Film Festival Experience
Modality: In Person
Lectures: Mondays 5:40 PM to 8:10 PM
North Campus, Room 2147
Professor Agustin Gonzalez
Office: North Campus Room 2235
Best way to reach me: Agonza29@mdc.edu *
*If you reach me with a question answered in the syllabus, I will reply with a link to the syllabus.
Office Hours
Tuesday 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM (North Campus, In Person or Remote)
Thursday 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM (Remote Only)
Wednesday 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM (North Campus, In Person or Remote)
Office hours help students seek clarification and support on assignments, discussions, lectures, and projects. Office hours are not, however, a substitute for missed classes. Though these are my official office hours, the remote environment affords me much additional flexibility throughout the week; if these hours do not work, please contact me, and I would be happy to accommodate you at a different time.
You can schedule an appointment using the following Calendly link: Schedule an appointment
I am here to help you and support you. Please talk to me should you have problems keeping up with the class.
Course Description and Competencies
An immersive experience in the Miami Film Festival. Students engage directly with films and filmmakers through their attendance to festival screenings and professional panels and discussions. Students also become acquainted with a festival’s organization by participating as festival volunteers and by programming their own student film festival.
Competency 1: Students understand the basic logistical structure of a festival organization.
Competency 2: Students identify key attributes of independent cinema.
Through the academic disciplines and co-curricular activities, MDC provides multiple, varied, and intentional learning experiences to facilitate the acquisition of fundamental knowledge and skills. MDC's Ten Learning Outcomes foster effective citizenship and life-long learning.
In addition to the competencies listed above, this class will require that you:
Learning Outcome 1: Communicate effectively using listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
Learning Outcome 9: Demonstrate an appreciation for aesthetics and creative activities
Textbook
There is no textbook for this class.
Technology
For this class you are required to have a computer with an internet connection in order to access Blackboard, Facebook, and Filmfreeway.
Attendance
Course Withdrawal
It is your responsibility to withdraw from the course. However, I reserve the right to withdraw students from the course if:
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They are absent more than three times before the last day to withdraw from courses with a “W” grade per the Academic Calendar
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They have not completed the majority of the required work before before the last day to withdraw from courses with a “W” grade per the Academic Calendar
Students who meet the above criteria will receive an email stating that they will be withdrawn from the course.
Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. If students are suspected of classroom cheating, plagiarism, or otherwise misrepresenting their work, they will be subject to procedural due process as laid out in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following:
• cheating on an examination;
• receiving help from others in work to be submitted, if contrary to the stated rules of the course;
• plagiarizing; that is, the taking and claiming as one's own the ideas, writings, or work of another, without citing the sources;
• submitting work from another course unless permitted by the instructor;
• stealing examinations or course materials;
• falsifying records;
• assisting anyone to do any of the above.
Disability Statement
Students who have a disability that might affect their performance in the class are encouraged to contact Access Services in confidence as soon as possible. The office will aid in appropriate accommodations for the student. This is in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Please inform me during the first week of classes if you need special accommodations due to a disability that might otherwise affect your performance in our class.
Success In This Class
Turn in all assignments: There is not much work, but it is important.
Fulfill your commitments: Whether it's your volunteer hours or screening and activities, attending the events you are registered for is where the value lies. Remember, from this point forward you represent me and this institution.
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Assignment #1: Provide a Copy of Your ID
Assignment #2: Volunteer Hours
Please submit a copy of the front and back of your ID through Canvas. ID must have Date of Birth and Name.
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You will be volunteering with the festival for ten hours during the week of the festival. I will be providing a schedule of shifts that will be available. These shifts are likely to be the week before the Festival. If you are interning for the festival, you do not need to volunteer additional hours.
Assignment #3: Ticket Order
You will be selecting 11 events from the festival schedule that you want to attend. Everything is available to you. If you wish to go to a party, you must be over 21. If you are interning for the festival you will have access to everything with a badge and you get to decide how many events and how much you would like to do. If you are interning your priority is fulfill your internship obligations.
Assignment #4: Festival Journal
Objective: To create a multimedia journal using Adobe Spark Express that reflects on your experience at the Miami Film Festival. This assignment aims to help you document and share your thoughts, impressions, and experiences from the festival.
