Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Film Language
Course Code
KSK_117
Branch of Science
Media and communications
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Communication Science
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Dita Rietuma
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
To acquaint students with film language and its application in order to ensure broadening of students’ general view of the humanities. To deepen the understanding of contemporary communication and media principles, as well as the development of cinema media and its importance in the cultural context of the world, including Europe.
To make students aware of the essence of film language - a unique set of means of expression of this medium used in making audiovisual messages (films). To develop understanding of the basic concepts of film language, their meaning, as well as the main stages of cinema development and their peculiarities.
From the beginnings of cinema, cinematic currents and stylistic pursuits have had a lasting impact on the audiovisual culture of the 20th and 21st centuries. Elements of film language are used in a wide variety of ways in the practice of cinema and other audiovisual media. One of the aims of the course is to raise awareness of these concepts and processes.
Preliminary Knowledge
Not required.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.As a result of completing the study course, students obtain knowledge on the following: • the concept of film language as well as the major elements of film language; • principles of using the elements of film language in the works of different authors; • the principles of using the elements of film language at different stages of film development; • the classical film language – the classical style, and the usage of principles of modernism in cinema; • the link between contemporary audiovisual culture and theoretical and practical achievements of different periods.
Skills
1.As a result of completing the study course, students will be able: • to analyse the various elements of film language – staging, camera work, sound, montage and its types; • to substantiate the use of specific elements of film language in a given audiovisual work; • to orientate oneself in different elements of film language and the audiovisual works in which they are used.
Competences
1.As a result of completing the study course, students will be able to understand the following: • the essence of film language; • various elements of film language – staging, camera work, sound, montage and its types; • the use of film language elements in a specific audiovisual work; • the diversity of film language elements and the differences thereof between different cinema development periods; • the use of film language elements in the wider context of audiovisual media.
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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1.
Individual work |
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• Final seminar paper – analysis of a movie with emphasis on the use of film language elements (four A4 pages) and presentation of the paper.
• Studying literature and informative sources – films, developing skills in analysing the use of film language.
In order to evaluate the quality of the study course as a whole, the student must fill out the study course evaluation questionnaire on the Student Portal.
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Examination
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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|---|---|---|
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1.
Examination |
-
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-
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2.
Examination |
-
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-
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• Participation in lectures.
• Participation and activities in seminars.
• Final seminar paper – analysis of a movie with emphasis on the use of film language elements (four A4 pages) and presentation of the paper.
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Cinema and film making. The concept of film language, its elements.
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Film form and its meaning. Film narrative. Types of films: documentary, experimental, animated.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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The form and style of film over history, its components. Classic (Hollywood) style.
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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The style of film and its components: staging, the art of camera operator – types of plans, camera movement, etc. montage – a unique element of film language. Different types of montage (sequential, discontinuous, etc.).
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Types and genres of films. Genre concept, genre diversity. Differences in European and US approaches to genre.
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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The form and style of film over history: modernism in cinema. The first and second wave of modernism in the 1920s and 1960s, their influence.
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Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
12 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Rudolf Arnheim. From Film as Art. Film and Reality. The Making of A Film. Film Theory and Criticism, Edited by Leo Braudy, Marshall Cohen. Oxford University Press: New York, Oxford, 1999
2.
Bordvels, Deivids, Tompsone, Kristīna. Kinomāksla. Ievads. Nacionālais kino centrs: Rīga, 2018
3.
Metz, Christian. Film Language: A Semiotics of the Cinema, THe University of Chicago Press: Chicago, 1991
4.
Andre Bazin. From What is Cinema? The Evalution of the Language of Cinema. Film Theory and Criticism, Edited by Leo Braudy, Marshall Cohen. New York, Oxford. Oxford University Press, 1999
5.
Bela Balasz. From Theory of the Film. The Close-up. The Face of Man. Film Theory and Criticism. Edited by Leo Braudy, Marshall Cohen. New York, Oxford. Oxford University Press, 1999
6.
Ervin Panofsky. Style and Medium in the Motion Pictures. In Film Theory and Criticism. Edited by Leo Braudy, Marshall Cohen. New York, Oxford. Oxford University Press, 1999
7.
Williams, Linda. Film Bodies: Gender, Genre and Excess. In Film Theory and Criticism. Introductory Readings (Fifth Edition). Edited by Leo Braudy, Marshall Cohen. New York, Oxford. Oxford University Press, 1999
8.
Truffaut, Francois. A Certain Tendency of the French Cinema. In: Movies and Methods. Volume I. Edited by Bill Nichols. University of California Press:Berkley, Losangeles, London, 1976
9.
Robert Sklar. World History of Film. Harry Abrahams Incorporated; New York, 2002