P.O.V.: Film and the Essay

Instructor:  Terry L. Bryant
Classroom:  ENG 286, MWF 8:30-9:20 A.M.
Office Hours:  Wednesday, 1:30-2:30 P.M., or by appointment
Office:  HFA 304D (823-5461);  823-5417 (Jan) for messages only
E-mail:  bryant@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu

Required Texts:

Campion, Jane.  "the Piano."  ISBN 1-56282-703-0/Hyperion.

Giannetti, Louis.  "Understanding Movies."  ISBN 0-13-269036-5
	(includes $10 Blockbuster Video Gift Card)/Prentice Hall.

Schiffhorst, Gerald J. and John F. Schell. "The Short Handbook for
	Writers."  ISBN 0-07-055345-9/McGraw-Hill. 


Materials:  Portfolio, Floppy disks, Blank Video


Assignments:
Assignments marked G indicate Louis Giannetti's " Understanding Movies."

Week:
	01 - 	Course Introduction, Interviews for film crews
			Morning Pages, Prewriting, History of Animation
			Introduction, "Creative Process: Norman McLaren,"
			Chuck Jones in IBM's "The Creative Spirit"
			Read:  G 119-125, 317; G C. 1 "Photography"
			Write:  Film Crew Interview, Morning Pages

	02 - 	Video Production Preparation
			Camcorder Presentation by Meg Schell, OIR
			Computer Presentation by Mark Olkiewicz
			Read:  G "Glossary Terms" marked (G) & (T)
			Pages 505-518; G C. 2 "Mise En Scene"; 
			G C. 5 "Sound"(by Sept.11)
			Practice:  Check out a camcorder and practice
			shots & angles; complete practice before filming
			group project.
			Write:  Morning Pages, (Inclass) focus on
			photography

	03 - 	Video Production Preparation
			Quiz (shots, angles, proxemic patterns)."Visions
			of Light"-history of cinematogpraphy;
			Gillian Anderso video
			Soundtrack Presentation by Dr.Jerry Gardner ("Hook")
			Coordinate film crews & comoposers
			Read:  Viki King handout; finish G C.5 "Sound"
			Write:  Logline and one minute movie due Sept. 11,
			Morning Pages (storyline, character experiments), Memo 

	04 - 	Movement & Editing
			Screen "Black Kites" by Cinematographer
			 Lisa Rinzler
			Read:  G C.3 "Movement" & G C.4 "Editing"
			Write:  Morning Pages, Character Lists due Sept.16, Memo

	05  - 	Screenwriting
			Presentation of  "Someone, Anyone" by 
			Alicia Erian, Screenwriter 
			Read:  G C.9 "Literature" (N xNW Script, P.O.V.), 
			Intro. Personal Essay/Montaigne, Lopate handouts
			Write:  Morning Pages, Memo, Script due Sept.27(F)

	06 - 	Directing
			"Hearts of Darkness"; Student Videos due Oct. 4
			Read:  G C. 6 "Acting " & G C. 7 "Drama"
			Write:  Morning Pages, Memo, Synopsis 
				Personal Essay 1 due Oct. 16 (Wk 8)

	07 - 	Student Videos; Critical Theories 
			Read:  G C. 11 "Theory," "Antaeus..." by Lewis Thomas
			Write:  Wordprocess three questions for Jay Boyar;
				Morning Pages

	08 - 	Criticism
			Presentation by  Jay Boyar, The Orlando Sentinel
			Midterm conferences re: progress and topics for
			research
			Write:  Personal Essay due Oct. 16; Morning Pages
				conclude on Oct. 18;
			[Oct. 18, 1996 is the last day to withdraw]

	09 - 	Documentaries
			Presentation of "Amazon Journal,"
			Anthropological Criticism by Dr. Allyn Stearman
			Critical Review Essay 2 due Nov. 8 (Wk 11)

	10 - 	Story
			"Citizen Kane"
			Read:  G C. 8 "Story," G C.12 "Synthesis"
			Write:  Memo

	11 - 	Myth:  The Hero's Journey, The Bluebeard Myth
			"the Piano"
			Read:  "the Piano"  (cover to cover)
			Write:  Critical Review Essay 2 

	12 - 	Independent Films
			Veterans Day Holiday
			Presentation by Mike Monello of the Enzian Theater
			Spike Lee, Hal Hartley
			Read:  G C. 10
			Write:  Memo

	13 - 	Independent Films continued; Research Papers due Nov.20,1996
			Student presentations to begin Nov. 22, 1996(F)

	14 - 	Student Presentations, Memo
			Thanksgiving Holiday

	15 - 	Student Presentations, Memo
			Last Class: Dec. 06, 1996 (F)

	16 - 	Final Exam:  Dec. 11, 1996 (W) 7:00-9:50 A.M.


	Assignments are subject to change with notification by the instructor;
		some guest speakers may require flexible scheduling.




Policies
	
Gordon Rule:  Students must submit 6,000 words for grading within this
semester.  A grade of "C" or above is an acceptable passing grade (consult
the Undergraduate Catalog for details).

Grading Policy:  See Official Grading Policy Change (handout).
                             
The final grade is primarily determined by an average of the grades on
major assignments created using a variety of media.  In-class writing,
class participation, homework (memos, e-mail responses, etc.) and
demonstration of creativity are also important considerations and receive
the credit of major assignments. 

Class attendance is essential in a workshop course; in-class writing
assignments may not be made up.  Habitual tardiness is disrespectful and
will affect the final grade.  Three (3) unexcused absences are allowed
before the final grade is lowered one letter grade per absence.  25%
absence = "F"

All papers are to be word processed in a 12 point font and are due at the
beginning of class on the due-date assigned [submit late papers in class
at the beginning of the next class].  LATE PAPERS are penalized one letter
grade.  E-mail assignments have separate instructions.


Plagiarism is the basis for an "F" (consult the Undergraduate Catalog).


Instructional Support:  In addition to personal assistance from the instructor,
students may request tutoring from SARC.  Consult the instructor for more
information.


Portfolio Assignment:  Consistent with the professional nature of the
writer's workshop, students will develop a portfolio of their works.  The
portfolio will be used for collection of all assignments throughout the
semester; it will also be used to encourage reflection upon those works by
both the writer and his or her peers.  Finally, students will be asked to
conclude the workshop by assessing a selection of their finest work; this
selection should demonstrate mastery of the skills of argumentative
writing, thereby justifying the students' efforts and final grade.