Spring Break in Cuba:
Documentary Film Production
This two week Intermediate Production course is designed to give students the opportunity to study and shoot within a foreign culture, to allow them to experience a world whose socio-economic background is quite distinct from their own, and to provide the challenge of capturing some aspect of it within a documentary film. It will be run in partnership with the University of Holguin, in Holguin, Cuba. Students will experience Cuba's rich and vibrant cultural history, learn about its history of cinema and produce a documentary film in Holguin. Besides further developing their production skills, this course also provides students with an opportunity for cultural immersion and intellectual growth. Watch a student's video about this program!
Drexel makes the news in Aruba! The Spring Break 2019 group was featured is several news sources highlighting the program (image right).
Credit/Registration: Students will be registered for FMVD T280 Cuban Documentary Workshop, 3 credits as part of their spring term course load. Students must leave room for the 3 credits in their credit load when registering or will be billed for credits exceeding the 20 credit maximum.
Pre-requisite: FMVD 220 - may be waived with permission of the faculty leader.
Faculty Leader: Gerard Hooper, Film and Video Professor, ghooper@drexel.edu
Arrival Date: March 17, 2024*
Departure Date: March 30, 2024
*Students must arrange for early winter term exams in order to participate.
ITINERARY OVERVIEW
Classes will be held for three and a half days at the University of Holguin, taught by Professors there. They will consist of discussions of documentary form and approach, as well as seminars on contemporary Cuban culture, including socio-economic issues particular to Holguin. All location scouting and shooting will take place within the city of Holguin. Each group (students will work in teams) will be accompanied by a bi-lingual coordinator. All evenings throughout the trip will be free time for the students. All 13 nights will be in apartments by the University of Holguin, in Holguin, Cuba. Students will stay two to a room, breakfast will be in the Casa Particular, dinners will generally be group meals attended by all. Lunch will be provided each day; during location scouting and production, lunch will be provided on location.
WEEK 1
Monday – Wednesday: Class (as detailed above)
Wednesday PM – Friday: Location scouting and project pitching. Students, working in teams, will location scout within Holguin, for 2&1/2 days, researching and finding topics they want to make a short film about. They will be always accompanied by a Bi-lingual production coordinator, familiar with the city and the areas within which they have permission to shoot. Friday of the first week, they will pitch their projects for approval.
WEEKEND
Saturday: A day trip, including all transportation, will be scheduled either to one of the nearby beaches or to another significant tourist site.
Sunday: This is a free, unscheduled day.
WEEK 2 The second week will be entirely location production and post-production organization. Friday afternoon of the second week, there will be a “graduation” ceremony with certificates handed out to the students.
Monday-Wednesday: Students will shoot their projects, including all interviews and location shooting.
Thursday-Friday: Possible additional shooting, review of footage and a post-production class.
Saturday: Return flight to Philadelphia.
Due November 15, 2023 - $500 Advance Payment + $25 application fee
Due January 15, 2024 - $3,075 Final Payment
*All payments are non-refundable unless declined admission or program cancels for unforeseen reasons.
Included in Program Fee:
- 13 nights double occupancy lodging
- Roundtrip airfare to Cuba
- Tourist visa
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner daily
- On-site transportation
- Translator for project
- Airport transfer in Cuba
- On Call medical and emergency insurance
Not Included in Program Fee (estimated):
- Passport ($165)
- Spending money ($100)
ICA Financial Aid: Students may request an Adjusted Cost of Attendance by submitting the ICA program fee and estimated out of pocket expenses listed above to Drexel Central (via askdrexel). Doing so could make students eligible for additional financial aid. Students may also be eligible to apply for Drexel's
ICA Scholarships.
