FIL 1055

American Independent Cinema

Syllabus

Text:

Levy, Emmanuel. Cinema of Outsiders. First Edition. New York University Press, 1999. ISBN#: 0-8147-5124-5

Author’s Website: http://emanuellevy.com/
 

PowerPoint Lecture Notes 

Please click on the corresponding button below for the illustrated Lecture Notes for this course:

If you cannot view the Lecture Notes, please download Macromedia FLASH for free here.  You may also need to enable "cookies" in your Web Browser.

Course Syllabus

Course Description:

This is an introductory level course on the history of the American Independent Film Movement, beginning with the “beat” films of John Cassavetes from the 1950s, through the counter-culture cinema of the sixties, the midnight movies of the seventies, and the rise of the new independent filmmakers of the eighties and nineties.

Emphasis is placed on the breakthrough films of now-mainstream directors and how those films established their careers.

The course also focuses on the role of the American Independent Film Movement as a medium of expression for minorities and multicultural social groups.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Several films screened in this course have never been rated and contain vulgar language, nudity, violence, shocking imagery and aberrant behavior that may be offensive to some students.

Course Objectives:

Identify and discuss the films that have played a major role in the history of the American Independent Film Movement

Critique films within their historical context

Draw inferences and apply the strategies of Independent Film Production to the student’s future career as a filmmaker

Competencies:

Competency 1:           
The student will be able to identify and discuss the films that have played a major role in the history of the American Independent Film movement by:
1. Watching those films in and outside of class
2. Participating in instructor-led discussions of those films
3.  Listening to lectures in class and reading about those films in textbook assignments

Competency 2:           
 The student will be able to critique films within their historical and cultural contexts by:
1. Recognizing the content and context identifiers of the American independent film movement
2. Developing an awareness of the cultural/socio-political factors that shaped the independent film movement
3. Participating in instructor-led discussions of those films
4. Watching examples of those films in and outside of class

Competency 3:           
The student will be able to apply the strategies of Independent Film Production to his/her future career as a filmmaker by:
1. Identifying the factors that have made independent films successful
2. Analyzing the strategies utilized by independent filmmakers to achieve recognition
3. Developing a personal career strategy that incorporates elements from those of other successful independent filmmakers

Learning Methods:

Outcomes and competencies will be achieved through viewing a variety of films, lectures, readings, quizzes on reading assignments and writing a research paper on any film shown in class.

Course Requirements:

Quizzes: There will be four quizzes based on reading assignments. These will be mostly matching and fill-in the blanks with one essay question.

Paper. A fully researched critical paper (5-8 pages) on any film viewed in class.  All research papers are scanned by anti-plagiarism software.

Attendance is mandatory (see attendance policy below)

 There is NO FINAL EXAM
 

Grading/Evaluation:

• Quizzes  (4 at 100 points each)  400

• Paper      (1 at 500 points)            500

• Attendance                                      100

      Total points accumulated throughout course:

• 900-1000  = A

• 800-899    = B

• 700-799    = C

• 600-699    = D

• Under 599 = F

Attendance Policy:
 
Attendance is crucial to the successful completion of this course; therefore, there are no excused absences. Perfect attendance receives 100 points towards the final grade of 1,000 points.
 
During FALL and SPRING terms, the student is deducted 10 points from the final grade for each of the first four absences.  For the fifth and sixth absences, 100 points are deducted for each.  Seven absences result in an automatic F. 

During SUMMER terms, the student is deducted 10 points from the final grade for each of the first two absences.  For the third and fourth absences, 100 points are deducted for each.  Five absences result in an automatic F. 
 
Two late arrivals, after the roll is called, constitute one absence. Leaving before the class and/or film are over constitute one absence.

Make-Up Policy

Students may make-up any missed quizzes, without penalty, on the last day of class after taking Quiz #4.

Extra Credit and Emails

Your professor regularly uses your mymdc.edu email address so send important class announcements, including opportunities to receive extra credit.  It is the students' responsibility to check  their mymdc.edu email account regularly to keep themselves informed.

Withdrawal:

It is the student’s responsibility to initiate the withdrawal process before the established deadline for the term.  Otherwise, an F will be issued at the end of the course.

Cell Phone and PDA Policy:

All cellular phones, PDAs, Blackberries or any other electronic communications devices (now in existence or yet to be developed) must be TURNED OFF and cannot be consulted during the duration of the class.  Failure to observe this rule will result in immediate expulsion from the class.

Disability Statement:

Students with documented special learning and/or physical needs should contact the Student Access Office on Campus and inform the instructor so that proper accommodations can be made.

Ethics Policy:

Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated and violators will be subjected to the policies stated in the Student Handbook.

Class Meetings and Assignments

First Class Meeting

Introduction to the course.

Lecture: Chapter 1. 

Film:  David Lynch’s “Eraserhead”

Second Class Meeting

Lecture: Chapter 2 (pp. 52-82)

Film: John Waters’ “Pink Flamingos”

Reading Assignment: Chapter 2 (pp. 82-101)

Fourth Class Meeting

Lecture: Chapter 3 (pp. 102-124).

Film:  John Cassavetes’ “Shadows”

Reading Assignment: Chapter 3 (pp. 124-151)

Fifth Class Meeting

Quiz #1 on Chapters 1-3 (pp. 1-119)

Lecture: Chapter 3 (pp. 124-151)

Film: Quentin Tarantino’s “Reservoir Dogs”

Reading Assignment: Chapter 4

Sixth Class Meeting

Lecture: Chapter 4

Film: Robert Rodríguez’ “El Mariachi”

Reading Assignment: Chapter 5 (pp. 184-208)

Seventh Class Meeting

Lecture: Chapter 5 (pp.184-208)

Film: Slava Tsukerman’s “Liquid Sky”

Reading Assignment: Chapter 5 (pp. 208-217)

Eighth Class Meeting

Lecture: Chapter 5 (pp. 208-217)

Film: Kevin Smith’s “The Snowball Effect”—The Making of Clerks

Assignment: Study Chapters 4 and 5 for quiz

Ninth Class Meeting

Quiz #2 on Chapters 4 and 5

Lecture: Chapter 6

Film: John Dahl’s “The Last Seduction”

Reading Assignment: Chapter 7

Tenth Class Meeting

Lecture: Chapter 7

Film: Christopher Guest’s “Waiting for Guffman”

Reading Assignment: Chapter 8

Eleventh Class Meeting

Lecture: Chapter 8

Film: Todd Solondz’ “Happiness”

Reading Assignment: Chapter 9

Twelfth Class Meeting

Lecture: Chapter 9

Film: Leon Ichaso’s “Bitter Sugar”

Assignment: Study Chapters 6-9 for quiz.

Thirteenth Class Meeting

Quiz #3 on Chapters 6-9

Lecture: Chapter 10

Film: Allison Anders’ “Gas Food, Lodging”

Reading Assignment: Chapter 10

Fourteenth Class Meeting

Lecture: Chapter 11

Film: Carl Franklin’s “One False Move”

Fifteenth Class Meeting

Lecture: Chapter 12

Film: Todd Haynes’ “Poison”

Sixteenth Class Meeting

Quiz #4 on Chapters 10-12

PAPER DUE TODAY

Must be turned in no later than five minutes after the start of class.  NO LATE SUBMISSIONS ALLOWED

 End of Course

BACK TO TOP