Please complete the 15 questions assigned from last class. Also, please make sure you have a chance to view the posted film clips.
Early film was little more than the thrill of capturing "real life." Finally, through technology, photographers were able to depict reality in a way never before possible. This had many uses. For one, it allowed people to witness strange or exotic locations, cultures, or people. Now someone who lived in New York City didn't have to spend a month on a steamer boat to visit far-away-lands. Presidents could be seen without having to campaign in your home town. Life could be seen as it really was.
Watch a few more films from the early 1900's. These "actualities" are little more than moving snapshots.
Native Americans
Vancouver
The inauguration of President McKinley (1901)
Moscow Clad in Snow (1906)
Skyscrapers of New York (1903)
Statue of Liberty (1898)
Lumiere Brothers
Lion, London Zoological Gardens (Lumiere Bros) (1895)
Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat (Lumiere Bros) (1895)
Arab Cortege (Lumiere Bros) (1896)
The Sprinkler Sprinkled (Lumiere Bros) (1895)
Important Film History Dates:
The following are important events, inventions, and their inventors that helped create the film industry. We played with many of these devices in class. You should be familiar with them.
Magic Lantern: Invented in the 17th century by Athanasius Kircher. The magic lantern projected pictures on a screen.
Thaumatrope: Invented by Dr. John Ayrton Paris in 1824; utilized the theory of “persistence of vision”
Fantascope, Phenakistiscope (“spindle viewer”), Fanatoscope: invented by Belgian nventor Joseph Plateau. Daedalum (Horner 1834)/Zoetrope (Lincoln 1867)
Daguerreotype: Invented in 1839 by Louis-Jacques-Monde Daguerre. The process of capturing images on silvered, copper metal plates - the beginning of photography.
Celluloid: Invented in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt. Strips of thin film which could be developed with pictures.
Praxinoscope: Invented in 1877 by Charles Emile Reynaud. A film projector.
Light Bulb: Invented by Thomas Edison in 1879.
One of the first pioneers of “film” was the artist/inventor Eadweard Muybridge: 1830 - 1904. He used several cameras to take a sequence of shots Film was cut into strips and used in a praxinoscope. Muybridge invented his Zoopraxiscope, photos printed on a glass disc that rotated, to create the illusion of moving images.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Personal Response & the Origin of Film
Last class you looked at the top 100 movies of all time list. You noted which films you had actually experienced, which ones you heard about, and which ones you'd like to see. Write a short response (1-2 pages) during 1st period in which you answer:
1. After reading through the list, make some personal observations. How "literate" are you when it comes to "best" or top films of all time? Does there seem to be a pattern or genre bias in this list?
2. How does our own culture, socio-economic status, gender, or age affect the way we approach films?
3. Were you surprised to see these films on this list?
4. If you were to write this list, what movies would you put on it that were not included (feel free to indicate your top ten favorites of all time)?
5. What genre of film do you prefer? Examine why.
Write a short personal essay trying to answer these questions. Put your name on the file and send it to the drop box. (Our printer is still down).
If you finish early, please work on this:
Early Technology & Inventors:
Please read and research film technology. It is important to understand the technological history of film as an art form, for it shapes our culture and has become such an important element of our lives.
Find out the following (to write down and turn in as participation credit):
1. What is a Zoetrope? How did it work? Who invented it and why?
2. What is a praxinoscope? How did it work? Who invented it?
3. What is a kinetoscope? How did it work? Who invented it?
4. What is a cinematographe? Who invented it?
5. What is a mutoscope? How did it work? Who invented it?
6. What is a vitascope? How did it work? Who invented it?
then visit the FILM HISTORY website. Find out the following:
7. What was a magic lantern? Who invented it and when?
8. What was a thaumatrope? Who invented it?
9. What invention did Joseph Plateau invent? How did it work?
10. Who invented celluloid?
11. Who was Eadweard Muybridge (1830-1904)? How and why is he important to the history of film?
12. Who claimed to be the "inventor of film"? Why?
13. Explain Thomas Edison and William K.L. Dickson's contribution to film history.
14. What was Thomas Edison's studio's name? Where was it located?
15. Name a few titles of the earliest films.
These questions are due to be handed in by Friday.
