Alternative Storytelling

Course unit code:

311MAST

Course unit title:

Mode of delivery:

zápočet

Range:

17/S

Type of course unit:

Study plan Animovaná tvorba - bakalář – optional subject
Study plan Dokumentární tvorba - magistr – compulsory optional subject
Study plan Dokumentární tvorba - bakalář – optional subject
Study plan Animovaná tvorba - magistr – compulsory optional subject
Study plan Scenáristika a dramaturgie - bakalář – optional subject
Study plan Scenáristika a dramaturgie - magistr – compulsory optional subject
Study plan Režie - bakalář – optional subject
Study plan Režie - magistr – compulsory optional subject
Study plan Kamera - bakalář – optional subject
Study plan Kamera - magistr – compulsory optional subject
Study plan Produkce - bakalář – optional subject
Study plan Produkce - magistr – compulsory optional subject
Study plan Audiovizuální studia - bakalář – optional subject
Study plan Střihová skladba - bakalář – optional subject
Study plan Střihová skladba - magistr – compulsory optional subject
Study plan Zvuková tvorba - bakalář – optional subject
Study plan Zvuková tvorba - magistr – compulsory optional subject
Study plan Fotografie CZ - bakalář – optional subject
Study plan Fotografie CZ - magistr – compulsory optional subject
Study plan Fotografie EN - bakalář – optional subject
Study plan Fotografie EN - magistr – optional subject
Study plan Audiovizuální studia - magistr – compulsory optional subject
Study plan Cinema and Digital Media - Cinematography – compulsory optional subject
Study plan Cinema and Digital Media - Screenwriting – compulsory optional subject
Study plan Fotografie CZ - magistr: restaurování – compulsory optional subject
Study plan Cinema and Digital Media - Directing – compulsory optional subject
Study plan Fotografie EN - magistr: restaurování – optional subject

Level of course unit:

Year of study

předmět nemá určen ročník studia

Semester when the course unit is delivered

letní

Number of ECTS credits allocated:

Garant předmětu:

Jitka HEJTMANOVÁ

Name of lecturer(s):

Jitka HEJTMANOVÁ

Study Objectives:

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Screenwriters and filmmakers sometimes find Traditional cinematic storytelling restrictive and instinctively rebel against it, rejecting or resenting the call to ´structure´ their creativity. By examining Episodic story structure, which can often seem formless at first glance, students can gain a deeper understanding and a greater appreciation of the value of storytelling.

Following the course, students will be able to:

- Recognize characteristics of films with Episodic structure.

- Distinguish the differences between Episodic and Traditional structure.

- Analyze films to identify Episodic structure and describe the relationship of the individual episodes to the film as a whole.

- Identify types and variations of Episodic structure.

- Explain challenges that Episodic structure poses to audience engagement.

- Recognize how films with Traditional structures may also incorporate Episodic structure.

Mode of delivery:

Seminar/discussion

Prerequisites and co-requisites:

None

Recommended optional programme components

None

Course contents:

The New York Times made the same mistake in 1962 that many audiences and critics make today: assuming that a film, like ?8 & ??, has no structure because it is not traditionally structured. In fact, ?8 & ??, like many successful films, is an excellent example of episodic structure.

Often misunderstood by filmmakers, as well as audiences and critics, episodic structure can be used to create compelling and enduring stories that are organized more around character and theme, than an ordered, cause - and - effect, progression of events typical of traditional cinematic storytelling. But, because episodic storytelling doesn?t conform to these expectations and conventions, it must be approached with caution and a complete understanding of the form.

Through lecture, discussion, screenings and exercises, this course will introduce screenwriters and filmmakers to episodic storytelling in feature films, its relationship to traditional story structure, and its potential for, and possible challenges to, engaging an audience.

