Film & Media Studies

The course analyzes films which center on Berlin or which are set in Berlin. Students consider the changes seen in cityscape and everyday life over the last 100 years, but also the city’s social and political transformation. The films are also analyzed for their portrayal of the most important stages of German history. The course begins with studying films from the Weimar Republic, through postwar films from East and West Germany, and to the present. Films discussed may include: “MENSCHEN AM SONNTAG” (1930), “BERLIN – ECKE SCHÖNHAUSER” (1959), “EINS, ZWEI DREI“ (1961), “REDUPERS” (1978), “LOLA RENNT” (1998), and “BERLIN CALLING” (2008).

This course provides an overview of working in the United Kingdom and of the current economic situation in the country. It further discusses how the economic situation affects the workplace, how students can integrate into British working life, and how they can make the most of their internship placements. Topics include current political and economic climate, national legal framework, structure and workflow, integration of immigrants into the workforce, discrimination in the workplace, and comparison between U.K. and U.S. work experiences.

This course adheres to the concept of general education, based on the main body of film art, and also on the appeal of film works and the unique analysis of artistic styles. It uses film case analysis as a method and audiovisual language as a basic tool. The audio-visual language and narrative techniques of movies are studied for their artistic and ideological nature, so that students can understand the rules of film art creation, and master the great aesthetic value of the film (ideological and emotional), so as to cultivate their thinking ability and creative ability.

Cinema dance is an intensive workshop to make a short film. The practicum is offered over four intensive days under the supervision of FAMU faculty. Entering the practicum with an explored given theme, students (in teams of five) proceed through all stages to the production of a 5-minute narrative film. Stages include preparation of screenplay under mentorship supervisor, creating shot list, rehearsing actors, receiving instruction on technical equipment, shooting on location, and the post-production processes of editing and creating a soundtrack. Every phase of their work is carried out under the supervision of faculty mentors, and the support of FAMU production staff.