Script Analysis 1

Display Schedule

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

Subject guarantor

Lucia KAJÁNKOVÁ

Name of lecturer(s)

Lucia KAJÁNKOVÁ

Learning outcomes of the course unit

By the end of the course students will:

-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

-recognize dramatic and narrative elements mentioned above

-present a cogent analysis for a final paper

Mode of study

Lecture

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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. Students are expected to watch the film BEFORE it is screened in class (see calendar).

Prerequisites and co-requisites

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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.

Course outline:

Taxi Driver (USA, 1976, dir. Martin Scorsese, written by Paul Schrader)

The Graduate (USA, 1967, dir. Mike Nichols, written by Calder Willingham and Buck Henry, based on the eponymous book by Charles Webb)

The Full Monty (UK, 1997, dir. Peter Cattaneo, written by Simon Beaufoy)

The Crying Game (Ireland, UK, Japan, 1992, written and directed by Neil Jordan)

The Hunt (Jagten, Denmark, 2012, dir. Thomas Vinterberg, written by Tobias Lindholm and Thomas Vinterberg)

Lost in Translation (USA, 2003, written and directed by Sofia Coppola)

Breaking Bad – Pilot Episode (USA, 2008, written and directed by Vince Gilligan)

Recommended or required reading

ARISTOTLE, ELSE, Gerald F. Poetics. 1st ed. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press, 1967. 124 s.

ARONSON, Linda: The 21st Century Screenplay: A Comprehensive Guide to Writing Tomorrow's Films. Los Angeles: Silman-James Press, 2011. XIX, 490 s.

BORDWELL, David. Narration in the fiction film. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1985. 370 s. ISBN 0-299-10170-3.

FIELD, Syd. Screenplay : the foundations of screenwriting. New York: Dell Publishing, 1994. 262 s. ISBN 0-440-57647-4

THOMPSON, Kristin. Storytelling in the new Hollywood: understanding classical narrative technique. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1999. xi, 398 s. ISBN 0-674-83975-7.

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

The minimum attendance for passing the class is 70%. Students will be evaluated on their contribution and efforts to the class and the written test.

The pass grade will be calculated as follows:

Attendance + Active participation in class 15%

Final Paper - 85%

The student selects one of the films screened during the semester and chooses a scene or sequence that they analyze in detail with particular focus on its role in the overall structure of the film - narrative as well as in terms of character development.

Note

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Further information

This course is an elective for all students of this school

Schedule for winter semester 2020/2021:

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
room 107
Room No. 1
(Lažanský palác)
KAJÁNKOVÁ L.
14:00–15:35
(lecture parallel1)
Starts Oct. 12, online
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Date Day Time Tutor Location Notes No. of paralel
Mon 14:00–15:35 Lucia KAJÁNKOVÁ Room No. 1
Lažanský palác 		Starts Oct. 12, online lecture parallel1

Schedule for summer semester 2020/2021:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

The subject is a part of the following study plans