Film technique and style: visions of light

What is the course about?

This film studies course is about film techniques and their effects on the audience. Film style, the language of film, refers to recognisable cinematic techniques used by filmmakers to create specific value in their work: dialogue, cinematography, sound design, editing. This course reveals the techniques hidden behind your favourite films. The aim of technique is to make a film engrossing for the audience while remaining unobtrusive enough so viewers don’t notice it (unless it’s the modernism of Jean-Luc Godard, purposely foregrounding the means of production). The goal of classical cinema is to hide technique so that the audience is not aware of how they are being positioned. The heightening of awareness increases the enjoyment.

What will we cover?

• Directing techniques, Cinematography, Lighting, Editing, Music Score and Sound Design.
• Cinematography: Close-Up/Medium Shot/Long Shot (CU/MS/LS). Crane shot/dolly shot/tracking shot, Long take vs montage. The most popular camera moves include the tilt, pan, push-in, dolly, or zoom, which can trigger different emotions and reveal information in unique and dynamic ways. Directors use camera moves to reveal expressions on characters' faces slowly or switch from scene to scene. The camera never lies but it can certainly change the way you see things.
• Editors: When and how to cut: cutting on action, dissolve, match cut.
• Composers and the Score. We prioritise the visual but the score/sound design is critical. Hans Zimmer, Vangelis, Eric Korngold, Max Steiner, John Williams, Ennio Morricone.
• While the dialogue and plot are the main drivers of the story, the narrative (the way the story is told) demands other, practical storytelling techniques to get to the emotional core of a movie and to get to the audience.
• Film techniques, such as cinematography, camera movement, shot composition, editing, scoring and sound design work together to tell that story, and sell that story, in a unique way, in a commercial medium.
• The medium is the way that story is delivered to you, which may affect the technique. For example, what impact does the Crane Shot deliver; what does it arouse in the spectator? The medium is the message.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- Describe the tools of cinematography: Close-Up (CU), Medium Shot (MS), Long Shot (LS)
- Define/delineate the elements of mise-en-scene (staging)
- Define design of a set (studio or location)
- Differentiate Long Shot form Long Take
- Describe what editing does
- Define sound design
- Hum a film score.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is suitable for beginners, intermediate and advanced learners. No previous study is necessary but all levels will increase their knowledge and critical ability.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Opening lecture, proper big screen screenings of films, clips, sequences and re-mixes that stimulate group discussion and debate.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

No further costs. The tutor will show extracts of films so students need not obtain them. Please bring notebook or notepad.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Please look for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.