<p>Anyone know how hard it is for non-majors to get into Film Studies classes? Some of the courses look awesome -- for example, "Nationality and Power at the Movies: The Combat Film" -- but is the major so popular that no one else can sign up?</p>
<p>I don't have the answer, but I got in ED and plan to major in film and have a question of my own to add to this thread. My tour guide talked a little about film production, but if anyone could elaborate on what kinds of opportunities there are to make film (any length), experiment, edit, etc. I gathered that the senior project is the main film you get to make, but I imagine they have to teach you film production at some point...?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>yea im interested in the film program also. With wesleyan's non-strict requirement course plan, im wondering if you can just take a couple film production courses to see if maybe its where one wants to go or not and decide if graduate school in film, which is usually a necessity, is a potential post-grad option and if the course sucks, you can have something to fall back on to finance that $160,000 education.</p>
<p>The big giant intro film classes are allegedly amazing, but even with 135 seats open per semester, usually fill up (but if you really want to get in, you probably won't be closed out.) However, be warned that these classes are also designed to weed out potential film majors who probably won't be able to excel - and so these classes are extremely difficult. This is fine for students for whom film is their #1 priority, but often people try to take an intro film class thinking it will just be their "fun" class and go insane from the heavy workload.</p>
<p>As for the non-intro classes, I believe I've heard they are actually less difficult (as they are not required for admittance to the major), in a kind of weird twisted way. If there's one you really want to take, talk to the professor, and the chances are very high you'll be able to get in.</p>
<p>Err, however, an addendum:</p>
<p>If you look at the Wesmaps page for the class you're talking about ( <a href="https://iasext.wesleyan.edu/regprod/!wesmaps_page.html?crse=002199&term=1069%5B/url%5D">https://iasext.wesleyan.edu/regprod/!wesmaps_page.html?crse=002199&term=1069</a> ) you will see that at the bottom, it has a confusing little chart that tells you 18 spots are reserved for senior majors, 17 for junior majors, and none are reserved for other non-majors. This means the course is intended just for majors, and generally other students won't take it. Depending on the professor, if you passionately explain why this is the perfect class for you and you are successfully prepared with the proper prerequisites and all, there is a decent chance you might be able to get in any way.</p>
<p>Madjoy: Your post brings up another question. Is there usually a lot of need to beg profs to let you into their classes? And if so, is this begging usually best done by email or in person?</p>
<p>Unfortunately, yes. There are a considerable number of popular classes that are always filled to enrollment (i.e. Intro Soc). Usually sending out an e-mail to the professor considerably before the class starts can be sufficient, but begging in person in addition can't hurt, either :D Of course, this strategy usually works best if you are ACTUALLY passionate about being in the class.</p>
<p>I agree with madjoy: our secdualing system, though apparently better than it has been in the past, still sometimes leaves you needing to talk to profs to get into classes. HOWEVER, profs understand this and, in my experiance do everything they can to try to accomindate students. As a Freshman, I've had two classes (one each semester) that I really wanted and didn't get initially, and after emailing the Profs and showing up to the first day of class, I got into both :D</p>
<p>Film program news: A Wesleyan student just won an honorable mention at Sundance for the short film he made as his senior thesis last year. Congrats to Ray Tintori. Here's the background on his entry: <a href="http://www.courant.com/features/lifestyle/hc-sundanceguy.artjan25,0,868500.story?track=mostemailedlink%5B/url%5D">http://www.courant.com/features/lifestyle/hc-sundanceguy.artjan25,0,868500.story?track=mostemailedlink</a></p>
<p>Wow, now I'm even more pumped to get in, and get to work on my own project.</p>