Theme Song: "Kodachrome" - Simon & Garfunkel
Ever since I stepped foot on the Gettysburg College campus, I knew exactly what I was going to major in: English & Film Studies. All it took to declare my English major was a signature from the chairperson at the time, who just happened to be one of my favorite professors, Prof. Goldberg aka "Lenny G" aka "the guy that wears rouge." However, the daunting amount of paperwork has been the only thing standing in the way of me and my film major.
As opposed to spending my time doing research, writing a proposal, gathering letters of recommendation, I spent my time building my film portfolio with close to 40 film projects including recitals, dances, live performances, etc, working my way up from pro bono gigs to having paid requests coming out the wazoo. However, one day while surfing the Gettysburg College website, a BOLD, RED message on the IDS page lights a fire under my ass. It reads: Last Minute Change: All students must submit individual major proposals to the IDS office by the end of the sophomore year.
Shit. Luckily, I check this page rather often, so I know for a fact that this new rule was just made during my junior year, and I'm not gonna let that prevent me from declaring my second major, especially since I've already taken over 13 film courses--it'd be a damn shame not to get proper credit for all that work. So, needless to say, that same evening I write my 2-page proposal and email my top two choices of advisers: Jack Ryan (Chairperson of the English Dept, Prof. Udden's Proxy) and Lidia Anchisi (my friendly Italian film professor who dresses like Cruella De Vil).Once my proposal's been proofread, I finally submit my 2-page essay along with the proposed course list (see below) along with Jack & Lidia's recommendations to the IDS Committee for review. Upon receiving my paperwork, the Committee will deliberate and will either approve or reject my proposal. All I can say is, if they refuse to even look at the proposal b/c of my status as a rising senior, I will NOT hesitate to write them a stern letter:
Dear Sir and/or Madam:Anywho, here's the lineup:
...Blow me.
Sincerely,
YO' MAMA!
PS - SUCK IT LIGHTLY! xoxo
FILM AS SOCIO-POLITICAL DOCUMENT
#1: Film 101: Intro to Film & Film Studies [B]
#2: Film 220: Video Production [TBD]
#3: AS 220: Chinese Culture Through Film [A]
#4: Film 250: History of World Cinema 1895-1945 [A-]
#5: Film 252: Film Aesthetics & Analysis [B]
#6: Film 262: Hong Kong Cinema [B]
#7: Film 272: Intro to Documentary Film [A-]
#8: Italian 280: Women & Italian Film [A]
#9: LAS 300: Sexuality as Political Discourse in Latin America [A-]
#10: Film 350: Topics Seminar - Film Genres [B-]
#11: Film 375: Comparative National Cinema [TBD]
#12: IDS 464: Capstone Project: Direct Student Film [TBD]
"I can say without hesitation that the film students' [James & Scott] contribution to our in-class discussions was so significant that it increased the overall quality of the course. Indeed, having James was a delightful experience: his comments were insightful, thoughtful, and even at times provocative; his written assignments were well articulated and focused... I have confidence that James' film will be a thought-provoking film, one that will seek to manipulate the cinematic apparatus in order to investigate and problematize normative social codes."--Lidia Hwasoon Anchisi Hopkins, Italian Studies
Two weeks later, before swinging by the library to visit Kyle & Corn, I find a thin, brown envelope in my campus mailbox. Immediately, I slice it open and pull out the letter. Dated April 14th, 2008 (ten days prior), it says, "CONGRATULATIONS, James, your proposal has been approved!" WOOOOOOO!!! =D Now that was quick and painless. I wonder why I hadn't done it sooner...
Even though I'm thrilled that my proposal was approved right off the bat, I'm a bit disheartened by the fact that the Committee changed the title of my major from "Film as Socio-Political Document" to "Film as Socio-Cultural Document." Personally, I feel that the term "socio-cultural" sounds too simplistic and DUH, and it takes away from film's roles as an educational medium and a political weapon. But oh well, I OFFICIALLY have my double major and I'm not gonna push my luck. ;-D
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