Unit 1Structure, Story and Screenplay Basics
4 lessons2 Weeks
Structure, Story and Screenplay Basics
 Week 1
Lesson 1
Unit 1 - Loglines
Go 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 2
Unit 1 - Dialogue & Screenplay Basics
Learn 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 2
Lesson 3
Unit 1 - Story Structure
Learn about the three-act story structure, character motivation, and a popular structure in the industry called Save the Cat. 
Lesson 4
Unit 1 - Opening Sequences 
Learn 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 Cinema
2 lessons1 Week
A History of Cinema
 Week 3
Lesson 5
Unit 2 - A History of Cinema, Part 1
Covering 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 6
Unit 2 - A History of Cinema, Part 2
Covering 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 Composition
2 lessons1 Week
Filmmaking Technique and Shot Composition
 Week 4
Lesson 7
Unit 3 - Filmmaking Technique and Shot Composition Part 1
Learn about different filmmaking techniques including: mise en scene, basic shot composition, framing, editing techniques, use of light and shadow, movement, and camera technique.
Lesson 8
Unit 3 - Filmmaking Technique and Shot Composition Part 2
Learn 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 Films
1 lesson1 Week
Horror and Suspense Films
 Week 5
Lesson 9
Unit 4 - Horror and Suspense Films
Our 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 Diegetic 
1 lesson1 Week
Sound, Score and Diegetic 
 Week 5
Lesson 10
Unit 5 - Sound, Score and Diegetic 
Learn about foley artistry, composers, sound effects, score, and diegetic vs. non-diegetic sounds. Watch the fourth film of the class: Poltergeist (1982) or The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008).
Unit 6Hollywood Blockbusters and Four Quadrant Films
2 lessons1 Week
Hollywood Blockbusters and Four Quadrant Films
 Week 6
Lesson 11
Unit 6 - Hollywood Blockbusters and Four Quadrant Films Part 1
Learn 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 12
Unit 6 - Hollywood Blockbusters and Four Quadrant Films Part 2
Learn 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 7Animation
1 lesson1 Week
Animation
 Week 7
Lesson 13
Unit 7 - Animation
Learn 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 Comedy
3 lessons2 Weeks
Motion Picture Comedy
 Week 7
Lesson 14
Unit 8 - Motion Picture Comedy Part 1
Learn about how comedy is an inversion of expectations, the different types of comedy, exaggeration, and the formation of comedy as a genre.
 Week 8
Lesson 15
Unit 8 - Motion Picture Comedy Part 2
Look 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 16
Unit 8 - Motion Picture Comedy Part 3
Look over examples of the various examples of subgenres within the uber genre: comedy.  Watch the seventh film for the class: Clue (1985) or Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017).
Unit 9Film Ratings
1 lesson1 Week
Film Ratings
 Week 9
Lesson 17
Unit 9 - Film Ratings 
Learn 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). 
Unit 10Special Effects
1 lesson1 Week
Special Effects
 Week 9
Lesson 18
Unit 10 - Special Effects
Learn 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 Handlers
2 lessons1 Week
Stunt Work and Animal Handlers
 Week 10
Lesson 19
Unit 11 - Stunt Work
Learn about the work of stunt performers and what a stunt coordinator does. 
Lesson 20
Unit 11 - Animal Handlers
Learn 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 Drama
1 lesson1 Week
Motion Picture Drama
 Week 11
Lesson 21
Unit 12 - Drama 
Our 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: Hidden Figures (2016) or
Little Women (2019).
Unit 13Behind the Scenes
3 lessons2 Weeks
Behind the Scenes
 Week 11
Lesson 22
Unit 13 - Behind the Scenes Part 1
Learn about many of the roles that are crucial in the creation of your favorite films. Final project: essay, exam or short film. 
 Week 12
Lesson 23
Unit 13 - Behind the Scenes Part 2
Learn about many of the roles that are crucial in the creation of your favorite films. 
Lesson 24
Unit 13 - Behind the Scenes Part 3
Learn about many of the roles that are crucial in the creation of your favorite films.  Final class with time for questions and answers.