This course will develop your critical appreciation of the cinema by teaching you how to read and understand film texts. We will look at the elements that underpin film form – narrative, mise en scène, cinematography, editing and sound – alongside its historical development. We will consider film style by exploring classical, post-classical and art cinema and we will examine influential critical modes of analysis, such as
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Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This course will provide you with the tools necessary to read film confidently. It will explore some of the key facets of film form, outlining how filmmakers make decisions relating to narrative, mise en scène, cinematography, editing and sound. We will consider how all of these interact to create meaning for the spectator but also how they might signal the imprint of a particular individual, such as the director, editor or cinematographer. In doing this the course will enable you to unpack critically the images and sounds that you see and hear on screen.
The course will use film history as a means of exploring how certain aesthetic developments have come to dominate certain forms of cinema. We will look at various key moments in this history wherein filmmakers and/or film movements have led to particularly significant stylistic innovations. We will look at what is known as classical and post-classical cinema as well as art cinema, all of which will provide a critical context for this discussion. The course will also explore important modes of critical analysis, including genre, authorship and spectatorship.
What will we cover?
The course will cover the key elements of film form and their interrelationship. These will include: narrative, mise en scène, cinematography, editing and sound. The course will consider a number of key historical moments in the development of film style, looking at both individual films and directors as well as specific movements. The course will also examine key analytical approaches to film criticism, exploring developments in genre theory and questions of authorship and spectatorship.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Describe the development of cinema since its inception • Evaluate a range of ways of thinking about the cinema • Demonstrate a critical appreciation of the cinema and of individual films.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is designed for those who have a passion for film and would like to deepen their knowledge of film form and film history. It will provide an introduction to the subject but will also be useful for those wishing to build on existing knowledge.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will be delivered via talks by the tutor with group discussions. Short film extracts will be screened throughout.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but any ancillary materials required will be provided in the form of links to online resources.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please see our other film studies courses under History, Culture and Writing/film studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.
Dr Chris Darke is an author and film critic who has written extensively on film and the moving image for over thirty years for publications including Sight and Sound, Film Comment, Cahiers du cinéma, Frieze, mute and The Independent, among others. He has also published five books on film including Light Readings: Film Criticism and Screen Arts (Wallflower Press, 2000); Alphaville (on Jean-Luc Godard’s 1965 film. IB Tauris, 2005); Cannes: Inside the World’s Premier Film Festival (with Kieron Corless. Faber, 2007); Chris Marker: A Grin without a Cat (Whitechapel Gallery, 2016); La Jetée (on Chris Marker’s 1963 film. BFI Film Classics, 2006 & 2026). He has taught Film Studies at British universities for over thirty years and his particular research interests are in French Cinema, Artists’ Moving Image, the Essay Film, and the work of Chris Marker.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/how-to-read-a-film-a-beginners-guide-to-cinema166515How to read a film: a beginners' guide to cinemahttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/h/f/hf152-square.jpg149149GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Introductory & general/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Courses/vm/Film season/Courses/vm/Courses to do with friends/Courses/Weird and wonderful City Lit2285117715481580133851647174512285117715801653<p>This course will develop your critical appreciation of the cinema by teaching you how to read and understand film texts. We will look at the elements that underpin film form – narrative, mise en scène, cinematography, editing and sound – alongside its historical development. We will consider film style by exploring classical, post-classical and art cinema and we will examine influential critical modes of analysis, such as genre, authorship and spectatorship.</p> <div data-content-type="html" data-appearance="default" data-element="main">This course will provide you with the tools necessary to read film confidently. It will explore some of the key facets of film form, outlining how filmmakers make decisions relating to narrative, mise en scène, cinematography, editing and sound. We will consider how all of these interact to create meaning for the spectator but also how they might signal the imprint of a particular individual, such as the director, editor or cinematographer. In doing this the course will enable you to unpack critically the images and sounds that you see and hear on screen.<br />
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The course will use film history as a means of exploring how certain aesthetic developments have come to dominate certain forms of cinema. We will look at various key moments in this history wherein filmmakers and/or film movements have led to particularly significant stylistic innovations. We will look at what is known as classical and post-classical cinema as well as art cinema, all of which will provide a critical context for this discussion. The course will also explore important modes of critical analysis, including genre, authorship and spectatorship.<br />
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Course tutor: Dr. Paul Sutton. <br />
