COMM 241-01 Introduction to Film and Video – Fall 2008 Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:30am – 11:20am Whipple Hall, Room 107 Instructor – Liz Viall e-mail [email protected] Department phone (messages only) 456-8270

I will be available before and after class on class days. Appointments can be made in class or via e-mail.

Course Description: The structure, contexts, and content of film and video are analyzed and critiqued. Text: Film Art: An Introduction w/ Film Viewer's Guide and Tutorial CD-ROM, 8th Edition. David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson. McGraw Hill, 2008 Fahrenheit 451. Ray Bradbury, 1953 We have all grown up watching movies, in the theater and on television; it is a form of entertainment that crosses cultural and generational lines and gives creative storytellers the opportunity to express ideas and explore issues in society. This course will look at the elements within a film, including how it becomes an artistic work, how it tells stories using visual, textual and aural elements, and how we as an audience can appreciate and interpret the craft of the filmmaker as well as his or her work. Video has built on film’s history, creating new formats and recreating old ones to build audiences while it tells tales from society, history and the writer’s imagination of things that could or should be. At the same time, its technical advances have changed the way filmmakers create their works for the screen. Requirements 1) Attendance is very important. We will be watching complete and excerpted films and videos, and it is important you be in class to view the selected work and take part in the discussion of it and the related topic. Missing a class will lower your attendance and participation grade, and this can make a difference in your final grade. 2) Complete all required readings before class, so that you can participate fully in discussions. 3) Films will be screened only once, but may be available through the video collection now housed in the James P. Adams Library, or can be rented, or borrowed from your local library should you wish to screen films or excerpts additional times outside of class. The text, film sheets handed out for each complete film and your class notes will be your best resources in studying for exams. 4) Written work should be submitted in typewritten, double-spaced form. If you feel writing is not your strong suit, Rhode Island College offers the Writing Center for advice and help on written projects. I do pay attention to spelling, punctuation, grammar and usage, so please proofread your papers carefully before submitting them for grading. Do not count on AutoCorrect to catch your typing errors. The Communications Department uses the MLA Style Manual in its classes.

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Written Assignments • Critical Essays (4) A short critique discussing one of several assigned topics in relation to the films you have seen in the previous weeks, as noted on the syllabus. These will be assigned one week ahead of their due dates, which are noted on the syllabus, in class. Plan on writing between a minimum of 2 full pages each to a maximum of 3 pages, double-spaced for this essay. We will discuss formatting prior to the first paper’s due date. These papers are not reviews of the films. • Exams(2) There will be a midterm and final exam, as noted on the schedule at the end of this syllabus. The final exam date will be announced once the College final exam schedule is set. Studying resources will include the text, films, class notes and any class handouts. I will review or make a review guide available in class before each exam. Grading: The following elements will comprise your final grade: Attendance and Class participation 20% Critical Essays (4 essays x 5% each) 20% Mid-term Exams 30% Final Exam 30% Midterm grades will be submitted to the College for all students. I maintain a listing of grading points throughout the semester, and you can ask me, via e-mail, at any point where you stand in the course. Because your grades are private information, I will only take requests via e-mail, and will respond only via e-mail. Friendly Warning 1: Please read the Student Handbook, 2007-2008, Page 23, and the 2007-2009 Rhode Island College Catalog, page 46 to refresh your understanding of academic honesty and the definition of plagiarism. Both publications are available on the RIC website, at http://www.ric.edu/ academics/catalog.php. The College may take disciplinary action against anyone found to have plagiarized material or cheated on tests, quizzes, or other assignments, resulting in lowered grades, probationary status or expulsion. Friendly Warning 2: Everyone has health, transportation or other personal problems that occasionally make it impossible to attend class. However, there is a limit to the number of unexcused absences a student may take without jeopardizing his or her effective understanding of course material. Because of the format of this class and its grading structure, it is important that students attend as many classes as possible. I take attendance at each class, and it will count toward your midterm and final grades. If you know you will not be able to attend class on a particular day, contact me via e-mail or leave a message at the Department office at 456-8270 immediately. If you realize you will face an extended absence of five consecutive days or more, contact the Office of Student Life at 456-8061. If you feel you are falling behind because of absences, contact me via e-mail or through the department office.

Comm 241 Syllabus Page 2 of 3 Date Topic Reading Assignment Wednesday September 3 Class introduction Cinematography / The Moving Camera Film: Visions of Light Monday September 8 Excerpts: Goodfellas, Henry V, Memoirs of a Geisha, Millions Film Art: Ch. 2, 4, 5 Wednesday September 10 Lighting in Film / Early Film production Film: Nosferatu Monday September 15 Lighting excerpts: The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, The Bolero, Fargo, Good Night and Good Luck Wednesday September 17 Composition & Framing Film: Deliverance Monday September 22 Excerpts: Jaws, Greatest Game Ever Played, Godfather II, Calendar Girls, Everything is Illuminated, Raising Arizona Wednesday September 24 Sound Film Art: Ch. 7 Film: American Graffiti Monday September 29 Excerpts: The Conversation, Alien, HP: Chamber of Secrets, Hot Fuzz Essay#1 Due – Lighting, Cinematography, Composition & framing Wednesday October 1 Editing: Film Art: Ch. 6 Film: All That Jazz, Part 1 Saturday October 4 Last Day to register for the November 4 General Election Monday October 6 All That Jazz part 2 Excerpt: Battleship Potemkin, Jaws, Moulin Rouge, Greatest Game Ever Played Wednesday October 8 The Script: Excerpts: Jaws Review Sheet distributed in class Monday October 13 Columbus Day – No class Wednesday October 15 Midterm Exam Monday October 20 The Script: Film Art: Ch. 3 Film: The Usual Suspects Wednesday October 22 Performance Film: Fargo Monday October 27 Documentary: Film Art: Ch. 10 Film: American Dream Essay #2 – Sound, Editing, Script Wednesday October 29 Genre Film Art: Ch. 8, 9, 12 Film: Sweeney Todd Monday November 3 Excerpts: Western, gangster Film: Die Hard, part 1 with commentary Tuesday November 4 Election Day – Remember to Vote! Wednesday November 5 Film: Die Hard, part 2 with commentary Monday November 10 Film and Society Film: Primary Colors Part 1 Wednesday November 12 Film: Primary Colors, Part 2 Excerpts: All the President’s Men, Grapes of Wrath, The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming Monday November 17 The Business of Film Film Art: Ch. 1 Film: The Player part 1 Wednesday November 19 Film: The Player part 2 Monday November 24 Film and literature Fahrenheit 451 Film: Fahrenheit 451 Essay #3 – Film and Society, Genres, Documentary Wednesday November 26 Excerpts/features: Mario Puzo, Memoirs of a Geisha, Sweeney Todd Monday December 1 Film and Technology Excerpts / features: LOTR, Nosferatu, Sweeney Todd, Die Hard Wednesday December 3 Technology continued, Video Migration Monday December 8 Animated Films Film Art: rev. pp 370- Films: – For the Birds, Bunny, Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers, 377 Fantasia 2000(Gershwin), Fantasia (Night on Bald Mountain / Ave Maria), Sweeney Todd open Wednesday December 10 Continue discussion of Animated films as needed Essay #4 – Technology, Business and Literature Review Session December ?? Final Exam TBA when Final Exam Week schedule is announced

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