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Film Studies: Introduction to Film
In this 12-week class, students will learn how to appreciate, analyze & interpret theme, character, story structure, & narrative technique through the medium of film as they study movies, write scripts, & learn about the business of cinema.
Class Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
Beginner - Advanced Level
Introduction to Film explores a wide variety and range of film types and units of study, including film history, shot composition, editing techniques, animation, special effects, sound in film, film ratings, specialists that help make a film, and individual genre-based units of study. Additionally, students are introduced to basic script formatting, writing, and “pitching.” Focus includes the development of techniques for analysis in shot composition, story structure mapping, appreciation of...
13 units//24 lessons//12 Weeks
Unit 1Structure, Story and Screenplay BasicsStructure, Story and Screenplay Basics4 lessons2 WeeksWeek 1Lesson 1Unit 1 - LoglinesGo over how the class will work and do the survey to determine what full films will be watched throughout the class. Learn about the importance of loglines both in the creation and marketing of films. One-sheets and trailers. Homework: Write a logline.Lesson 2Unit 1 - Dialogue & Screenplay BasicsLearn about and examine dialogue in cinema. Learn about what a screenplay is and how to write one. Homework: Rewrite an example of bad dialogue.Week 2Lesson 3Unit 1 - Story StructureLearn about the three-act story structure, character motivation, and a popular structure in the industry called Save the Cat.Lesson 4Unit 1 - Opening SequencesLearn about the different types of opening sequences a filmmaker might pick to start their film and why. Watch the first film of the class: The Princess Bride (1987) or Coco (2017). Complete first project: an essay or oral presentation on a filmmaker.Unit 2A History of CinemaA History of Cinema2 lessons1 WeekWeek 3Lesson 5Unit 2 - A History of Cinema, Part 1Covering a brief history of early staged drama, timeline of drama from stage to screen, key figures in early cinema and major periods in film history, and innovations in filmmaking technology, including music, sound, color, and special effects.Lesson 6Unit 2 - A History of Cinema, Part 2Covering a brief history of early staged drama, timeline of drama from stage to screen, key figures in early cinema and major periods in film history, and innovations in filmmaking technology, including music, sound, color, and special effects. Watch the second film of the class: Dance, Girl, Dance (1940) or Singin' in the Rain (1952).Unit 3Filmmaking Technique and Shot CompositionFilmmaking Technique and Shot Composition2 lessons1 WeekWeek 4Lesson 7Unit 3 - Filmmaking Technique and Shot Composition Part 1Learn about different filmmaking techniques including: mise en scene, basic shot composition, framing, editing techniques, use of light and shadow, movement, and camera technique.Lesson 8Unit 3 - Filmmaking Technique and Shot Composition Part 2Learn about different filmmaking techniques including: mise en scene, basic shot composition, framing, editing techniques, use of light and shadow, movement, and camera technique. Watch the third film of the class: Arrival (2016) or Casablanca (1942).Unit 4Horror and Suspense FilmsHorror and Suspense Films1 lesson1 WeekWeek 5Lesson 9Unit 4 - Horror and Suspense FilmsOur first genre study will focus on horror and suspense, dramatic irony, suspense vs. surprise techniques, and suspense vs. horror. Homework: Write your first 3 page script.Unit 5Sound, Score and DiegeticSound, Score and Diegetic1 lesson1 WeekWeek 5Lesson 10Unit 5 - Sound, Score and DiegeticLearn about foley artistry, composers, sound effects, score, and diegetic vs. non-diegetic sounds. Watch the fourth film of the class: Poltergeist (1982) or Nope (2022).Unit 6Hollywood Blockbusters and Four Quadrant FilmsHollywood Blockbusters and Four Quadrant Films2 lessons1 WeekWeek 6Lesson 11Unit 6 - Hollywood Blockbusters and Four Quadrant Films Part 1Learn about the focus on creating blockbuster films, tentpole franchises, global appeal of “Popcorn” flicks, four quadrant appeal, adapting Intellectual Properties, and the differences between stories written for the page and stories presented on the screen.Lesson 12Unit 6 - Hollywood Blockbusters and Four Quadrant Films Part 2Learn about the focus on creating blockbuster films, tentpole franchises, global appeal of “Popcorn” flicks, four quadrant appeal, adapting Intellectual Properties, and the differences between stories written for the page and stories presented on the screen. Watch the fifth film for the class: Jurassic Park (1993) or Black Panther (2018). Midterm project: Essay, exam, or blockbuster pitch.Unit 7AnimationAnimation1 lesson1 WeekWeek 7Lesson 13Unit 7 - AnimationLearn about the different types of animation, major figures in animation history, and how animation different is from live action cinema. Watch the sixth film for the class: ParaNorman (2012) or Up (2009).Unit 8Motion Picture ComedyMotion Picture Comedy3 lessons2 WeeksWeek 7Lesson 14Unit 8 - Motion Picture Comedy Part 1Learn about how comedy is an inversion of expectations, the different types of comedy, exaggeration, and the formation of comedy as a genre.Week 8Lesson 15Unit 8 - Motion Picture Comedy Part 2Look over examples of the various examples of subgenres within the uber genre: comedy. Homework: Write a 3 page comedy script or create a storyboard for a short animated film.Lesson 16Unit 8 - Motion Picture Comedy Part 3Look over examples of the various examples of subgenres within the uber genre: comedy. Watch the seventh film for the class: Clue (1985) or The Birdcage (1996).Unit 9Film RatingsFilm Ratings1 lesson1 WeekWeek 9Lesson 17Unit 9 - Film RatingsLearn about film ratings history in the US, film ratings and the MPA, what makes an "R" rating, and the ratings systems in some non-US countries. Watch the eight film for the class: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) or Alien (1979).Unit 10Special EffectsSpecial Effects1 lesson1 WeekWeek 9Lesson 18Unit 10 - Special EffectsLearn about the different types of special effects, what the history of special effects is, and what some of the techniques filmmakers use to create special effects.Unit 11Stunt Work and Animal HandlersStunt Work and Animal Handlers2 lessons1 WeekWeek 10Lesson 19Unit 11 - Stunt WorkLearn about the work of stunt performers and what a stunt coordinator does.Lesson 20Unit 11 - Animal HandlersLearn about animal actors and the role of animal handlers. Watch the ninth film for the class: The Fall Guy (2024) or Bumblebee (2018).Unit 12Motion Picture DramaMotion Picture Drama1 lesson1 WeekWeek 11Lesson 21Unit 12 - DramaOur final genre study will look into the uber genre: drama. Learn abut the history of drama, emotions in cinema, and the importance of characters in the genre. Homework: Write your final 3 page script. Watch the final film for the class: The Shawshank Redemption (1994) or Fried Green Tomatoes (1991).Unit 13Behind the ScenesBehind the Scenes3 lessons2 WeeksWeek 11Lesson 22Unit 13 - Behind the Scenes Part 1Learn about many of the roles that are crucial in the creation of your favorite films. Final project: essay, exam or short film.Week 12Lesson 23Unit 13 - Behind the Scenes Part 2Learn about many of the roles that are crucial in the creation of your favorite films.Lesson 24Unit 13 - Behind the Scenes Part 3Learn about many of the roles that are crucial in the creation of your favorite films. Final class with time for questions and answers.
