Course Description/Objectives:
- This hybrid class will explore a variety of award-winning films and filmmakers
through the lens of some of the industry’s greatest filmmakers. This course will explore (through select films) the impact of storytelling, art direction, camera techniques, composing, and acting through – in-class dialogue, student-research, external readings, filmmaker interviews, online postings, and written projects . We will discover the influence of these filmmakers on the film viewing public and the critics who recognize and evaluate their work. Through this course, students will also get a closer look at why the film industry lobbies for award-winning honors each year, and why it is important for film-viewing consumers to understand the importance of film awards-season. - This course also hopes to give students a better understanding on how to evaluate
award-winning filmmakers, and how to compare and contrast award-caliber selections. - The course has three main components each week – evaluation lab, online dialogue, and in-class dialogue seminar. Weekly, students will individually view select films that represent award-winning filmmakers, and conduct regular dialogue, outside reading, research and written evaluation.
- Class Expectations: Students must attend at least 75% of classes to receive credit for
the course (you may miss no more than 3 classes). Students are expected to be in class at the scheduled time each week. Students must complete all written assignments, projects, and online dialogue at the scheduled times. Failure to do so will reflect on student’s grade (You will lose -10 points for each day late * the next day begins one minute after the deadline). All work that is turned in must be your own. You cannot afford to take unethical shortcuts in this class. You must also remember to site any reference work that you utilize for quotes, background, or support. You are responsible to check the Award-winning filmmakers website and your Gardner-Webb email each week for course updates, course readings, course assignments, and/or course links.
- Format of written assignments: Unless otherwise specified, all assignments must be posted on a personal wordpress blog for this class. The nature of the assignment will dictate word count and format requirements.
| · Grading Scale: | |||||
|
Text Requirements: There is no required textbook, but there is an optional text by Steven 
Jay Schneider – “501 Movie Directors: A Comprehensive Guide to the Greatest Filmmakers.”
You will need to have access to Netflix, Amazon, iTunes, Youtube, Redbox, or some other outlet for viewing film assignments. You will also have required postings on a specified website or blog. You will be supplied a link to the class page during the second class.
Grade Evaluations: There will be at least ten (10) short evaluation papers on select films 
from featured filmmakers (usually weekly), a semester-long paper (or directed project) on a select filmmaker, and required online postings and dialogue (usually weekly), and a final presentation or final exam.
- Papers/Homework Assignments = 40% of final grade
- Final Project & Final Exam/Presentation = 30% of final grade
- Online Postings/In-class Participation = 30% of final grade
Incompletes: Incompletes will only be given with a written agreement between the student and the instructor. These will only be given in extraordinary circumstances.
Extra Credit: Options are available for extra credit upon approval. I will share some of these options upon request. * For each extra credit assignment turned in, up to 10 points can be added to your lowest grade.
Communication: You may contact me by the listed phone numbers or email address should you have questions or concerns. I will make every effort to respond to you within 24 hours (at the latest). If you do not hear back from me, assume I did not get your message.
Evacuation: If the building is evacuated we will meet as a class in a designated area identified during class.
GWU Writing Center, Tucker 327 – writingcenter@gardner-webb.edu – (704) 406-4393 – The Writing Center is a resource for all students, regardless of major or level of study. Writing Center consultants are fellow students who have a solid grasp of the English language and enjoy assisting others. They will help you with developing and revising your ideas as well as polishing your final draft. You can make an appointment for a consultation or walk in to see if there’s an available consultant. Visit the Writing Center website each semester for important information, like hours of operation. The Writing Center is located in Tucker Student Center, Room 327.
Learning Assistance Program – leap@gardner-webb.edu – (704) 406 -4390 –
The Learning 
Enrichment and Assistance Program offers peer tutoring services supporting academic work in undergraduate courses. If you find yourself struggling in a class, you can request a peer tutor. Once a peer tutor request is made, LEAP finds a peer tutor who has been successful in the course requested. This tutor is authorized to provide up to two hours of additional peer tutoring support each week. This service should be reserved for students who are earnestly trying, but somehow not performing at an acceptable level. Peer tutoring cannot be used as a replacement for missed class time, as peer tutor relationships are semester-long commitments. To request a peer tutor, please complete the Peer Tutor Request Form located on the LEAP website.
