Script Analysis 1

Display Schedule

Code Completion Credits Range Language Instruction Semester
311SA1 Z 3 2T English winter and summer

Subject guarantor

Lucia KAJÁNKOVÁ

Name of lecturer(s)

Lucia KAJÁNKOVÁ

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Students should become familiar with structure, narrative and story element, such as character, theme, setup, main tension, central dramatic question, antagonist, conflict, the three act structure and its development as well as its functional deviations; techniques and specific issues of film writing and narration, difference between dramatic and literary storytelling etc. Dialogue, the dramatic use of props and costumes, staging and the creation of atmosphere as employed in the screenplay as well as realization are also covered.

Students will be expected to recognize these dramatic and narrative elements and to present a cogent analysis for a final paper.

Mode of study

Screening + lecture and discussion. Each film is screened in full length, accompanied by close analysis by the lecturer, while students are also encouraged to provide their input.

Prerequisites and co-requisites

-

Course contents

The purpose of this course is to study films from a dramaturgical perspective, to demonstrate diverse narrative techniques, dramatic structures and genre forms, and to closely examine the craft of screenwriting, with special attention given to characters’ dynamics and development.

The course is open to all FAMU students including visiting programs.

IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT THE STUDENTS HAVE WATCHED THE FILMS BEFORE THEY ARE SCREENED IN CLASS.

Course outline/calendar

Class 1 + 2 : Feb 14 and Feb 21 : Taxi Driver (USA, 1976, dir. Martin Scorsese, written by Paul Schrader)

Class 3 + 4 : Feb 28 and Mar 7 : The Graduate (USA, 1967, dir. Mike Nichols, written by Calder Willingham and Buck Henry, based on the eponymous book by Charles Webb)

Class 5 + 6 : Mar 14 + Mar 21 : The Full Monty (UK, 1997, dir. Peter Cattaneo, written by Simon Beaufoy)

Class 7 + 8: Mar 28 + Apr 4: The Crying Game (Ireland, UK, Japan, 1992, written and directed by Neil Jordan)

Class 9 + 10: Apr 11 + Apr 18: The Hunt (Jagten, Denmark, 2012, dir. Thomas Vinteberg, written by Tobias Lindholm and Thomas Vinterberg)

Class 11 + 12: Apr 25 + May 2: Lost in Translation (USA, 2003, written and directed by Sofia Coppola)

Class 13 + 14: May 9 + May 16: Breaking Bad – Pilot Episode (USA, 2008, written and directed by Vince Gilligan)

Recommended or required reading

General reading:

Aristotle. Poetics. Translated by Gerald Else. University of Michigan Press, 1967.

Aronson, Linda: The 21st Century Screenplay: A Comprehensive Guide to Writing Tomorrow's Films. Silman-James Press, 2011.

Bordwell, David. Narration in Fiction Film. University of Wisconsin Press, 1985.

Field, Syd. Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting. Dell Publishing, 1994.

Thompson, Kristin. Storytelling in the New Hollywood: Understanding Classical Narrative Technique. Harvard University Press, 1999.

In addition, SCREENPLAYS (if available) for the films screened in classes will be provided to students in .pdf and it is strongly recommended that they familiarize themselves with the scripts before the corresponding class.

Assessment methods and criteria

Attendance 15%

Final Paper 85%

•For the FINAL PAPER, the student selects one of the films screened during the semester and chooses a scene or sequence that they analyse in detail with particular focus on its role in the overall structure of the film (narrative as well as in terms of character development). Please note, solely describing the scene does not substitue an analysis.

2 pages in length, to be delivered to the lecturer on the date of the final class via email in .pdf – DEADLINE May 17 2019.

Note

-

Further information

This course is an elective for all students of this school

Schedule for winter semester 2018/2019:

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
Wed
Thu
room 107
Room No. 1
(Lažanský palác)
KAJÁNKOVÁ L.
14:00–15:35
(lecture parallel1)
Fri
Date Day Time Tutor Location Notes No. of paralel
Thu 14:00–15:35 Lucia KAJÁNKOVÁ Room No. 1
Lažanský palác 		lecture parallel1

Schedule for summer semester 2018/2019:

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
Wed
Thu
room 107
Room No. 1
(Lažanský palác)
KAJÁNKOVÁ L.
14:00–15:35
(lecture parallel1)
Fri
Date Day Time Tutor Location Notes No. of paralel
Thu 14:00–15:35 Lucia KAJÁNKOVÁ Room No. 1
Lažanský palác 		lecture parallel1

The subject is a part of the following study plans