This module provides a foundation in film aesthetics and other key concepts that help us interpret film. The purpose is to learn to “read” the formal aspects of film and to interpret film within the context of social factors such as race, class and gender.  The module is also designed to develop students’ skills in expressing their understanding of film verbally and in writing.

The formal analysis of film is linked to the interpretation of examples in which the social and cultural context plays a role in understanding the significance of particular sequences and films. The module will be concerned, however, with developing the means to approach these examples with general concepts, rather than interrogating the specific contexts of production and reception.  This module is designed to complement the module in Film History in developing students’ general interpretive and analytic skills.

The module will be structured around weekly topics introducing concepts with examples.  A range of films (in terms of periods, nationality, genre) will be shown.  Assessment is comprised of regular short writing exercises and regular presentations and discussions.  This will develop students’ skills in articulating their interpretation and understanding of film.

• To provide a foundation for further university-level study of film by introducing key skills and concepts.

   

• To introduce students to the different elements of film analysis

   

• To provide students with skills in written and verbal analysis of film.

   

• To provide students with a theoretical understanding and context for their practical work in film production

   

At the end of this modules students will have developed:

• An understanding of the formal elements that make up cinematography, editing and mise en scène and sound, including shots, camera movement, framing, lighting, montage and the relationship between sound and image.

   

• An understanding of the concepts of film style and film form.

   

• An understanding of different narrative techniques

   

• The ability to interpret formal elements of a film in order to understand its theme and meaning.

   

• An understanding of the elementary theoretical concepts in film studies including ideology, representation, authorship, realism.

   

• An ability to express film analysis verbally and in writing

   

• An understanding of the mechanics and techniques of university-level academic writing

   

They will practice the skills of:

• Shot analysis

   

• Sequence analysis

   

• Narrative analysis

   

• Interpretation

   

• Verbal presentation

   

• Academic essay writing

   

The following topics will be covered in this module:

Lectures (10) and screenings (10)

Reading using lecturer’s guidance

Preparing presentations

Participating in class discussion

Producing a researched essay

Required books:

David Bordwell, Kristin Thompson, (2004) Film Art: An Introduction (7th edition),  New York : McGraw-Hill.

Nichols, Bill. (2010) Engaging Cinema: An Introduction to Film Studies. W. W. Norton.

Recommended books:

Barsam, Richard and David Monahan (2009) Looking at Movies: An Introduction to Film (3rd edition).  W.W. Norton

James Monaco, (2009) How to Read a Film: The Art, Technology, Language, History and Theory of Film and Media (4th edition) New York : Oxford University Press.

Maria Pramaggiore, Tome Wallis, (2007) Film: A Critical Introduction (2^nd edition), London : Laurence King.