OFFICE OF CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION FILM STUDY Grades 9-12 Credits: 2.5 ABSTRACT Film Study deals with various theoretical, historical, and critical approaches to films. Film Study is primarily concerned with exploring the narrative, artistic, cultural, economic, and political implications of the cinema. The goal of this course is for students to be able to speak about films intelligently and to be able to write critiques about movies in one of several contexts. BOE approved 9/10/0213
Established Goals: NJ CCCS and/or CCSS: (include technology and 21 st century standards) Enduring Understandings: (students will understand...) Intro to Film Study (2-3 weeks) Define Film Study and the three basic styles of films. Also to identify and define a working list of Film Genres. RL.9-10.1, RL.9-10.4, RL.11-12.4, RI.9-10.1, RI.9-10.2, RI.9-10.3, RI.9-10.4, RI.9-10.5, RI.9-10.8, RI.9-10.10, RI.11-12.1,.RI.11-12.2,.RI.11-12.3, RI.11-12.4, RI.11-12.5, RI.11-12.6, RI.11-12.7, W.9-10.1a, W.9-10.1b, W.9-10.1c, W.9-10.1d, W.9-10.1e, W.9-10.2, W.9-10.2a, W.9-10.2b, W.9-10.2c, W.9-10.2d, W.9-10.2e, W.9-10.2f,.W.9-10.3a, W.9-10.4, W.9-10.5, W.9-10.6, W.9-10.7, W.9-10.8,.W.9-10.9a, W.9-10.9b, W.9-10.10, W.11-12.1, W.11-12.1a,.W.11-12.1b, W.11-12.1c, W.11-12.1d, W.11-12.1e, W.11-12.2,.W.11-12.2a, W.11-12.2b,.W.11-12.2c,.W.11-12.2d, W.11-12.2e, W.11-12.2f,.W.11-12.4, W.11-12.5, W.11-12.6, W.11-12.7, W.11-12.8, W.11-12.9, W.11-12.9a, W.11-12.9b, W.11-12.10, The nature of Film Study The nature of Realism, Formalism and Classicism as styles of film and compare characteristics of each. Differences and similarities among movie genres. History of Film (2 weeks) Analyze the evolution of movies. RL.9-10.1, RL.9-10.4, RL.11-12.4, RI.9-10.1, RI.9-10.2, RI.9-10.3, RI.9-10.4, RI.9-10.5, RI.9-10.8, RI.9-10.10, RI.11-12.1,.RI.11-12.2, RI.11-12.3,.RI.11-12.4, RI.11-12.5, RI.11-12.6, RI.11-12.7, W.9-10.1a, W.9-10.1b, W.9-10.1c, W.9-10.1d, W.9-10.1e,.W.9-10.2, W.9-10.2a, W.9-10.2b,.W.9-10.2c, W.9-10.2d, W.9-10.2e, W.9-10.2f,.W.9-10.3a,.W.9-10.4, W.9-10.5,.W.9-10.6, W.9-10.7, W.9-10.8,.W.9-10.9a, W.9-10.9b, W.9-10.10, W.11-12.1, W.11-12.1a,.W.11-12.1b, W.11-12.1c, W.11-12.1d, W.11-12.1e, W.11-12.2,.W.11-12.2a, W.11-12.2b, W.11-12.2c,.W.11-12.2d, W.11-12.2e, W.11-12.2f,.W.11-12.4, W.11-12.5, W.11-12.6, W.11-12.7, W.11-12.8, W.11-12.9, W.11-12.9a, W.11-12.9b, W.11-12.10, The major contributors, movies, and technological advances in film history. The first forms of motion pictures (moving pictures). How filmmaking has evolved over time. Angles and Point of View, Color/Lighting (3-5 weeks) Define various camera angles, movements, and shots. Analyze how directors create point of view and how they use color and lighting to create mood. RL.9-10.1, RL.9-10.4, RL.11-12.4, RI.9-10.1, RI.9-10.2, RI.9-10.3, RI.9-10.4, RI.9-10.5, RI.9-10.8, RI.9-10.10, RI.11-12.1, RI.11-12.2,.RI.11-12.3,.RI.11-12.4, RI.11-12.5, RI.11-12.6, RI.11-12.7, W.9-10.1a, W.9-10.1b, W.9-10.1c, W.9-10.1d, W.9-10.1e, W.9-10.2, W.9-10.2a, W.9-10.2b,.W.9-10.2c, W.9-10.2d, W.9-10.2e, W.9-10.2f, W.9-10.3a, W.9-10.4,.W.9-10.5,.W.9-10.6, W.9-10.7, W.9-10.8, W.9-10.9a, W.9-10.9b, W.9-10.10, W.11-12.1, W.11-12.1a,.W.11-12.1b, W.11-12.1c, W.11-12.1d, W.11-12.1e, W.11-12.2, W.11-12.2a, W.11-12.2b,.W.11-12.2c, W.11-12.2d, W.11-12.2e,.W.11-12.2f, W.11-12.4, W.11-12.5,.W.11-12.6, W.11-12.7, W.11-12.8,.W.11-12.9, W.11-12.9a, W.11-12.9b, W.11-12.10, The various camera angles, shots and movements Understand the shot as the basic building block for movies The nature of how a director creates point of view; the voyeur s eye, vicarious eye, and visceral eye