Instructions:
Step 1: Preparing for the Assignment
Before attending the Miami Film Festival, make sure to do the following:
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Familiarize yourself with Adobe Spark Express (if you're not already).
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Ensure you have access to a camera or smartphone for capturing pictures and videos.
Step 2: Festival Experience Journal
During the Miami Film Festival, your task is to document your experiences. Here's what you need to include in your journal:
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Movies: Write a brief review or reflection on each of the three movies you watch. Discuss your thoughts on the storyline, acting, cinematography, and any other aspects that stood out to you. Mention the titles of the movies and their directors.
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People: Describe the people you meet during the festival. This could include fellow film enthusiasts, filmmakers, actors, or festival organizers. Share any interesting conversations, connections, or networking experiences you have.
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Parties: If you attend any festival-related parties or events, document your experiences. Describe the atmosphere, the people you meet, and any memorable moments. Include details like the venue, date, and theme of the parties.
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Multimedia: Incorporate pictures and videos into your journal to enhance your storytelling. Include images of movie posters, film scenes, selfies with new acquaintances, or any other visuals that help convey your experience.
Step 3: Reflection
In a separate section of your journal, write a reflective essay on your overall experience at the Miami Film Festival. Consider the following questions to guide your reflection:
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What were your expectations before attending the festival, and how did they change during the event?
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How did the films you watched and the people you met impact your understanding of cinema and the film industry?
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What were the most memorable moments or insights you gained from the festival?
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Did the festival inspire you in any way, whether in your appreciation of film or in your personal or professional goals?
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How has this experience enriched your understanding of cultural events and the arts in general?
Step 4: Creating Your Adobe Spark Express Journal
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Visit the Adobe Spark Express website or use the mobile app.
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Create a new project and choose the Webpage format.
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Organize your journal into sections for Movies, People, Parties, etc.
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Write your reflections, add images and videos, and use the built-in tools to format and design your journal.
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Ensure your journal is visually appealing, easy to navigate, and tells a compelling story.
Step 4: Submission
Once your Miami Film Festival Experience Journal is complete, publish the site and copy paste the link into Canvas.
Grading Criteria: This assignment will be graded based on whether you have successfully completed all the required sections: Movies, People, Parties (If attended), Reflection.
Assignment #5: Filmmaker Conversation and Report
Objective: Engage in a casual conversation with a filmmaker at the Miami Film Festival and report on your exchange. The goal is to encourage networking and gather insights while fostering a relaxed and informative discussion.
Conversation Report
After your conversation with the filmmaker, write a report that includes the following elements:
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Filmmaker and Film Information:
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Provide the name of the filmmaker you spoke with and the title of their film featured at the festival.
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Brief Career Summary:
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Give a concise summary of the filmmaker's career and notable achievements in the film industry.
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Contact Details:
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Describe how you made contact with the filmmaker. Did you attend a screening, meet them at an event, or use another approach? Share the context of your interaction.
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Significant Information:
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Summarize the key information and insights you gathered during the conversation. Highlight any interesting anecdotes or perspectives shared by the filmmaker.
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Reflection:
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Reflect on what you learned from your discussion. Discuss how this encounter might impact your understanding of the film industry, your career goals, or your perspective on cinema. Share any personal takeaways.
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Preparing Questions
Before approaching filmmakers, brainstorm a list of questions to have on hand. These questions can serve as conversation starters and help you break the ice. Consider asking about their creative process, inspirations, challenges they've faced, or their advice for aspiring filmmakers.
Grammar and Spelling
Ensure that your report is well-written, free from grammar and spelling errors. Clear communication is essential in conveying your conversation effectively.
Grading Criteria: Your assignment will be graded based on the completeness of the report, the quality of the conversation, and the accuracy of grammar and spelling.
Assignment #6: The Social Conversation
Joining the Facebook Group
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Access our dedicated Facebook Group for festival attendees using the following link: [Insert Facebook Group URL: https://www.facebook.com/groups/760301934122197]
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Request to join the group and wait for approval. Once approved, you will have access to the group's discussions and posts.
Active Participation
Participation in the Facebook Group is mandatory. You are expected to actively engage in the following ways:
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Posting: For every festival event you attend, make at least one post in the Facebook Group. Share pictures, selfies, or group photos taken at festival events.
