Venue: University of Alicante campus.

Contact hours: 45 hours. (4 credits)
Fees: 160 Euros for UA students and 180 Euros for non UA students.
Registration: From March 1st until the course is full
On-line registration available: www.isp.ua.es

Requirements: Intermediate English Level

Director:

             Víctor Pina Medina
              Dpto. Filología Inglesa. Universidad de Alicante

Faculty:

              Prof. José Ramón Calvo Ferrer
              Dpto. Filología Inglesa. Universidad de Alicante

Assistants:

Prof. Benjamin Rees
Prof. Zachary Lavengood

University of Memphis (USA)

 

OBJECTIVES

On successful completion of this program students should be able to:

• Understand cinema theory and filmmaking processes.
• Critically analyse key issues in contemporary Spanish and U.S. cinema industry.
• Understand and identify cultural and social issues that are present in such films.
• Critically analyse the main contemporary social issues in Spain and the U.S.
• Gain knowledge about the current situation of the filmmaking industry in Spain and the U.S.
• Identify basic filming techniques and apply them to the creation of a short film.
•  

METHODOLOGY

The course will use a combined methodology. On one hand, relevant matters for the comprehension of technical procedures will be explained, such as camera movements, shots, storyboard making and use of film editing software. On the other hand, participants are required to take active part in the discussion of films viewed in class and in the creation of an original short film.

Moreover, in order to experience formal application of elements seen in class, participants will also visit an in-area film studio where international productions are made, a sound studio where films are dubbed into Spanish, attend an international cinema festival and actively participate in a variety of cultural events that take place both in campus and the province of Alicante.

COURSE LENGTH

45 hours.

CONTENTS

1. Introduction. Filmmaking processes and techniques. Camera movements and shots. How to create a script.
2. Screening and debate. Social Networking:
   The Social Network (2010), David fincher
   Trust (2010), David Schwimmer
   Double check (2012), Pablo Caballero
    
3. Screening and debate. Terrorism
   El lobo (2004), Miguel Courtois
   United 93 (2006), Paul Greengrass
    
4. Screening and debate. Employment and economic crisis:
   Inside Job (2010), Charles Ferguson
   Allanamiento de morada (1998), Mateo Gil
    
5. Screening and debate. Drugs:
   Requiem for a Dream (2000), Darren Aronofsky
   Paraísos artificiales (1997), Achero Mañas
    
6. Screening and debate. Stereotypes:
   Gordos (2009), Daniel Sánchez Arévalo
   Contracuerpo (2007), Eduardo Chapero-Jackson
   Napoleon Dynamite (2004), Jared Hess
    
7. Screening and debate. The Gun Debate:
   Bowling for Columbine (2002), Michael Moore
   Sunday's game (1999), Jene Laufenberg

COURSE PLANNING

 

MONDAY 15

09:00 – 10:30: Introduction.
                          José Ramón Calvo Ferrer
                          Benjamin Rees
                          Zachary Lavengood

10:30 – 13:30  Screening and debate: The Social Network (2010), David Fincher
                     
15:00 – 19:30  Screening and debate: Trust (2010), David Schwimmer, Double Check (2012), Pablo Caballero

 

TUESDAY 16

09:00 – 13:30  Field trip: Ciudad de la Luz International Film Studios. Screening and debate: El lobo (2004), Miguel Courtois

15:00 - 19:30   Screening and debate: United 93 (2006), Paul Greengrass

 

WEDNESDAY 17

09:00 – 13:30: Screening and debate: Inside Job (2010), Charles Ferguson. Allanamiento de morada (1998), Mateo Gil
                        
15:00 – 19:30: Screening and debate: Requiem for a Dream (2000), Darren Aronofsky. Paraísos artificiales (1997), Achero Mañas

 

THURSDAY 18

09:00 - 13:30 Screening and debate:  Gordos (2009), Daniel Sánchez Arévalo. Contracuerpo (2007), Eduardo Chapero- Jackson.
                                                                     Napoleon Dynamite (2004). Jared Hess

16:00 – 00:00 Field trip: Alfaz del Pi International Film Festival.                      

FRIDAY 19

09:00 – 13:30 Screening an debate:  Sunday's Game (1999), jene Laufenberg. Bowling for Columbine (2002), Michael Moore.

13:30 – 14:30 Diplomas.

EVALUATION

Students participation and class involvement is of extreme importance. Students are expected to take active part in debates and propose various ideas for the discussion of films, as well as to show interest in the creation of a short film which will be screened at the end of the course. Evaluation will be calculated as follows:

• Completion of tasks during screening of films (15%). Students will be handed a sheet of paper they will have to fill in with specific information from the relevant film.
• Homework assigned (15%).
• Students’ participation and motivation (20%). Out-of-class film watching and discussion is also encouraged and highly valued.
• Composition of a final paper (approx. 1500 words.) on any of the topics discussed in class (25%). Please note that critical reasoning is required – do not write about actors’ bio details or about mere successions of facts and events. Instructors must be informed about students’ proposal for approval of topic chosen.
• Creation of a collective original short film in Spanish and English where the techniques and processes discussed in class are put into practice (25%).

 

ORGANIZED WITH