Film Style - FILM3130

Overview

The course introduces students to the language of film, from aspects of mise-en-scène (setting, performance, costumes, props, lighting, frame composition) to framing (camera movement, shot scale, lenses), sound (fidelity, volume, timbre) and editing (from requirements for spatial orientation through matches on action, eyeline matches and shot-reverse-shot structures to temporal manipulations through ellipsis and montage). The study of these elements enables students to understand the spatial and temporal construction of films, as well as the stylistic, expressive and/or dramatic functions of specific strategies.

Details

Contact hours

Total contact hours: 72
Private study hours: 228
Total study hours: 300

Method of assessment

Main assessment methods:

Essay (2000 words) (40%)
Seminar Participation (20%)
Examination, 3-hour (40%).

Reassessment methods:
100% coursework

Indicative reading

Indicative Reading List:

Bordwell, D. & Thompson, K. (2010) (9th ed.) Film Art: An Introduction. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Corrigan, T. (2009) A Short Guide to Writing About Film. New York: Harper Collins.
Kawin, B. (1992) How Movies Work. Berkeley: University of California Press.

See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)

Learning outcomes

The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:

1. Have studied all aspects of film form (elements of mise-en-scène, camera work, editing, sound) and the principles guiding the spatial and temporal construction of films from a variety of modes, genres, historical periods and national traditions.
2. Engage with the scholarly literature in an analytical manner, and allowed for the literature and the films to inform each other. Frameworks for the systematic study of film should be applied and explored, understanding the usefulness of the approaches taken.
3. Execute close analysis of films, providing detailed discussion of the workings and significance of specific film sequences, both in seminars and in essay writing.
4. Communicate clearly the knowledge and understanding appropriate to the study of film, using appropriate terminology and accurate, coherent and effective written and oral expression.

The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:

1. Critically analyse and make use of reading material and their frameworks.
2. Make subtle and discriminating comparisons; evaluate; care and appreciate, and understand relevance.
3. Demonstrate developed skills of interpretation, argument, structure and presentation.
4. Write appropriately according to purpose; use a wide vocabulary; use correct spelling, syntax and punctuation; express complex ideas, arguments and subtleties of meaning; consciously shape and craft language to achieve sophisticated effects.
5. Achieve oral sophistication; sensitivity in the choice of speech style and effective use and pronunciation of vocabulary and expression; use language in a dynamic and persuasive manner; make thought-provoking contributions.
6. Engage in effective listening; make use of previous oral contributions, thereby enhancing conversation and presentation skills.