Watch a few early films:
The Kiss (1900)
Serpentine Dances (1895)
Sando the Strongman and other Edison Films (repeats of Serpentine Dances & the Kiss)
Dickson's Experimental Film (1894)
Lumiere Brothers Films
Two Fencers (1891)
Turkish Dance (1898)
Falling Cat (1890)
1. After reading through the list, make some personal observations. How "literate" are you when it comes to "best" or top films of all time? Does there seem to be a pattern or genre bias in this list?
2. How does our own culture, socio-economic status, gender, or age affect the way we approach films?
3. Were you surprised to see these films on this list?
4. If you were to write this list, what movies would you put on it that were not included (feel free to indicate your top ten favorites of all time)?
5. What genre of film do you prefer? Examine why.
Write a short personal essay trying to answer these questions. Put your name on the file and send it to the drop box. (Our printer is still down).
If you finish early, please work on this:
Early Technology & Inventors:
Please read and research film technology. It is important to understand the technological history of film as an art form, for it shapes our culture and has become such an important element of our lives.
Find out the following (to write down and turn in as participation credit):
1. What is a Zoetrope? How did it work? Who invented it and why?
2. What is a praxinoscope? How did it work? Who invented it?
3. What is a kinetoscope? How did it work? Who invented it?
4. What is a cinematographe? Who invented it?
5. What is a mutoscope? How did it work? Who invented it?
6. What is a vitascope? How did it work? Who invented it?
then visit the FILM HISTORY website. Find out the following:
7. What was a magic lantern? Who invented it and when?
8. What was a thaumatrope? Who invented it?
9. What invention did Joseph Plateau invent? How did it work?
10. Who invented celluloid?
11. Who was Eadweard Muybridge (1830-1904)? How and why is he important to the history of film?
12. Who claimed to be the "inventor of film"? Why?
13. Explain Thomas Edison and William K.L. Dickson's contribution to film history.
14. What was Thomas Edison's studio's name? Where was it located?
15. Name a few titles of the earliest films.
These questions are due to be handed in by Friday.
Watch a few early films:
The Kiss (1900)
Serpentine Dances (1895)
Sando the Strongman and other Edison Films (repeats of Serpentine Dances & the Kiss)
Dickson's Experimental Film (1894)
Lumiere Brothers Films
Two Fencers (1891)
Turkish Dance (1898)
Falling Cat (1890)
Monday, February 1, 2010
Introduction to Film
Again, welcome to Film Studies. Please turn in your film reviews.
Last year we covered a variety of important terms. Take a moment (a few minutes) and try to remember the following:
Diegesis:
Diegetic sound:
Nondiegetic sound:
Narrative Film:
Frame:
Shot:
Sequence:
Sound Track:
Cutting (a.k.a. Editing):
Invisible Cutting:
Shot/Reverse Shot Technique:
Montage:
Synchronization:
Camera Angle: (High Angle, Low Angle, Bird's Eye (Omniscient), Eye-level angle, etc.)
Distance: long shot, full shot, medium shot, close up, etc.
Establishing Shot (a.k.a. "Master Shot")
Perspective:
Camera Movement
Dolly:
Dolly Shot:
Crane:
Pan:
Zoom Shot:
Lighting: (High Key, Low Key)
Story:
In a narrative film, all the events that we see and hear, plus all those that we infer or assume to have occurred, arranged in their presumed causal relations, chronological order, duration, frequency, and spatial locations. Opposed to plot, which is the film's actual presentation of certain events in the narrative.
Plot:
In a narrative film, all the events that are directly presented to us, including their causal relations, chronological order, duration, frequency, and spatial locations. Opposed to story which is the viewer's imaginary construction of all events in the narrative.
Enough of that for now. Let's cover a few important websites! You will need a notebook or journal to take notes. Write down stuff (it helps make the time go faster and you might learn something).
The BEST 100 Films of All Times - A Personal Response by YOU!
Please go to the link (on the left side of this article): Film History.
For our class, this website by film historian Tim Dirks, will provide you with a lot of excellent information. We will be using the link throughout our course as a reliable source of information.
