Eric J. Swelstad - Los Angeles Valley College

Professor: Eric J. Swelstad

Department: TBD

College: Los Angeles Valley College

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MEDIAARTS116
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

His lectures are crystal clear and he demonstrates indepth knowledge of what goes on in the film industry from the viewpoint of screenwriting. However, his class is slow-paced: the first homework was assigned FIVE weeks after the course started, which doesn't exactly imply the most bang for the buck (the tuition and fees you pay for this class).

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CIN101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I was a student from the class just this Spring. I only attended in person for a month or two because of COVID unfortunately, but those two months were great, I made a few friends IRL and honestly, learned more than I did from Cinema 107. The rest of the class was online, and quite honestly was much harder than the first 2 months due to that shift.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MEDIAARTS116
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

As someone who wants to learn and it's important to understand the fundamentals, I highly recommend Professor Swelstad. He expects you to do the work - understandably. And he has specific requirements but they are communicated. If you really want to learn the fundamentals of writing a screenplay, take this class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CIN107
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This professor knows a lot about cinema. He answers your questions promptly. He is pretty punctual and organized when it comes to the syllabus. Clear grading criteria.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CINEMA101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I've take 4 classes from Professor Swelstad and am taking another one next semester. He is passionate and committed, which means being in his teaching environment is exciting. If you want to learn he will teach you; however, you must be an adult. Read the syllabus, come to class and participate - turn your assignments in on time - grown folk stuff.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CIN101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Mediocre at best is a good description. He talks a lot, but when it comes down to real knowledge, he has no answers. Masks with "read the book" and such. Has weird requirements that serve no learning purpose to a student. He is an okay human, just not a very knowledgeable professor.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CINE101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Best professor ever.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CINEMA107
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Eric is a great teacher! He's clearly passionate about Cinema, respects students and has an enthusiasm for what he does and who he's teaching. The class was excellent

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CIN13977
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Aside from Professor Swelstad's fun and often comic lectures, he also gives extra credit for showing up to tutoring. He does what he can to relieve the pressure of a challenging class from his students.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CINEM1116
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Ive taken four classes with Swelstad now. Hes extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and always covers whatll be on the tests. (pay attention, take notes, and you wont fk up). Personally find his jokes very funny, even when he repeats himself. Highly recommend.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CINEMA107
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Look at the syllabus more carefully before trying his class. His grading is the most BIZARRE thing I've ever seen. Basically 3 exams worth 30% of your grade each. Oh where's the remainder 10% you ask? IT'S ATTENDANCE. Basically if you look at his grading, if you fail the 1st exam, that's it. You fail that easily. P. S. 250 question exams yikes....

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MEDIAARTS116
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Super picky about format - more than other professors. Dont understand why hes so critical. Other Profs are laid back about it so you can focus on creativity! Also claims to have written Mean Girls 2 - big surprise to Lindsay Lohan who said the same thing this year!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CINEMA107
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is a good guy, lots of knowledge about the industry, he does use the same jokes over and over again. But the tests are pretty easy, if you take notes and READ THE CHAPTERS! also, he has a section of each exam where you have to know the movie title and a fact about it from a single flash of a picture. Not sure when I will ever use that info..

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CIN107
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I took one of his online courses, and let me tell you that it was the best blow-off class that I have ever taken. I'm pretty sure that as long as you participate he'll give you full credit. Some of the responses to the weekly essays didn't even grasp the basic concepts of what we were discussing but still received full credit.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CINE101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Great teacher! Very straight forward. Knowledgeable. His assignments are fun! He really guides you through the whole filming process. Lectures are note heavy but he always adds some relief by telling jokes or a story. HE DOES REPEAT HIMSELF A LOT THOUGH. If you have taken 2 classes with him, you've heard all of his jokes. Overall a solid teacher.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MDART129
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Swelstad is extremely knowledgeable (AND well read in general) and passionate about film. I was drawn to this class having studied Joseph Campbell and was not disappointed. This was a wonderful overview of archetypes and the lectures are well thought out and interesting. Few short papers and makes sure you study!! Will be taking him again :)

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CIN101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Ok so this is my second class with Swelstad and I have definitely gained a mentor in the industry. His lectures are amazing and funny and as for the class: don't let the factor of the teacher come into play (you won't regret Swelstad) it is a great class to discover what field you want in film making. Editing, filming, sound-you do it all! take it!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CIN107
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof Swelstad is a professional screenwriter and this comes across in his lectures - fun, informative and strong knowledge of the industry. Book for all Cinema 107 classes is $100, so make sure you work this out with the bookstore ahead of time because you use it extensively. A lot of studying, but definitely worth it!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MEDIAARTS130
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The difficult thing about Swelstad classes is the other teachers don't teach you the material your suppose to know by the time you get to advanced classes. He spends time doing cleanup, m reteaching what you should have already known - only mention this because he is the Dept Chair and evaluates the faculty. That said had a good time in his class.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BRD81
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This class was taken as an independent field study class. As such, I say attendance is mandatory, because you have to commit to yourself, and the project that you decide to work on over the semester. Swelstad was easy to get a hold of through email, and responded within 24 hrs every time I had a question. Excellent professor!