PORTFOLIO typically consisting of a critical analysis of one aspect of film language (in its widest sense) and some practical work that applies the chosen aspect to a specific project. This will most likely be presented as part of a report of 2200 words which includes self-generated images or sounds as part of the cited evidence both within the report and as part of the appendix. [Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

This module introduces you to the analysis of film in both a contextual and textual sense. You will be trained to analyse films textually in order to unlock potential meanings inherent within them, via concepts such as mise-en-scene and editing.

The module will feature a variety of learning strategies: tutor presentations; student-led workshops; and tutorials. You will participate in a weekly two-hour session, which will incorporate a variety of activities.

As part of the independent learning activity as part of this module, each week you will be set some preparatory work for the next session that applies and consolidates the learned concepts, as well as a film you will be expected to watch in order to contribute to discussion the following week. There will be a screening of this film during the week, but it will also be made available online in case you are not able to attend these screenings.

The library
Seminar room with screening facilities.
Blackboard will support this module where appropriate.
Box of Broadcasts

Bazin, A (1967 / 1973) What is Cinema? (2 separate volumes) Berkeley: University of California Press
Benyahia, S C & Claire Mortimer. (2012) Doing Film Studies, London: Routledge
Eisenstein, S. (2010) Towards a Theory of Montage Volume 2, London: I B Tauris
Hayward, S. (2000) Key Concepts in Cinema Studies, 2nd Edn. London: Routledge
Villarejo, A. (2013) Film Studies: The Basics, London: Routledge
Wells, P. (1998) Understanding Animation, London: Routledge

Further reading is found in the module booklet

1. DEVELOP SKILLS OF CLOSE OBSERVATION OF A FILM’S MISE-EN-SCENE AND EDITING WITH REGARD TO ANALYSIS.
[Analysis]

2. UNDERSTAND A WIDE RANGE OF BOTH PRACTICAL AND CONTEXTUAL ISSUES THAT GO INTO MAKING FILM, AND PARTICULARLY ANIMATED FILM.
[Knowledge and Understanding]

3. DEVELOP THE SHORTHAND AND LANGUAGE OF THE ANALYSIS OF CINEMA, INCLUDING ALL RELEVANT TECHNICAL TERMINOLOGY.
[Communication]

4. APPRECIATE THE DEBATES REGARDING DIFFERENT CRITICAL APPROACHES TO FILM BOTH AS AN INDUSTRY AND AS AN ART FORM.
[Learning]

5. IDENTIFY AND DISCUSS SPECIFIC CONTEXTUAL DETAILS REGARDING A FILM THAT ARE RELEVANT TO CINEMA AND ANIMATION STUDIES.
[Application]