This comprehensive introductory course provides an overview of the main historical, technical and theoretical aspects of filmmaking and film analysis. In its exploration of aspects of film theory as it relates to film aesthetics and film history, the course develops certain ideas with rigour and depth.
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.
During the course we will cover basic ideas about film history (e.g. cinematic avant-gardes), film analysis (e.g. mise-en-scène, editing and sound) and film theory (e.g. genre theory).
What will we cover?
- The key formal elements involved in filmmaking from a range of periods and nations. - The artistic and industrial processes behind filmmaking. - Film history - Film aesthetics - Film theory - Film analysis and film criticism Proposed timetable Week 1: The Birth of Cinema Week 2: Cinematic Avant-gardes: German Expressionism and Soviet Montage Week 3: Setting the scene: Mise-en-scène and Cinematography Week 4: Creating a Story: Editing Week 5: Hearing Films: Elements of Sound Design Week 6: Introduction to Genre Theory.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Identify a range of key formal elements in films. - Have an understanding of, and appreciation for, the process behind filmmaking. - Demonstrate familiarity with key moments in film history and film aesthetics. - Discuss films analytically and critically. - Have some understanding of film theory and the associated terminology.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an introductory course for anyone interested in film studies, but it does involve some film theory, which involves an engagement with some intermediate ideas. You should have the ability and willingness to read texts and watch films, think about them in critical ways and discuss them in an open and supportive manner with the other people in the class.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The classes will be structured around a combination of tutor presentation, viewing of film extracts and class discussions.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs and the tutor will supply all reading and viewing material.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Look at our range of film studies courses at www.citylit.ac.uk/history, culture & writing/film studies.
Dr Cristina Massaccesi is an Associate Professor (Teaching) in the School of European Languages, Culture and Society of UCL. She has published articles on cinema and contemporary culture and her main fields of teaching and research are animation cinema, horror cinema and sequential art. Her book on FW Murnau’s Nosferatu A Symphony of Horror (1922) for the Devil’s Advocates series, was published by Liverpool University Press in October 2015. A new book, also for Liverpool University Press, focusing on James Cameron's Aliens (1986) will be published by the end of 2024.
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.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/reading-images-exploring-film-studies287220Reading images: exploring film studieshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/e/x/exploring-film-hf151-1024.jpg149149GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Introductory & general/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Courses/vm/Film season22851177154815801338512285117715801653<p>This comprehensive introductory course provides an overview of the main historical, technical and theoretical aspects of filmmaking and film analysis. In its exploration of aspects of film theory as it relates to film aesthetics and film history, the course develops certain ideas with rigour and depth.</p>252745047Reading images: exploring film studies149149https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/e/x/exploring-film-hf151-1024_8.jpgInStockEveningWedKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-05-27T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceMay 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHF189149149Reading images: exploring film studies14997149Cristina Massaccesireading-images-exploring-film-studies/hf189-2526<p>This comprehensive introductory course provides an overview of the main historical, technical and theoretical aspects of filmmaking and film analysis. In its exploration of aspects of film theory as it relates to film aesthetics and film history, the course develops certain ideas with rigour and depth.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-27 00:00:00<p>During the course we will cover basic ideas about film history (e.g. cinematic avant-gardes), film analysis (e.g. mise-en-scène, editing and sound) and film theory (e.g. genre theory).</p><p>This comprehensive introductory course provides an overview of the main historical, technical and theoretical aspects of filmmaking and film analysis. In its exploration of aspects of film theory as it relates to film aesthetics and film history, the course develops certain ideas with rigour and depth.</p><p>- The key formal elements involved in filmmaking from a range of periods and nations.<br/>- The artistic and industrial processes behind filmmaking.<br/>- Film history<br/>- Film aesthetics<br/>- Film theory<br/>- Film analysis and film criticism<br/>Proposed timetable<br/>Week 1: The Birth of Cinema<br/>Week 2: Cinematic Avant-gardes: German Expressionism and Soviet Montage<br/>Week 3: Setting the scene: Mise-en-scène and Cinematography<br/>Week 4: Creating a Story: Editing<br/>Week 5: Hearing Films: Elements of Sound Design<br/>Week 6: Introduction to Genre Theory.</p><p>- Identify a range of key formal elements in films.<br/>- Have an understanding of, and appreciation for, the process behind filmmaking.<br/>- Demonstrate familiarity with key moments in film history and film aesthetics.<br/>- Discuss films analytically and critically.<br/>- Have some understanding of film theory and the associated terminology.</p><p>This is an introductory course for anyone interested in film studies, but it does involve some film theory, which involves an engagement with some intermediate ideas.<br/>You should have the ability and willingness to read texts and watch films, think about them in critical ways and discuss them in an open and supportive manner with the other people in the class.</p><p>The classes will be structured around a combination of tutor presentation, viewing of film extracts and class discussions.</p><p>There are no additional costs and the tutor will supply all reading and viewing material.</p><p>Look at our range of film studies courses at www.citylit.ac.uk/history, culture & writing/film studies.</p>Film studiesIntroductory & generalvirtual14914997HF189NONEWed27/05/26 - 01/07/2619:30 - 21:0019:3021:006 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksEveningWeekdayKSKeeley StreetCristina MassaccesiBeginners, Some experienceAvailable courses2026-05-27T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanities149149Reading images: exploring film studiesreading-images-exploring-film-studies/hf189-2526<p>This comprehensive introductory course provides an overview of the main historical, technical and theoretical aspects of filmmaking and film analysis. In its exploration of aspects of film theory as it relates to film aesthetics and film history, the course develops certain ideas with rigour and depth.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-27 00:00:00<p>During the course we will cover basic ideas about film history (e.g. cinematic avant-gardes), film analysis (e.g. mise-en-scène, editing and sound) and film theory (e.g. genre theory).</p><p>This comprehensive introductory course provides an overview of the main historical, technical and theoretical aspects of filmmaking and film analysis. In its exploration of aspects of film theory as it relates to film aesthetics and film history, the course develops certain ideas with rigour and depth.</p><p>- The key formal elements involved in filmmaking from a range of periods and nations.<br/>- The artistic and industrial processes behind filmmaking.<br/>- Film history<br/>- Film aesthetics<br/>- Film theory<br/>- Film analysis and film criticism<br/>Proposed timetable<br/>Week 1: The Birth of Cinema<br/>Week 2: Cinematic Avant-gardes: German Expressionism and Soviet Montage<br/>Week 3: Setting the scene: Mise-en-scène and Cinematography<br/>Week 4: Creating a Story: Editing<br/>Week 5: Hearing Films: Elements of Sound Design<br/>Week 6: Introduction to Genre Theory.</p><p>- Identify a range of key formal elements in films.<br/>- Have an understanding of, and appreciation for, the process behind filmmaking.<br/>- Demonstrate familiarity with key moments in film history and film aesthetics.<br/>- Discuss films analytically and critically.<br/>- Have some understanding of film theory and the associated terminology.</p><p>This is an introductory course for anyone interested in film studies, but it does involve some film theory, which involves an engagement with some intermediate ideas.<br/>You should have the ability and willingness to read texts and watch films, think about them in critical ways and discuss them in an open and supportive manner with the other people in the class.</p><p>The classes will be structured around a combination of tutor presentation, viewing of film extracts and class discussions.</p><p>There are no additional costs and the tutor will supply all reading and viewing material.</p><p>Look at our range of film studies courses at www.citylit.ac.uk/history, culture &amp; writing/film studies.</p>Film studiesIntroductory & generalconfigurable
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