Kenneth Portnoy - California State University, Northridge, Northridge, CA

Professor: Kenneth Portnoy

Department: Cinema & Television Arts

College: California State University, Northridge, Northridge, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CTVA320
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I learned the LEAST in Portnoy's class. I feel like I stopped growing temporarily as a writer while taking his class. He's just not very innovative or aware of the generational shifts happening in the entertainment industry. CSUN's CTVA program needs an upgrade on talent in general.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CTVA220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Would always end class early & canceled class every week just telling us to work on our scripts. Taught class for a month and after that just played movies. He didn't even teach us some of the mandatory lessons such as tv and commercial screenwriting. Wouldnt read scripts unless we go to office hours. Passed the class but barely learned a thing.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CTVA320
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I work in the industry and have sold a few scripts (just returning to say I have a BA) so I thought it would be funny to take this class. This guy IS UTTERLY AWFUL. Futile writing exercises, doesn't discuss television writing, will hate your script for too "much action". Hate it for "too much" dialogue. Completely arbitrary grading. He's useless.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CTVA220
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Portnoy is a good guy, but you have to give him respect to get it. You should have tough skin too because he won't sugar coat anything. He's funny about it, but will call you out in class. Very helpful and loves to offer help if you're willing to take time to get it. Fun class, be sure to do all the writing assignments and pay attention.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CTVA220
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I loved this class, he expects a lot but it is mostly for your benefit because he wants you to apply yourself! He will make you laugh every class, and is a really nice person once you get to know him! Huge fan of screenwriting 220 and of him, what a great teacher!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CTVA220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This professor is extremely misogynistic and only gives good grades to the people who amuse him on that day. He could love you and give you extra credit for no reason one day and then take off an absurd amount of points the next. He grades completely subjectively and nonsensically. He's pretentious and thinks he's a genius but is actually pathetic.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CTVA220
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He's quite a stickler for format and grammar. He will amicably embarrass you if you don't shape up. Other than that just watch the movies he tells you to and tie in the stuff he teaches you (tag, parallelism...) If you want to impress him, brush up on literature. As per all faculty, engage with him before/after class. Face time never hurts.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CTVA220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great Professor! Very sarcastic and is super funny. Really is a brilliant man, I learned a lot from this class. Very willing to help students. Be involved in class, pay attention and write your final paper and your golden! Definitely suggest this professor f you want a QUALITY learning experience!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CTVA512
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

An acquired taste. Sadly he has acquired a taste for booze. He ends class an hour and 1/2 early to rush to the bars. Great if you're lazy and don't want to learn anything. Just show up, do work and get a B. He may even make you laugh once or twice, unless your the butt of stupid joke.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CTVA202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

doesn't care about you or the subject. but easy to get a good grade. just do the work and u will get at least a "B"

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CTVA420
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He is not very clear about his assignments, but if you do them on time, he will give a good grade. He gives very few A's because he is very picky. Otherwise he is a pretty good screenwriting professor.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CTVA220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He's a jerk in class but a softy in person. Class is fun and encourages thinking. He is a bit narrow minded when it come to scripts. If you do the work, you're guaranteed a "B"

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CTVA250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

A complete bigot who has obviously lost his passion to enrich his student's ability. He is more concerned with his sad excuse for filmmaking (event videography) then with teaching students the craft of writing or filmmaking. His character is DEFORMED.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CTVA512
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This guy is a nightmare for undergrads, but an absolute delight for grads. His witticism and sharp brutal feedback really gives the writer a direction towards honing the craft. Yeah, this guy has a weird social code, but he is helpful and often gives brilliant statements. He is your neurotic professor, but alsa teddy bear at heart.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CTVA320
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This Guy is TOTALLY USELESS, a frustrated has been. You don't learn any thing from him really.He wore the same clothes for weeks. He plays favorites, and like people who suck up to him. If you want to be come a serious screenwriter Do not Waste Your Time!! Really!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CTVA320
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I want to hold his hand.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CTVA250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I liked his classes, he's sarcastic yeah, but hes a good teacher

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CTVA250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He gives quizzes every day to make sure you're reading the book but quizzes are basically irrelevant. You're split into groups the semester so if your group is good, then you're set. Be active in the class that way he'll remember you. As long as you show up kind of regularly he'll like you. He's a really funny guy too.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CTVA320
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Portnoy is a really cool professor. The first week or so he'll seem like an ****, but after that he's cool. You'll spend the first 20 minutes of most classes talking about movies or the news, then you'll get to work. This class is harder than 220 however, a lot less assignments due, and more pressure on the ones that are. Stay diligent.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CTVA220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I enjoyed his class. He is a writer and knows well his craft. He's biased as all writing teachers are, but the class is enjoyable and overall easy to pass although hard to get an A in. He'll try to scare you off, but don't let him; he's very easy going and funny to boot. Show up, do your work, and all will be fine.