The NOEL Program for Students with Disabilities provides support services to deaf, blind, learning disabled, and other students with documented disabilities. The Noel Center for Disability Resources is located in Frank Nanney Hall and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The center may be contacted at 704-406-4270(v), 866-298-0119(vp), or via email at disabilityservices@gardner-webb.edu.
*A full class schedule including projected assignment dates, project dates, holidays and topics for discussion will be made available during by the 3rd class meeting.
Schedule of Topics Listed Below
Jan 18 – Introductions, expectations, schedule, blogs, assignments. Overview of 
topics & expectations, final project overview, film evaluation outline, and Hitchcock “The Master of Suspense.” Assignment: Respond to online response post of Hitchcock readings & videos, write film evaluation on a select Hitchcock film. Semester Project Update: Post up to three ideas for your final project.
Jan. 25 – Topics: Why do awards matter? The impact of the script. Finalize your filmmaker project/topic before the end of class. Assignment: Respond to online response post of Woody Allen readings & videos, write evaluation on a select Woody Allen film (or a final project film). Semester Project Update:Finalize filmmaker for semester project. 
Feb. 1– Topics: Francis Ford Coppola and/or Martin Scorsese. Assignment: Respond to online response post of Francis Ford Coppola and/or Martin Scorsese readings & videos, write evaluation on a select film (or a final project film). Semester project update: Identify (3) three films for review from your filmmaker.
Feb. 8 – Topics: Clint Eastwood. Assignments: Respond to online 
response post of featured readings & videos, write evaluation on a select film (or a final project film). Semester Project Notes due today: Identify and turn in 5-7 (five to seven) strong sources for your biographical sketch. Print, online articles, audio, video sources, interviews with filmmakers, writers, actors, etc. are acceptable. The links or the initial sources should be shared with me via email.
Feb. 15 – Guest Speaker – Gary Moore (Screen Actor’s Guild member and serves on the nominating committee). Topics: John Hughes & Cameron Crowe. Assignments: Respond to online response post of featured readings & videos, write evaluation on a select film (or a final project film). Semester Project Notes: Have working draft of the introduction for your final paper. This should be turned in for grade and feedback. *This will count as a weekly writing assignment grade.
Feb. 22 – Topics: Daniel Day Lewis – Assignments: Respond to online 
response post of featured readings & videos, write evaluation on a select film (or a final project film). Semester Project Notes: View one of your selected films by this date (and make detailed notes). Begin work on biographical sketch draft.
March 1 – Topics: Tim Burton & Steven King. Assignments: Respond to online response post of featured readings & videos, write evaluation on a select film (or a final project film).
March 5 (11:59 pm) – Semester Project Notes: Have draft of biographical sketch complete and turn it in for grade and feedback. *This will count as a weekly writing assignment grade.
March 8 – (Thursday before Spring Break) – Topics: Emma Stone & Sandra Bullock. Assignments: Respond to online response post of featured readings & videos, write evaluation on a select film (or a final project film).
March 8-15 – Semester Project Notes: Should watch final two films of your featured filmmaker (and make detailed notes). Have next draft of introduction, biographical sketch, and 1/3 of your film overview analysis complete.
March 15 – No Face to Face Class – Spring Break
March 22 – Topics: Tom Hanks & Ron Howard. Assignments: Respond to online response post of featured readings & videos, write evaluation on a select film (or a final project film). Semester Project Notes: Have draft of introduction, biographical sketch, and 2/3 of your film overview analysis complete.
March 29 – No Face to Face Class – Easter Break. Semester Project Notes: Have draft of completed project ready (including intro, bio sketch, 3 films, wrap).
April 4 –Semester Project Notes: Semester project is due by 11:59 pm.
April 5 – Topics: Ridley Scott & John Williams. Assignments: Respond to online response post of featured readings & videos, write evaluation on a select film.
April 12 – Topics: Peter Jackson. Assignments: Respond to online response post of featured readings & videos, write evaluation on a select film. This is your final written evaluation.
April 19 – Semester Projects Presentations (or screenings)
April 26 – Semester Projects Presentations (or screenings)
May 3 – Semester Projects Presentations (and screening).
**Schedule subject to change
Award Winning Filmmakers 
One thought on “About the Course”