Length: 1 Trimester Grade(s): 11 and 12 Elective
Course Description: This class provides students with a chance to review and analyze films as a visual form of communication. After a brief history of film, students learn about the various cinematic techniques (narrative, mis-en-scene, cinematography, sound and editing) and elements of style, genre, storytelling, and auteur directing. Students will learn how to analyze films as works of art and a form of entertainment, as well as explore social issues relevant to the themes found in various films. The class includes weekly readings, screenings of films, and a number of writing assignments. Students will complete a final project that shows their understanding of the various topics discussed in class.
Thematic Framework: Art has always been both a reflection of society as well as a driving force for change in society. By looking at films, we can get a glimpse into what a society values and struggles with at a particular point in time. Films, like all story telling devices, are a way to help us see a new perspective and open our eyes to things we might not otherwise experience.
Enduring Understandings:
· Movies are a way of understanding our cultural and historical past
· Movies help us to understand our differences and the things that connect us
· Movies can push us to think more deeply about the world around us
· Writing about movies helps us to understand the themes and deeper meanings of a visual story
Essential Questions:
· How does visual art reflect and change culture?
· How is visual storytelling different than telling a story through the written word?
· How do the various elements of filmmaking contribute to the overall final film?
Skills: research, writing, argument, inferencing, critical thinking, analyzing
Instructional Strategies: readings, videos, written reviews of movies, written analysis of scenes and movies
Major Texts/Resources Used: various readings/articles; Of Mice and Men, Pride and Prejudice. Films may include any of the following: The General, Double Indemnity, Moonrise Kingdom, What’s Up Doc, Rear Window, Of Mice and Men, Pride and Prejudice, Spirited Away, Philadelphia, and Ford vs. Ferrari
Final Course Assessment: Video analysis of a film
Unit One: History and Elements of Film
Major Concepts: technology changes culture, shared experiences create common bonds, appreciation of art requires some understanding of how it is created.
Major Content: Invention of moving pictures, Film making and editing techniques, birth of the feature film, basics of film analysis.
Unit Assessment: Multiple Choice/Short Answer test
Unit Two: Style & Genre
Major Concepts: Film reflects a director’s artistic vision & bias; Genres frame narration, but can also play tricks with expectations; Film reflects and challenges the status quo.
Major Content: German expressionism, Soviet Montage, Auteur Directors, Film Genres, Film review guidelines
Unit Assessment: Research and present a particular film auteur.
Unit Three: Story Basics & Analysis
Major Concepts: plot, conflict, protagonist, point of view, theme, story beats
Major Content: narrative structure, challenges of visual storytelling, Mise-En-Scene elements, film analysis guidelines
Unit Assessment: Storyboard Of Mice and Men; Comparison of storyboard to film
Final Project: Create a video blog in which you, and at least one other person, analyze a movie.