Ways into advanced film studies: film aesthetics

What is the course about?

This advanced level film studies course will explore the history of film aesthetics, a film's methodical use of the techniques of the medium, the language of cinema. These techniques are broadly: mise en scène (staging, lighting, performance, and setting); framing, focus, and other aspects of cinematography; editing; and sound. Film aesthetics or film style is, essentially, the texture of the film's images and sounds, the result of choices made by filmmakers within specific historical contexts. The aesthetic history of film also encompasses the history of film forms, such as narrative or non-narrative film, the history of genre (for example, the Western or the science fiction film), and the history of film modes, such as the documentary or the fiction film. This particular history is different to those concerned with the specific study of the film industry or film technology, for example, and focusses on the purely aesthetic, on those elements of film that relate to its visual style. Sometimes these different histories intersect – technology may impact upon visual style, for example, and industrial demands may produce particular aesthetic effects in terms of film production. The analytical focus on the purely aesthetic in relation to film criticism has been described as formalist criticism and this course will consider the writings of some of the authors most closely associated with this approach. This course is the first of a suite of three Ways into Advanced Film Study courses, with the second, Ways into Advanced Film Study: Film History taking place in Term 2 and Ways into Advanced Film Study: Film Theory in Term 3. These courses can be taken independently of each other or as a series, progressing one from the other across the three terms.

What will we cover?

• Mise en scène
• Cinematography
• Editing
• Sound
• The history of film aesthetics
• Formalist film theory.

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

• Describe the key facets of film production
• Demonstrate familiarity with the historical development of film form
• Identify certain key films and directors relevant to the history of film aesthetics
• Critically analyse a sequence of film and assess its aesthetic qualities
• Demonstrate familiarity with some of the key formalist film critics.

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

The course is designed for those wishing to expand upon their existing knowledge of film studies. It does presuppose some previous familiarity with film studies and as such is not aimed at beginners. The course will be useful for those considering further study, possibly at university level.

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

Screenings of extracts from films, talks by the tutor, reading materials, small and large group discussions. Some directed reading and viewing outside of the class will also be required.

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

You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts. The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.

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

This course is followed by HF331 Ways into Advanced Film Studies: Film History and HF332 Ways into Advanced Film Studies: Film Theory. You can also look for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.