This class is taught in English.
- Students will learn how to appreciate, analyze and interpret theme, character, story structure, and narrative technique through the medium of film.
- Students will explore the artistry of sound, camera, costumes, set making, stunts, and SFX that help the filmmakers tell their stories.
Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting Bachelor of Arts in Applied Arts: Creative Writing Certificates from Institute of Children's Literature Certificates from Institute for Writers Writing young adult fantasy and space opera under the pen name Angelia Almos.
2 - 4 hours per week outside of class
Homework
Frequency: 7 or more throughout the classFeedback: includedDetails: The following homework is graded on pass/fail. With full credit being given for completing the activity, partial credit given for partially completing, or no credit given for not turning in or completing the prompt. 1. Full length film watches each week and completed tracking sheets for each film. 2. One practice script and three 3-page student-created scripts.Projects
Frequency: 3-6 throughout the classFeedback: includedDetails: There will be three larger projects offered throughout the course and students will be able to pick between several options: Option 1: Essays in MLA format on film and cinema (suggested topics will be provided). Option 2: Oral slideshow presentations on film and cinema (suggested topics will be provided). Option 3: Create a short film from a prompt provided by the teacher. Option 4: Verbally pitch or create a pitch deck for a possible film (part of Blockbuster lesson) Option 5: Multiple choice mid-term exam and final exam.Letter Grade
Frequency: 1 after class completionDetails: Students will receive a letter grade at the end of the course. A link to the Google Sheet grade book can be provided so the student can see how they are doing throughout the course.Grading
Frequency: includedDetails: No Grade/Certificate Option - If a student doesn't want a grade/certificate, they can opt out of most of the homework assignments and projects. They will still be asked to watch the eleven assigned films as homework so they can participate in the in-class discussions. The option to opt out of receiving a grade will be determined during the first week of the class.
Students will need to rent/stream required movies to watch as homework starting week 2. A survey on the first day of class will determine the films and schedule. Here is a list of possible films: The Princess Bride (1987) PG Coco (2017) PG Dance, Girl, Dance (1940) Hays Code Singin' in the Rain (1952) Hays Code Casablanca (1942) Hays Code Arrival (2016) PG-13 Poltergeist (1982) PG Nope (2022) R The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008) PG Jurassic Park (1993) PG-13 Black Panther (2018) PG-13 ParaNorman (2012) PG Up (2009) PG Clue (1985) PG The Birdcage (1996) R Alien (1979) R Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) PG Bumblebee (2018) PG-13 The Fall Guy (2024) PG-13 The Shawshank Redemption (1994) R Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) PG-13
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
We will be discussing and/or watching clips and full films of PG-13 and R rated movies in this class that might contain adult content such as violence, language, and sexuality. Here is the list of films that could be watched in full in the class: The Princess Bride (1987) PG Coco (2017) PG Dance, Girl, Dance (1940) Hays Code Singin' in the Rain (1952) Hays Code Casablanca (1942) Hays Code Arrival (2016) PG-13 Poltergeist (1982) PG Nope (2022) R The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008) PG Jurassic Park (1993) PG-13 Black Panther (2018) PG-13 ParaNorman (2012) PG Up (2009) PG Clue (1985) PG The Birdcage (1996) R Alien (1979) R Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) PG Bumblebee (2018) PG-13 The Fall Guy (2024) PG-13 The Shawshank Redemption (1994) R Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) PG-13 Students will be provided with a list of both free and paid screenwriting programs to write their scripts as well as websites to read screenplays for free. Learners will need to join a Google Classroom for the homework assignments.
This class uses and is based off the Film Studies: Intro to Film elective curriculum created by English Gamechangers.
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Film/Cinema/Video Studies from California State University, Fullerton
Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences from Charter Oak State College
Pronoun: she/her/hers NOTE: If you were looking at one of my flexible schedule classes and they are suddenly gone, yes, I still have them, and I am currently figuring out which classes will be able to go into the new self-paced designation that...
Reviews
Group Class
$40
weekly or $480 for 24 classes2x per week, 12 weeks
55 min
Completed by 41 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
3-12 learners per class