Seminar: Studies in Film and Video Prod (479-0-20)

Topic

Mental Health in the Media Arts

Instructors

Ines Rachel Sommer

Meeting Info

Annie May Swift Hall 109: Tues 10:00AM - 12:50PM
Helmerich Auditorium: Thurs 6:00PM - 8:50PM

Overview of class

This is the first class in a two-course sequence, where we creatively interrogate how mental illness/health has been represented on screen. Students will develop a nuanced understanding of the underlying issues and media representations and will apply these critical insights towards their own creative projects. Information provided by guest speakers and film screenings will be balanced with students' work on their own creative projects that center on mental illness/health. These projects may take any form, including fiction, documentary, animation, experimental, docu-fiction/hybrid, essay film, and more. Diversity of storytelling, perspective, form, style, genre, and even technology are all supported. Regular feedback will aid students in taking their projects through the development, writing and production phase with the goal of reaching a stringout or assembly cut by the end of the quarter. The connected second course will be offered during the Spring quarter and will be dedicated to the post-production phase of students' projects.

This course is affiliated with the Pritzker Pucker Studio Lab (PPSL) - Promotion of Mental Health via Cinematic Arts which will provide funding that is to be applied exclusively towards students' project expenses.

Registration Requirements

By application.

Learning Objectives

Students will come away with a deeper understanding of media representations of mental illness/health. They will develop as filmmakers and visual storytellers by growing their understanding of aesthetics, concepts, and technical skills related to the media arts.

Class Materials (Required)

There is no required textbook for this class. Readings will be posted to Canvas