Been a few weeks...

Sorry that there was so long between posts, guys. I had no idea how busy things would get once I started my film classes. So here's the update for you all!

I really, really, really love my classes. I have never been in such an academically challenging film environment, and it is amazing! The teachers here at FAMU are professional filmmakers, which means that they know huge amounts about what they're teaching. For me, that equals the most intelligent, helpful feedback I have ever gotten. My "Topics in Production" classes are all starting with seemingly basic information, but building on it in ways that have opened my mind to a whole new way of thinking about film. Plus, they're challenging us to think of smart, engaging stories for our projects, and helping us shape really great films. I think I've learned more about the technical side of building a story in these two weeks than I've gotten out of any English class. It really is nice to be pushed this hard with film. So I'm working really hard and studying a lot, but enjoying it more than I ever have before. 

Also, I have partnered up with a girl named Erika to make our film project. She's really nice and *very* smart. So I have spent a lot of time with her in the last few days, working on building a story for our film. Erika has a lot of theater background, which makes it fun for me to work with her because I get a whole new perspective on our work. 

Socially, I am still loving Prague. I have gone out dancing a few times in the last week or so with some of the people in my program, and it was a blast. Also, we've had a few movie nights so far, sharing films that we love and seeing new ones (some that I've never even heard of). It's so nice that the people in my program are all from very different backgrounds and come from different places all over the country. These are people that I never would have really had the chance to meet, let alone get close to, in Boulder. I have loved getting to know everyone a little better through classes and living together. 

I guess that's all that's been going on this week. I'm still working on setting up a photo site, so that should be put together within the next week. I miss everyone at home, but I'm having so much fun here. I can't wait to see you all in December and hear about all the fun things I'm missing this semester. I hope all is going well for you guys!

Love,

Christy

Fall Schedule 2008!!

Hey everyone,

Well, FAMU and CIEE got their stuff together and gave us a final list of the film classes we can take this semester, and after some careful consideration and arguing with them about why I can't take 4 electives (apparently it would be too heavy of a course load), I have chosen my classes! So here's what my schedule will look like for the first part of the semester. Remember, eight weeks in I basically stop taking classes to work on my film. So there you have it. 

Monday

12:20-1:55~ Camera and Film Language

5:20-6:55~ Cinematography

Tuesday

1:10-2:45~ Editing (doesn't start until the 5th week of class)

6:10-7:45~ Script for Directors

Wednesday

9:50-11:25~ Acting

2:50-4:25~ Directing A

6:10-7:45~ Script Analysis

7:50-9:25~ Directing B

Thursday

8:15-9:45~ Theory of Acting 

9:50-11:25~ Screenwriting

2:00-5:00~ Circulating Within the Modern Cinematic Image

So here's your key:

Green classes are all technically one course. They're parts of a class called "Topics in Production", which is supposed to give us the knowledge we need to make our films. They're basically what we call core courses at home. 

Blue classes are also technically one course. Taught by two different professors, but I only get to take credits for them home if I take them together. They're my bachelor-level elective. 

The purple class is my master-level elective. Taught by a professor from Oxford, which is basically why I'm in it, because that is just awesome. 

The red class is one that I'm auditing. It means that I get to go, but I can't get any credit for it. This was their concession to my arguing about not getting to take very many electives. 

Well, that's all! Pictures to come, I PROMISE. I'm figuring out how to attach a photo album to the blog, but it's proving to be a little to technologically challenging for me. 

I love you guys and hope everything at home is going well. See you at Christmas!

Christino (what I'm called here. It's supposed to be affectionate.)

Week Two!

Hey everyone,

Well, the internet situation here at V Jircharich 6 has been patchy at best, but I'm still going to do my best to keep up with everyone. 

I have been doing an intensive language orientation for the last week and a half, which has been awesome. Czech is by far the hardest language I have ever tried, but I'm having a lot of fun. Our teacher is named Jana (pronounced Yah-nah), and she is really nice. She always tells us that we are doing "vyrborne" (excellent), even when we are clearly massacring the language. However, we are making some progress considering the difficulty level of the class and how intense this course has been. We do around 4 hours of Czech a day and then have our afternoons free. I am finally feeling maybe proficient enough to make it in this country :-).

Monday I start some of my film classes, and then the rest the Monday after that. I am really excited to get going on my film, and I'm already working through some scripting. Basically, things school-wise have been going really well. I can't wait to get in the full swing of school here. 

This week I felt a little homesick, but I am putting together some home stuff (pictures and letters from people that I got before I came) on a bulletin board for my room here, and I think that will really help. I'm making some really great friends already, and having a lot of fun exploring the city. I'm sorry this blog is pretty short, but not a whole lot has happened. I'm going to try to get some pictures from my trip on here, so that you can see what I'm up to. 

So there you have it. I'm hoping that all is well state-side, and I can't wait to hear about how everyone is doing. 

Love and love and love,

Christy

Life at V Jircharich 6- Flat 18

Hey Everyone!

Well, I'm sorry that it has been so long. The down time up to this point has been, well... none. I have had the spare moments for sleeping and that is about it. So here are some updates. 

Friday: 

I moved into my flat at V Jircharich 6. It is big and beautiful, even if the furnishings are a little old fashioned. It is easily twice the size of my apartment in Boulder. I also met my roommate- a girl named Amy who is from Colorado but going to school in NY- and my flatmates, who are both boys. One of them is named John and he's american also (from Nebraska), and the other is our Czech buddy. His name is Daniel and he has been very helpful in the adaptation process. He is working on his english at the same time we are learning Czech, so we're having some mutual language difficulties. But it has been fun and we're working together :-). Then I met the other people in my program; we are 11 total americans and four Czech Buddies. I like the other students a lot, and we seem to have a lot in common (duh, we're all filmies!). 

Saturday and Sunday:

Both days we got up early and had orientation sessions until lunch. They were pretty basic, just some safety information and basic lowdown on how the semester is going to work. I am going to have SOOOO much fun in this program. That fact eases every worry I have about being so far from home. They weren't lying when they said it was going to be the hardest work we've ever done, but really, I have never been in such a film intensive environment and I am really happy. We also had to fill out sheet with the goals that we hope to achieve on this program and, I hate to say it, but I let my competitive nature get the best of me and made a full page, categorized list of mine :-D. However, after orientation we were taken on "walking tours" of the city by our Czech buddies. Where we covered more ground on foot than I think I have ever done. It was nice to get oriented, but it was a lot of walking and I am definitely sore at this point. 

Today (!!):

I started my "Intensive Czech Language" classes today. We did four hours of language study with basically the nicest woman I've ever met. The language is hard, for sure, but I am actually starting to make sense of it, which is super nice. I have learned how to give some information about myself (name, nationality, etc). And hopefully tomorrow we get even more. Then, we did (another) impromptu walking tour to the other FAMU locations around the city before we had the chance to get some dinner and rest. 

I love it here. Really and truly, my family and friends. I have no idea how I didn't know about this city. It's amazing and beautiful and I'm having a blast. I wish things were a little more low-key, but I think they will calm down soon enough. So that is my update for tonight. I love you all and I'm missing you, but I will be home before you know it. 

Much Love

Christy