The Camera Eye

Subject guarantor:

Marek JÍCHA

Name of lecturer(s):

Marek JÍCHA

Learning outcomes of the course unit:

Acquisition of basic knowledge of theory issues of the film image through film cameras.

Mode of study:

Instruction in the classes, accompanied by screenings, film sample analyses and moderated discussions.

Prerequisites and co-requisites:

The requirement for this course is completion of the „Camera bachelor's study“, primarily camera movement.

Recommended optional programme components:

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Course contents:

1st. Topic

Fundamental narration methods using camera angle and movement ut also through effects building in the camera (Vertov, Ruttman, Flaherty, Meliés and Hackenschnied).

Basic film terminology. Edit and movement. Light and movement. Depth of field(sharpness) and movement. Is image composition important?

2nd. Topic

Markéta Lazarová (Vláčil, Bat'ka) - Creativity with a subjective camera. Citizen Cane (Tooland) - Light and camera angle. Mirror (Tarkovskij, Rerberg) - static image phenomenon.

3rd Topic

The new wave - The camera in hand (Coutard). Is the camera assistant a co-author of the film image element, and why not? Can a light-narrative exist without a movement concept? Sound and music and movement view - eye - camera.

4th Topic

Elective course intended for the first two student analysed films. The instructor will supplement with examples of his own work.

5th Topic

Razor blades, journeys through uninhabited woods (Jícha, Kačer] - samples of eventless film narratives. Pitfalls of isolated image script editing. Why the cameraman needs the director (to be directed) and when it is not needed.

We are not ashamed to use traditional expressive means of film language, nor investigate new ones!

6th Topic

Pyšná princezna (Roth) - the camera observes the character and tells her story. Does the emotive information determine the size of the shot? The film architects work; selection of location in relationship to movement and camera viewfinder. Staré Pověsti České (Trnka) - monumentality as a camera movement style. Jan Švankmajer and his „Eye“. Animation camera view. Dynamic statism as a camera view and movement style. Does the director need to work with the cameraman on scene shooting preparations, movement concept and the whole film structure?

7th. Topic

Elective course intended for the first two student analysed films. The instructor will supplement with examples of his own work.

8th. Topic

The hand camera, camera movement, dancing with the camera. The French new wave. Does technology create style? Is there a „new wave“ today in the digital DV image? Music forms and the „Camera Eye.“ Movement and music. Musical rhythm and image composition. Visualization of music forms. Videoclips. Image poetry. Rhythmic visualizaiton.

9th Topic

How to shoot an advertisement and live a simple life. Multimedia and television; Do their cameras have a different „eye?“ Another image language? Cinematic forms of the present and their image effect and adaptivity.

Recommended or required reading:

Bazin A.: Ci je to film?

Sven Nykvist: Úcta ke světlu

Plazevski, J.: Filmová řeč

Deleuze, G.: Film1 Obraz a pohyb

Planned learning activities and teaching methods:

Lecture

Assessment methods and criteria:

The task of the student is to actively participate in all course lectures and select a film corresponding to one of the lecture topics or in some other manner enrich the course. This will be done independently, monitored by the professor and analyzed with classmates.

A part of the course is a final exam of 12 questions prepared by the professor, improvised based on the course, reflecting upon issues which were dealt with in film analyses. This exam is an important part of the course.

EVALUATION:

Participation in discussions - 50%

Final written exam - 50%

Course web page:

Note:

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Further information:

This course is an elective for all AMU students

Schedule for winter semester 2013/2014:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

Schedule for summer semester 2013/2014:

	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	místnost 233 Učebna 4 (Lažanský palác) JÍCHA M. 14:00–15:35 (paralelka 1)
Fri
Thu
Fri

Date	Day	Time	Tutor	Location	Notes	No. of paralel
	Tue	14:00–15:35	JÍCHA M.	Učebna 4 Lažanský palác		paralelka 1

The subject is a part of the following study plans:

• Animation - Master (optional subject)
• Documentary Film - Master (optional subject)
• Documentary Film - Bachelor (optional subject)
• Animation - Master (optional subject)
• Scriptwriting and Dramaturgy - Bachelor (optional subject)
• Scriptwriting and Dramaturgy - Master (optional subject)
• Film Directing - Bachelor (optional subject)
• Film Directing - Master (optional subject)
• Cinematography - Bachelor (qualification subject, optional subject)
• Cinematography - Master (optional subject)
• Production - Bachelor (optional subject)
• Production - Master (optional subject)
• Audiovisual Studies - Bachelor (optional subject)
• Editing - Bachelor (optional subject)
• Editing - Master (optional subject)
• Sound Design - Bachelor (optional subject)
• Sound Design - Master (optional subject)
• Photography CZ - Bachelor (optional subject)
• Photography CZ - Master (optional subject)
• Audiovisual Studies - Master (optional subject)
• Restoring of Photogrphy (optional subject)