The class was extremely disorganized. Lectures were extremely long and tangential. Assigned 100+ pages of reading on the first day but you can skim the book and still be fine. Took this class for a fun, easy time but ended up being the most annoying and disliked class of the quarter.
I enjoyed most of the cinema content she chose for us to watch. She taught some really interesting concepts too. Unfortunately, there is very heavy reading and her lectures are usually long and sometimes confusing. Overall, it just seemed like she had no idea how to make this class online. If you just need a GE, recommend a dif course
Professor Brusutti definitely knows what she's talking about and has a lot of enthusiasm for FAMST, but the class was unorganized and often difficult to follow. There are pop quizzes about the textbook and readings which were hard. The exams are short essay and are doable but require a lot of studying. Don't take unless you're a FAMST major.
Took during COVID-19 and she was either overwhelmed and scattered, or she doesn't know how to teach. The readings and movies were alright, but her lectures made NO SENSE- she talked about random scenes for ages, and I was expecting to learn the basics of film to continue my major. I hated the 600+ page textbook, but it taught me more than she did.
did not adjust to online well at all. lectures are just her rambling on about random scenes in movies we weren't assigned or have never seen that are not relevant at all. only focused on things like editing, camerawork, and sound instead of story or historical themes or anything actually interesting. instructions on assignments weren't clear either
I thought Brusutti was quite funny and her lectures were interesting. Aside from lectures, the class is mostly just screenings which range in how interesting they are. Most were fine or really enjoyable and it was nice because you got to just sit back for a few hours and call it "class." I don't think you need to do all the readings for an A.
Even though this is an intro to film class, be ready to work. Lectures aren't mandatory, you can barely hear what she's saying, and powerpoints barely make sense. This class is unorganized and assignments aren't clear. There isn't homework so make sure you study for the 2 quizzes, 1 midterm, & final. There's 2 written papers.
Go to section, go to lecture, and just listen. If you love film, this is the class where you can expand on your analysis. The lectures can be boring, but overall the content is interesting. And the films watched are great. If you're not really an art person this might be harder because the class asks you to analyze the artform of cinema.
Anna is a really nice professor. If you attend her office hours she cares about you a little more. She is very sweet but is not too helpful in lecture. MANY readings in the textbook, but you only actually need to read about the vocab talked in section. I never go to the screenings and rarely lecture bc its kinda pointless. I fall asleep.
The professor often talks about whatever she can think of in the lecture, unplanned and unorganized. Hence, the lecture is boring and hard to follow. However, the films shown are great.
Lectures were hard to follow at times. Lots of reading, not all of it was useful. She clearly knows what she's talking about, but doesn't know how to structure it in a lecture. Don't need to attend the lectures, do need to watch all the movies. Movies were interesting though.
Lectures kept going overtime, it wasnt even that great and most of the films were boring. Fell asleep many times. Class was easy though
The film selection is varied and interesting, however her lectures are lacking. They tend to be unfocused, difficult to follow, and not particularly connected to the films watched in class. She is a great person who clearly knows her stuff, however her communication of this knowledge leaves some to be desired. Honestly, worth it for the films tho.
I have to say that I learned more from YouTube recap videos than her lectures. The lecture pace never follows the reader she assigned us.
She really sucks at giving lectures, but you GOTTA go to class to watch all the clips/movies she shows. first quiz was easy, its the study guide, 2nd quiz is hard af so don't even bother studying. papers were alright, easy wo rlly knowing what ur talking about. Final was hard but not too too hard to study for. readings are horrible, don't do them.
I took Brusutti's class on a recommendation from my high school film teacher who graduated from UCSB. I was sad to see that because of her age, technology was a severe difficulty for her so be prepared for some down time while she fiddles with the computer. If you actually put in the effort to listen to her, she knows the material very well.
Really good introductory film course, I learned a lot. Professor Brusutti was super sweet and put her lectures up online so you aren't dead in the water if you miss a lecture. She showed a variety of films which is good for film students to be exposed to different genres and styles of film. I recommend if you're even slightly interested in film.
literally would never take her again. she is very quiet, she sounds like Gru from Despicable Me, the readings are AWFUL (Was don't even like them), and she basically just throws things out then tells us to read about them. lectures are a waste of time but we have to go for the films. don't take for just GE.
She's cool except the fact that she talks really quiet and you can't hear her and its kind of dumb because all we do in class is watch movies and we learn all the film aspects on our own from the reading where id rather learn it in class and have it explained by her and watch the movie on my own.
While I understand why people would not like, I felt that she was entertaining and very passionate about the things she taught. There were times were the class felt very disorganized and confusing, but the films she showed us were very interesting. This class made me want to be a film major. TA's grade HARD for no reason though, be careful.
2 papers, 3 quizzes (lowest score dropped), 1 midterm & 1 final. Sometimes has a sign-in sheet for attendance. Definitely do your reading! If you're not a film major or interested in the subject, I wouldn't take this class as a GE because it's a lot of time and work. The film screenings were really cool and Brusutti is very passionate about film.
This class made me rethink being a film major. While passionate, she is all over the place in lectures and often times I leave more confused. Not sure what i'm supposed to be getting out of it. Tough grader, and much of the tests and papers comes from course reader articles. Grading criteria very unclear often times. Study for the quizzes.
Professor Brusutti was simply amazing. She is so enthusiastic about film noir and really loves film. She will have conversations about the films you love and will always make class super easy for you if you talk to her during break or over email. Such a sweet, caring teacher. Really laid back and very straightforward.
Professor Brusutti, as with most Film professors at UCSB, do not give a clear and transparent focus on what we are supposed to be learning in the class. If this basic and fundamental objective was further explained, classes would be easier and more enjoyable! Everything is subjective, so its really all about the TA and how good you can write.