Film Studies: Genres for Screenwriters, Directors & Filmmakers
What's included
8 live meetings
7 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursHomework
2-4 hours per week. Student will come up with an idea for each week (picking one of the two genres focused on that day) and write up a short description (paragraph to single page). Students will watch genre movies of their choice and analyze them for genre elements.Assessment
A letter grade can be provided at parent request. Grading will be based on attendance, participation, and turning in homework. Doing everything - A, missing one or two items - B, missing several items - C.Grading
includedClass Experience
genre - a category of artistic composition characterized by similarities in tone, form, style, or subject matter This class is for anyone who wants to make movies. We'll go over various genres and what the audience expects of that genre when they go to the movies. Knowing the rules of each genre helps you to understand your audience expectations. You need to know the rules before you make the conscious decision to break them if you are looking to subvert audience expectations. Each week we will cover what the genre is, what the audience expects from the genre, examples of movies that either represent the genre or subvert the genre, the characters that populate a genre, how to study a genre you want to write in, exploring genres you might not be comfortable in, and mashing genres together. The student will come up with a script idea for each genre and turn in to the instructor. The idea can be a simple paragraph. The instructor/class will give feedback on their idea. It is recommended for the student to watch a genre film each week and post their thoughts on it. If you are using this class to help fulfill a Film Studies High School/Secondary School Elective, the following hour chart can be applied. Class & Homework (but not watching genre movies) - 12 hours Class, Homework, and 1 genre movie per week - 28 hours Class, Homework, and 2 genre movies per week - 44 hours Week One - Coming-of-Age and Fish-Out-of-Water - What are the elements of the genre, what does the audience expect from the genre, what type of characters populate the genre, how to make a watch list to help you write within the genre, and we'll watch clips and discuss from the following movies: My Girl, Love Simon, Legally Blonde, City Slickers, Crocodile Dundee, and Back to the Future. Week Two - Horror and Thriller - What are the elements of the genre, what does the audience expect from the genre, what type of characters populate the genre, how to make a watch list to help you write within the genre, and we'll watch clips and discuss from the following movies: Get Out, Scream, A Quiet Place, Panic Room, Along Came a Spider, and Runaway Jury. Week Three - Action and Adventure - What are the elements of the genre, what does the audience expect from the genre, what type of characters populate the genre, how to make a watch list to help you write within the genre, and we'll watch clips and discuss from the following movies: Die Hard, Charlie's Angels, Batman Begins, The Mummy, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, and The Princess Bride. Week Four - Romantic Comedy and Buddy - What are the elements of the genre, what does the audience expect from the genre, what type of characters populate the genre, how to make a watch list to help you write within the genre, and we'll watch clips and discuss from the following movies: While You Were Sleeping, Fever Pitch, 50 First Dates, The Heat, Dumb and Dumber, and Zootopia. Week Five - Western and Historical - What are the elements of the genre, what does the audience expect from the genre, what type of characters populate the genre, how to make a watch list to help you write within the genre, and we'll watch clips and discuss from the following movies: The Magnificent Seven (2016), Young Guns, True Grit (2010), Hidden Figures, Gladiator, and The Book Thief. Week Six - Science Fiction and Fantasy - What are the elements of the genre, what does the audience expect from the genre, what type of characters populate the genre, how to make a watch list to help you write within the genre, and we'll watch clips and discuss from the following movies: The Martian, Arrival, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Penelope, Enchanted, and Legend. Week Seven - Disaster and War - What are the elements of the genre, what does the audience expect from the genre, what type of characters populate the genre, how to make a watch list to help you write within the genre, and we'll watch clips and discuss from the following movies: Twister, The Day After Tomorrow, Godzilla, Starship Troopers, War Horse, and Behind Enemy Lines. Week Eight - Comedy and Drama - What are the elements of the genre, what does the audience expect from the genre, what type of characters populate the genre, how to make a watch list to help you write within the genre, and we'll watch clips and discuss from the following movies: Clueless, Spaceballs, Home Again, Little Women, Steel Magnolias, and Eat Pray Love.
Learning Goals
Students will understand what elements are required to write in the various genres.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Some genres will focus on PG-13 or R rated movies which might include violence, foul language or sexual content as part of the storytelling. Some of the clips that we watch may contain cinematic violence and/or foul language.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
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
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.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$144
for 8 classes1x per week, 8 weeks
55 min
Completed by 15 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
3-12 learners per class