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This is a live online course. You will need:<br />
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.<br />
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.<br />
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.<br />
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.</div>74.52745041How to read a film: a beginners' guide to cinema179179https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/h/f/hf152-square_24.jpgInStockDaytimeMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-05-11T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersMay 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHF091179179How to read a film: a beginners' guide to cinema143116179Chris Darkehow-to-read-a-film-a-beginners-guide-to-cinema/hf091-2526<p>This course will develop your critical appreciation of the cinema by teaching you how to read and understand film texts. We will look at the elements that underpin film form – narrative, mise en scène, cinematography, editing and sound – alongside its historical development. We will consider film style by exploring classical, post-classical and art cinema and we will examine influential critical modes of analysis, such as genre, authorship and spectatorship.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-11 00:00:00<p>This course will provide you with the tools necessary to read film confidently. It will explore some of the key facets of film form, outlining how filmmakers make decisions relating to narrative, mise en scène, cinematography, editing and sound. We will consider how all of these interact to create meaning for the spectator but also how they might signal the imprint of a particular individual, such as the director, editor or cinematographer. In doing this the course will enable you to unpack critically the images and sounds that you see and hear on screen.<br/><br/>The course will use film history as a means of exploring how certain aesthetic developments have come to dominate certain forms of cinema. We will look at various key moments in this history wherein filmmakers and/or film movements have led to particularly significant stylistic innovations. We will look at what is known as classical and post-classical cinema as well as art cinema, all of which will provide a critical context for this discussion. The course will also explore important modes of critical analysis, including genre, authorship and spectatorship.</p><p>This course will develop your critical appreciation of the cinema by teaching you how to read and understand film texts. We will look at the elements that underpin film form – narrative, mise en scène, cinematography, editing and sound – alongside its historical development. We will consider film style by exploring classical, post-classical and art cinema and we will examine influential critical modes of analysis, such as genre, authorship and spectatorship.</p><p>The course will cover the key elements of film form and their interrelationship. These will include: narrative, mise en scène, cinematography, editing and sound. The course will consider a number of key historical moments in the development of film style, looking at both individual films and directors as well as specific movements. The course will also examine key analytical approaches to film criticism, exploring developments in genre theory and questions of authorship and spectatorship.</p><p>• Describe the development of cinema since its inception<br/>• Evaluate a range of ways of thinking about the cinema<br/>• Demonstrate a critical appreciation of the cinema and of individual films.</p><p>This course is designed for those who have a passion for film and would like to deepen their knowledge of film form and film history. It will provide an introduction to the subject but will also be useful for those wishing to build on existing knowledge.</p><p>The course will be delivered via talks by the tutor with group discussions. Short film extracts will be screened throughout.</p><p>You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but any ancillary materials required will be provided in the form of links to online resources.</p><p>Please see our other film studies courses under History, Culture and Writing/film studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>Film studiesIntroductory & generalvirtual2745056How to read a film: a beginners' guide to cinema149149https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/h/f/hf152-square_23.jpgInStockEveningTueOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-02-17T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allFeb 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHF238149149How to read a film: a beginners' guide to cinema14997149Chris Darkehow-to-read-a-film-a-beginners-guide-to-cinema/hf238-2526<p>This course will develop your critical appreciation of the cinema by teaching you how to read and understand film texts. We will look at the elements that underpin film form – narrative, mise en scène, cinematography, editing and sound – alongside its historical development. We will consider film style by exploring classical, post-classical and art cinema and we will examine influential critical modes of analysis, such as genre, authorship and spectatorship.</p>0000-Available|2026-02-17 00:00:00<p>This course will provide you with the tools necessary to read film confidently. It will explore some of the key facets of film form, outlining how filmmakers make decisions relating to narrative, mise en scène, cinematography, editing and sound. We will consider how all of these interact to create meaning for the spectator but also how they might signal the imprint of a particular individual, such as the director, editor or cinematographer. In doing this the course will enable you to unpack critically the images and sounds that you see and hear on screen.<br/><br/>The course will use film history as a means of exploring how certain aesthetic developments have come to dominate certain forms of cinema. We will look at various key moments in this history wherein filmmakers and/or film movements have led to particularly significant stylistic innovations. We will look at what is known as classical and post-classical cinema as well as art cinema, all of which will provide a critical context for this discussion. The course will also explore important modes of critical analysis, including genre, authorship and spectatorship.