Adapter)

  2. Canon's RF mirrorless lenses exemplify cutting-edge optical engineering within a compact and versatile design tailored to complement the full potential of the RF mount ecosystem. These lenses deliver exceptional image quality, high-resolution clarity, and reduced aberrations by harnessing advanced visual elements and coatings. The combination of fast and accurate Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus, along with the wide RF mount's capabilities, results in remarkable precision and speed in capturing both stills and video.

    1. 16mm f2.8 / 24mm f1.8 / 35mm f1.8 / 50mm f1.8 /

    2. 15-35mm f2.8 / 24-70mm f2.8 / 70-200mm f2.8

    3. 28-70 f2.0

  3. Rokinon XEEN CF Cine Lenses epitomize precision and versatility in cinematic imaging, catering to the demands of professional filmmakers and cinematographers. Engineered with a focus on optical excellence, these prime lenses offer an expansive range of focal lengths, providing the creative freedom to capture scenes with utmost clarity and creative control. The XEEN CF series boasts a lightweight and compact carbon fiber construction, making them ideal for agile shooting setups. With a consistent 11-blade aperture and reduced focus breathing, these lenses deliver seamless transitions and breathtaking bokeh.

    1. 16mm T2.6 / 24mm T1.5 / 35mm T1.5 / 50mm T1.5 /

    2. 85mm T1.5 (EF Mount lenses with EOS R→EF Adapter)

  4. Vazen anamorphic lenses epitomize cinematic artistry by offering a distinctive and immersive visual storytelling experience. These lenses are designed to capture imagery with a unique anamorphic flare characterized by widescreen aspect ratios, horizontal lens flares, and captivating bokeh. Renowned for their exceptional build quality and optical precision, Vazen anamorphic lenses cater to filmmakers and cinematographers seeking to infuse their projects with a vintage cinematic aesthetic.

    1. Available Lenses: 28mm T2.2 1.8x / 40mm T2 1.8x / 65mm T2 1.8x

Edit Bay

Equipped with The Apple 24" iMac, it stands as a compact powerhouse of innovation, merging cutting-edge technology with a sleek and vibrant design. Boasting a stunning 4.5K Retina display that captivates with its lifelike colors and crystal-clear visuals, the iMac offers a remarkable canvas for creative endeavors and productivity. Apple M1 chip with 8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, 8-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine

  • 8GB unified memory

  • 512GB SSD storage

  • Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports

  • Two USB 3 ports

  • Gigabit Ethernet

  • Magic Mouse

  • Magic Keyboard with Touch ID

All computers have been preprogrammed with an Adobe Suite License containing Premier Pro, After Effects, Lightroom, Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. It provides a comprehensive ecosystem of professional software tools that empower individuals and teams to bring their imaginative visions to life. Encompassing a diverse array of applications such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects, and more, Creative Cloud caters to graphic designers, photographers, video editors, animators, and beyond.



Coursework & Skills

Our Film and Media Pathway will begin with a basic understanding of the production process, regardless of the discipline. Upon completing the fundamental module, students can choose specialties, like screenwriting and directing, and learn about specific aspects of production that they feel drawn to.

Outside classroom instruction, students will go on-set for internal and external projects, collaborating with students, administration, and outside clients. Being a part of our program means you are an official member of our Production Crew, giving you leadership opportunities that include internships/apprenticeships, industry networking, independent project creation, and community service. Upon completion of the Cinematic Arts Pathway Program, students will earn a certificate of completion. Students can also do a capstone project to earn a cord to wear during graduation.

Skill Modules

  • Production Process
    • Pre-Production

    • Production

    • Post-Production

  • Directing

  • Camera Operation

  • Cinematography

  • Content Creation for Social Media

  • Script Writing

  • Lighting

  • Sound Design / Sound Capture

  • Editing
    • Slicing, Stitching, and Sequencing

    • Visual and Audio FX

  • Media Technologies

Capstone Project

To Be Determined by the Center Director

Additional Opportunities

  • Internships and Apprenticeships with Directors/Creators in the industry
  • On-set days on projects currently in production

  • Profile building via promotion of La Salle

  • Networking with industry professionals

Center Director
Akinty Carter

With over seven years of experience working in production and freelancing as an independent camera operator. Akinty specializes in camera operation, working on independent films, marketing campaigns, and promotional materials for organizations like Netflix, YouTube, and the B-League (Japanese Pro-Basketball League). Akinty brings a work ethic and background uniquely tailored for teaching current industry standards to our students, having attended USC and working on sets and in studios across Hollywood and the world. He can be reached at: acarter@lasallehs.org.



Prospective La Salle College Preparatory students contact the La Salle Admissions Office at admissions@lasallehs.org for additional information.

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La Salle College Preparatory was founded in 1956. Today, we are the only truly diverse and co-educational Catholic high school in Pasadena.