Re: FILM 185 ADMISSIONS

Here are the guidelines for getting instructor approval to enroll in Film 185 this Fall.

Please look at the class webpage and make sure you are informed about the aims and process of the class.  While the description follows the outline of the class as taught in Fall '07, and while I will almost certainly make some changes after I settle on the final makeup of the class and as we go along, the description will give you a very good idea of the elements we will cover, the methods we will use, the initiative and resourcefulness it requires, and the investment in time and energy you will have to make. 

The page is at:

 http://studio.berkeley.edu/coursework/moses/courses/FS185F09/

Also take a look at the FS Newsletter description of the class at:

Film 185 & 187 Described in FS Newletter

All those who have put their name down on the pre-enrollment list, as well as those among you who did not manage to get their name on the list but wrote to me about joining the class, should be at the first meeting on Thursday 27th (9am in Dwinelle 135) and should plan to be in class for the full three hours.  You should also plan to be in class for the full three hours on Friday and Tuesday.

Given the fact that the number of students who wish to be in my class exceeds by far the number we can accommodate, I will use the first week to learn about all applicants as much as I can before deciding who will take part in the class.  Since many will not, I will suggest to those who seem suitable some possible alternatives: auditing, independent individual/group study project, and other possible options.  I will need to find out a great deal about you in a very short time because I want to be able to tell you all by Thursday of the second week of classes (Friday at the latest) who is in and who is out.  I thus will be asking you to fill some informational forms, to talk about your ideas, to take on a few improvised challenges, to critique film material following specific guidelines I will give you, and finally to show us about five minutes of film/video work you have made yourselves.

 About the latter (which will take place on Friday of the first week) my assumption is that, keen as you all are to take an upper division course in film making (introductory as may be) you will most likely have some work to show.  But this is not necessarily a must.  If your creative work has been so far in other areas (or none at all) this does not disqualify you.  NB: Make sure during the week that what you do plan to show on Friday is on DVD and works properly.  Pick 5 minutes and no more: anything that runs longer can be left with me over the week-end so I can look at it in its entirety and discuss it on Tuesday.

The week of the 17th I will be in my office after 1pm, and you should come and talk to me about the class before classes start, especially if you are not a film major and/or at least a Junior.  But e_mail me for best time slots.  If you can’t make it week before classes, I will have ample office hours the following week to accommodate further one on one discussions.