Film as
Literature
Meet the Instructor: Mrs. Ashford
I have always been enamored with film and television (back before streaming and YouTube was even a thing!) I took my love for visual storytelling into college where I earned my BA in media arts from Chico State with a minor in Broadcasting.
Since then, I have worked in LA in entertainment as an office assistant at Eleven Sound (a sound studio that produced and mixed several superbowl commercials over the years) and a production assistant on the Warner Brother's Studios lot for The Ellen Show and some Food Network shows.
Locally, I have worked as a media specialist in web design for Clovis Unified as well as on local films and shoots as a costumer, 2nd assistant director, body double, and set designer.
I bring my love for film, television, media, and entertainment into my love for writing and storytelling in the English realm.
Follow me on the Letterboxd app for film ratings and reviews @ lesliealexandra 📽
About this class
What Seniors say about this Class:
"Whole class fan favorite: The Truman Show! That film was a wild ride, with so much woven in."
"The essays are...kind of fun, like you can interpret ideas however you want with the prompts and it's a great excuse to watch movies for homework!"
"Students should take this class because it gives a somewhat fun class to have in your senior schedule. The people who'd most enjoy this class are those who enjoy looking deeper into the meaning of films. Those who have seen a variety of genres, and would like to learn more as film as a whole."
"I was most interested in learning about the camera angles and how a film works. I don't watch a movie the same way anymore and appreciate the work and choices that go into it!"
"Film as Lit. is different than the basic English class that you take all through high school. You engage in fun topics and activities like watching movies, analyzing them, and breaking them down in ways you've likely never thought of!"
"My favotie unit was Hamlet and the way Shakespearean themes and ideas are still commonly used in modern media. I think this is cool and was something I was unaware of prior to learning it."
"This class combines the enjoyment of watching movies with curriculum which makes the class more interesting and encourages one to actually try and show up to class."
"My favorite movies we have watched were the "horror" and "creature feature" movies as we read Frankenstein. We did a lot of working in teams or with partners, and got to do more creative activities like creating creatures and analyzing the ideas of monsters and villains."
Course Description:
Film as Literature examines the relationship between literature and its representation in film. Students study films critically and analytically as both art forms and methods of communication. They identify theme, narrative structure, genre, technical, and artistic factors, as well as the social impact of motion pictures. Students examine how films reflect the culture of the time and shape the attitudes and values of that culture. Students write extensively on all these subjects. The course enhances the analytical and critical thinking skills of students.
"Film as Literature helps students understand their favorite movies on another level through learning about different film techniques and their purposes in developing a story."
Fall Semester
1) Technical aspects of film
Technical Elements: Camera Angles, Framing, Editing, Lighting, Sound
Mis en Scine: Acting, Costuming, Location, all other factors that contribute
Film Reviews, Critique, and Analysis
2) Creature Features
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Universal Monsters films
Modern Monsters
3) Film and Storytelling
Genre
Narrative Storytelling
Spring Semester
*Film Awards: The Oscars & Golden Globes!
1) Shakespeare and Film
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Theme and lasting effects of Shakespeare
2) Research
What elements of film are you specifically interested in?
3) Creating your own stories
Screenwriting
Shot listing
Storyboarding
Video Project
The order of units and films used is subject to change year to year.
Why should I take this course?
English 12 credit!
Watch Films!
Discuss, critique, celebrate, & bash a film's merits!
Be able to articulate WHY something is your favorite movie!
Creative learning!
Oscars Ballots & Predictions!
Video projects!
New perspectives!
Storytelling!
Less reading (still an English class, so we will read some!)
Syllabus
Scroll through the full document below or click the buttons below to review the full document and corresponding Syllabus Contract. Digital version available below. Hard copies available in class.