Study materials:

Clips/Screening may include:

8,5 (Italy, 1963)

32 Short Films About Glenn Gould (Canada, 1993)

Andrei Rublev (USSR, 1966)

Army of Shadows (France, 1969)

Breaking Away (US, 1979)

Factotum (US, 2005)

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (US, 1998)

Garden State (US, 2004)

I Vitelloni (Italy, 1953)

I´m Not There (US, 2007)

Jesus´ Son (US, 1999)

Little Miss Sunshine (US, 2006)

La Dolce Vita (Italy, 1960)

La Haine (France, 1995)

Mesrine: Killer Instinct (France, 2008)

Mystery Train (US, 1989)

Naked (UK, 1993)

Nights of Cabiria (Italy, 1957)

Persepolis (France, 2007)

Pulp Fiction (US, 1994)

The Red Violin (Canada, 1998)

Simpsons: Season 7, Episode 21 (US, 1998)

Slacker (US, 1991)

Waking Life (US, 2001)

Wings of Desire (Germany, 1987)

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

None

Assessment methods and criteria

2 credits (30% - Participation, 30% - Daily Assignments, 40% - Final Essay)

Language of instruction:

English

Work placement(s):

Pracovní stáž není u tohoto předmětu zavedena.

Course web page:

Note:

Date and time: March 4 - 6, 2011 FAMU room 2

Friday 6: pm - 9 pm

Sat and Sun: 10 am - 5 pm

FRIDAY (3 hours)

- Course introduction

- Screening and Discussion (Film to be announced)

SATURDAY

PART A (3 hours)

- Lecture and Discussion, topics include:

- Episodic Structure: A definition

- Episodic Structure vs. Traditional Structure

- Types and variations of Episodic Structure

- Screening of clips and examples

- Analysis of film screened Friday night

BREAK (1 hour)

PART B (3 hours)

- Screening and Discussion (Film to be announced)

SUNDAY

PART A (3 hours)

- Analysis of film screened Friday.

- Lecture and Discussion, topics include:

- Challenges to audience engagement

PART A (3 hours)

Analysis of film screened Friday.

Lecture and Discussion, topics include:

- Challenges to audience engagement

- Combining Episodic and Traditional Structures

- Screening of clips and examples

BREAK (1 hour)

PART B (3 hours)

Final Screening and Assessment (Film to be announced)

Conclusion

Further information:

This course is an elective for all students of this school

Schedule for winter semester 2010/2011:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

Schedule for summer semester 2010/2011:

	06:00–08:0008:00–10:0010:00–12:0012:00–14:0014:00–16:0016:00–18:0018:00–20:0020:00–22:0022:00–24:00
Mon
Tue
Fri
Thu
Fri

The subject is a part of the following study plans:

Animovaná tvorba - bakalář (optional subject)
Dokumentární tvorba - magistr (faculty subject, optional subject)
Dokumentární tvorba - bakalář (optional subject)
Animovaná tvorba - magistr (faculty subject, optional subject)
Scenáristika a dramaturgie - bakalář (optional subject)
Scenáristika a dramaturgie - magistr (faculty subject, optional subject)
Režie - bakalář (optional subject)
Režie - magistr (faculty subject, optional subject)
Kamera - bakalář (optional subject)
Kamera - magistr (faculty subject, optional subject)
Produkce - bakalář (optional subject)
Produkce - magistr (faculty subject, optional subject)
Audiovizuální studia - bakalář (optional subject)
Střihová skladba - bakalář (optional subject)
Střihová skladba - magistr (faculty subject, optional subject)
Zvuková tvorba - bakalář (optional subject)
Zvuková tvorba - magistr (faculty subject, optional subject)
Fotografie CZ - bakalář (optional subject)
Fotografie CZ - magistr (faculty subject, optional subject)
Fotografie EN - bakalář (optional subject)
Fotografie EN - magistr (optional subject)
Audiovizuální studia - magistr (faculty subject, optional subject)
Cinema and Digital Media - Cinematography (qualification subject, optional subject)
Cinema and Digital Media - Screenwriting (qualification subject, optional subject)
Fotografie CZ - magistr: restaurování (faculty subject, optional subject)
Cinema and Digital Media - Directing (qualification subject, optional subject)
Fotografie EN - magistr: restaurování (optional subject)