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Symposium: Issues in RTVF (398-0-22)

Topic

Curatorial Practices

Instructors

Spencer Parsons

Meeting Info

Louis Hall 119: Wed 4:00PM - 6:50PM

Overview of class

In this course, students will explore what goes into curating, organizing and promoting film screenings and festivals, with the goal of producing a public event as culminating class group project. In the past, students have curated e.g. thematic events featuring short independent films from the Chicago area and even a Northwestern student film festival. We will discuss audience engagement, distribution, and outlets (streaming, broadcast, and brick-and-mortar) for independent films and will interview programmers, who work for festivals, movie theaters, micro cinemas, or cinematheques. Students will come away with a solid understanding of the distribution and exhibition phase, allowing them to navigate that landscape more successfully as independent filmmakers and potentially as programmers. In addition to the class group project, students will also develop an individual proposal for an event or series that can encompass a wide range of work (film, audio, new media).

Learning Objectives

Students will learn concepts of curation, festival programming, and distribution acquisition, demonstrating their understanding through collaboration on a screening of short works and creation of accompanying program material.

Class Materials (Required)

No materials necessary. All viewing materials will be provided by library course reserve and accessible links, and free readings will be posted as PDF on canvas.