Today, I'd like you to spend some time reviewing the top 100 movies of all time. Please read Dirk's information, take a look through the list and note the following:
1. Which films on this list have you personally seen?
2. Which films on this list have you heard about, but never had the chance to see?
3. If a movie looks interesting to you, please jot down its title in your journal.
After reading through the list, make some personal observations. How "literate" are you when it comes to "best" or top films of all time? Does there seem to be a pattern or genre bias in this list? How does our own culture, socio-economic status, gender, or age affect the way we approach films? Were you surprised to see these films on this list? If you were to write this list, what movies would you put on it that were not included (feel free to indicate your top ten favorites of all time)?
What genre of film do you prefer? Examine why. Go ahead and look through the various lists of top films--you may finally find some you know.
Write a short personal essay trying to answer all these questions (due at the end of class).
HOMEWORK: Please read the article "The Birth of Film" - Highlight and take notes in your notebook about important key concepts you found in the article. On Wednesday we will go over this information as a class. Write at LEAST one thing you learned from the article on an index card (to be handed in).
Last year we covered a variety of important terms. Take a moment (a few minutes) and try to remember the following:
Diegesis:
Diegetic sound:
Nondiegetic sound:
Narrative Film:
Frame:
Shot:
Sequence:
Sound Track:
Cutting (a.k.a. Editing):
Invisible Cutting:
Shot/Reverse Shot Technique:
Montage:
Synchronization:
Camera Angle: (High Angle, Low Angle, Bird's Eye (Omniscient), Eye-level angle, etc.)
Distance: long shot, full shot, medium shot, close up, etc.
Establishing Shot (a.k.a. "Master Shot")
Perspective:
Camera Movement
Dolly:
Dolly Shot:
Crane:
Pan:
Zoom Shot:
Lighting: (High Key, Low Key)
Story:
In a narrative film, all the events that we see and hear, plus all those that we infer or assume to have occurred, arranged in their presumed causal relations, chronological order, duration, frequency, and spatial locations. Opposed to plot, which is the film's actual presentation of certain events in the narrative.
Plot:
In a narrative film, all the events that are directly presented to us, including their causal relations, chronological order, duration, frequency, and spatial locations. Opposed to story which is the viewer's imaginary construction of all events in the narrative.
Enough of that for now. Let's cover a few important websites! You will need a notebook or journal to take notes. Write down stuff (it helps make the time go faster and you might learn something).
The BEST 100 Films of All Times - A Personal Response by YOU!
Please go to the link (on the left side of this article): Film History.
For our class, this website by film historian Tim Dirks, will provide you with a lot of excellent information. We will be using the link throughout our course as a reliable source of information.
Today, I'd like you to spend some time reviewing the top 100 movies of all time. Please read Dirk's information, take a look through the list and note the following:
1. Which films on this list have you personally seen?
2. Which films on this list have you heard about, but never had the chance to see?
3. If a movie looks interesting to you, please jot down its title in your journal.
After reading through the list, make some personal observations. How "literate" are you when it comes to "best" or top films of all time? Does there seem to be a pattern or genre bias in this list? How does our own culture, socio-economic status, gender, or age affect the way we approach films? Were you surprised to see these films on this list? If you were to write this list, what movies would you put on it that were not included (feel free to indicate your top ten favorites of all time)?
What genre of film do you prefer? Examine why. Go ahead and look through the various lists of top films--you may finally find some you know.
Write a short personal essay trying to answer all these questions (due at the end of class).
HOMEWORK: Please read the article "The Birth of Film" - Highlight and take notes in your notebook about important key concepts you found in the article. On Wednesday we will go over this information as a class. Write at LEAST one thing you learned from the article on an index card (to be handed in).
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Welcome to Film Studies!
This course will help develop a greater aesthetic appreciation for film as an art form and as a reflection of society. Film Studies will provide students with an overview of the history, theory, and techniques involved in the art of film making. Students will study the components and history of film, analyze narrative structure, and discuss cultural issues found in a variety of films. Additionally, it is a course in reading and writing about film. Students will learn how to write a screenplay, explore film genre, and participate in various activities which will culminate in their own film script project. Successful films may be given a public screening some time in June of this year, equipment and student willing.
