This course 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 silent and scored films, and character development through the visual medium of film. Students begin to analyze works of cinema, research film history and genres, and create original scripts using techniques studied in class. 

There are NO live meetings for this course. There will be weekly posts in the classroom each week which will include: video lessons (between one hour to an hour and half for each week), links to outside resources, homework assignments, movie watch assignments, and discussion prompts. Learners may log in and watch the lessons at their own convenience during the week. 

Introduction to Film will be taught as a US middle school elective, but you don't have to be taking it as an elective or for a grade to enjoy the class. Between class time and homework the students will do the required 60 hours of work to use this class as a semester length elective.