Film analysis syllabus
The objective of this class is to assist you in being able to answer three questions: how do films express meaning, how do films tell stories, and how do viewers understand film?
Classroom
VTC Teleconference room 248 and computer lab
Who is this class designed for?
Anyone who enjoys reading, writing, watching and talking about films and wants to learn more about the technical and artistic methods filmmakers use to tell their stories.
Resources you need every day
We will be actively taking part in the creation of films and of our own learning. Using the resources you have, you will be tasked to create your own Weebly website, which will serve as your daily class journal. Google apps will also be utilized for assignments, and you will have the opportunity to personally recreate some of film's most popular cinematic camera techniques.
Attendance
You may have found yourself saying this about another class, “Oh, we’re just watching a movie today--no big deal.” In this class watching a movie is a big deal--the class is called film analysis, and this is the time that you can best reach a clearer and deeper understanding of film--and it’s the most fun part! For this reason your attendance in class is extremely important, even when we are watching a movie. We will discuss and critique film while also approaching a clearer understanding of the filmmaker’s storytelling craft. If you miss class you are responsible for making up missed work. You can rent the film on your own and watch it or watch come in and watch it during Academic Lab.
Audience is Listening
Silence your devices during all movies. You turn it off when you see a film just for fun...you especially need to when you study films. However, we WILL be actively using your iPad mini for most of the work in this class. Always bring your iPad mini to class.
Late Work
You will always have at least one week’s notice for deadlines on major assignments. If you have a good reason for being unable to meet a deadline, please discuss it with me before the assignment is due. If an assignment is “late,” the grade ceiling lowers by one letter grade for each day after the due date. For example, an assignment that is one day late will be limited to “B” credit, and an assignment that is two days late will be limited to “C” credit. A small assignment worth 20 points or fewer will automatically receive half credit if it is late.
Class Participation
Productive seminar groups are vital for the success of this class, and you must be a responsible seminar member.
Class Attendance: Take Two
Good attendance is a must. If you are absent, you are responsible for all the work that you missed. Note that any work missed during an unexcused absence cannot be made up. One unexcused absence results in an “I” in citizenship, and 2 unexcused absences result in a “U.”
What if you are absent?
On the day you arrive back to class, YOU SHOULD:
Tardiness
Class begins when the bell rings. Lateness is disruptive. Three unexcused tardies result in an “I” in citizenship, and four unexcused tardies result in a “U.” Be here, be on time, be prepared for class, be nice while you're here! The most important information I will share with you happens within the first five minutes of class.
Citizenship Grades
“S” indicates satisfactory citizenship; “O” is for outstanding leadership in seminar or for outstanding efforts through the quarter; “I” or “U” indicates problems in tardiness or attendance, or lack of cooperation in the classroom. Cheating in any form results in a ZERO for the assignment and an “I” or “U” for the quarter.
Your grade will be based on:
VTC Teleconference room 248 and computer lab
Who is this class designed for?
Anyone who enjoys reading, writing, watching and talking about films and wants to learn more about the technical and artistic methods filmmakers use to tell their stories.
Resources you need every day
We will be actively taking part in the creation of films and of our own learning. Using the resources you have, you will be tasked to create your own Weebly website, which will serve as your daily class journal. Google apps will also be utilized for assignments, and you will have the opportunity to personally recreate some of film's most popular cinematic camera techniques.
- Movies and Meaning (textbook)
- iPad mini
- Love of film
- Smile
Attendance
You may have found yourself saying this about another class, “Oh, we’re just watching a movie today--no big deal.” In this class watching a movie is a big deal--the class is called film analysis, and this is the time that you can best reach a clearer and deeper understanding of film--and it’s the most fun part! For this reason your attendance in class is extremely important, even when we are watching a movie. We will discuss and critique film while also approaching a clearer understanding of the filmmaker’s storytelling craft. If you miss class you are responsible for making up missed work. You can rent the film on your own and watch it or watch come in and watch it during Academic Lab.
Audience is Listening
Silence your devices during all movies. You turn it off when you see a film just for fun...you especially need to when you study films. However, we WILL be actively using your iPad mini for most of the work in this class. Always bring your iPad mini to class.
Late Work
You will always have at least one week’s notice for deadlines on major assignments. If you have a good reason for being unable to meet a deadline, please discuss it with me before the assignment is due. If an assignment is “late,” the grade ceiling lowers by one letter grade for each day after the due date. For example, an assignment that is one day late will be limited to “B” credit, and an assignment that is two days late will be limited to “C” credit. A small assignment worth 20 points or fewer will automatically receive half credit if it is late.
Class Participation
Productive seminar groups are vital for the success of this class, and you must be a responsible seminar member.
Class Attendance: Take Two
Good attendance is a must. If you are absent, you are responsible for all the work that you missed. Note that any work missed during an unexcused absence cannot be made up. One unexcused absence results in an “I” in citizenship, and 2 unexcused absences result in a “U.”
What if you are absent?
On the day you arrive back to class, YOU SHOULD:
- Review this website, your Google docs, or school email to check for missed work.
- Ask a trusted classmate for notes.
- Make sure a parent or guardian has called ahead to excuse your absence.
- Remember, if you are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to secure any notes, handouts, or assignments you may have missed. NO ONE WILL DO THIS FOR YOU.
Tardiness
Class begins when the bell rings. Lateness is disruptive. Three unexcused tardies result in an “I” in citizenship, and four unexcused tardies result in a “U.” Be here, be on time, be prepared for class, be nice while you're here! The most important information I will share with you happens within the first five minutes of class.
Citizenship Grades
“S” indicates satisfactory citizenship; “O” is for outstanding leadership in seminar or for outstanding efforts through the quarter; “I” or “U” indicates problems in tardiness or attendance, or lack of cooperation in the classroom. Cheating in any form results in a ZERO for the assignment and an “I” or “U” for the quarter.
Your grade will be based on:
- your Weebly blog
- your quizzes and tests
- your projects
- your performance in classroom activities and discussion