Film & Composition

Film & Composition

Film & Composition explores the development of film as a medium, its ability to reflect and shape societal values, and its impact as an art form. Students will engage with film clips and full-length films, considering historical, cultural, and technological contexts. They will analyze narrative techniques, visual elements, and thematic depth to draw connections between film and composition.

• Prerequisites:  English 9 & 10, High School GPA of 3.0

• ½ credit

Unit 1: The Birth and Evolution of Film 

Students will explore the historical development of film as a medium and track its technological advancements. They will develop answers to the questions:

1. How have technological advancements shaped film as an art form and industry?

2. How did the transition from silent films to sound films transform storytelling?

3. In what ways do early films establish the foundations of modern filmmaking?

Unit 2: Film as Social Critique 

Students will analyze how films reflect and challenge societal norms, addressing themes such as representation, justice, and cultural identity. Guiding questions include:

1. In what ways can film challenge societal norms or reinforce them?

2. How has representation in film evolved over time?

3. In what ways can film challenge or reinforce societal norms?

Unit 3: Fantasy and Escapism

This unit examines the ways films create immersive worlds to explore universal themes and provide escapism. Students will reflect on:

1. Why do audiences turn to fantasy films, and what can these films reveal about real-world concerns?

2. How do fantasy and animated films balance escapism with real-world relevance?

3. How does escapism in film serve both personal and societal purposes?

4. How do cultural values shape the themes and storytelling of fantasy films?

Unit 4: Blockbusters and Spectacle

Students will investigate the rise of blockbusters, focusing on spectacle, technology, and their global cultural impact. Questions include:

1. How have blockbusters transformed the film industry, both economically and artistically?

2. How do technological advancements redefine audience expectations?

3. How do blockbuster films balance visual spectacle with narrative depth?

All students must adhere to the rules set by the Pittsville Student Handbook. In addition, classroom norms will be developed collaboratively will guide our interactions and learning environment and students must follow the Academic Integrity Policy.

Assessments (including essays, quizzes, tests, and projects)………………….……….…………………………...…..100%

Note:  All other work, while not ‘graded,’ is designed to help students build and practice knowledge and skills that are necessary for the skills being assessed. Assessments will not be administered until other work is completed satisfactorily. If students wish to retake / retry assessments, they must follow the classroom retake policy which will be in the “Important Documents” section of Google Classroom.

• RL.1: Cite relevant textual evidence that strongly supports analysis of what the text says explicitly/implicitly and make logical inferences; develop questions for further exploration.

• RL.2: Objectively and accurately summarize texts, from a variety of genres, to determine one or more themes or central ideas and analyze its development, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details.

• W.2a: Write arguments and literary analysis to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts.