Introduction to Film Studies
Introduction to Film Studies 13: Synthesis
Synthesis is the realization that cinema is a Gesamtkunstwerk - a "total work of art" where every element operates in simultaneous harmony.
Introduction to Film Studies
This tag groups lessons from the Introduction to Film Studies course. For the correct order and full syllabus, start with the course overview via the Courses tab at the top of this page.
Introduction to Film Studies
Introduction to Film Studies 12: Ideology
Introduction to Film Studies Lesson 12: Ideology Part of the Introduction to Film Studies course. ⬅️Previous Lesson | Course Syllabus | Next Lesson ➡️ The Politics of the Image Introduction: "It’s Just a Movie" The most common defense of cinema—and the most dangerous one—is the phrase, "Relax,
Introduction to Film Studies
Introduction to Film Studies 11: Genre
Introduction to Film Studies Lesson 11: Genre Part of the Introduction to Film Studies course. ⬅️Previous Lesson | Course Syllabus | Next Lesson ➡️ The Rituals of Storytelling Introduction: The Contract of Expectation When you walk into a library, you don't just look for "a book." You look for
Introduction to Film Studies
Introduction to Film Studies 10: Documentary
Introduction to Film Studies Lesson 10: Documentary Part of the Introduction to Film Studies course. ⬅️Previous Lesson | Course Syllabus | Next Lesson ➡️ The Creative Treatment of Actuality Introduction: The Fiction of Non-Fiction We tend to divide cinema into two neat, opposing boxes: Fiction (made up) and Documentary (real). This is a
Introduction to Film Studies
Introduction to Film Studies 9: Realism vs. Formalism
Introduction to Film Studies Lesson 9: Realism vs. Formalism Part of the Introduction to Film Studies course. ⬅️Previous Lesson | Course Syllabus | Next Lesson ➡️ The Hidden Narrative Introduction: The Window vs. The Frame Every filmmaker must answer one philosophical question before they pick up a camera: What is the purpose of
Introduction to Film Studies
Introduction to Film Studies 8: Auteur Theory
Introduction to Film Studies Lesson 8: Auteur Theory Part of the Introduction to Film Studies course. ⬅️Previous Lesson | Course Syllabus | Next Lesson ➡️ Who is the Author? Introduction: The Director as God When we discuss a novel, we say, "This is a book by Hemingway." When we discuss a
Introduction to Film Studies
Introduction to Film Studies 7: Sound
Introduction to Film Studies Lesson 7: Sound Part of the Introduction to Film Studies course. ⬅️Previous Lesson | Course Syllabus | Next Lesson ➡️ The Hidden Narrative Introduction: The Forgotten Sense We call it "watching" a movie, but we should call it "experiencing" a movie. While the eyes are
Introduction to Film Studies
Introduction to Film Studies 6: Editing
Introduction to Film Studies Lesson 6: Editing Part of the Introduction to Film Studies course. ⬅️Previous Lesson | Course Syllabus | Next Lesson ➡️ The Invisible Art Prerequisite: Lesson 5: Cinematography Introduction: The Third Meaning In the previous lessons, we discussed the "Raw Materials" of cinema – the script, the set, the
Introduction to Film Studies
Introduction to Film Studies 5: Cinematography
Introduction to Film Studies Lesson 5: Cinematography Part of the Introduction to Film Studies course. ⬅️Previous Lesson | Course Syllabus | Next Lesson ➡️ The Camera’s Consciousness Prerequisite: Lesson 4: Mise-en-scène Introduction: The All-Seeing Eye In the previous lesson, we looked at what was in the room (Mise-en-scène). Now, we turn our
Introduction to Film Studies
Introduction to Film Studies 4: Mise-en-scène
Introduction to Film Studies Lesson 4: Mise-en-scène Part of the Introduction to Film Studies course. ⬅️Previous Lesson | Course Syllabus | Next Lesson ➡️ The Psychology of the Room Prerequisite: Lesson 3: The Principles of Form Introduction: The Director as Architect In the previous lesson, we analyzed the abstract rules of Form and
Introduction to Film Studies
Introduction to Film Studies 3: The Principles of Form
Introduction to Film Studies Lesson 3: The Principles of Form Part of the Introduction to Film Studies course. ⬅️Previous Lesson | Course Syllabus | Next Lesson ➡️ The Hidden Logic of the Movie Prerequisite: Lesson 2: Narrative Structure Introduction: The Closed System In the previous lesson, we looked at how filmmakers manipulate Time
Introduction to Film Studies
Introduction to Film Studies 2: Narrative Structure
Introduction to Film Studies Lesson 2: Narrative Structure Part of the Introduction to Film Studies course. ⬅️Previous Lesson | Course Syllabus | Next Lesson ➡️ The Art of Time Travel Prerequisite: Lesson 1: The Critical Faculty Introduction: The Viewer as Detective If Lesson 1 was about Space (what is in the frame), Lesson