Richard Ollis - California State University, Northridge, Northridge, CA

Professor: Richard Ollis

Department: Art

College: California State University, Northridge, Northridge, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CTVA250
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

One of the most difficult classes i have taken. Not because of the coursework but because of this prof. He lacks the ability to keep track of things and explain the process of film making. VERY VERY expensive class yet dont learn much. If you have a good group for your short film, congratualtions you are all gonna neeed eachother to pass. Good luck

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CTVA250
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Ollis rarely teaches. For CTVA 250, ASK HIM about the production portfolio. Get your story developed quickly, and JUST DO WHAT HE SAYS. He gives you only a few weeks to write and shoot your film. STICK TO THE DATE ON SYLLABUS. Do everything on time, including "Bolex". If you don't, you're screwed, and guess what? You have to take the class again.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CTVA357
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the nicest and funniest guys I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. He is an open book to the world of cinematography. Take advantage of the in class lighting demonstrations and get experience.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CTVA250
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Show up get a good group and listen to his instructions. Really fun class. If you show up not wanting to learn you wont. This guy is probably the best professor I've had.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ART151
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

If you go into this class thinking you know everything you need to know about photography you wont pass. If you show up and listen to his instructions it should be a very easy A. Do the assignments the way he describes and you'll do great, and if you make a mistake he gives you plenty of time to reshoot. Also he has a very dry sense of humor.

Rating # 6

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Make sure to take really good notes during his lectures. As difficult as this class was, he was genuine about wanting everyone to pass (Take advantage of office hours). If you're the screenwriter for your group, learn how to take criticism (a lot of it) and tailor a script for a very picky client. Don't get attached to any one idea.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CTVA250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

CSUN has the worst film school because of teachers like this guy. Their program is intended for students with zero experience which would be great if you were going to a community college but instead applies this program which could affect the lives of students at what is supposed to be a legitimate institution. This guy doesn't teach anything.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ART151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His assignments are clear and they explain themselves. He is a bit of an unusual grader, but if you ask him about something he will explain. The lectures were interesting as I learned about a lot of old photographers and their work. He may seem confusing because he dives right into material but if you review your notes it's all pretty simple.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHOTO151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Pretty easy class, He was okay. "See me after class." This should be his catchphrase when you ask him for help on something.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CTVA250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Rude, disrespectful to students, conceited. Once said, "Hurry it up, I have to go," when HE told US to go speak to him after class. For no apparent reason, he decided our group was going to do poorly and was genuinely surprised when we turned in our short film on time and it was good enough to merit an A. I learned nothing, worst teacher at CSUN.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ART151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Ollis isnt getting the credit he deserves on here. If you pay attention and actually put effort into the class, there is no reason not to get an A. This was my first photography course ever and just showing interest and showing him my work prior to submitting it is beneficial not only for progress but my grade as well. I loved this class!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ART151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

You literally do nothing but look at photos every class, for at least an hour. I LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY but professor Ollis has taken that love away from me. DO NOT take his class!!!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CTVA240
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

His knowledge of film is extensive. He's a nice guy for the most part. Definitely study hard for the midterm and final - they ARE harder than you think, mainly because the questions are worded a little bit confusingly and there are not very many questions so missing a few is more detrimental than expected.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ART151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

So boring. I fell asleep in 75% of his classes. He seems like a nice guy, and he really loves photography. However, he doesn't inspire others to love it as well. His assignments could have been fun but he has a very boring opinion of what counts. BTW, MEMORIZE TERMS, ISOs and SHUTTER SPEEDS, ETC.! his midterm and finals are KILLER.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ART151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

This teacher is so boring it was hard not fall asleep in his class he does slides for most of the class and wen he lectures he makes no sense assignments are really easy but midterm andd final are a blank since he rarely teaches.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ART151
• 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:

SUPER boring, doesn't motivate you to be creative. But its easy, you dont even need to buy the book if you pay any attention in class.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CTVA250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great Professor. Knows what he's teaching. There's absolutley NO REASON to complain about his teaching; he practically gives you the answers to the final. For the final project, he prefers a conventional narrative, and most likely won't like your idea if it isn't one (which is fair for the most part). Just cater to his taste and you'll do great.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ART151
• 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:

On one hand Ollis is a really nice guy, answers questions and is a very good teacher. However, the class is soooo expensive. A digital camera costs about 500+, and a film camera is 200 plus 100 in film and processing. He's extremely picky about hw, considering that the majority of the people in the class know next to nothing about photography.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ART151
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

This class was an easy A for me and he really is lenient to his students especially when it comes to finals. He's late to almost every class and can't stand it if you're late. It's a 'learn & do it yourself' class. Assignments due ever 2 weeks. Lectures consist of sitting in class and viewing photos from various artists. Great for a GE class

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CTVA250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

just terrible. dont take him