1. THE LITERATURE OF FILM 2014-15 Mr. Borman borman.zachary@westada.org

2. What is Literature? Who/what determines what is deemed literature? Is literature worth studying? Why/how? Can films be literature? Why/How can they be studied?

3. Film AS Literature What makes good literature? What makes good film? How do you know? What makes bad film? How do you know?

4. Unit 1 The Birth of Film: Moving pictures that tell a story This unit will introduce students to the early history of film, and its first practitioners in both silent and sound movies. Students will learn about the persistence of vision and how the conventions of storytelling through film have evolved over time Films to be shown in this unit: The Man With the Movie Camera (1929) Seven Chances (1925) Duck Soup (1933)

5. Unit 2: The Construction of Moving Images: Technique, Purpose, and Audience In this unit, we will look closer at the technical side of film, from directing to cinematography, editing, and structure to see how they work together to have an intentional (potentially manipulative) effect on a specific audience. Films in this unit: Visions of Light (1992) Citizen Kane (1941) Triumph of the Will (1935) Unit Project: Mini Documentary

6. Unit 3: Genre Categorizing Film by Type This unit is designed to examine closely the different genres of film, their characteristics, and their appeal to different generations of film viewers. Films in this unit: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence (1962) Shadow of a Doubt (1943) Double Indemnity (1944) Unit Project: Genre Group Presentation

7. Unit 4: The Archetypal Film Character and Plot – The Hero With 1,000 Faces In this unit, we will attempt to look at the structure that, whether you know it or not, is underlying most films. We will come to a deeper understanding of the how Archetypes and the hero’s journey can affect your viewing and writing of films. Films in this unit: Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World Unit Project: Film Analysis Paper

8. Unit 5: Treatment and Screen Writing - Films are Written This unit will teach you the technical side of writing a treatment, pitching it, and completing a short script. A closer look at the art of the short film will be undertaken. Films in the Unit: Casablanca Unit Project: Original treatment for a short film

9. Unit 6: Creation Application of Learning The final unit will be spent primarily in production on your selected short films. Students will apply all of the skills/techniques we have discussed throughout the semester to produce a 3-5 minute film. Unit Films: Children of Heaven