USD Magazine, Fall 2004

ALMANAC

An lndie Intersessi Special Course Teaches USD's Film Students How to Sundance

by Krystn Shrieve W hile some USO students spend Christmas vacation sleeping in or swooshing down the ski slopes, chis year some wiU spend their break attending class, doing homework and writing reports. Bue don't feel coo bad for chem: Their assignments include watching free flicks, rubbing elbows with movie scars and film– makers and - if they're lucky- catching a glimpse of Robert Redford. For the first time, a group of 18 commu– nication studies and business students will be offered a special topics course during the winter intersession, caught at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah. Sundance is an annual festival, founded by famed accor/direccor/ producer Robert Redford, chat's dedicated to developing and exhibiting che work of independent filmmakers. When asked why he signed up for the course, senior Adam Weisman came up with two reasons: "I have such a passion for

dubbed Independent Cinema at the Sundance Film Festival. "The opportunity co go co the Sundance Film Festival, see films I wouldn't otherwise gee to see, meet directors and hear their thought processes is pretty cool," says Weisman. The class, wh ich runs from Jan. 17 co 30,

allows students - who were selected through an application process - to watch and critique the latest independent films, and learn about the business side of filmmaking directly from people in the industry. "This is totally different from me standing up in front of the classroom celling students what they need co know about a film," explains communication studies Professor Eric Pierson, who's co-reaching the special course with colleague Roger Pace. "This is an excellent opportunity co allow our students co gee some face rime with professional film– makers working in che industry. " To learn about che academics of the film industry, students will form mock corporations and write business reports explaining which films they would purchase. In their reporcs, students must justify their decisions by discussing the audience each film could expect co draw and the marketing approach they would propose co promote each film. The craft of filmmaking will be explored

further, both in panel discussions chat the class will attend with professionals and during less formal meet-and-greet sessions at local cafes, designed ro lee students chat with industry insiders who stop in. "Independent cinema is always exciting because the subject matter is often different from mainstream movies, and we see experi– mental techniques from directors who are willing co cake risks," says Pace, who joined USD's faculty 18 years ago. "We're hopeful char producers, screenwriters and directors will come to the classes we'll be teaching at Sundance, and that maybe students will come away chinking, 'Well, if they did it, then I can coo."' The filmmakers' fever is sure co be caught by Weisman. He's written a couple of screen– plays chat he'll carry with him while at Sundance. One is a coming-of-age story

filmmaking, and I wane co go on co film school

graduate."

The com-

course, which is

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