COMM 367 American Independent Cinema
This class explores the filmmakers, collectives, and movements that have defined American Independent Cinema. Students will gain an understanding of “independent cinema” as an economic condition, a political imperative, a marketing catchphrase, and an aesthetic. Since the term “independent” is inherently relational, students will also gain a complex understanding of the development of the American Film Industry from the early 20th century to the contemporary moment, and how both “Hollywood” and “Independent” cinema have been differentiated through production, distribution, exhibition, and style. This historical foundation will enable students to analyze and debate the contemporary relevancy of the term “independent”-- and the potential for the next generation of creators to declare their independence within an increasingly dispersed and wholly commodified media landscape. The class will also have an experiential component, allowing students to take advantage of local organizations and resources related to New York’s rich tradition of independent filmmaking.