Classes Continued!
Hey, look, people, now I'm back even though I already posted today! But this time, I'm here to finish up talking about those MTA, Sophomore level classes! So hang on, here we go.

SOPHOMORE CLASSES CONT.

MTA 252 Editing:
Overview: Learn about the craft of film editing and practice it yourself in labs.
Prof: David Scheerer-- a good guy if you can get past his constant speeches on why filmmaking is going down into the abyss.
Highlights: The textbook for this class is actually really interesting. You will learn A LOT.
Drawbacks: I have yet to start working on the project, but I've heard it's the most nerve-wracking and hate-inspiring project in years. And of course, you have to learn to deal with Scheerer's little speeches.

MTA 253 Directing:
Overview: Spend the first half of the semester learning "how to" direct for theatre (in quotes because it's not really something you "learn" per se,) and spend the second half learning "how to" direct for film.
Profs: Joel Jahnke and Paul Monaco-- Joel is hilarious and very helpful. All in all, he's a great teacher.
Highlights: You will learn a lot, (like in so many of the other classes.) Not as "technical" as a lot of other film classes, this is mostly creativity here. Your film in this class will "tie in" to your final editing project.
Drawbacks: If you are introverted and don't have a whole lot of friends (like me) you may have some issues since the class is very much "social-based"... telling actors what to do, essentially. Some acting is involved especially in labs, so if you hate acting, you may be a little bothered.

MTA 254 Sound:
Overview: Learn about the mechanics of sound, how they need to be recorded for film, and how to mix sound into a computer.
Prof: Dave Koester-- down to earth and knowledgeable. He makes you feel like you are on his level. (And that's a good thing, by the way.)
Highlights: You'll get to use things like sound boards and expensive microphones with the word "Sennheiser" involved. The final project is mapped out for you, step-by-step, so you don't fall too far behind.
Drawbacks: You'll want to "mess" with the mixing board more than you'll be allowed to. It can be difficult to set up reasonable meeting times with your group members depending on your schedules.

MTA 255 Cinematography:
Overview: Learn about using a camera, (specifically a 16mm Scoopic in this case) to tell a story. Both technical and aesthetic issues are discussed.
Prof: Cindy Stillwell-- Knowledgeable, helpful, and often unintentially very funny. A lot of the phrases she has coined are priceless. (Example: calling the sun the "Big Gaffer in the Sky.")
Highlights: Once you start using the camera, you will learn how to work it relatively quickly and any reservations you had with it from MTA 102 will fade away. This class contains a lot of important fundamentals, in my opinion, it is "the" quintessential filmmaking class.
Drawbacks: It's real film-- so if you accidentally "screw up" a part of your final project, you can't go back and fix it. You will have to live with it. Also, buying/prosessing/shipping film can be expensive.

MTA 261 Scenic Design (and Stagecraft)
Overview: Learn how to build and design sets specifically for the stage, although some film-related things are also discussed. Overall, the course is a unique blend of both technical and artistic attributes.
Prof: Tom Watson-- the "unique" lighting guy I mentioned earlier. He obviously knows what he is talking about.
Highlights: Lots of in-class "Production Shop Hours" give you a hands-on way to experience the class, and tactile learning, of course, sticks with you the longest. Some people may enjoy the drafting that is involved.
Drawbacks: You're in big trouble if you've never touched a tool kit before. Some of you may be frightened if you feel you have "no drawing skills" since some drafting is involved. And also, a lot of you will probably hate drafting.

Well, that's about all for now. Some of those classes I am still taking. (Specifically, Writing, Editing, Directing, Sound, and Scenic Design) so my opinion on those may change eventually, but for those this is basically just what I have observed thus far.

Anyhow, I have about another hour to kill in the computer lab here before I head off to the Sound lab, so I'm thinking of either adjusting all this class stuff that I just wrote for no reason and putting it on my web site (also for no reason,) or maybe checking my e-mail again or something. I don't know, I'll come up with an idea.

So anyway, thanks for listening to my likely incoherent ramblings. Wish me luck on my directing project. Until next time... "Twenty X-ty Six!"