Film & Television Studies: Topics in Film Theory/Practice

Intermediate-level study of media theory and video production. May be repeated for credit with different content. Topics vary by offering; periodic offering at intervals that may exceed four years. Prerequisites: FTS 2050; FTS 1420, FTS 1400, or FTS 1430.

Prereqs enforced by the system: FTS 2050; and FTS 1420, FTS 1400, or FTS 1430. PACE students by permission and override

This course is a production course in which students have the opportunity to bring together theory and filmmaking. We will consider many ways of approaching the relationship between theory and practice. On the side of theory, we will choose theories commonly investigated in film classes and students will generate projects that interact with the ideas they are interested in. For each topic, students will engage the theoretical concept and then brainstorm story ideas, do visual and cultural research, create a script, storyboard, shoot their pieces and edit them.

Each step will be heavily workshopped in class so that we support each other in the creative process as well as stay engaged in the discussion about theory and practice.

We will have the opportunity for students to make at least three films during the semester. The pieces will be created in different groups for each project and every student will be assigned the role of director, cinematographer, and editor once throughout the semester. Students will be evaluated based on their participation and the work that they do for each step of the filmmaking process.