"Postmodernsim is not something we can settle once and for all and then use with a clear conscience. The concept, if there is one, has to come at the end, not at the beginning, of our discussions of it."
--Fredric Jameson

This course takes seriously Jamesonšs injunction above and seeks, through the 15 weeks of discussion, to cast some light on the concept of postmodernism. Specifically, the course will explore the interrelations between postmodernism and the mass media--primarily film, but also television, radio, and the internet. We will do this both by looking back at the various facets of modernism against wich postmodernism (in its various forms) defines its difference and by looking directly at postmodern films, tv shows, music, etc. In so doing, we will (hopefully) not just arrive at an understanding of how we got into our current historical predicament, but will also start to see our way out of it.

This course is designed as an ambitious introduction to FILM (as opposed to video) production. Work will be exclusively in 16mm. We will explore the process from the most rudimentary ways of putting an image on film (scratching, direct animation, in-camera effects, etc.) to (relatively) advanced approaches to cinematography, processing, and editing. There will be no synchronous sound production in this course, so all films will be dialogue-free, although we will experiment with ways of adding sound (including double-system sound and video transfer). NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH FILM (or video) PRODUCTION IS NECESSARY. What is necessary is a willingness to throw out all of your current ideas about film and to open yourself to experimentation.

Admission is by the consent of the instructor only. Contact him at rogerbb@english.ufl.edu for more details about the application process. Women and students of color should feel especially encouraged to apply. Film is a little expensive, so be warned that there will unfortunately be a considerable materials cost for the class (likely $200-$300).

ENG 4146:
16mm film production