Elements of Film
Fall 2013 - Residential
Tom Hammond
This course
is an introduction to film analysis and criticism. Being able to identify and interpret the
various components of a film is vital to understanding the most important and
influential art form of the last century and this one as well. We will watch films and clips in class. You will be assigned feature-length films to
watch as homework as well as readings from the required text. There will be three papers due during the
semester.
Face to face
meetings can be arranged before or after class.
Required Text:
“Film Art” -
by Bordwell & Thompson
Netflix – A monthly subscription
is a good idea for the semester. All
assigned movies are “streamable” on Netflix.
It costs $8 per month and the first month is usually free. You can obtain all the films at the library,
but availability might be a problem with 20+ students and a limited number of
copies on hand. You can rent or buy, but
Netflix is easily the most convenient and affordable method. If you subscribe, for an extra $7, you can
receive the films by mail as well as streaming.
Turnaround is 2-3 days.
Course Requirements and Grading:
·
Attendance & Participation 15% of grade
·
Papers (3) 45%
of grade
·
Midterm & Final Exam 40% of grade
·
Extra Credit – Class Blog (+10% of grade)
Attendance & Participation –
Every class covers a component of film history, theory and criticism vital to
your overall understanding of the subject.
If you can’t avoid missing a class, let me know in advance. Any pattern of absence or chronic lateness
will be noted and will adversely impact your final grade. Speak up in class. If that is difficult for you, bring in
something that will inspire discussion.
Papers – You will write three (3)
papers of 3-4 pages covering the following categories:
·
Scene analysis
·
“Auteur” study
·
Genre study
Rubrics for
each paper will be handed out three weeks prior to each due date.
Mid-Term & Final Exams – You
are responsible for knowing the content of the assigned readings, and being
familiar with class and required outside viewings. The exams will be a combination of objective
and short answer questions.
Extra Credit – The Class Blog – You will be
invited to author on the blog. You can
make comments on existing posts, post photos, videos or your own writing. You can add links to suggested readings and
viewings as well.
Academic Integrity – If you use
an idea from another source, you can quote it or paraphrase it, but please CITE
IT. Failure to do so will be a
violation of the Honor Code.
The Eckerd
College Honor Code: “On my honor, as an Eckerd College student, I pledge not to
lie, cheat or steal, nor to tolerate these behaviors in others.”
To affirm
this, you will write, “Pledged” followed by your signature on all assignments,
papers and exams.
Assignment Schedule:
·
All readings are chapters in the required text,
“Film Art” by Bordwell & Thompson.
·
Assigned Viewings are films you are required to
see outside of class (all “streamable” on Netflix).
·
In class we will watch feature films, scenes and
clips from various movies and documentary material on filmmaking. Much of this will also be posted on the Blog
for your further study.
Week 1: Introduction
Introduction
of students and professor
Review of
syllabus
Lecture: The
Beginnings of Film
In-class
viewing: Early Films & “Citizen Kane”
Assigned
reading: Section on “Film Style”
Week 2: Photography
Lecture:
Cinematography
In-class
viewing: “Visions of Light”
Assigned reading: Section on “Film Style” continued
Assigned viewing: “The Grapes of Wrath”
Week 3:
Mise en Scene
Lecture:
Mise en Scene
In-class
viewing: “I Walked With a Zombie”
Assigned reading: Section on “Film Production”
Assigned viewing: “The Cabinet of Dr. Calagari” (1920)
Week 4:
Movement – FIRST PAPER DUE
Lecture: Cinematic
Movement
In-class
viewing: “Kung Fu Hustle”
Assigned reading: Section on “Film Production” continued
Assigned viewing: “13 Assassins”
Week 5:
Editing
Lecture:
Film Editing
In-class
viewing: “The Cutting Edge”
Assigned reading: Section on “Types of Films”
Assigned
Viewing: “Don’t Look Now”
Week 6:
Sound
Lecture: Film
Sound
In-class
viewing: “Blow Out”
Assigned reading: Section on “Types of Films” continued
Assigned viewing: “The Conversation”
Week 7:
Acting – MIDTERM EXAM
Lecture:
Film Acting
In-class
viewing: “On the Waterfront”
Assigned reading: Section on “Critical Analysis”
Assigned viewing: “Midnight Cowboy”
Week 8:
Drama – SECOND PAPPER DUE
Lecture:
Drama
In-class
viewing: “Raging Bull”
Assigned reading: Section on “Critical Analysis” continued
Assigned viewing:
“Shakespeare In Love”
Week 9:
Story
Lecture:
Storytelling
In-class
viewing: “8 ½”
Assigned reading: Section on “Film Form”
Assigned viewing: “The Lady Eve”
Week 10:
Writing
Lecture:
Screenwriting
In-class
viewing: “Adaptation”
Assigned reading: Section on “Film Form” continued
Assigned viewing: “Double Indemnity”
Week 11:
Ideology
Lecture:
Theme and Dramatic Center
In-class
viewing: “V for Vendetta”
Assigned reading: Section on “Film History”
Assigned viewing: “The Sacrifice”
Week 12:
Theory – THIRD PAPER DUE
Lecture:
Film Theory & Criticism
In-class
viewing: “La Strada”
Assigned reading: Section on “Film History” continued
Assigned viewing:
“The Bicycle Thief”
Week 13:
Synthesis
Lecture:
Re-viewing “Citizen Kane”
In-class viewing: “Citizen Kane
Review for
Final Exam
Week 14:
FINAL EXAM
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
In the event
of an emergency or campus shutdown, class work will continue online at:
You will be
invited to contribute as a blog correspondent at the beginning of the
semester. This is part of the
participation segment of your grade and the location for all information if
class can’t be held as scheduled.
Assignments will be posted there as well as suggested readings. Video lectures will be available if a
shutdown continues for more than one week.
Under those circumstances, you may also post any written assignments on
the blog or send them to my email at:
Be sure to review the school handout on
procedure in the event of a hurricane.
ELEMENTS OF FILM –
REQUIRED VIEWINGS
“The Cabinet
of Dr. Calagari” – 1920
“The Grapes
of Wrath” – 1940
“The Lady
Eve” – 1941
“Citizen Kane” – 1941
“I Walked With a Zombie” – 1943
“Double
Indemnity” – 1944
“The Bicycle Thief” – 1948
“On the Waterfront” – 1954
“La Strada”
– 1954
“8 ½” – 1963
“Midnight
Cowboy” – 1969
“Don’t Look
Now” – 1973
“The
Conversation” - 1974
“Raging Bull” – 1980
“Blow Out” –
1981
“The
Sacrifice” – 1986
“Visions of Light” – 1992
“Shakespeare
In Love” – 1998
“Adaptation” – 2002
“The Cutting
Edge” – 2004
“Kung Fu
Hustle” – 2004
“V For
Vendetta” – 2006
“13 Assassins” - 2010
