UPPER SCHOOL ARTS: FILM CLASS COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Film class will explore the fundamentals of acting on camera, film
production and analysis, screen writing, directing, editing and video
making. Each quint will concentrate on a different element of film
accompanied by the screening and discussion of several movies/videos.
By the end of the year, students will work on their own projects according
to their individual interests.
QUINT I: Acting
QUINT II: Directing
QUINT III: Writing
QUINT IV: Production
QUINT V: Editing
GRADING:
Students are graded on class work—participation,
commitment, punctuality, and technical support—as well as outside
assignments such as film reviews and script memorization. Three
unexcused absences may lead to the lowering of a grade; two unexcused
tardies equal one absence. Please be on time!
FILM REVIEWS/PROJECTS/CLASS WORK
Each quint, students will be required to do a film review of a film that is
viewed outside of class. You will also be required to do a brief presentation
with accompanying internet clip once a quint. Focus this quint will be on
trailers: students will need to show a trailer for an upcoming film and
discuss why s/he thinks the trailer is effective or not. You will also work
as an actor, writer and/or director as needed or assigned for projects. This
quint, each student will need to memorize an assigned film scene in time
for filming in class in October.
FILM SCREENINGS IN CLASS
Each quint we will screen and discuss one film in class.
APPROVED FILM LIST: QUINT I
This quint you need to review a film based on a real-live event from the
following list. Critiques of inappropriate films will not be accepted. Your
reviews should be thorough and include an analysis of both the acting and
the directing of the film, the cinematography, and include discussion of the
sound/music, costumes and style when appropriate. Your viewpoint
should be supported with specific examples and/or quotes from the film.
Every effort should be made to identify and spell the actors’/directors’
names correctly. It is advisable to write your review within a day of seeing
the film. Alternatively, you may review a film from a festival—talk to me!
DUE DATE: Monday, 5 October
If you have questions, I can be reached on my cell (listed in the handbook)
or you can use the contact button on my teacher page to email me.
A Beautiful Mind
Amadeus
Apollo 13
Aviator
Becoming Jane
Bird
Bonnie & Clyde
Boys Don’t Cry
Braveheart
Bright Star
Captain Phillips
Capote
Catch Me If You Can
Chaplin
Charlie Wilson’s War
Cinderella Man
Coal Miner’s Daughter
Dallas Buyers Club
Ed Wood
Elizabeth
Erinn Brockovich
Finding Neverland
Fruitvale Station
Lawrence of Arabia
Lean on Me
Lenny
Malcolm X
Marie Antoinette
McFarland, USA
Milk
Miss Henderson Presents
Monster
Papillon
Patton
The Queen
Rabbit Proof Fence
Raging Bull
Ray
Schindler’s List
Seabiscuit
Shine
Silkwood
Social Network
The Elephant Man
The Hurt Locker
The King’s Speech
Gandhi
Girl, Interrupted
Good Night and Good Luck
Gorillas in the Mist
Hollywood Land
Hotel Rwanda
Imitation Game
Julie and Julia
The Last Emperor
The Last King of Scotland
The Pianist
The Theory of Everything
The Young Victoria
Twelve Years a Slave
Unbroken
Walk the Line
Wild