Syllabus for “Understanding Film Techniques” Course: Semester One
Mr. Sweeney, room 320, email: SweeneB@cps-.k12.oh.us
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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
AN ESSAY and/or QUIZ FOR EACH CHAPTER will be due along with participation in DISCUSSION OF CONCEPTS
WEEK ONE: AUG 12-15
Introduction to films—terms, clips, view Giannetti video on film concepts and the documentary Visions of Light: The
Art of Cinematography (1992)
WEEK TWO: AUG 18-22
Chapter one: Photography...begin discussion of key concepts from the chapter; clips and film analysis: Reed’s The
Third Man (1949); essay due 8/22
WEEK THREE: AUG 25-29
Film analysis: Polanski’s Rosemary’s Baby (1968); quiz in class 8/29
WEEK FOUR: SEPT 2-5
Chapter two: Mise En Scene...discussion of chapter; clips and film analysis: Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960); essay due 9/5
WEEK FIVE: SEPT 8-12
Film analysis Scott’s Blade Runner (1981): quiz in class 9/12
WEEK SIX: SEPT 15-19
Chapter three: Movement...chapter discussion; film analysis: Donen/Kelly’s Singin’ in the Rain (1952); essay due 9/19
WEEK SEVEN: SEPT 22-26
Film analysis: Cuaron’s Children of Men (2006); in class due 9/26
WEEK EIGHT: SEPT 29-OCT 3
Chapter four: Editing...discussion of chapter; film analysis: “The Art of Editing” and clips; essay due 10/3
WEEK NINE: OCT 6-10
Chapter five: Sound...discussion of chapter; film analysis: Inarritu’s Amores Perros (2001); clips; essay due 10/10
WEEK TEN: OCT 13-17
Chapter six: Acting...discussion of chapter; film analysis: Allen’s Annie Hall (1977); essay due 10/17
WEEK ELEVEN: OCT 20-24
Chapter seven: Drama…discussion of chapter; film analysis: Foreman’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975);
essay due 10/24
WEEK TWELVE: OCT 27-31
Chapters eight and nine: Story and Writing...discussion of chapters; Curtiz’ Casablanca (1942); essay due 11/3
WEEK THIRTEEN: NOV 3-7
Film analysis Donnersmarck’s The Lives of Others (2006); quizzes for chapters 8 & 9 both due 11/7
WEEK FOURTEEN: NOV 10-14
Chapter ten: Ideology; discussion of chapter; film analysis: Penn’s Into the Wild (2007); quiz due 11/14
WEEKS FIFTEEN and SIXTEEN: NOV 17-21 and 24-25
Chapter eleven: Critique…discussion of chapter; film analysis: Coppola’s The Godfather (1972) and The Godfather,
Part II (1974); quiz 11/20 and essay due 12/1
WEEK SEVENTEEN: DEC 1-5
Chapter twelve: Synthesis…discussion of chapter; film analysis: Welles’ Citizen Kane (1941); essay due 12/5
WEEKS EIGHTEEN and NINETEEN: DEC 8-12 and 15-19 = Examination review and presentations (exam)