Film III: Feature Film (offered for the 2025-2026 academic year)
Prerequisite: Film II (offered alternating years with Documentary for Social Change)
In this hands-on course, students embark on the exhilarating journey of creating a feature-length film, culminating in a premiere at the annual spring film festival. Participants take on diverse production roles—ranging from director, producer, and director of photography, editor, sound mixer, and behind-the-scenes documentary director—through a competitive audition process. Throughout the year, students collaborate to write an original script, cast actors, and manage all aspects of production, including cinematography, sound design, and post-production. This course equips students with essential filmmaking skills and fosters teamwork, creativity, and a deep appreciation for the art of storytelling.
Documentary for Social Change:
Prerequisite: Film II
In this dynamic year-long course, students embark on an immersive journey into the world of documentary filmmaking, exploring its diverse styles, techniques, and the profound impact it can have on society. Through a blend of theoretical study and hands-on practice, students analyze influential documentaries, understand the ethics of storytelling, and develop their unique voices as filmmakers. The course covers narrative structure, cinematography, sound design, and editing, while also delving into the history of documentary film and its role in social justice movements. Students engage in critical discussions about representation, bias, and the responsibility of a documentary filmmaker to their subjects and audience. Students brainstorm, research, and develop a 20-30 minute documentary to spark meaningful change in their community or the world. This project culminates in a screening event where students present their films, along with a discussion of the issues they addressed and the impact they hope to achieve. By the end of the course, students will have gained technical filmmaking skills and a deep understanding of how to harness the power of storytelling to inspire action and foster a better future