Overview

This module provides students with a toolkit for the analysis of the moving image and aims to provide students with a technical vocabulary to enable them to analyse and to discuss how films communicate meaning. The individual elements of this toolkit are analysed in detail. Lectures cover topics such as: Mise-en-Scene, Editing, Camerawork, Sound, Lighting, and Style. Weekly screenings illustrate relevant aspects of film form.

Films to be screened may include: A Man Escaped (Bresson, 1956), Heathers (Lehmann, 1988), Run Lola Run (Tykwer, 1998), Bourne Ultimatum (Greengrass, 2007), Vertigo (Hitchcock, 1958), Cabin in the Woods (Whedon, 2012) and Moulin Rouge! (Luhrman, 2001)

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -D Knowledge of key areas/principles only Weaknesses in understanding of main areas Limited evidence of background study Answer only poorly focussed on question and with some irrelevant material and poor structure Arguments presented but lack coherence Several factual/computational errors No original interpretation * Only major links between topics are described Limited problem solving* Many weaknesses in presentation and accuracy

-good -B Strong knowledge Understands most but not all Evidence of background study Focussed answer with good structure Arguments presented coherently Mostly free of factual and computational errors Some limited original interpretation * Well known links between topics are described Problems addressed by existing methods/approaches* Good presentation with accurate communication

-excellent -A Comprehensive knowledge Detailed understanding * Extensive background study Highly focussed answer and well structured Logically presented and defended arguments No factual/computational errors Original interpretation * New links between topics are developed New approach to a problem Excellent presentation with very accurate communication

Learning Outcomes

• Be able to analyse short film clips, paying attention to their formal techniques

• Be able to assimilate visual information and use that information to construct a written argument

• Be able to read and analyse a moving image text in a structured and informed way

• Have access to a technical and critical vocabulary relevant to the discussion of audio-visual imagery

• Understand the workings of shot structure and scene composition