FS 100 A1: Introduction to Film Study

E. Ostrowska

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, genre, film acting, and narrative. We
will explore these concepts by looking at examples from different film traditions,
national cinemas, and a range of artistic strategies. By studying the basics of film form
and film style, you will learn to analyze and write about films as both formal and cultural
constructs.