It is easy to underestimate the effect that a semester long class can have on students. This year, seniors Nicolette Anichini, Mia Campanini, Violet Chube, Molly Fay, Mia Galante, Heather Grotthuss, Brooke Hedlund, Isabelle Spiewak, and Lena Swabb took on the class of Film Studies. This class changed the way they watch movies forever.

The Film Studies course includes history on directors and film production, analysis of movies and director’s choices for certain details pertaining to a scene, and hands on filming experience. This class is taught by Ms. Tully ’92, who majored in Film Studies and Creative Writing at the University of Illinois- Urbana Campaign. 

Nicolette Anichini ‘20 sat down in an interview with Film Studies student Lena Swabb ‘20 to talk about her experiences in the class. 

Q: What is your favorite movie? 
A: For sure “The Great Gatsby” which was not part of Film Studies, but I watched it with Ms. Tully in one of her classes.

Q: What was your favorite movie in the class?
A: Probably “Do the Right Thing.” 

Q: Why did you like that movie?
A: I liked it because it opened my eyes to new things that I wasn’t aware of that happened in the past. 

Q: What was your favorite thing about the class?
A: For sure making our movie. Hands down. 

Q: Has it changed the way you view movies now?
A: When they are filming a movie and they need to do a specific cut, I know what cut it is and I know if a sound is diegetic or non diegetic, and when I am watching a movie I notice all of those things. 

Q: What were your expectations going into the class? 
A: I kinda thought we would just watch movies. I didn’t know that we would actually analyze… specific scenes and specific shots, but I liked that. But I really just thought that we were going to watch movies. 

Q: Why did you choose this class?
A: Because I was so interested in the class, it always gave me something to look forward to in the middle of the day and gave me a chance to open my eyes to cinematography. 

Q: Do you see filming or cinematography in your future?
A: No, but I wish I could. I grew up wishing I could be an actress and be famous

Q: Would you recommend this class to anyone else who hasn’t taken it?
A: One hundred percent! Yes, without a doubt. And don’t just take it because you have to or you have to choose an extra elective, just take it because it is fun and interesting and it’s great. 

Q: What is a piece of advice you would give to someone who is in the next class?
A: When you’re watching movies, you don’t know how much detail and precision goes into every shot, but when you’re taking this class you understand it. So I think people should appreciate movies more and appreciate the opportunity that we get to take this class.

Film studies is offered to students in grades 10-12 and is an enlightening way to realize how those simple trips to the movies take more work than we know.

Below are links to the class’ movies they created in groups.