Fall 2024: September 9 – December 27
Subject: FILM
Course Level: 100
Number of Credits: 4 U.S. / 8 ECTS
Max Enrollment: 22
Schedule: Mon Wed 17:50 – 19:10 CET (Berlin) | Mon Wed 11:50 AM – 1:10 PM EDT (New York)
Distributional Area: Analysis of Art
Language of Instruction: English
Course Prerequisites: English B2 / Equivalent or higher

With the technological development of image recording devices (video cameras, mobile phones, GoPros, etc.) moving images frame our everyday life. However, the questions of cinematic literacy remain open to anyone who is interested in developing her/his/their visual language. The accessibility of technology doesn’t simultaneously bring the accessibility of cinematic expression: some additional efforts have to be undertaken. 

This practice-based course aims to introduce the basics of the cinematic language and grammar including its key technical concepts of a camera, film/video formats, lighting techniques, camera movement, composition, and other important aspects of film/video production. It offers an opportunity to apply the acquired knowledge in practice immediately. The introduction to the basics of scriptwriting will allow students to learn how to transform their ideas through writing toward visual implementations. We will shoot exercises, analyze them collectively, watch and discuss films, and possibly, the end result will be short films by the participants. This class aims to learn about how to communicate with the world through images and sounds and how to find one’s own voice through cinema.

Guidelines for the Statement of Purpose:
Craft a reflective statement of purpose explaining your interest in the Smolny Beyond Borders online course. The file should be saved with your name and course title as the filename and uploaded accordingly. Your statement’s clarity and substance will significantly influence our selection. Convey your motivations and aspirations for this course succinctly but thoroughly. Kindly write your statement in the course’s Language of Instruction.

Application Portal Instructions:
1) Use the Latin alphabet for all entries on the portal, including your name. If the Language of Instruction is Russian, you may use Cyrillic only within the Statement of Purpose file, and the title of the file should still be in English.
2) Refrain from using email addresses associated with Russian or Belarusian educational institutions.
3) While completing the “Required Information” section, ensure you fill in the “Province” field for your address.
4) Provide an address outside Russia or Belarus in both the “Required Information” and “Geographic Location Confirmation” sections of the “Online Course Application”. This ensures we can send your transcript.
5) You must press the “Sign” button twice during the application.
6) If you hold a bachelor’s degree, select “4th+” in the “Academic Year (online)” section.
7) Applicants either unaffiliated or affiliated with educational institutions in Russia and Belarus should list ‘Smolny Beyond Borders’ as their educational institution.
8) In the student ID section, enter ‘SBB’.
9) Consider drafting your motivation letter ahead of time. Save it as a separate file with this format: LastName_FirstName_CourseTitle for a smoother application process.