syllabus

FA350 Syllabus F'10-A.doc Page 1 of 3
Bogazici University
Dept. of Western Languages & Literatures
Film Studies Certificate Program
Fall 2010
FA 350: Film Project
Mondays 11:00 – 13:50 (TB 415)
Instructor: Can Candan
E‐mail: can.candan@boun.edu.tr
Office: Natuk Birkan Z‐09
Office phone: 212‐359‐6485
Office hours: Mondays and Thursdays by appointment only
DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed as a workshop for students enrolled in the Film Studies Certificate Program, who have successfully
completed the 3 core courses (FA 341 History of Cinema, FA 348 Introduction to Film Analysis, FA 349 Film Theory) and
who have a semester‐long project they want to realize. This project can be a film studies or a filmmaking project: either
intensive directed research and writing of a paper or the production of a short film and its written analysis, or any other
film‐related project and its written analysis. Therefore, it is assumed that the participant has an adequate background in
film studies and is ready to embark on a semester long project of her/his own design. Students have to submit a written
project proposal to request instructor’s consent to take this course.
PROCEDURES:
The class will meet once a week on Mondays for 3 hours or as needed. The sessions will include project presentations, film
screenings, and discussions. Since this is a project workshop, it will be guided by the your specific needs and challenges
you face during the semester. I will be available to you by appointment only to discuss any matter related to this course.
You can always reach me via e‐mail.
Readings: There is no required text but there will be assigned readings and handouts throughout the course tailored to
students’ specific needs. By definition you are required to do all the assigned readings.
Term Project: Each student is required to plan and execute a term project (usually one of the two options below) and
present and discuss her/his work in three phases:
(A) a research/theoretical paper OR
1. First phase: Preparation
a. paper proposal
b. literature/film search
c. bibliography/filmography
2. Second phase: Research
a. reading & research
b. outline
3. Third phase: Writing
a. first draft
b. second draft
(B) a production
1. First phase: Pre‐production
a. project proposal
b. treatment/script
c. complete proposal and preproduction
folder
2. Second phase: Production
a. shooting and screening of raw
footage
b. post‐production prep work
3. Third phase: Post‐production
a. Rough cut (editing script,
assembly cut, first cut)
b. Final cut and an analysis paper
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Progress reports: Every week before class, each student is required to submit a project progress report via e‐mail.
Presentation of Assignments: All written assignments should be typed (1.5‐spaced, 10‐point font) and printed on A4
paper. When applicable, proper footnotes, references and/or bibliography are required. The first page of your assignment
should always contain this information:
your name
course code and title
assignment title (to specify which assignment it is)
date of submission
All written assignments should be submitted on paper, as well as e‐mailed to me by the due dates. Always keep a copy for
yourself.
All video assignments should be submitted on DVD, ready to be played on any DVD player or computer. DVDs should have
the same information (your name, course code and title, assignment name, date of submission) written on them. Make
sure to test the DVDs before submitting it.
Due dates must be observed. Late submission of assignments is not acceptable.
Participation: As this is a project workshop, your participation is crucial and you are responsible to the workshop group.
You are expected to attend all sessions and do all the reading, writing, or production assignments, as well as to participate
in the class discussions and present your own work. EACH TIME WE MEET YOU WILL PRESENT A PROGRESS REPORT IN
CLASS.
ASSESSMENT:
Important Note on Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the use of another person’s work or ideas as if they were your own. When it is
necessary or desirable to use other people’s material you should adequately acknowledge whose words or ideas they are
and where you found them (giving the complete reference details, including page numbers). If you submit a written
assignment where you make use of other people’s work (from books or articles, the Internet, DVD contents/covers,
friends, etc.) without acknowledging it and attempting to pass it off as your own you will fail this course and you may also
be subject to disciplinary action by the university.
Grades:
Based on her/his performance, each student will receive a letter grade, calculated using the assessment method below:
Participation (includes progress reports): 30%
Term project:
First phase 20%
Second phase 20%
Third phase 30%
Total 100%
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COURSE SCHEDULE: (14 Weeks)
(This schedule and its contents are subject to change as necessary during the semester.)
Week 1 (27 September 2010):
Introduction to course; overview of process, presentation of project proposals
FIRST PHASE
Week 2 (4 October 2010):
Presentation and discussion of proposals
Week 3 (11 October 2010):
DUE: Revised proposal
Week 4 (18 October 2010):
DUE: Literature/film search results or treatment/script first draft
Week 5 (25 October 2010):
DUE: Bibliography/filmography or pre‐production folder (including proposal second draft)
SECOND PHASE
Week 6 (1 November 2010):
Presentation of research findings or screening of raw footage
Week 7 (8 November 2010):
Presentation of research findings or screening of raw footage
Week 8 (15 November 2010): NO CLASS – Holiday
Week 9 (22 November 2010):
DUE: outline due or post‐production prep work
Week 10 (29 November 2010):
DUE: writing sample #1 or editing script
THIRD PHASE
Week 11 (6 December 2010):
DUE: writing sample #2 or assembly cut
Week 12 (13 December 2010):
DUE: first draft or first cut
Week 13 (20 December 2010):
Presentation of work in progress
Week 14 (27 December 2010):
DUE: second draft or second cut
Final project presentations during finals week.