John Bernstein - Boston University, Boston, MA

Professor: John Bernstein

Department: Film

College: Boston University, Boston, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: FT310
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

JB is super nice, kind and understanding. He does not judge and condemn you if you don't know what you're doing screenwriting wise, he's super patient and is willing to make sure you understand his lectures over and over again. He's the best! If you miss class due to personal reasons, or r sick, he will make sure you are really okay n can catch up.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CI579
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I loved JB, but his syllabus is insane. He's very disorganized- expectations on how you should complete assignments/what you should read each week were very hazy. The good side of that is the class is what you make of it in terms of content. You could totally skip the readings if you want, but make an effort on writing assignments and participation

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: FT310
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I took a screenwriting I class and I'm trying to join his screenwriting II class. JB's feedback is critical and useful. If you like something advant-garde, you'd find his lecture boring since he wants you to follow a Hollywood pattern. But at the end he shows us alternative example of scripts. His intention is to let us start from the basics.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: SCREENWRITING2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

JB is such a sweet man. Go to his office hours. He is soft-spoken and his lectures kind of drag on, but if you are really interested is screenwriting, you will benefit from his class. His and his TAs feedback were very helpful. He never put me or my work down. If you are unsure about screenwriting but want to try it, take it with JB.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: FT11
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

intelligent, but not very helpful. such a sweet guy though. most of the time, i felt discouraged rather than motivated to write better after workshopping my pieces- but whenever i went to him 1 on 1, he was motivating. eh.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: FT411
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

A knowledgeable screenwriter and an all around nice guy. Encourages students to follow their passion. Very approachable outside of class.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: FT411
• 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:

Takes an interest in students, really wants them to become better screenwriters. He does an amazing job of taking something that seems so complicated and difficult (screenwriting) and breaking it down into something understandable. He's very personable and approachable. He's the best professor at BU, hands down.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: COM711
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

A great professor and extremely helpful outside the class. Proud to call him my mentor.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: COM210
• 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:

the best

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: FT411SCREEN2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Arguably the finest professor at BU. The mediocre film program is saved by this man. Great sense of humor and very personable. Always available outside of class whenever you need him. Pushes you to ideas rather than giving them to you. Tremendous effect on my writing.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: FT553C1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

genuine, sweet professor. so passionate.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: FT411
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The best professor I've had in the film program. He is always willing to give you detailed help with your screenplay, and is available for office hours nearly every day of the week. Take his classes if you have any interest in screenwriting.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: SCREENWRITING2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Best professor I have had at BU. Genuinely cares about students, and knows subject matter very well. Very smart and approachable. Great sense of humor (can be a little dry, so might not be for everyone). I had lost faith in COM, but he restored it. Worked my schedule so I could take more classes with him in the future.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: SCREENWRITING2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Alumna of Jon's and he was positively awesome. Always insightful, helpful, and willing to give an ear to script problems. His passion for Pretty Woman, not withstanding, I was exposed to concepts of writing and film that I still keep today.

Rating # 15

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Very aproachable and easy to talk to- doesn't say much of substance though- better choice than Geller, though

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: THEPROFANE
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is an extremely kind, soft-spoken professor. Always has time available outside of class. Not very clear about paper expectations, but also not a harsh grader.

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

The syllabus is merely a suggestion for professor bernstein. At his best when he is analysing films. Very intelligent, always willing to take the time to answer questions thoroughly. Exceptionally nice guy, and goes out of his way to help students.