The works of Italy's most influential filmmaker in the most crucial years of Italy's recent history (1953-1973) are examined to understand the persuasive power of the mise-en-scene that, while presenting itself as totally false, induces a powerful sense of experiential truth in the audience. By understanding how Fellini persuade us with his stories, we understand how we are made of stories ourselves.

This course introduces students to the history, practice, and cultural impact of film festivals, with a special focus on UMass Amherst's long-standing tradition of festival curation and programming. UMass has been home to a vibrant festival culture for decades, including the Massachusetts Multicultural Film Festival (MMFF, now in its 30+ years), the Catalan Film Festival, and the Latin American, Indigenous, and Lusophone film festivals, among others.

We will view, analyze, and discuss films by modern documentary masters such as Michael Moore ("Sicko"), Chris Paine, ("Revenge of the Electric Car"), Seth Gordon ("The King of Kong - A Fistful of Quarters"), Pamela Yates ("Granito") and many others to further the understanding of the documentary craft and art from a filmmaker's perspective. Students will also do preproduction (research and treatment) for their own short documentary, along with shorter hands-on exercises in writing narration, interview techniques, etc.

We will view, analyze, and discuss films by modern documentary masters such as Michael Moore ("Sicko"), Chris Paine, ("Revenge of the Electric Car"), Seth Gordon ("The King of Kong - A Fistful of Quarters"), Pamela Yates ("Granito") and many others to further the understanding of the documentary craft and art from a filmmaker's perspective. Students will also do preproduction (research and treatment) for their own short documentary, along with shorter hands-on exercises in writing narration, interview techniques, etc.

A close examination of films directed by women from around the globe through the viewpoint of gender and film theories. (Gen. Ed. HS, DG)

A close examination of films directed by women from around the globe through the viewpoint of gender and film theories. (Gen. Ed. HS, DG)

The works of Italy's most influential filmmaker in the most crucial years of Italy's recent history (1953-1973) are examined to understand the persuasive power of the mise-en-scene that, while presenting itself as totally false, induces a powerful sense of experiential truth in the audience. By understanding how Fellini persuade us with his stories, we understand how we are made of stories ourselves.

This is a course in writing unconventional screenplays, singular film scripts that not only take innovative forms but also tell stories not often found in established film and media production. We will read from an international selection of screenplays, examine clips from unconventional films, and address questions of representation, inclusion, and the work of writing underrepresented characters and untold narratives for the screen. ?Untold? signifies in two ways?it can mean boundless or limitless, and it can refer to a narrative that is not yet recounted.