Courses
Film and Television
Check back on December 15th for Summer 2010 courses.
College of Communication
Screenwriting I
COM FT 310
Required of all students in the Film Program. An introduction to the principles of screenwriting; proper use of film form; creation of characters and narrative in writing the short film. 4 cr.
Producing I
COM FT 325
Required of all students in the Television Program. An introductory course that takes the student through the various stages of production, beginning with concept and ending with full-fledged, camera-ready proposals. Students are introduced to issues of finance, scheduling and organization; they learn to keep budget and concept on track. May be taken sophomore year. 4 cr.
Video Production I
COM FT 353
Introduces students to the entire process of producing motion pictures on digital video: scripting, shooting, lighting, sound production, and editing. Also includes an introduction to multi-camera studio production. While producing a series of hands-on projects, students rotate through the positions of writer/director, videographer, sound designer, and editor. 4 cr.
Undergraduate Internship 2
COM FT 494
An opportunity for students to get hands-on experience with a film or television internship for summer credit. The department of Film and Television internship office has many terrific summer internships available to qualified students. Internships are located in Boston, New York, Los Angeles and throughout the country at companies like MTV, Miramax, FilmColony, ESPN, local television stations, etc. Open to rising juniors and seniors with a least a 3.0 GPA in their major. Visiting students must submit a copy of their transcript for approval. Internships may be taken for either two or four credits.
Screenwriting Institute—Intensive Professional Screenwriting Program
COM CO 510
An intensive 11-week professional screenwriting course where students master the essential elements of a superior screenplay, design a full-length screenplay and write scenes in a supportive, creative environment and learn the business of screenwriting. Selected screenplays written in class will have the opportunity of being considered by Hollywood companies. For further details, contact the Screenwriting Program at script@bu.edu.
8 cr.
Directing the Theatrical and Television Film
COM FT 526
A hands-on workshop which explores the art and craft of directing motion pictures. Particular emphasis is given to working with actors to develop compelling and effective performances. Also explores script preparation and breakdown, staging for the camera, camera movement, composition, coverage and on-set procedure. Acting experience is helpful but not essential. 4 cr.
Special Topic: Documentary Production
COM FT 552
Develops skills necessary for producing long-form documentaries. Covers the entire conceptual and physical process: finding a topic, developing a structure and style, shooting, editing, post-production, marketing and distribution. Students develop their own ideas and form small groups to produce them. At the end of the course, each group will have a completed short documentary film to add to their resume or reel. 4 cr.
Special Topic: The Blockbuster
COM FT 553
A serious, challenging, and critical investigation of the big budget Hollywood film as marketing concept, ideological enterprise, and special effects laboratory. This reading and writing intensive course also examines the blockbuster as testing ground for various theories of film and postmodernism. A certain number of class sessions will screen excerpts rather than full-length films. Includes films by such directors as de Miller, Coppola, Spielberg, Lucas, Cameron, Bigelow. 4 cr.
Special Topic: Hollywood Genre
COM FT 553
What does it mean for a film to belong to a genre? This course examines the concept of genre as it moves from production to distribution to reception. We examine genres such as: the western, the slapstick comedy, the screwball comedy, the dark comedy, the gangster film, the musical, and the war film. 4 cr.
Special Topic: The Contemporary Western
COM FT 553
Looks at the Western film with an emphasis on the ways the old myths and archetypes have been reimagined and deconstructed in modern times. While the class touches on some early Western classics like My Darling Clementine, Shane and The Searchers, we closely examine revisionist Westerns of recent decades. A familiarity with the genre and its myths will be useful as we discuss films that rethink those myths. Some films likely to be screened are Johnny Guitar, Rio Bravo, Once Upon a Time in the West, The Wild Bunch, McCabe and Mrs. Miller, Little Big Man, Unforgiven, There Will Be Blood. 4 cr.
Special Topic: The Film of Joel and Ethan Coen
COM FT 553
Like many "postmodern" artists, the output of Joel and Ethan Coen can best be understood by surrounding it with its multiple influences. This course examines the Coens’ work as well as the films they’ve borrowed from. Beginning with their rise as the face of Independent American cinema in 1984 with Blood Simple, to their recent success with No Counrty for Old Men, the course examines the texts—books, films, and otherwise—which help these brothers create their distinctive style. Films examined include Blood Simple, Raising Arizona, Barton Fink, Miller’s Crossing, Hudsucker Proxy, Fargo, The Big Lebowski, O Brother Where Art Thou, The Man Who Wasn’t There, No Country For Old Men, Sullivans Travels, The Godfather, screwball comedies of Cukor, Capra and others. 4 cr.
Special Topic: Advanced Screenwriting
COM FT 553
Prereq: COM CO 510 or submission of screenplay for admission. An intensive screenwriting workshop aimed at those who illustrate a strong understanding of the fundamentals of narrative storytelling. All participants are required to present pages in class, maintain a writing schedule and complete a first draft of a feature-length screenplay. Based upon discussions and notes received, participants will provide a revision for the final project. Permission required. For further details, contact John Bernstein, director of the Screenwriting Program at script@bu.edu. 4 cr.
The Documentary
COM FT 560
Surveys the history of the documentary and the changes brought about by the advent of television. Examines the outlook for the documentary idea in national and international markets. Periodic highlighting of special areas, such as the portrayal of war, historical events, drama-documentary, and propaganda. Students develop critical and professional skills. Lectures, screenings, and discussions. 4 cr.
Graduate Internship 2
COM FT 954
An opportunity for graduate students to get hands-on experience with a film or television internship for summer credit. The department of Film and Television internship office has many terrific summer internships available to qualified students. Internships are located in Boston, New York, Los Angeles and throughout the country at companies like MTV, Miramax, FilmColony, ESPN, local television stations, etc. Open to graduate students with at least a 3.0 GPA. Visiting students must submit a copy of their transcript for approval. Internships may be taken for either two or four credits.
