FS 100: Introduction to Film Study

L. Czach

Do you like watching movies but have difficulty finding the right words to express your thoughts about them? Do you want to be able to look at and talk about movies more critically? This class will provide you with the basic conceptual tools and vocabulary of film aesthetics and criticism. By the time you finish this course, you will be conversant with the concepts of mise-en-scène, cinematography (e.g. types of shots, camera movement, camera lenses, etc.), editing, sound, music, genre, film acting, and narrative. We will explore these concepts by looking at examples from different film traditions, national cinemas, and artistic strategies. By studying the basics of film form and film style, you will learn to analyze and write about films.