Bruce Geisler - University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

Professor: Bruce Geisler

Department: Communication

College: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: COMM446
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Bruce is a deeply passionate professor who offers tons of feedback and assistance. There is a lot of busy work in this class (6 film reviews & Final preproduction/short documentary), but Bruce gives you the opportunity to complete it at your own pace and gives really helpful feedback. The class discussions on screened films are fun and lively!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: COM441
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

All-around great dude with a super interesting outlook on life. Was super understanding of my hard semester and gave me help and feedback.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: COMM446
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

One of the best class's I have ever taken. Bruce is a ball of energy and has so many interesting things to say. Love the class and can't wait to take another on of his.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: COMM493F
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Interesting class, not much hands on documentary work except for coming up with an outline at the end, but Bruce is really knowledgable and the class really gets you thinking in the right mode.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: COMM441
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This is one of the most hands-on tv and film classes you can take at UMass. Bruce gives you several projects designed to enhance your filmmaking abilities, such as cinematography, lighting, editing and more. Bruce's enthusiasm for the subject also makes it very interesting and easy to immerse yourself into.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: COMM593D
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Great Professor! Great feedback! Great class! Great mustache! One of the best classes I took at UMass.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: COMM493F
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Different than any other course at UMass. Opened up new ways of thinking.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: COMM441
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This class ended up being one of my favorites during my four years at UMass. Bruce really cares to see that you learn the ins and outs of filmmaking, and you end up becoming close with your classmates which will serve as good connections after graduation. If you've always loved making movies, and you have a passion for storytelling take this class!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: COMM493E
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Very good class. Professor knows his stuff. Excellent feedback on my work.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: COMM231
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

CLASS WAS A MISTAKE. I was interested in the topic, but he had a terrible teaching style. Class is based on lectures... which are monotonous and dense. And you better watch and take notes during the films. REQUIRES A LOT OF READING (text/scripts) FOR THE EXAMS. QUESTIONS ARE COMPLEXLY WORDED. HORRIBLE CLASS. GPA DROPPER.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: COMM231
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

this class partially ruined my passion for film production. the professor is terrible but he thinks he teaches a better class than anything offered at USC. class is boring even though the topics are interesting. 100 question exams so there's no way you can get an A, and questions are absolutely ridiculous. And he's scary looking... sit in the back

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: COMM493E
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Bruce never hesitates to give honest and always helpful feedback. He has a broad understanding of screenwriting and not only provided detailed,personal criticism but offered many solutions for struggling writer's personal blocks. His class deals a great amount with the rules of screenwriting but mainly with telling YOUR story the best way you can.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: COMM593D
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He gave everyone an opportunity to share their work and provide feedback on the work of classmates. His feedback was always constructive and geared toward helping students improve. If anyone had questions or difficulty, he made himself readily available to meet with them. Fantastic professor, I would definitely recommend taking a course with him.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: COMM441
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

One of the few real filmmaking courses at UMass and a very good one. A lot of work, but very good learning experience.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: COMM493
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Intriguing and provocative class on documentary films. Instructor's perspective is unique and he challenged students to express their ideas.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: COMM441
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great class. Excellent teacher.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: COMM231
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I wanted to learn about film so I joined the class and it turned out to be BIGGEST MISTAKE. The only bonus is that he doesn't take attendance which in turn took away any incentive that I had to go to class in the first place. The material is interesting, the delivery is horrible. The lectures are boring and tedious. Avoid at all costs.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: COMM441
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Bruce is such a nice guy, but I've learned almost nothing from him in two courses. He doesn't seem to have any desire to have you learn. Comm 231 is a complete waste, 441 is good if you want to work independently. I was forced to learn Final Cut on my own though and received almost no filmmaking advice. Take courses through the 5 colleges instead.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: COMM233
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This class is pretty easy to be honest. If you go to class and pay attention you are bound to get an A. No homework, no papers, just three tests and one extra credit assignment. Things can get boring, but not too bad. I got an A- without even looking at the text book, but it depends on your film background. I would say unneccesary.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: COMM231
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He's a good guy with a lot of knowledge on the subject. Makes an incredibly fair disclaimer that the class gets very technical, as it pertains to those directly interested in the topic of film and tv production concepts. It's great to learn about fim with someone who has vast experiences. He includes guest lectures, watching film dvds, etc. GREAT!