Scandar Copti
Associate Arts Professor of Film
Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi
Education: BSc Technion, Israel Institute of Technology
Research Areas: Filmmaking, fiction, documentary
Scandar Copti is an Oscar-nominated filmmaker known for his distinctive approach to working with non-actors.
His debut feature film, Ajami (co-directed with Yaron Shani), won the Camera d'Or Special Mention at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 82nd Academy Awards.
His second film, Happy Holidays, premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2024 and won the Orizzonti Award for Best Screenplay.
Copti is also the recipient of the prestigious Sutherland Trophy and the Council of Europe Film Award.
Courses Taught
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Lying is an integral part of human communication. It is only in contrast to lies that we are able to construct the concept of truth and "choose" our perception of reality. From white lies and exaggerations to advanced techniques of persuasion such as propaganda and brainwashing, this course will examine the psychological, philosophical, ethical and social aspects of several contexts in which lying commonly occurs: art, culture, literature, science, politics, advertising, journalism, relationships, the digital world, and history. We will discuss and analyze the motives, techniques, technology, and outcomes of some of the biggest lies and liars throughout history, from mythological gods in ancient Greece through fake alchemists in the Islamic Golden Age to contemporary schemers. Students will examine lying in texts, films, biographies, cartography, visual arts, the internet, social networking, mass media, and advertisements and learn from guest liars and lying experts.
Previously taught: Fall 2016, Fall 2017
This course appears in...
- Core Curriculum > Arts, Design, and Technology
- Core Curriculum > Structures of Thought and Society
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Sound, Image, and Story is designed to give students the opportunity to explore their creative talent while gaining an understanding of the fundamentals of the art of filmmaking and its essential tools - from generating creative ideas through writing and directing to editing and post-production. As an integral part of the course, weekly workshops will cover the technical aspects of camera, lighting, sound, and post-production as well as methods in digital film production and set-protocol. Each student will participate actively in exercises, both individually and in groups, allowing them to discover and develop their unique artistic voice while gaining technical skills. This is a first-year production course designed for film majors, and open to all students.
Previously taught: Fall 2016, Spring 2017, Fall 2017, Spring 2018, Fall 2018, Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Summer 2021, Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2024
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Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
Muhammad Umair Bilal - F 14:20 - 17:00; TR 14:10 - 16:50 Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
Amos Ezra Katz - MW 09:55 - 12:35; F 09:25 - 12:05 Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Fall 2025;
14 Weeks
Muhammad Umair Bilal - F 14:20 - 17:00; MW 14:10 - 16:50 Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Fall 2025;
14 Weeks
Surabhi Sharma - TR 09:55 - 12:35; F 09:25 - 12:05 Taught in Abu Dhabi
This course appears in...
- Majors > Art and Art History > Visual Arts/Practice Electives
- Majors > Film and New Media
- Majors > Film and New Media > Film and New Media Practice Track
- Majors > Film and New Media > Film and New Media Studies Track
- Minors > Film and New Media
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Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
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Whether narrative or non-narrative, the visceral, emotional, and intellectual power of film depends on understanding the elements that make for engaging and effective screenwriting across forms and genres. This course analyzes and puts into practice principles of different forms of dramatic and dynamic writing: narrative and documentary films as well as various non-dramatic forms, including music videos, video art, and experimental films. No single style or genre is prescribed. Writing assignments include both critical analyses and creative exercises.
Previously taught: Spring 2017, Summer 2017, Fall 2017, Fall 2018, Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024
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Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
Scandar Copti - M 09:55 - 12:35; W 11:20 - 12:35 Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Fall 2025;
14 Weeks
Wendy Bednarz - M 14:10 - 16:50; W 14:10 - 15:25 Taught in Abu Dhabi
This course appears in...
- Majors > Film and New Media
- Majors > Film and New Media > Media Practice Courses
- Majors > Literature and Creative Writing > Creative Writing
- Majors > Literature and Creative Writing > Literature Topics
- Minors > Creative Writing
- Minors > Film and New Media
- Minors > Literature
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Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
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This practical workshop offers students hands-on insight into the process of creating drama in a film using the human capacity to respond emotionally to a fictional situation. Students learn how to direct films that have a precise screenplay and a well-constructed plot in a way that brings non-actors to act out a story without being aware that they are being directed according to a pre-written script.
Previously taught: Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2023
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Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
Scandar Copti - M 18:00 - 19:15; W 18:00 - 21:00 Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Fall 2025;
14 Weeks
Scandar Copti - M 18:00 - 19:15; W 18:00 - 21:00 Taught in Abu Dhabi
This course appears in...