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Comments: Engage in conversations by commenting on other members' posts. Share your thoughts on the films you've watched, the people you've met, and the festival experience in general.
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Sharing Experiences: Don't limit your posts to ticket pictures. Tell the group about your festival experiences, such as interesting discussions, memorable moments, or connections made.
Utilize this Facebook Group as a space for casual conversations about the films you watch. Share your opinions, recommendations, and insights about the festival's cinematic offerings. Encourage fellow group members to do the same. Remember that this is a public forum, and your interactions are visible to others. Maintain a respectful and professional tone in your comments and posts. Avoid any offensive or disrespectful behavior. Festival Programmers are on this page.
Assignment #7: Film Festival Voting
As a class, we are responsible for programming the MDC Student Film Festival. We will be doing this both online and in person.
I will be determining a new process for programming this year. I will keep you updated.
You are expected to come to every programming session scheduled.
Assignment #8: MDC Student Film Festival
You are expected to attend and will have responsibilities during the MDC Student Film Festival which will be.on Wednesday March 20 from 6PM to 9PM.
On my various syllabi, you will find pictures and trailers for the films that defined my love of cinema. The first thing I remember about Breaking the Waves was the experience of seeing it. I remember having two different reactions to the film once it was over. The first was that I felt nauseous. I had never seen anything shot entirely with a hand-held camera and the movement made me dizzy. The second was anger. I was angry at the movie, at Von Trier, at my friend for taking me to see it, at Emily Watson who plays the main character of Bess. I was angry. I didn’t know about Dogma, The Good Woman Trilogy, or anything about Von Trier. All I knew was that Breaking The Waves was different and that made it seem important. It made me want to learn about it and how the film provoked me. I had gone to college to be a journalist for no particular reason, it just seemed like a good choice. That night, however, there was a seismic shift somewhere in my brain and my direction changed. The next semester I registered for my first film class and my story goes on from there.
Term Calendar
January 8 - Introduction to the Course
We will be going through a lot of logistics that you need to understand.
January 29 - Festival Visit
Festival organizers are coming to class to talk to us about the festival.
February 5 - Programming session 1
Session to program the MDC Student Film Festival
February 12 - Programming session 2
Session to program the MDC Student Film Festival
February 26 - Programming session 3
Session to program the MDC Student Film Festival
Guest Speaker
March 11 - Meet to Discuss Festival Program Release. Tentative Deadline for Festival Selections.
March 18 - Volunteer Training Session and Visit from Festival Director (At Wolfson Campus)
Wednesday March 20 - MDC Student Film Festival
Mandatory
April 5 - 14 - MIAMI FILM FESTIVAL
April 15 - Festival Debrief
Grading
Commitment 40% (Attendance to all events and volunteer hours)
Written Assignments 30% (Please see descriptions for criteria)
Festival Judging 20% (Completion and attendance in all session work)
Social Conversation 10% (1 post for each activity)
Resources
Library: Nine libraries and a number of statewide resources comprise the Learning Resources at Miami Dade College, providing a stimulating learning environment that enhances the classroom experience through a variety of services such as in-person tutoring, information literacy instruction and informative workshops. Link to Library Website
Virtual Tutoring: Learning Resources offers students and faculty a wide array of supplemental assistance to ensure academic success Link to Virtual Tutoring.
Single Stop: Single Stop offers students a wide array of services, including public benefits screening, financial coaching, individual counseling, tax preparation, access to a food pantry, and various other services. All of our services are free to Miami Dade College students and their immediate family members. Link to Single Stop Website.
Mental Health Counseling: Counselors are available on campus during the day and after-hours throughout the week including Saturdays. Students may receive up to 10 free hour-long sessions where they can speak confidentially with a licensed counselor. Sessions during the day may be held either in person (on campus), by phone, or virtually. When filling out the form, please select either daytime or after-hours counseling. Link to Mental Health Counseling Website.
SEDT Academic Advisors: Even as I am available to advise you on classes, SEDT offers in depth academic planning through our two counselors.
James Van Voris: jvanvori@mdc.edu
Both can also be reached at 305-237-1696