</p><p>This course will develop your critical appreciation of the cinema by teaching you how to read and understand film texts. We will look at the elements that underpin film form – narrative, mise en scène, cinematography, editing and sound – alongside its historical development. We will consider film style by exploring classical, post-classical and art cinema and we will examine influential critical modes of analysis, such as genre, authorship and spectatorship.</p><p>The course will cover the key elements of film form and their interrelationship. These will include: narrative, mise en scène, cinematography, editing and sound. The course will consider a number of key historical moments in the development of film style, looking at both individual films and directors as well as specific movements. The course will also examine key analytical approaches to film criticism, exploring developments in genre theory and questions of authorship and spectatorship.</p><p>• Describe the development of cinema since its inception<br/>• Evaluate a range of ways of thinking about the cinema<br/>• Demonstrate a critical appreciation of the cinema and of individual films.</p><p>This course is designed for those who have a passion for film and would like to deepen their knowledge of film form and film history. It will provide an introduction to the subject but will also be useful for those wishing to build on existing knowledge.</p><p>The course will be delivered via talks by the tutor with group discussions. Short film extracts will be screened throughout.</p><p>You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but any ancillary materials required will be provided in the form of links to online resources.</p><p>Please see our other film studies courses under History, Culture and Writing/film studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>Film studiesIntroductory & generalvirtual143,149179,149116,97HF091,HF238NONEMon,Tue17/02/26 - 24/03/2618:00 - 19:3018:0019:306 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksWeekdayOnlineKeeley Street,OnlineChris DarkeBeginners,Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-05-11T00:00:00+00:00,2026-02-17T00:00:00+00:00Daytime,EveningMay 2026,Feb 2026Culture, history & humanities149179,149How to read a film: a beginners' guide to cinemahow-to-read-a-film-a-beginners-guide-to-cinema/hf091-2526,how-to-read-a-film-a-beginners-guide-to-cinema/hf238-2526<p>This course will develop your critical appreciation of the cinema by teaching you how to read and understand film texts. We will look at the elements that underpin film form – narrative, mise en scène, cinematography, editing and sound – alongside its historical development. We will consider film style by exploring classical, post-classical and art cinema and we will examine influential critical modes of analysis, such as genre, authorship and spectatorship.</p>0000-Available|2026-02-17 00:00:00<p>This course will provide you with the tools necessary to read film confidently. It will explore some of the key facets of film form, outlining how filmmakers make decisions relating to narrative, mise en scène, cinematography, editing and sound. We will consider how all of these interact to create meaning for the spectator but also how they might signal the imprint of a particular individual, such as the director, editor or cinematographer. In doing this the course will enable you to unpack critically the images and sounds that you see and hear on screen.<br/><br/>The course will use film history as a means of exploring how certain aesthetic developments have come to dominate certain forms of cinema. We will look at various key moments in this history wherein filmmakers and/or film movements have led to particularly significant stylistic innovations. We will look at what is known as classical and post-classical cinema as well as art cinema, all of which will provide a critical context for this discussion. The course will also explore important modes of critical analysis, including genre, authorship and spectatorship.</p><p>This course will develop your critical appreciation of the cinema by teaching you how to read and understand film texts. We will look at the elements that underpin film form – narrative, mise en scène, cinematography, editing and sound – alongside its historical development. We will consider film style by exploring classical, post-classical and art cinema and we will examine influential critical modes of analysis, such as genre, authorship and spectatorship.</p><p>The course will cover the key elements of film form and their interrelationship. These will include: narrative, mise en scène, cinematography, editing and sound. The course will consider a number of key historical moments in the development of film style, looking at both individual films and directors as well as specific movements. The course will also examine key analytical approaches to film criticism, exploring developments in genre theory and questions of authorship and spectatorship.</p><p>• Describe the development of cinema since its inception<br/>• Evaluate a range of ways of thinking about the cinema<br/>• Demonstrate a critical appreciation of the cinema and of individual films.</p><p>This course is designed for those who have a passion for film and would like to deepen their knowledge of film form and film history. It will provide an introduction to the subject but will also be useful for those wishing to build on existing knowledge.</p><p>The course will be delivered via talks by the tutor with group discussions. Short film extracts will be screened throughout.</p><p>You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but any ancillary materials required will be provided in the form of links to online resources.</p><p>Please see our other film studies courses under History, Culture and Writing/film studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>Film studiesIntroductory & generalconfigurable
15481580Introductory & generalhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/film-studies/introductory-general1/2/285/1177/1580/15481/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Introductory & general
