Re: Multiple Responses: cinema program recommendations

From: Janet Staiger [[email protected]]

 From Janet Staiger <[email protected]>

Regarding Mike Frank's question.  I certainly don't think an "inherent
tension exists": see all the great filmmakers who have a lot to say
theoretically.  It is the case that at some universities tensions develop
because, unfortunately, not enough hours exist in the day, and students
some times need to prioritize.  Or faculty members don't see or can't
articulate the connections.  You have had several replies from universities
at which both activities support and facilitate each other.  I'm really
glad I once took a Super8 course before I wrote my dissertation.  I had a
lot more respect for film workers than I would have without that
experience.  It has been mentioned that Texas is a good place to study, and
both production and studies exist in the same department.  We occasionally
have resource issues, but I can't recall an instance in which either the
studies or the production faculty did not respect what each brought to the
experiences of our students.  We've been fortunate (or we've hired that
way) so that our production people have very similar goals to the studies
people and occasionally they have specifically taught studies topics.  When
I teach experimental film, I permit students to practice the theory by
making films, videos, or other artworks.   I honestly think this is more a
problem of the social dynamics of a unit than any "inherent" tension.

Janet