Summer and Fall 2020 Topics
Summer 2020
FLM 101 Introduction to Filmmaking: Visual Storytelling
ONLINE Summer Session I; Tuesday/Friday from 11am-2:15pm
Amy Gaipa, SBC: ARTS
A hands on introduction to the art of narrative filmmaking. Students will become familiar
with the ideas, materials and technical skills needed for creative expression in this
medium. Participants will learn how to create and use images in conjunction with sound,
text and narrative structure as a basis for communicating ideas on film. We will be exploring
tools and resources available from your home base, and crafting ideas into short films
using Smartphones or comparable devices to visually capture the narrative. This is
an accelerated class so please plan on homework + filmmaking exercises after each
synchronous live class lecture. You will be creating very short films, between 1min-3min
to start, which will culminate in a longer team film using the convention of online
platforms/technology video through social media outlets to support the written and
visual language for your final project.
This is an accelerated class so please plan on homework +ilmmaking exercises after each synchronous live class lecture.You will be creating very short films, between 1min-3min to start,which will culminate in a longer team film using the convention of online platforms/technology video through social media outletst o support the written and visual language for your final project.
In addition to a solid base of studio film and TV credits, AMY GAIPA's first love of independent and developmental projects includes performing in feature films Silver Tongues and La Vida Inesperada, Trudy Bolt in TITANIC, the Sloane readings at the Tribeca Film Festival and Meredith in The Visiting Hours off-off Broadway. Amy is currently in development and preproduction for her untitled thesis film; developing and co-producing BAIT & TACKLE, and co-producer of the annual Mastic Beach Mini Indie Film Fest. Amy has recently co-directed and produced Whiskey Kills the Hunger and Neighborhood Road...and around the corner (documentary) both currently in post-production. Production design credits include FISH, Div Kid, Poor Arthur, Blood, Good Grief, Brennen, The Mastic Beach Mini Indie Film Fest, multiple events both in the industry and for private organizations. Amy is a member of SAG-AFTRA,
FLM 102 Introduction to Film Composition: How Films Say What They Mean
ONLINE Summer Session I; Monday/Wednesday from 2-5:15pm
Faculty: James Evans, 3 credits SBC: HUM
An 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.
JAMES EVANS is a filmmaker from Mastic Beach, NY. He received a degree in economics from Fordham University and upon graduating, heard the call to become a visual storyteller, a passion he has had for his entire life. As an MFA Film candidate at SBU/Killer Films he has written/directed/produced six short films, crewed in various capacities on multiple shoots for colleagues, and started the Mastic Beach Mini Indie Film Fest in the spring of 2019. He is currently working on his first feature film, BAIT & TACKLE, the start of a trilogy
Fall 2020
If you’ve taken FLM 101, you can enroll in any of these 3-credit, 200 level courses:
FLM 215.01 SCRIPTWRITING: SB:C HFA+
Topic: The Art of the Screenplay, Will Chandler
Wed 4:25-7:15PM; Online/In Person - Hybrid
All great screenplays share a compelling, well-told story. In this course, students
will analyze films and read contemporary screenplays, deconstructing them in 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.
Will Chandler, an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) Nicholl Fellowship screenwriter, has sold scripts and worked on assignment for a number of studios and independent producers, including Sony Pictures and actor Russell Crowe. He was a script development executive for Green-Epstein Productions, where he worked on dozens of projects for ABC, CBS, NBC and HBO. Prior to that, Chandler was a story analyst/script doctor for CBS, Viacom, Harpo Productions, New World Pictures and more. He continues work on his own screenwriting projects and is a judge for an internationally recognized screenwriting competition.
FLM 215.02 SCRIPTWRITING: SBC: HFA+
Topic: TV Writing, Kate Levitt
Thurs 4:45-7:35PM; Online/In Person - Hybrid
Study and practice of scriptwriting for filmmakers through readings, screenings, discussions
and regular submission of original work. Areas of study include Writing the Short,
Writing the Feature-length Screenplay, Writing for Television. May repeat course
as topic changes.
FLM 215. 03 SCRIPTWRITING: SBC: HFA+
Topic: Screenwriting, Carina Kohn
Friday 10:30AM-1:20PM; Online Synchronous
Study and practice of scriptwriting for filmmakers through readings, screenings,
discussions and regular submission of original work. Areas of study include Writing
the Short, Writing the Feature-length Screenplay, Writing for Television. May repeat
course as topic changes.
FLM 220.01: DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING SBC: HFA+
Topic: Creating the Documentary, Jonathan Brandeis
TH 9:45AM-12:35PM; Online Sync/Async Combined
Study and practice of documentary filmmaking from concept to production and post-production,
through readings, screenings, discussion and regular submissions of original documentary
filmmaking projects. Topics include Creating the Documentary Short, Ethics and Documentary
Film, Social Documentary, The Film Essay. May be repeated as topic changes
If you’ve taken FLM 102, you can enroll in this 3-credit, 200 level course:
FLM 301.01 THE FILMMAKERS TOOLBOX, SBC: TECH
Amy Gaipa
Thursdays 1:15 - 4:05PM; Online/In Person - Hybrid
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.
If you’ve taken FLM 101, you can enroll in this 3-credit, 300 level course:
FLM 302.01: Producing Practices for Filmmakers, SBC: SPK
Topic: Storytelling With Sound - Pitch Me A Podcast, Kathleen Russo and Anthony Dec
M 11:45AM - 2:35PM; Online/In Person - 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 class 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 and 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.
NO PRE-REQUISITES TO ENROLL IN THESE INTRODUCTORY FILM CLASSES :
FLM 101 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 Tues 6:30-09:20pm; Online Synchronous
FLM 101.02 T/Th 6:30-7:50pm; Online/In Person - Hybrid
FLM 101.03 T/Th 8:15-9:35pm; Online/In Person - Hybrid
FLM 101.04 Tues 4:45-7:35pm; Online Synchronous
FLM 10.-05 M/W 4:25 – 5:45pm; Online/In Person - Hybrid
FLM 101.06 M/W 6:05-7:25pm; Online/In Person - Hybrid
FLM 101.08 Mon 6:05-8:55pm; Online/In Person - Hybrid
FLM 101.09 Mon 2:40-5:30pm; Online/In Person - Hybrid
FLM 101.10 Tues 3-5:50pm; Online Synchronous
FLM 102 INTRO TO FILM COMPOSITION: HOW FILMS SAY WHAT THEY MEAN SBC: HUM
Introduction to the nuts and bolts f 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 Fri 1-3:50pm; Online/In Person - Hybrid
FLM 102.02 T/Th 11:30am-12:50pm; Online/In Person - Hybrid
FLM 102.03 Fri 10:30 am-1:20pm; Online Synchronous
Students may repeat FLM 215 as topic changes to fulfill requirements with permission of the Director.
FOR CREATIVE WRITING STUDENTS: FLM 215 is the equivalent of CWL315: Please email Megan McAndrew for permission to enroll in FLM 215 without the FLM 101 requirement: provide ID and course section.
