Gopal offers new summer class and the chance to study films in France
Hannah Roberts, Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com.
Dr. Shurajit Gopal is creating a unique opportunity for students with a passion for the film industry to study in France Summer 2020.
This new summer class “MCOM4389: Cannes Film Festival and Film Business,” is available to students outside of the Mass Communication Department as well. Worth three credit hours, this class will take place from May 12 to June 17.
Students participating in this class will travel with Gopal to France from May 12 to May 23. During this trip, they will attend one of the most prestigious film festivals, the “Queen of film festivals,” the 73rd Cannes Film Festival. After the film festival and on the groups last day in France, students will travel to Paris for a sightseeing trip.
At the Cannes Film Festival, students will have the chance to meet film professional, including producers, directors, film distributors and actors. The festival promotes networking with some of the top film producers and distributors from the most successful film industries from all over the world. As an added bonus Gopal said, “You can put this trip on your resume.”
For the last seven years, an Associate Professor of Film and Creative Media from Libscomb University in Tennessee, Dave Deborde has been encouraging Gopal to take a group of students to France for this festival. Gopal and Deborde met each other from working at the NRB Committee.
Since then, Gopal had been making plans to make this trip a reality. And just last year Dr. Linwood Hagin, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Programs and Academic Administration, approved the class.
Gopal originally wished to offer this class last summer, but students did not have enough time to raise the money. But this semester, the students are prepared.
In addition to the course fee for a normal summer class, there is a $4000 travel fee. This fee includes plane tickets, local ground transportation, registration for the festival, daily breakfast and snacks. Gopal also encourages students to bring extra money for lunch/dinners and spending money.
“I’m really looking forward to it and the students are so excited,” said Gopal. Word of this class has spread beyond North Greenville University, Gopal has received a request from a student at Tri-County Technical College who wants to sign up. Approximately six students have signed up for this once in a lifetime trip so far.
One of those students, film enthusiast, Grace Lothridge (expected ‘19) shared she just can’t pass up the change to introduce herself to some of the greatest filmmakers in the world, “It’s a chance to get your name out there, make connections, and gain real-world experience.”
Even though Lothridge plans to graduate in May 2019, she still is signing up for this trip. Lothridge added, “The chance to network in another country is enough but throw in the film premieres, chances to meet celebrities, red carpet events, and the fact that it’s two weeks on the beautiful French coast-this trip is worth it, even without class credit.”
Gopal hopes students will continue to take interest in the film industry and he can offer this class every summer. “My dream is to eventually offer a degree in film making or something like that,” said Gopal. While nothing is concrete yet, Gopal aims to offer more opportunities for students interested in the film industry in the future.
The deadline to register for this class is February 14, the course fee will need to be paid at the business office on this date as well.
