Documentary Studies
Summer 2019 Courses
Course Descriptions
SESSION 1: May 28-June 28
DS 251D - Filmmaking in the Voice of "I"
Adam Sekuler
M-F, 1:15-3:40pm (4 cr)
This accelerated course develops a basic understanding of filmmaking through an examination of what is known as the “essay film“; a porous, highly personal mode of film practice. These works create meaning precisely by eating away at boundaries such as fact, fiction, and experience to capture essential truths. Poetic and transportive, essay films are used to document cultural and historical moments, evoke a feeling, unravel an auto-biography, and respond to critical social turning points with a challenging mix of traditional documentary conventions, personal nuance and experimental artistry. Saratoga Springs will serve as a hands-on laboratory as classes mix hand-on instruction in cinematography, nonlinear editing, sound and recording, to compliment students as they produce and direct of a short documentary essay film.
SESSION 2: July 2-August 2
DS 251C - 3D Interactive Storytelling
Greg Lyons
M/T/Th/F, 9:30-11:45am, (3 cr)
Want to build a 3D virtual experience for others? Have a story to tell where choices lead to different consequences? Want to create interactive shorts? In this course students will learn the basics of Unity3D and develop an understanding for interactive storytelling in a digital space. Unity3D is a powerful interactive storytelling tool that can be used to bring student research or creativity to life in a variety of ways. No prior coding or gaming experience is necessary.
NOTE: All courses listed as DS count towards Skidmore College's Media and Film Studies Minor.
