Syllabus for “Understanding Film Techniques and Analysis” Semester Two
Mr. Sweeney, room 320, email: sweeneb@cps-k12.org
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text: UNDERSTANDING MOVIES by Louis Giannetti; website for text: http://www.prenhall.com/giannetti
supplies: text, notebook for chapter notes & assignments—to be collected at random
requirements: preparation, participation, quizzes, essays, examination
WEEK ONE: JAN 5 - 8
Introduction to films: terms, overview; film analysis: documentary Visions of Light: The Art of Cinematography (1992)
WEEK TWO: JAN 11 - 15
Chapter one: Photography...discussion of key concepts from the chapter; clips and film analysis: Reed’s The Third Man (1949)
and Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960); quiz on 1/19
WEEK THREE: JAN 19 - 22
Chapter two: Mise En Scene...discussion of chapter; clips and film analysis: Polanski’s Rosemary’s Baby (1968); essay due 1/25
WEEK FOUR: JAN 25 - JAN 29
Film analysis: Scott’s Blade Runner (1981); quiz on 1/29
WEEK FIVE: FEB 1 - 5
Chapter three: Movement...discussion of chapter; film analysis: Keaton’s The General (1927) and Donen/Kelly’s Singin’ in the
Rain (1952); quiz on 2/5
WEEK SIX: FEB 8 - 12
Film analysis: Hitchcock’s North by Northwest (1959); essay due 2/12
WEEK SEVEN: FEB 16 - 19
Chapter four: Editing...discussion of chapter; film analysis: “The Art of Editing” and additional film clips; quiz on 2/19
WEEK EIGHT: FEB 22 – FEB 26
Chapter five: Sound...discussion of chapter; film analysis: Inarritu’s Amores Perros (2001); quiz on 2/26
WEEK NINE: MARCH 1 - 5
Chapter six: Acting...discussion of chapter; film analysis: Donnersmarck’s The Lives of Others (2006); essay due on 3/5
WEEK TEN: MARCH 8 - 12
Chapter seven: Drama…discussion of chapter; film analysis: Foreman’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975); quiz on 3/12
WEEK ELEVEN: MARCH 16 – 19 {Spring Break begins the next week, 3/22; return on 3/29}
Chapter eight: Story...discussion of chapter; film analysis: Allen’s Annie Hall (1977); quiz on 3/19
WEEK TWELVE: MARCH 29 – APRIL 2
Chapter nine: Writing…discussion of chapter; film analysis: Curtiz’ Casablanca (1942); quiz on 4/2
WEEK THIRTEEN: APRIL 5 – 9
Chapter ten: Ideology…film analysis: Spielberg’s Schindler’s List (1993); quiz on 4/9
WEEK FOURTEEN: APRIL 12 – 16
Chapter eleven: Critique...discussion of chapters; film analysis: Huston’s The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948); quiz on 4/16
WEEK FIFTEEN: APRIL 19 – 23
Film analysis: Coppola’s The Godfather (1972); essay due 4/26
WEEK SIXTEEN: APRIL 26 – APRIL 30
Chapter twelve: Synthesis…discussion of chapter and film analysis: Welles’ Citizen Kane (1941); quiz on 5/1
WEEKS SEVENTEEN & EIGHTEEN: MAY 3 – 14 (2 weeks: senior exams & AP exams) = Closure!