- Majors > Film and New Media > Media Practice Courses
- Minors > Film and New Media
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Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
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This course provides concepts, methodologies and skills for students to conduct ethnographic research using audiovisual media. Taking a hands-on approach and working collaboratively and dialogically with our subjects, the course will explore various aspects of the maintenance, transmission, and transformation of musical knowledge and traditions on Zanzibar. Students will produce a set of short audiovisual documentaries focusing on Zanzibari musical heritage and the people that practice and work to sustain it for future generations.
Previously taught: January 2018
This course appears in...
- Majors > Film and New Media > Media Practice Courses
- Majors > Music
- Majors > Music > Ethnomusicology Electives
- Majors > Music > Music Practice Electives
- Minors > African Studies > Arts and Humanities Electives
- Minors > Anthropology
- Minors > Film and New Media
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This course is designed to develop techniques and skills in generating ideas for short narrative films that are shot on digital video and edited on nonlinear editing software. It will focus on strong visualization of story and camera techniques, as opposed to dialogue-based work. Students will develop skills in the elements of visual storytelling through the process of storyboarding and creating shot lists, then working in small crews to direct and shoot the projects. Students will gain knowledge of new photographic techniques, moving the camera dynamically, and the ways in which editing and sound design can be used to support story.
Prerequisite: FILMM-UH 1010;
Pre- or Corequisite: FILMM-UH 1510Previously taught: Fall 2016, Fall 2017, Fall 2018, Summer 2019, Fall 2019, Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Summer 2024, Fall 2024
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Fall 2025;
14 Weeks
Wendy Bednarz - MW 09:55 - 12:35 Taught in Abu Dhabi
This course appears in...
- Majors > Film and New Media > Media Practice Courses
- Minors > Film and New Media
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Fall 2025;
14 Weeks
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In this intensive course, Film and New Media majors will define a research question and explore different iterations of the same theme through different modes of film making. These iterations will be in the form of sketches where students will be encouraged to experiment the same set of ideas/subjects/narratives using different combinations of the tools at their disposal. Different formal choices will lead to entirely new set of explorations and meanings embedded in the same theme. This course attempts to blur boundaries between documentary and narrative film, conceptual and emotive cinema, art and communication. Students are encouraged to reflect on 'what' they want to express and 'how' they intend to express this. But the key motivation for the assignments is to lead students to addressing the question - 'why'. Why am I making this image and what is my relationship with and responsibility towards this image - this is the core concern that students will grapple with. Students are encouraged to locate their research question within Abu Dhabi or the UAE.
Prerequisite: FILMM-UH 2510 or FILMM-UH 1912
Previously taught: Fall 2016, Fall 2017, Fall 2018, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024
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Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
Surabhi Sharma - TR 14:10 - 16:50; M 17:00 - 19:30 Taught in Abu Dhabi
This course appears in...
- Majors > Film and New Media > Film and New Media Practice Track
- Majors > Film and New Media > Film and New Media Studies Track
- Majors > Film and New Media > Media Practice Courses
- Minors > Film and New Media
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Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
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The Capstone Projects course in Film and New Media provides seniors with the opportunity to complete a Capstone project, which ranges in form from a research paper to time-based media (narrative, documentary, experimental) or digital object involving an installation or performance (video art, new media art, video game, mobile app, locative media) or a combination of these forms. The course focuses on identifying and articulating the objective of each student's project through editing, self-assessment, and peer review. Ongoing emphasis will be placed on a writing portfolio, which will include critical analysis of arts practice or a conference version of a research paper. The course prepares students for a defense of the project before a faculty panel and a public presentation of the project. The course also explores topics of interest to future graduates, including festivals, programming, research, and graduate programs.
Prerequisite: FILMM-UH 4000
Previously taught: Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024
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Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
Surabhi Sharma - W 17:00 - 20:00 Taught in Abu Dhabi
This course appears in...
- Majors > Film and New Media
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Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
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The Capstone Seminar provides senior Film and New Media majors with the opportunity to research and develop the concept for their senior Capstone Project. Students are encouraged to integrate studies and practice. In coordination with their Capstone adviser, students will develop a proposal to be presented to the faculty.
Previously taught: Fall 2017, Fall 2018
This course appears in...
- Majors > Film and New Media
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Required for FNM Practice. Senior FNM students arrive with a Capstone proposal/screenplay. After further development students will produce their Capstone project. Students are encouraged to integrate studies and practice with the intention of creating a time-based media project, including but not limited to single or multichannel, multi-platform documentary, experimental, live action or animated narrative. Students are required to crew on their classmates Capstone shoots.
Prerequisite: Must be a declared film and new media major and Senior standing.
Previously taught: Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Fall 2022
This course appears in...
- Majors > Film and New Media