Film Chair Update to Second Years 2-6-2021

Dear 2nd year MFA Film Students,

I hope this Saturday morning Curricular update finds you healthy and inspired, and with a warm beverage and some sunshine in your near future.

I am writing with a few thoughts and updates from the Faculty generated this week.
Delayed 8-12’s:

We understand how impactful COVID has been on the 8-12 as a learning turning point.
Some of you will make the delayed 8-12 this Summer. Some of you will shoot in the Fall and some of you even later, though prior to thesis level films.

We know that COVID, and your growth as filmmakers, and time itself has impacted the identity of these films, and your feeling about these films, and that you are doing a lot of reflecting about where the film now fits in your body of Columbia work. As you do this, we want to urge you not to elevate, or equate the project to “a portfolio film.”

Portfolio films are intended to go through a longer period of development and prep, with more advisement.
Though it’s happening at another moment in the journey, we feel this 8-12 should remain in spirit -- an exercise in short filmmaking that provides a chance to explore and learn, prior to making portfolio work into which you will invest more time and resources. We ask you to observe the budget parameters, and keeping your shoots, and resources simple.

Please know that we remain committed to supporting your work on them, and we are excited to see what you make.

Here's some thoughts on how we can help:

Coming Summer A (and Fall) - Delayed 8-12 Advisory Groups:
We know that for many of you, your scripts themselves have changed shape since your Directing 2 class and could use some instructional support. To address this we will form “8-12 Advisory groups” led by Adjunct Professors which you would join either in Summer A or Fall B remotely.

These would be 0 credit work-groups that will support the current shape of your scripts, as well as a sketch exercise if you want to do one before your 8-12. There would be small group meetings and some one-on-one More details to come.

Crit Week for Delayed 8-12's. Those of you shooting this summer will be able to join Fall Crit week, or if you are
shooting in the Fall, there will be a supplemental Crit session to be held in January. More details to come as we
develop the 8-12 Advisory Group.

And now, some items for Screen and TV Writers and Directors specifically:
The Concentration Declaration Process & Timeline: Mid-semester Concentration meetings are scheduled 3/26.
Concentration Declarations are due 4/2. We should be able to let you know your Advisor assignment on 4/9.

If you have questions about the Concentrations, or the process of choosing, please do feel encouraged to reach out to Concentration Heads, and/or you can reach out to FT Faculty for advice and to talk through your thinking.

Required 2nd Year Edit Class Moves to Fall. Based on the feedback we’ve received from students, our current
thinking is to push all 7- week sections of the required edit class to Fall.

There’s a higher likelihood that by then you will either have D4 or 8-12 work to edit (though you can bring other exercise work or films, as well). As you will be in Research Arts, the class will be 0 credit. The class has some small group work, but is mostly 1-on-1. Also, please note: even if we’ are happily back "in-person," we’re planning to offer this remotely.

My best to you all.

Hilary