Fall 2009
Dr. Janellen Hill
Loyola #30; x4969; jhill@regis.edu web address:
academic.regis.edu/jhill/
Office Hours: Mondays/Wednesdays: 1:00-2:15 p.m. Thursdays:
3:00-5:00p.m.
Course Description: A
survey of the technical evolution and history of film. An introduction to the principles of
aesthetic criticism, film analysis and the evolution of themes and genres,
while considering basic elements of cinema:
screen writing, direction, casting, production, cinematography and editing. This course focuses on the documentary film
genre as a means to explore film production and to practice film criticism. This course focuses on the “Hollywood Style”
of classic cinema.
Course Objectives:
1. Understanding
the historical development of the
2. Identifying
basic elements of cinema direction and production technique.
3. Understanding
the theories/principles of film criticism.
4. Identifying the
issues and social impact of film as a mass medium.
5. Practicing
active and informed evaluation of film content.
Course Text:
Maltby,
Richard (2003).
Course Requirements:
1. Film
Evaluations. Student will complete
evaluations of each film viewed in class.
These mini-papers will address specific production elements for critical
interpretation and evaluation. Your text
and additional reading on each film will enhance your critique. These papers are limited to five (5) typed,
double-spaced pages and are due at the start of each class session. 54%.
2. Film
Critique. Each student will complete
one in-depth film critique. You will
research a documentary film that we do not screen in class. The critical analysis will focus on three of
the following elements: cinematography,
sound, editing, narrative structure, and acting. You task is to compare/contrast
the role/effect/impact of the chosen three production elements in the selected
film to the films we’ve screened together in class. Your analysis and conclusions should be
logically argued and well researched. These critiques are limited to eight (8)
typed, double-spaced pages in length and include an oral presentation. 30%.
3.
Class Participation. This term means asking relevant
questions, making meaningful comments, reflecting on class assignments, and
taking an active role in class discussions. This requirement
includes summaries of the AFI
documentaries in addition to energized participation in discussions of each
film and reading. 16%.
Policies:
Because this class
meets once weekly, I expect regular attendance.
Students who miss three (3) class sessions will earn a non passing
grade. Late work will be accepted with
the trade-off of a deduction of 10% per calendar day. Absolutely no cell phone or competing audio-visual
technology in class!
Grades will be assigned as follows:
100 - 90 points
..........A
89 - 80 points .….......B
79 - 70 points ..…......C
69 - 60 points ...….....D
Below 60 points
........Not Passing
Course Schedule:
Week One
August 26
Introduction to course
Screening:
American Cinema: The
Read: Chapters
1, 2, 3
Week Two
September 2
The classic
Hollywood Organizational Structure
Screening: American
Cinema: The Studio System (AFI) 60m
Read: Chapters 4, 5
Week Three
September 9
The relationship between Film Form and
Content
Screening: The
Read: Chapters 10, 11
Week Four
September 16
History & Early Development of Motion
Picture Industry
Screening:
Read:
Chapter 6
Week Five
September 23
The Camera Eye: Scene & Subject
Screening: Sunset Boulevard (Billy Wilder, 1950) 110m
Read:
Chapter 7, 8
Week Six
September 30
Sound & Editing
Screening: On the Waterfront (Elia Kazan, 1954) 108m
Read:
Chapters 12, 13
Week Seven
October 7
Film Narrative and Structure
Screening: Rear Window (Alfred
Hitchcock, 1954) 112m
Read:
Chapters 15, 16
Week Eight
October 14
No class—Mid-semester break
Week Nine
October 21
Acting & Drama
Screening:
The Searchers (John Ford, 1956) 119m
Read: Chapters
9, 14
Week Ten
October 28
Film Theory
Social/Political Impact of the
Screening:
Due:
Identify the film you will critique for the final paper and provide a
list of research resources (full bibliography).
Read: Chapter 18
Week Eleven
November 4
Critical
Paradigms
Screening: Taxi Driver (Martin Scorcese, 1976) 113m
Read:
Chapter 17
Week Twelve
November 11
Working within
the
Screening: Annie Hall (Woody Allen, 1977) 93m
Week Thirteen
November 18
Film Critique Student Presentations
Week Fourteen
November 25
Thanksgiving Break
Week Fifteen
December 2
Film Critique Student Presentations