Certificate Course in Film Analysis

Department of Media Studies

Christ College, Bangalore

Certificate Course in Film Analysis

Course instructor: Darshin Naidoo

Course fee : Rs 1000.00

Dates: Dec 9, 16; Jan 6 13, 20, ..
Time: 9 am to 7 pm (with breaks)

Max intake: 30 (First come first serve basis)

Course Description

An introduction to film as an art form, emphasizing a study of the aesthetic and production elements of the medium, including narrative genres, directorial style, cinematography, acting, and editing with a focus on screenplay and story structure.

The course is grounded in the belief that movies are much more than entertainment, they’re stimulants, motivators, depressants, and in some cases, medication. Film's ability to convey the riches of the human experience at its best and worst. The intent of this class is to teach the student to appreciate the artistic and narrative quality of film as one of our most endearing art forms. Primary focus will be on film criticism and analysis. Numerous genres of film will be studied.

Course Objective

At the end of the course students should be able to:

1. Understand the historical and cultural context for films.

2. Compare and use the various styles and techniques of film.

3. Identify the elements of narrative.

4. Be able to identify visual components of various genres of film.

5. Be able to conduct an original in-depth critical analysis of film from an academic, literature standpoint and production standpoint (including cinematography, acting, editing, sound and narrative)

6. Employ academic and literary standards to the research paper, including bibliography. Critique film form and content.

7. Analyze and evaluate a film's cinematography, acting, editing, sound and writing components.

8. Produce critical analysis and journalistic reviews.

Assessment: Students must demonstrate a proficiency in understanding of the language of film through a series of written assignments.

Course Objective for screenplay and story

Structure, Format & Action

• 3 Act Structure - breaking a story into beginning, middle and end
• Turning Points – take the action in different directions
• Proper Formatting – learn industry standards and techniques
• Writing Action/Description – the greatest mark of an experienced writer

Character & Conflict

• Building Your Protagonist – explore background, need(s), character flaw(s), and transformation
• Building Your Antagonist – make your protagonist real, explore need(s) and downfall
• Types of Conflict – the three major human strains
• Hallmarks of Great Conflict – techniques to building greater conflict

Plot & Subplot

• The Functions of Subplot – how to use subplots to enhance your story
• The Structure of Subplot – usually the source of most loose-ends in a story
• Good Dialogue – techniques for improving your dialogue

List of Films to Source Final 20 From

1		Crash
2		American Beauty
3		Seven Samurai
4		Shawshank Redemption
5		Seven
6		Die Hard
7		Casablanca
8		Raise the Red Lantern
9		The Godfather
10		Children of Men
11		Matrix
12		Bladerunner
13		Cinema Paradiso
14		Chinatown
15		Mystic River
16		Lives of Others
7		Silence of the Lambs
18		Bin Jip
19		21 Grams
20		Hustle and Flow
21		One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest
22		Citizen Kane
23		The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
24		Thelma and Louise
25		Terminator 2
26		Lethal Weapon
27		Mississippi Burning
28		The Killing Fields
29		Exorcist
30		When Harry Met Sally
31		Sleepless in Seattle
32		You've Got Mail
33		When Harry Met Sally
	34		Addicted to Love
	35		Point Break
	36		Mad Max
	37		Invasion of the Body Snatchers
	38		Beverly Hills Cop
	39		The Untouchables
	40		A Fish Called Wanda
	41		Il Postino/ The Postman
	42		Good Fellas
	43		Fargo
	44		American Graffiti
	45		Life is Beautiful
	46		Saving Private Ryan
	47		Aparajito
	48		Bhuvan Shome
	49		A Few Good Men
	50		Saturday Night Fever
	51		The Jewel of the Nile