Intro to Film Studies: Five Elements of Film
This 5-week course takes learners through terminology that is relevant to studying the art of film. Clips and sequences are shown in class as examples. Also useful for English and Media Studies.
#academic
Riley Parker
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(52)
What's included
5 live meetings
5 in-class hoursAssessment
There is no formal assessment in this class. There will be plenty of opportunities in every class for students to watch clips and apply the knowledge they learned by identifying which elements of film are in play for each clips. We will do a Kahoot quiz at the end of the course for students to see how well they picked up the terms from class.Class Experience
This 5-week class is designed to prepare students to gain a better understanding of formal terms used in the world of film studies. Many of these terms also transfer to film making. There is no prerequisite, other than a positive attitude and a curiosity towards film! Each class will cover a new major category. In each class, we will look at slides with photos that exemplify the given term. We will also watch the occasional film clip in order to demonstrate an example of a term. All clips will be age-appropriate for the given class. Every class, I will also name off a few recommended films that best showcase the category of filmmaking for the week. These are completely optional and learners do not have to watch these recommended films to do well in this class. Week 1: CINEMATOGRAPHY. Terms include: High angle, Pan, Tracking Shot, Dolly Shot, Extreme Close-up, Establishing Shot and more. Week 2: SOUND. Terms include: Dialogue, Diegetic/non-diegetic sound, Foley, Sound Bridge, Sound Perspective, Soundscape, and more. Week 3. MISE-EN-SCENE. Terms include: On location, Props, Practical Effects, Costumes and Makeup, Hard and Soft lighting, and more. Week 4: EDITING. Terms include: Cut, Fade, Dissolve, Crosscutting, Jump-Cut, Match cuts, Montage, Kuleshov Effect, and more Week 5: NARRATIVE & REVIEW KAHOOT. Terms include: Plot vs Story, Character tropes, Non-linear storytelling, Intertitles, and more. A final Kahoot will take place at the end of this class that will review all of the weeks thus far. There will be a lot of vocabulary to get through, but we will also move at a pace that allows students to ask questions when needed. The last 5-10 minutes of class will be dedicated to our weekly Kahoot review quiz and any additional questions. I like to begin class by introducing general concepts to students. I do this by asking questions such as "What's a movie you've seen where you noticed something about the sound?" or "How did the camera angles in this film make you feel?". By getting the learners talking about these sort of topics, it helps everyone tune in their watching and listening skills in order to grasp the smaller details. Once the class has started, students will have plenty of opportunities to participate by asking and answering questions about the clips they are shown. Film Studies is a field where the students learn best by participating in discussion, even if it's simply a comment about how they felt while watching a certain sequence. Learners will get the most out of this class by letting their comments and questions be heard!
Learning Goals
Students will learn the basic terminology related to the fields of
Cinematography
- This category of film studies and production looks at how the camera moves relative to the subject. It also examines the importance of different lenses and other relevant equipment.
Sound
- Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of film analysis is sound. We will look at how sound works both within and outside of the film's universe, how it conveys meaning in its unique way, and how it is edited just as meticulously as video.
Mise-en-scene
- This is everything one sees in the frame. It includes lighting, props, wardrobe, makeup, practical effects, actors, and sets.
Editing
- Learners should be able to describe how the the film speaks to the audience through the way it changes from one shot or one sequence to the next. Editing is the act of "putting it all together". Learners must have a grasp of the other categories in order to properly discuss editing.
Narrative
- This category has a lot of overlap from English literature. Learners will have already encountered most of the terms here, but it is often very helpful to review them and gain a more nuanced understanding of them through film.
On a more general level, learners should leave this class with the confidence to throw the vocabulary they have learned into their discussions and pieces of writing related to film and other media. They should gain a more nuanced eye for the details that filmmakers implement for symbolism, mood, and atmosphere in their films.
We will not be able to cover each and every single term that has ever been written in a film textbook, or that has ever been spoken on a film set, but learners will leave this class feeling more than prepared to discuss films for any screenings they encounter in English and Media classes. Many schools also offer film studies classes as electives, and this class will set them up perfectly for that.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
All clips shown are for educational purposes. Some concepts are best exemplified in clips that happen to come from PG-13 films. For instance, "crosscutting" is a concept that is best seen through the films of Christopher Nolan. Also, some clips will be shown from films that were released before the standard rating system had been updated to its current version. However, in any of these cases, I have been careful to curate the clips so that no mature content is present. All clips will be shown such that the viewers will know any other context of the given film.
I am NOT recommending that my students watch any film that is rated outside of their age range.
Supply List
There are no mandatory supplies, but I recommend that learners take notes using a physical or digital notepad.
Joined September, 2021
4.9
52reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Film/Cinema/Video Studies from University of Calgary
I recently completed my Bachelor of Art's in Film Studies at the University of Calgary. Here, I had a chance to study under some of the most reputable Canadian film scholars, and learn about a plethora of different film topics. I also have had a chance to work on film sets and even curate selections for film festivals.
Analyzing, critiquing, and researching films is a passion of mine. I'm excited to use this class to combine that passion with my love of teaching. Film is one of the most amazing and versatile art forms we have, and I can't wait to introduce its complexities to new learners.Reviews
Live Group Class
$14
weekly or $67 for 5 classes1x per week, 5 weeks
60 min
Completed by 20 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
1-15 learners per class
