Sample Course Offerings
FLM 101: INTRODUCTION TO FILMMAKING: VISUAL STORYTELLING
So you want to make movies? This a great place to start! Film 101 is an intensive
but accessible introduction to making films using a device we all have -a smartphone.
Students will learn to make short films from the first draft of the script to final
edit of the video. Each week we will watch short films and work on exercises focusing
on specific film departments such as camera or production design. By working together
on multiple projects outside of class each student will have written and directed
a short film, had experience in many other on-set roles and have a better grasp on
how film sets work in general! If you’ve ever been curious as to where you may fit
on a film set -this is a good place to begin.
FLM 102: INTRODUCTION TO FILM COMPOSITION: HOW FILMS SAY WHAT THEY MEAN
An Introduction to the nuts and bolts of filmmaking as viewed through the lens of
the working filmmaker. By examining the creative aspects of films, the tools, the
language and the choices of filmmakers, participants learn to interpret the creative
elements of a film from a practitioner’s perspective.
FLM 215: SCRIPTWRITING FOR FILMMAKERS - TOPIC: TV WRITING
This TV writing workshop will cover the differences required between a spec (an episode
for an existing television show that is “speculative”) versus an original concept
pilot. Participants will be guided on what shows are valid to spec given the current
television climate. Important script writing themes that will be explored are: character’s
want, internal and external obstacles, tone, POV, character folly, action, and repeatable
story engine. Participants will get the chance to write in a tone and genre of their
own personal preference. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the emotional trajectory
of a character’s journey that will guide the exciting process from teaser to the final
act.
FLM 215 SCRIPTWRITING FOR FILMMAKERS - TOPIC: WRITING THE SCREENPLAY
All great screenplays share a compelling, well-told story. In this course, students
will analyze films and read contemporary screenplays, deconstructing them in order
to learn why they work so well. Students will leave understanding the construction
of story, the value of juxtaposing scenes, the power of the visual image, the importance
of underlying theme, the need for conflict and the development of compelling, layered
characters and their dialogue. Students will be guided through the process of developing
their own stories and will leave with a screenplay.
FLM 220: DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING
Study and practice of documentary filmmaking from concept to production and post-production,
through readings, screenings, discussion and regular submissions of original documentary
filmmaking projects. Topics include Creating the Documentary Short, Ethics and Documentary
Film, Social Documentary, The Film Essay. Repeatable to a maximum of 6 credits as
the topic changes.
FLM 221: FICTION FILMMAKING
Study and practice of fiction filmmaking from story to production and post-production,
through readings, screenings, discussion and regular submission of original fiction
filmmaking projects. Topics include: Short Fiction, Film Animation, American Hollywood
Film, Genre Filmmaking, Indie Filmmaking. Repeatable to a maximum of 6 credits as
the topic changes.
FLM 301: THE FILMMAKER’S TOOLBOX; CINEMATOGRAPHY, SOUND AND EDITING
Explores the connections between technology and storytelling, examining the tools
and resources available to create compelling images and stories. Course explores the
principals, tools and techniques of digital technologies: cinematography, art direction,
sound design and editing in shaping a film, and how these choices interact with the
art of visual storytelling.
FLM 302 PRODUCING PRACTICES FOR FILMMAKERS: PRODUCING AND DIRECTION TOPIC: STORYTELLING WITH SOUND - PITCH ME A PODCAST
Podcasting is the next step in the technological liberation of storytelling via digital
means. It is a companion and complement to video and filmmaking. In this class you
will learn how to craft your own podcast —visualizing your stories with audio only —and present it to the world. You’ll gain experience in writing for sound, interviewing
styles and techniques, recording & editing basics, pitching ideas, marketing, branding,
distribution, monetization and more. The focus is on learning and developing new storytelling
and entrepreneurial skills, and strengthening oral communication and presenting skills
by researching, writing and presenting proposals and pitches and participating in
the evaluation of peer oral presentations of researched proposals and pitches.
FLM 310: STORY ANALYSIS FOR FILMMAKERS
A critical survey of the screenplay through the lens of the filmmaker. Emphasis will
be on exploring the construction of story in film from a practitioner's perspective.
Critical analysis will be transferred into practice through hands-on exercises in
filmmaking. Repeatable to a maximum of 6 credits as the topic changes.
FLM 320: TOPICS IN FILM FOR FILMMAKERS - TOPIC: CITY IN FILM From gangster movies to the urban underworld, from musical and romantic comedies to
dystopian post-urban settings, from megacities populated by superheroes, to stories
of moving to the big city or leaving one behind and hitting the open road, movies
and the cities/suburbs they inhabit will be critically examined through readings,
in-class screenings, active discussion, independent film study, and reflective writing,
culminating in the completion of a final project: short film, short screenplay, TV
pilot, short story or essay that reflects careful observation and thinking, interpretation,
and discussion of urban representation in film.
FLM 402 CAPSTONE PROJECT A weekly seminar in planning and executing an independent, interdisciplinary project,
the culmination of the minor, to be taken while completing a short film or full-length
project. The nature and genre of the film project is up to the individual, though
the concept must be approved by the program director before the student can enroll
in this course. Weekly class meetings give structure to the independent filmmaking
process, helping minors to plan, research and locate the resources they need.
FLM 488 INTERNSHIP - EXP+ Offers students a personalized experiential learning opportunity designed to build
on classroom knowledge and skills by exploring filmmaking in real world settings.
The work must involve skills related to the educational goals of the department.
|