Film at Wesleyan, Middletown, CT

[zulubeached]

Hi folks,

in a couple of weeks I am leaving the swabian province off for the US to go to Wesleyan University for a year and do some film courses. I heard all kinds of wild stories now about this place and it's film department, including there was some kind of "Wesleyan Mafia" in Hollywood. Anyone been there and perhaps did some Film courses? What's it like?

Sebastian

[Policar]

I'm a film major there! What classes are you taking? I'm taking German Cinema and Hollywood Studio Era next semester, and probably taking Westerns and Sci-Fi+Horror in the spring. I've heard stories about the "Wesleyan Mafia" too but I've yet to see any evidence it exists, sorry. But it sure makes us seem cool and the screening facilities are definitely nice! You'll be very dissapointed if you're looking for production, though. While there are a few production courses, they're relatively basic. The film studies classes are great, though.

[zulubeached]

That's great! I've not yet decided on my courses (is it already time to pick them?), I got my admission rather late and am still stuck in my German semester - though I definitly want analysis (I value good film analysis A LOT). So you had German cinema? I guess it was Fassbinder all the way ;-)
What's Middletown like? I checked the place on GoogleMaps and it seems pretty quiet.

[Policar]

I've only taken the intro courses, which were both good (History of Cinema Before WWII is half silent films, but the professor is amazing) but I'm taking German cinema next semester and hear it's good (and, yes, it does have a lot of Fassbinder.) To be honest, Middletown kind of sucks. The food is pretty bad, there's not much to do, and it's not even that safe--my friend almost got mugged. Thankfully, there's a lot to do on campus, but I often go home (to Boston) for the weekend when I need a really good meal, or just because I love Boston so much (I would, since I grew up there, though.)

[zulubeached]

I heard the wildest things about Middletown tab water, too - anyway, I am really looking forward to it. It might be a little remote, but with both NYC and Boston within a good drive's distance, I don't really feel like complaining. Are you in the Grad or Undergrad program? Oh, and do you know a reputable second hand car dealer in the vicinity?

[Policar]

I haven't heard any stories about the water...where are you hearing this stuff? The water does taste pretty funny, though and I drink a lot of it. Next year I'm bringing a Brita filter. The cafeteria food...now there's something you don't want to hear stories about! In all fairness, I love the place, though. I'm an undergrad and don't know where to find a used car nearby, unfortunately. NYC and Boston are about 2-2.5 hours away, I'd say, and definitely worth checking out. They are both wonderful places (Boston much better to live in, New York much better to visit, imo.)

[LuzCruz]

ct rules.. youll have a good time.