From: DrAndreaCampbell-AT-cs.com
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 22:07:02 EST
Subject: Re: today's film students


>>Many of my students are viewing silent films for first time. Do you have any
suggestions for how to introduce these films to such an audience? I teach
the course again this summer and am trying to get feedback from students
themselves.

I would suggest to start with the comedies.  I have found students very 
receptive to Keaton, Chaplin, Lloyd etc.  In my intro class which is nonfilm 
majors they have to write a journal about their film viewing experience.  I 
hear overwhelmingly that they never thought they would like a silent film but 
now they are hooked.  Then after opening them to the concept start showing 
them some more challenging stuff.  Shorts work too.  Gets the idea across and 
you can show a greater variety.  Also I find they are more open when I 
explain to them ahead of time what they are looking for..why were these 
comedians funny...comedic style...talk about the difference in production 
first.  Show them some clips of contemporary work that draws on the earlier 
stuff.  Most of them have never seen this stuff before and they have nothing 
to relate it to but when I give them context they are responsive.  Also...and 
this is hard to do...we used to have a professional organist come in a 
perform live during a screening.  That went over great!
Andrea Campbell


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