Department of Media Studies
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 | |
| ||
8 | Raise the Red Lantern |
| ||
9 | The Godfather |
| ||
10 | Children of Men |
| ||
11 | Matrix |
| ||
12 | Bladerunner |
| ||
13 | Cinema Paradiso |
| ||
14 | |
| ||
15 | |
| ||
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 | |
| ||
28 | The Killing Fields |
| ||
29 | Exorcist |
| ||
30 | When Harry Met Sally |
| ||
31 | Sleepless in |
| ||
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 | | ||
| 39 | The Untouchables | ||
| 40 | A Fish Called Wanda | ||
| 41 | Il Postino/ The Postman | ||
| 42 | Good Fellas | ||
| 43 | | ||
| 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 | ||