As most students enter the program with little or no experience in video production, early assignments are designed to familiarize them with equipment and to introduce documentary and narrative approaches. Working in teams of three in the digital video format, students produce short pieces of three to five minutes. Special emphasis is placed on visual language; in fact, early projects are produced entirely without sound. By serving in a variety of crew positions, each student acquires a wide range of skills in production, directing, and editing. This hands-on experience in production technique is coupled with screenings of important works and discussions with industry professionals and Tisch faculty.
Student films often address a wide variety of topics including socially relevant issues such as domestic violence or consumerism, autobiographical topics, science fiction, comedy, or narrative. The program culminates with a film festival in mid-May, which features completed projects selected by the students.
