Introduction to Film and Video Rhode Island College Syllabus for Comm 241 Tuesday 2:00-5:50 Whipple 107 Fall 2008 Instructor: Professor Philip J. Palombo, Whipple 214 phone 456-8044

Catalog Description: The narrative structure, contexts, and content of film and video are analyzed and critiqued.

Description: In the course we will study a wide variety of films; we will also study characteristics of the film medium and see how they apply to films studied in the course. Emphasis will be on the expressiveness of film techniques, the fictional film, the variety of films, and interpret the film from the producer's perspective.

Prerequisite: The course has no prerequisites and is designed for freshman and sophomore students in all majors, but effective reading and writing skills are crucial for success in the course.

Required Text: Film: An Introduction, Third Edition Author:William H. Phillips

On reserve at the library are DVDs: The Player, The Cooler, Sex Lies and Videotapes, American Splendor Hacking Democracy, and more will follow.

Evaluation Criteria and Percentage of Grade: 1. journal ------30 pts. 2. midterm (definitions and application of concepts to a film)-- 25 pts. 3. Participation (If you don't attend you are not participating 3 absences)- 15 pts. 4. final examination (take home)------30 pts.

You can always email me pertaining to any questions you may have regarding the course or certainly all things related to RIC that I may be able to help you with. From time to time, I will e-mail you information, so please check your e-mail at least once a day. I check my e-mail several times a day, so please email me as needed. I plan to initiate a dialogue on the Web to enable us to discuss the films we are screening in class but also to maintain a momentum outside of class and apprise you of various Screenings and Events I become aware of during the semester. Approximate Schedule: 9/2 Intro to course and what we plan to cover. Screening: American Movie, 1999 107 min 9/9 Chapter 1 Introduction to Mise en Scene . Screening: The Player 1992 (124 min) 9/16 Chapter 2 Cinematography 9/23 Cinematography -Screen:American Splendor 2003 :101 min 10/07 Chapter 3 Editing. Screening: "The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing. "2004 :98 min 10/14 Chapter 3 Editing – Continued Screening: Steven Soderbergh, Sex, Lies and Videotape 1989 :100 min 10/21 Chapter 4 Sound Screening: The Cooler 2003 (101 min) 10/28 Chapter 5 Sources for the Fictional Film Screening: AFI THE DIRECTORS: Martin Scorsese 11/04 Chapter 8: Alternatives to Live-Action Fictional Films: Documentary, Experimental, hybrid, & animation. Screening: Hacking Democracy 2006 82 min 11/18 Chap 8 Alternatives to Live-Action Fictional Films Screening: This Film Is Not Yet Rated (2006) 97 min 11/25 Screening: Tarrantino's Pulp Fiction (2004) 150 min 12/02 Chapter 10: Thinking about Films & The Independent 12/09 Experimental, Hybrid and animation: WebStreaming

Journal Guidelines (30 points) More Details>>

Until October 14, you are required to respond in writing to every complete film we screen to that point. We anticipate three to write about. For each of these screenings write about several aspects of the film that are important to you (for example, a character trait, some action, a setting, the lighting, the music, the editing of a scene, an idea implied or stated). The films include: The Player, Sex Lies and Videotape & American Splendor. Be sure that each paragraph explains only one major aspect, and make sure you give enough specifics so that the paragraph's point is clear and persuasive. During the first draft, it may help you to write quickly focusing on what you want to say and not worrying about how well you are writing. Most people find that it helps to write immediately after seeing a film then to rewrite later in the day or on the next day, or to rewrite later in the day and the next day. In the journal you submit on October 28, include only the final draft of each entry. Entries should be about 500 words for feature- length films. (500 words = two double-spaced typed pages with one- inch margins.) All entries must be typed and numbered. Journals will be graded from 0 to 20 based on following directions, completeness, clarity, factual accuracy, and originality of insights (not merely repeating points made in class or in the book). I will not read every entry; instead, I will choose several entries at random and read and grade them as representative of the journal as a whole. The journal is a very important course requirement, worth 30 points, so please plan to put considerable effort into writing and rewriting your entries.