Film Analysis Seminar

Display Schedule

Subject guarantor:

Helena BENDOVÁ

Name of lecturer(s):

Helena BENDOVÁ

Learning outcomes of the course unit:

Development of basic skills linked to analytical papers about audio-visual works.

Mode of study:

During the course a number of films are shown which the students analyse in their writings (each class, the students write a short, one-page paper except for those screened). Group discussions take place in class about the papers.

Prerequisites and co-requisites:

Intended for 1st year students in bachelor's study but also for those interested from other studies.

Course contents:

This course is intended for the development of individual basic skills necessary for critical and analytical writings about audiovisual works. From week to week the students are assigned written tasks which are subsequently discussed in class.

In the course the students are to learn, among others, how to formally analyse the tools of a given work, general topics, acting performances, the narration or position of the writer in the work. During the classes students will view several films which will be the subject of analysis. More or less, each week the students receive and assignment to write a short text (1-2 pages) on a defined topic. During the week the papers of individual students will be discussed in group discussions.

Course preliminary plan:

1. 13.2. General introduction to issues in analysis (methods, history, analysis vs. interpretation, etc.) + writing assignment for the next (favorite film)

2. 20.2. Analysis of writings about favorite films

3. 27.2. Film: Providence (Dir: Alain Resnais) + writing assignment for the following week.

4. 5.3. Analysis of the theme of Providence

5. 12.3. Analysis of the narrative in Providence

6. 19.3. Film: Mého snu čert (Dir: Petr Marek + writing assignment for the next class.

7. 26.3. Analysis of the writer of Mého snu čert

8. 2.4. Film: On the Waterfront (Dir: Elia Kazan ) + writing assignment topic

9. 16.4. Analysis of formal tools (and their relation to content) in the film On the Waterfront.

10. 23.4. Analysis of acting performances in On the Waterfront.

11. 30.4. Film screening

12. 7.5. Critique analysis of artistic kitsch.

Recommended or required reading:

Nonobligatory literature (for students interested in the theory of interpration):

Aumont, Jacques; Marie, Michel: L´analyse des films.

Bazin, André: Co je to film?

Bílek, Petr A.: Hledání jazyka interpretace.

Bordwell, David: Making meaning. Inference and rhetoric?

Eco, Umberto: Interpretácia a nadinterpretácia.

Ricoeur, Paul: Teória interpretácie: diskurz a prebytok významu.

Todorov, Tzvetan: Symbolism and interpretation.

Assessment methods and criteria:

Credit for the course is awarded based on submission of all required writings and class participation. In grading, the quality of the submitted writings (more than „talent“, also recognized is the effort and care with which the text is written.).

Course web page:

Note:

The seminar is designed to help students develop the basic skills necessary for critical and analytical writing on audiovisual work. Each week students are given a short written assignment, which is then analysed in the seminar.

Further information:

This course is an elective for all AMU students

Schedule for winter semester 2015/2016:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

Schedule for summer semester 2015/2016:

	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	místnost 423 Učebna CAS 423 (Lažanský palác) BENDOVÁ H. 14:00–15:35 (paralelka 1)
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri

Date	Day	Time	Tutor	Location	Notes	No. of paralel
	Mon	14:00–15:35	Helena BENDOVÁ	Učebna CAS 423 Lažanský palác		paralelka 1

The subject is a part of the following study plans:

• Audiovisual Studies - Bachelor (qualification subject, faculty subject, optional subject)