MFA Film, 1st Year Students, 10-23-2020, Chair Update

Dear First Year Students.

It's been a hectic week as we ready for Fall B. Here's an end of week update:
Communication: At the end of next week, we will be touching base with Student Reps re: communication
plan for the remainder of Fall.

Check in with 1st yr International Students: Thanks for replying to the timing poll. I'll reach out to schedule a
Chair Check-in for the second half of next week.

1st Homeroom & Dodge Hall Hangouts: Now aiming for the week of November 10.
Spring A/B/Summer A: What's it all going to look like? This is the question we're working on from all
fronts. I will share a status update (and hopefully this will include some helpful initial answers too) by the end
of the second week of November.

Production: As per Jenny's email of earlier today, our Phase 2 goal has pushed to Nov 16, which means first
D1 exercises will be shot “Phase 1.” Jenny and Ann held a “Risk Management for Exercises” seminar today,
reviewing the production process & the Phase 1 guidelines for everyone. Jenny and Ann are also setting up
optional first exercise “production check-ins” for students who would like more individual advisement for the first
exercise especially. Finally, there will be a "SOA Film Covid-19 Safety in the Workplace Seminar” to further
offer support to our students as they start production in the program.

Phase 1: https://blogs.cuit.columbia.edu/hub/phase-1-production-protocols/
Grading Question about classes that overlap Fall/Spring: From Sara: At the end of the Fall B term,
students will receive a CP (credit pending) or YC (year course) grade. At the end of Spring B, this temporary
grade will be replaced with P/LP/F grading as with other courses.

Directing 1: Peter sent out info re SMASHCUT earlier today. Please search your inbox if you haven't seen it!

CONTENT ADVISORIES/TRIGGER WARNINGS
Below is our current Film Division statement on trigger warnings/content advisories. As mentioned in our
last update, we continue to be in dialogue about this as Faculty at both the Film Division level and SOA level.
Film Division Statement on Trigger warnings/Content Alerts:
Each professor will decide how best to deal with content alerts for their specific class.
Students may in the course of their studies encounter literature, images, opinions or modes of inquiry
that run contrary to their world view or that challenge them emotionally. If so, you are encouraged to
talk with faculty, or if necessary seek the services of university counselors. But bear in mind that if the
artist’s mission is to investigate, reflect on and impact the world in which we coexist, then such
exposure and investigation, uncomfortable as it may be, is a necessary component for artistic growth.

RECORDING LECTURES

We are hoping to be able to let you know in advance of registration for Spring how instructors feel about
recording.

FILM POLICY ON RECORDING CLASSES:

Classes are recorded by the Instructor, only at the Instructor's discretion. Students should query their
instructors if they want to view portions of the class asynchronously (as recorded material). Students should not
record each other or their instructors without permission.

Recorded class material will be viewed only by the student who has requested the material, and the I.P.
(Intellectual Property) rights of anyone recorded should be respected. The recording will be used for their
learning purpose with regard to the class it is attached to, and deleted at the completion of the class. It will not
be further preserved or shared.

My best wishes to you all.

Hilary