Unit 1Unit 1 - Structure, Story and Screenplay
5 lessons2 Weeks
Unit 1 - Structure, Story and Screenplay
 Week 1
Lesson 1
Unit 1 - Loglines
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 
Learn about and examine dialogue in cinema. 
Lesson 3
Unit 1 - Screenplay Basics
Learn about what a screenplay is and how to write one. Homework: Rewrite an example of bad dialogue.  
 Week 2
Lesson 4
Unit 1 - Story Structure
Learn about the three-act story structure, character motivation, and a popular story telling structure in the industry called Save the Cat. 
Lesson 5
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). 
Unit 2Unit 2 - A History of Cinema
2 lessons2 Weeks
Unit 2 - A History of Cinema
 Week 2
Lesson 6
Unit 2 - A History of Cinema 
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. Complete first project: an essay or oral presentation on a filmmaker. 
 Week 3
Lesson 7
Unit 2 - A History of Cinema 
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 3Unit 3 - Filmmaking Technique and Shot Composition
2 lessons2 Weeks
Unit 3 - Filmmaking Technique and Shot Composition
 Week 3
Lesson 8
Unit 3 - Filmmaking Technique and Shot Composition 
Learn about different filmmaking techniques including: mise en scene, basic shot composition, framing, editing techniques, use of light and shadow, movement, and camera technique. 
 Week 4
Lesson 9
Unit 3 - Filmmaking Technique and Shot Composition 
Learn about different filmmaking techniques including: mise en scene, 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). Homework: Write your first 3 page script. 
Unit 4Unit 4 - Horror and Suspense Films
1 lesson1 Week
Unit 4 - Horror and Suspense Films
 Week 5
Lesson 10
Unit 4 - Horror and Suspense Films
Our first genre study will focus on horror and suspense, dramatic irony, suspense vs. horror, suspense vs. surprise, and how the techniques are used in all genres. Watch the fourth film of the class: Poltergeist (1982) or Nope (2022). 
Unit 5Unit 5 - Sound, Score and Diegetic 
1 lesson1 Week
Unit 5 - Sound, Score and Diegetic 
 Week 5
Lesson 11
Unit 5 - Sound, Score and Diegetic 
Learn about the importance of sound, score, and diegetic within cinema. Complete a sound homework assignment.
Unit 6Unit 6 - Hollywood Blockbusters and Four Quadrant Films
1 lesson1 Week
Unit 6 - Hollywood Blockbusters and Four Quadrant Films
 Week 6
Lesson 12
Unit 6 - Hollywood Blockbusters and Four Quadrant Films Part 1 
Learn about the focus on creating blockbusters within the film industry, tentpole franchises, four quadrant appeal, adapting intellectual properties, and the global appeal of "Popcorn" flicks.  Watch the fifth film for the class: Jurassic Park (1993) or Black Panther (2018). Midterm project: Essay, exam, or blockbuster pitch. 
Unit 7Unit 7 - Animation
1 lesson1 Week
Unit 7 - Animation
 Week 7
Lesson 13
Unit 7 - Animation
A lesson on the major figures in animation history, animation techniques, and how animation differs from live action. Watch the sixth film for the class: ParaNorman (2012) or Up (2009).
Unit 8Unit 8 - Motion Picture Comedy
2 lessons2 Weeks
Unit 8 - Motion Picture Comedy
 Week 7
Lesson 14
Unit 8 - Motion Picture Comedy Part 1
Learn about inversion of expectations, formation of comedy as a genre, and the importance of exaggeration in comedy. 
 Week 8
Lesson 15
Unit 8 - Motion Picture Comedy Part 2
Watch film clip examples of the various types of comedies through examining the subgenres within the uber genre: comedy. Watch the seventh film for the class: Clue (1985) or The Birdcage (1996). comedy. Homework: Write a comedy script or create a storyboard for a short animated film. 
Unit 9Unit 9 - Film Ratings 
1 lesson1 Week
Unit 9 - Film Ratings 
 Week 9
Lesson 16
Unit 9 - Film Ratings 
Learn about film ratings history in the US, censorship, 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 10Unit 10 - Special Effects
1 lesson1 Week
Unit 10 - Special Effects
 Week 9
Lesson 17
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 11Unit 11 - Stunt Work and Animal Handlers
1 lesson1 Week
Unit 11 - Stunt Work and Animal Handlers
 Week 10
Lesson 18
Unit 11 - Stunt Work & Animal Handlers
Learn about the work of stunt performers and coordinators, the animal actors and handlers. Watch the ninth film for the class: The Fall Guy (2024) or Bumblebee (2018). Homework: Write your final script.
Unit 12Unit 12 - Drama
1 lesson1 Week
Unit 12 - Drama
 Week 11
Lesson 19
Unit 12 - Drama
Learn about the history of the uber genre: drama, the importance of characters in drama, and emotions of characters and the audience. Watch the final film for the class: The Shawshank Redemption (1994) or Fried Green Tomatoes (1991).  
Unit 13Unit 13 - Behind the Scenes
1 lesson1 Week
Unit 13 - Behind the Scenes
 Week 12
Lesson 20
Unit 13 - Behind the Scenes
Learn about many of the roles that are crucial in the creation of your favorite films. Final project: essay, exam or short film.