French Media and Film Workshop

Catalog description

The workshop will give students the opportunity to learn about France through the prism of its television and documentary production. This comparative approach to media and film will encourage students to analyze the ethical stakes surrounding creative and editorial decisions in France and the United States. Through visits to television sets and control rooms, interviews with producers and directors, and screenings of documentaries and films, students will learn to decipher French culture through the specific storytelling techniques used in news reports, series, documentaries and films. Each class session will focus on a television program, news broadcast, documentary or fiction film. Industry professionals working in television and film will be invited to class to share their expertise and interact with students. With more than 373 movie theaters located throughout 20 arrondissements, Paris, is truly the world capital of Cinema. Approximately a hundred theaters are considered independent movie houses, some of which are classified as historical monuments. This unique situation will allow students to learn about the origins of cinema and the importance of film to French culture during class field trips. The professor will provide technical guidance about news reporting and film production in general and how to make a short documentary. As a final project each student will create a personal 2-3 minute short film using their smart phone about a theme relating to their time in Paris. Class time will be spent on finding a story idea, creating an outline, and filming and editing their film. Language of Instruction: French, Prerequisites: none