FILM HISTORY, PART 2

By taking this course students will:

Learn the effect of cinematography on the film industry, identify the elements and themes of the film noir genre, understand the vocabulary of cinematography, explain the effects that different camera angles, movements, framing, etc. have on the audience, identify common elements found in film noir, recognize some key studios, directors and actors in that genre, and identify sub-genres such as Gangster, Crime, Sci-fi, etc. They will enjoy the history of film noir as described by “America Cinema; Film Noir” as well as watch “Sunset Blvd.,” and other movies of this genre.

Understand the role of the editing in storytelling, identify the elements and themes of the suspense genre, discuss the effect of editorial choices, discuss Hitchcock’s influence, identify common elements found in suspense films, recognize some landmark films and directors in that genre, identify sub-genres such as political thrillers, psychological thrillers, etc. They will learn about the art of editing as described by “The Cutting Edge” as well as “The Manchurian Candidate,” “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” “North by Northwest,” and various Hitchcock scenes.

Learn about the role of the director, identify the elements and themes of the drama genre, discuss the validity of the auteur theory, discuss the evolution of the director’s influence, identify common elements found in dramatic films, recognize some landmark films and directors. They will learn about the art of directing as well as watch “Gone With the Wind,” and other movies in the drama genre.

Understand the role of the documentary film on the film industry, identify the elements and themes of the documentary genre, discuss the effect of director bias and objectivity in the documentary, identify documentary vs. docudramas, identify common elements found in documentary films, recognize some landmark films and directors in that genre, identify sub-genres such as bio-pics, Cinéma vérité, propaganda, etc. They will explore the history of documentaries as seen in “Paper Clips,” and watch different documentaries. The student will create their own short documentary.

Learn about the Hollywood takeover by the “Film School Generation,” identify the elements and themes of the blockbuster genre, discuss the effect of focus groups, discuss the importance of the release dates, identify common elements found in blockbuster films, recognize some landmark films and directors in the blockbuster genre. They will learn about the art of directing as described by “America Cinema; The Film School Generation,” as well as watch “Star Wars” and other blockbusters like “ET,” and “Back to the Future”.