Spring 2021 Topics
If you’ve taken FLM 101, you can enroll in any of these 3-credit 200 level courses:
FLM 215.01 SCRIPTWRITING SBC: HFA+
Topic: The Art of the Screenplay, Faculty: Will Chandler
W 4:25-7:15PM HYBRID
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 outline, a three-act story arc and a completed first act of their own script.
FLM 215.02 SCRIPTWRITING SBC: HFA+
Topic: The Feature Screenplay, Faculty: James Evans
TH 4:00-6:50PM HYBRID
Do you want to FINALLY write that movie you've been walking around with for years? Or build on your skills as a visual storyteller and expand your writing portfolio? Join this class for a hands-on workshop in the craft of writing for the screen. Throughout the course of the semester you will learn the skills necessary to tell your story by writing original work, reading existing screenplays, and sharpening your voice as a storyteller! It is the goal of this class to equip you with the skills necessary to develop truthful characters, understand narrative structure, and begin bridging the gap between instinct and intention...and most importantly, showing and not telling your audience. By the end of the semester you will have completed a first draft of a feature screenplay and as always, continue cultivating your own creative process as a screenwriter.
FLM 215. 03 FLM 215. 03 SCRIPTWRITING SBC: HFA+
Topic: TV WRITING, Faculty: Noelle Wilson
Fri 10:30AM-1:20PM ONLINE
Over the semester, students will work in a supportive, collaborative environment, learning how to analyze past and current television in a variety of genres, to hone their skills on the principles of story and the medium of television writing. Using this foundation, students will then pitch their own TV series ideas and develop stories for a pilot episode resulting in written outlines, beat sheets and scenes with dialogue to be read aloud in class. Prerequisite: FLM 101
Students may repeat FLM 215 as topic changes to fulfill requirements with permission of the Director.
CWL 315.S01* #53225, SBC: HFA+, WRTD
Topic: Playwriting, Faculty: Emma Walton Hamilton
TH 9:45-12:25PM ONLNE
“Movies will make you famous; Television will make you rich; But theatre will make you good.” - Terrence Mann Before there was film, television, or streaming media, there was theater. From the dawn of civilization, humankind has acted out stories as a means of understanding the human condition. The unique beauty of theater is that it is ephemeral; because it is performed live, no two performances are ever exactly the same. It is also uniquely collaborative - what starts as the playwright’s vision is then informed by the director, designers, performers and ultimately the audience, providing for an elevated and transformative cultural conversation. Forms of Scriptwriting: Playwriting explores the craft elements of this fundamental genre through readings, discussion and regular submission of original writing for the stage. Areas of study include Dramatic Action, Visual Storytelling, the One Act Play, Character Development, Conflict, Theme and Dramatic Structure. Topics covered include basic history, current events, craft elements, and industry standards. By understanding these elements of the craft, students will learn to think critically about the medium of theater, will better understand its impact and value, and will gain a clearer sense of their own storytelling voice.
* For Film 101 alumni, contact Liz McRae (elizabeth.mcrae@stonybrook.edu) for permission to enroll. CWL 315 counts as the equivalent of FLM 215 for film minors.
FLM 221.01: FICTION FILMMAKING SBC: HFA+
Topic: Creating the Short-Form Narrative Film, Faculty: Perry Blackshear
TU 1:15-4:05pm HYBRID
Through hands-on exercises in-class and out, students will leave FLM 221 with the theory, skills, and practical experience to direct short-form narrative film. Key focuses will be on the intersection of writing and directing, an introduction to directing actors, cinematography, editing and production fundamentals, and command of visual storytelling. While practicing their craft, students will develop their own vision for what kind of storyteller they want to be and apply this to the creation of short filmed exercises.
If you’ve taken FLM 101, you can enroll in this 3-credit, 300 level course:
FLM 302: Producing Practices for Filmmakers SBC: SPK
Topic: PODCASTS, Faculty: Kathleen Russo
M 11:45am-2:40pm HYBRID
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 introductory course, 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.
If you’ve taken FLM 102, you can enroll in these 3-credit, 300 level courses:
FLM 301.01 THE FILMMAKER’S TOOLBOX SBC: TECH
Faculty: Amy Gaipa
Fridays 10:30-1:20pm ONLINE
A hands-on course exploring the aural and visual choices available to the filmmaker. Students will explore the connections between technology and storytelling, examining and practicing with 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 310.Story Analysis for Filmmakers SBC: HFA+
Topic: The Coming of Age Film, Faculty: Magdalene Brandeis
Wednesdays 2:40-5:30pm ONLINE
This film survey course will explore the essence of the coming of age film ⎯ also known as the film of formation or the film bildungsroman ⎯ situate it within its historical context, outline its themes, and note how its portrait of the emerging self evolves with the evolution of the society which surrounds it, all with the goal of generating coming of age stories of our own. The tale of the creation of a “self”, through a right of passage psychologically, philosophically, spiritually, sexually, or in acceptance of gender ⎯ changes when the bildungsroman is no longer the unique domain of the young white male. These tales of a child’s initiation into adulthood may also read as vehicles for political activism, reflections on the prevailing culture, and the creation and expression of an individual cosmology in reaction to that culture.
So what was your unique coming of age? In this course you’ll respond to screened films in free-written prompts in order to find out. Prompts are turned into screenplay drafts at mid and end points of the course.
NO PREREQUISITES TO ENROLL IN THESE INTRODUCTORY FILM CLASSES :
INTRODUCTION TO FILMMAKING: VISUAL STORYTELLING. SBC: ART
This course will be a hands-on introduction to the craft of narrative filmmaking using the camera in your smartphone! You will learn the skills necessary to tell your story by studying selected films/readings, practicing the craft of screenwriting, and completing various directing/editing exercises. By the end of the semester you will experience the collaborative nature of film and begin cultivating your own creative process.
FLM 101.01 M/W 6:05-7:25pm David Brett ONINE
FLM 101.02 M/W 7:50pm0- 9:10pmDoug Forrester ONLINE
FLM 101.03 M 2:40pm -5:30pm Conor Demmett HYBRID
FLM 101.04 Tues 3:00pm -5:50pm Maja Cule HYBRID
FLM 101.05 T/TH 6:30pm-7:50pm Isaac Wei ONLINE
FLM 101.06 T/TH 8:15pm- 9:35pmCatherine Zimmermann HYBRID
FLM 101.07 TU 3:00pm-5:50pmChris Arnold HYBRID
FLM 101.08 TH 3:00pm-5:50pmCharles DesJardin HYBRID
FLM 101.09 F 11:45am-2:35pmGrant Herson HYBRID
INTRO TO FILM COMPOSITION: HOW FILMS SAY WHAT THEY MEAN; SBC: HUM
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 102.01 F 10:30am- 1:20pmMax Remmler ONLINE
FLM 102.02 TU 1:15pm-4:05pmZhuga Renqing ONLINE
FLM 102.03 F 11:45am-2:35pmWalter Strafford ONLINE
IF YOU ARE READY TO COMPLETE THE CAPSTONE:
FLM 402 CAPSTONE PROJECT SBC: EXP+ ONLINE
FACULTY: Karen Offitzer, Minor in Filmmaking DIrector
A weekly seminar in planning and executing an independent, interdisciplinary project.
