¡Accion! Filmmaking in Spanish

Abstract

¡Accion! Filmmaking in Spanish Bridget Franco “Soy un ojo. Un ojo mecánico. Yo, la máquina, les muestro un mundo del único modo que puedo verlo. Estoy en constante movimiento. Me aproximo a los objetos y me alejo de ellos . . . Libre de las fronteras del tiempo y del espacio coordino cualquiera y todos los puntos del universo. Mi camino lleva a la creación de una nueva percepción del mundo. Por eso explico de un modo nuevo el mundo desconocido para nosotros.” Dziga Vertov, Manifiesto del cine-ojo (1924) Course Description Through a hands-on learning approach to the art of filmmaking, students will explore and experiment with the core components of cinematographic production: screenplay writing, directing, lighting, sound engineering, camera technique, and digital editing (conducted entirely in Spanish). As a focused language course, the class is designed to introduce students to the artistic and technical terminology employed in Spanish and Latin American film production. Moreover, students will purposefully use this language as they write, design, create and edit film projects of their own. To this end, each week of class will be divided into two parts: (1) learning the specific terminology associated with particular aspects of filmmaking through film screenings, movie reviews, textbooks, and online resources; and (2) using this focused language in a direct, applied manner through film analysis, cinematographic productions and digital movie editing. Finally, this course includes a Community-Based Learning component in which students will consult and collaborate with a local organization that serves Spanish-speakers to create and produce a short film that serves the community partner’s needs. Prerequisites: SPAN 301 or 302. This course fulfills the “Focused Language” area requirement or an elective for the Spanish major (it does not fulfill the “Culture and Cinema” area). Technology “Acción! Filmmaking in Spanish” is a technology-facilitated course. Upon signing the requisite contract, students will be loaned an iPad for which they will be responsible for the duration of the semester. Students will not be able to purchase the iPad at the end of the semester. [End Page 316] Required Textbooks & Digital Technology 1. La imagen: Análisis y representación de la realidad by Roberto Aparici. Gedisa Editorial: Barcelona, Spain, 2009/2010. ISBN: 978-8497842082. 2. El lenguaje cinematográfico by Robert Edgar-Hunt, John Marland, Steven Rawle. Parramon Ediciones: Barcelona, Spain, 2011. ISBN: 978-8434237803. 3. CINEGLOS: http://sites.holycross.edu/cineglos/ 4. iPad Air (loaned by Center for Teaching & ITS) Learning Goals – to learn and master the language and terminology of cinematography in Spanish through active immersion in film productions and firsthand experience with digital movie editing – to further develop oral and written communicative skills in Spanish – to hone film analysis skills by learning how to articulate the relationship between content and cinematographic form – to find meaningful connections between students’ academic work and issues in the local Latino/Latin American community Community-Based Learning Project This course has a mandatory Community-Based Learning component in which you will collaborate with one of our local partners to design, create, produce and edit a short promotional, documentary or fictional film that will serve the needs of the organization’s Spanish-speaking clients. This aspect of the course will expose you to the diversity of Latino & Latin American populations in the community, help you perfect and gain confidence in your speaking and listening skills in a real life setting, and deploy your intellectual knowledge to create a tangible product that will benefit the local community. Surveys and reflection papers from past students clearly point to the ways in which Community-Based Learning broadened their perspective on life beyond the gates of Mount St. James and deepened their understanding of Latin American and U.S. Latino culture. Please note that the CBL component of this course is mandatory and will require regular trips to the local Worcester community. Course Content Students’ performance in the class will be measured by quizzes on film terminology, written and digital homework assignments, a midterm film project, classroom grade, and a complete CBL portfolio including the final iMovie project for each team’s community partner. 1. Homework Assignments: 10% 2. Quizzes (5): 20% 3. Midterm Film Project...