FMS 211 - Filmmaking

Making films is more than just pointing your camera at a subject, recording an event or conveying interesting information. Your film will be a historical document and a work of art filtered through your worldview, experiences and personal vision. Directing your film means making difficult choices: from initial story concept to your first screening.

Both documentaries and narrative fiction films are based on a series of tools and techniques. Employing these tools, Filmmaking will focus on students choosing how best to tell their story, design their production, develop their aesthetic and how to capture their story on film. Through the screening of selected film clips, reading, in-class pre-production, production and post-production instruction and weekly assignments, the class will provide an understanding of the art of filmmaking: from concept to screen.

By the end of the class, each student will produce, film, edit and screen their own fiction- or non-fiction film.

The goal of the class will be to develop the skills needed to enable the student to fulfill their vision via the art of cinema.

Satisfies an interdisciplinary minor requirement in Film and Media Studies and Digital Studies.
Satisfies the Visual and Performing Arts requirement.