What is FILM STUDIES?
How do we go about studying film?
Film studies is:
1. A technological history emphasizing pioneers in the film industry and film technology
2. A study of techniques that asks “What technical choices are available to film makers?”
3. A study of personalities (movie stars)
4. A study of the relationship between film and other arts (usually theatre or the novel)
5. A chronological history of classical or important films
6. A study analyzing film in relation to society
7. A study of the history of movie studios, like the famous Hollywood studios
8. A study of directors and their work with film
9. A study of genres
10. A study of issues in the film industry, such as censorship or anti-trust laws
Additionally, in this class (since it's creative writing focused) we will be writing our own treatments, short film scripts, and writing film reviews (journalism, creative non-fiction, etc).
What is FILM STUDIES?
How do we go about studying film?
Film studies is:
1. A technological history emphasizing pioneers in the film industry and film technology
2. A study of techniques that asks “What technical choices are available to film makers?”
3. A study of personalities (movie stars)
4. A study of the relationship between film and other arts (usually theatre or the novel)
5. A chronological history of classical or important films
6. A study analyzing film in relation to society
7. A study of the history of movie studios, like the famous Hollywood studios
8. A study of directors and their work with film
9. A study of genres
10. A study of issues in the film industry, such as censorship or anti-trust laws
Additionally, in this class (since it's creative writing focused) we will be writing our own treatments, short film scripts, and writing film reviews (journalism, creative non-fiction, etc).
Spring Awakening - Workshop and Performance
For those of you who are attending the Spring Awakening master class, please note that it will occur 1-3 period on Thursday, Feb. 4 at 7:30. Please let your 1-3 period teachers know that you are attending. The actual performance for Spring Awakening will be held on the evening of Thursday, Feb. 11 at the Auditorium Theatre (next to Red Cross at the corner of Prince Street and Main).
Friday, January 22, 2010
Film Review - Waiting for Guffman
We are starting our unit on Film Studies today. If you have NOT turned in your full length play, please do so.
If you are planning on attending the Master Class for Spring Awakening, please turn in your money by Monday at the latest. If you are having trouble coming up with the funds, please see me immediately.
For next class (after mid-term week), please read the handout: "The Reception of Film: The Art and Profession of Film Reviewing"
There are 4 parts to a film review:
1. A short plot synopsis
2. Background information (usually about the director or major actors, but can also include cinematographer, special effects history, genre, or production).
3. A few paragraphs evaluating and analyzing the film: this can be broken down into examining the film's artistic quality, significance, entertainment & social value.
4. In summary, most film reviews end with a final statement or judgment about the film.
After watching Waiting for Guffman (directed by Christopher Guest) please write a 1-2 page review that includes the 4 parts of a film review (above). This assignment is due the first day of the new semester, Monday, Feb. 1. Use these articles to help you.
"The Handout"
Waiting for Guffman
Christopher Guest and (Christopher Guest)
Waiting for Guffman - clips (check the sidebar for various scenes)
If you are planning on attending the Master Class for Spring Awakening, please turn in your money by Monday at the latest. If you are having trouble coming up with the funds, please see me immediately.
For next class (after mid-term week), please read the handout: "The Reception of Film: The Art and Profession of Film Reviewing"
There are 4 parts to a film review:
1. A short plot synopsis
2. Background information (usually about the director or major actors, but can also include cinematographer, special effects history, genre, or production).
3. A few paragraphs evaluating and analyzing the film: this can be broken down into examining the film's artistic quality, significance, entertainment & social value.
4. In summary, most film reviews end with a final statement or judgment about the film.
After watching Waiting for Guffman (directed by Christopher Guest) please write a 1-2 page review that includes the 4 parts of a film review (above). This assignment is due the first day of the new semester, Monday, Feb. 1. Use these articles to help you.
"The Handout"
Waiting for Guffman
Christopher Guest and (Christopher Guest)
Waiting for Guffman - clips (check the sidebar for various scenes)
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Final Exam Today! Full Length Play Due Today!
Yep. Final exam and full length play due today. When completed, please work on Sokol or Gannon or Geva 10 minute play scripts or study for other upcoming exams or read Animal Dreams.
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