Essential (Guiding) Questions: (What provocative questions will foster inquiry, understanding, and transfer of learning?) Suggested Learning Activities: (What specific activities will students do and what skills will students know as a result of the unit?) Intro to Film Study (2-3 weeks) Define Film Study and the three basic styles of films. Also to identify and define a working list of Film Genres. What are the major film styles and genres? How do we characterize film styles and genres? Students will brainstorm what it means to study film. Using the text, students will define Realism, Formalism and Classicism. Students will access prior knowledge to brainstorm elements and characteristics of films, citing specific examples to better understand how films are classified into genre. Students will form a cohesive concrete list of and definitions for the different film genres. (Western, Gangster, Film Noir, War Films, Horror, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Romantic Comedies, Screwball comedies) History of Film (2 weeks) Analyze the evolution of movies. How did movies evolve from still pictures to moving pictures? How have movies changed since the late 1800s? Students will read the text and take outlined notes on the history of film. Use the World Wide Web to search and gather information about the earliest movie makers and will write a biographical sketch of a major movie contributor. View the DVD Landmarks of Early Film illustrating the evolution of movies from the Moybridge photos to contemporary movies. Create a timeline of the technological advances and major achievements of film. Write a one page reaction connecting prior knowledge to what they have just learned. Angles and Point of View, Color/Lighting (3-5 weeks) Define various camera angles, movements, and shots. Analyze how directors create point of view and how they use color and lighting to create mood. Understand how a director frames a shot and his purpose for doing so Lighting styles and their effect The symbolism of light, dark, and colors How does form shape content in movies? What effect do the different camera angles, shots, and movements have on film and how they are viewed? What role do colors play in a movie s overall effect? Using the text and film clips, students will define each camera shot, angle, and movement Write a 1-2 page reaction discussing how the various camera shots, angles, and movements, affect point of view, how the story is told, and the viewers overall experience Suggested Creating definitions Viewing movie clips and identifying Viewing movie clips and identifying
Assessments & Evidence: (Through what authentic performance tasks will students demonstrate the desired understandings?) (By what criteria will performance of understanding be judged?) Suggested Resources: Cross-curricular / differentiation: (What cross-curricular (e.g. writing, literacy, math, science, history, 21 st century life and careers, technology) learning activities are included in this Intro to Film Study (2-3 weeks) Define Film Study and the three basic styles of films. Also to identify and define a working list of Film Genres. Viewing movie clips and identifying different styles and genres Quizzes asking students to define, identify, and explain various terms, ideas, movements, and written and non-written film language Daily Discussions Understanding Movies- text Western- Tombstone, Open Range Gangster- The Godfather, Scarface Film Noir- Chinatown, Pulp Fiction War Films- Saving Private Ryan Horror- Jaws Sci Fi/ Fantasy- Lord of the Rings, Star Wars Romantic comedies- When Harry Met Sally Screwball Comedies- Caddyshack Analyzing movies for style and genre History of Film (2 weeks) Analyze the evolution of movies. major technological advances and achievements Quizzes asking students to define, identify, and explain various terms, ideas, movements, and written and non-written film language Daily Discussions Understanding Movies- text Landmarks of Early Film Tombstone Star Wars The Matrix Titanic Avatar Analyzing movies for technological and written and non-written film language Angles and Point of View, Color/Lighting (3-5 weeks) Define various camera angles, movements, and shots. Analyze how directors create point of view and how they use color and lighting to create mood. camera angles, shots, and movements, also different points of view Quizzes Daily Discussions Understanding Movies- text Citizen Kane The Godfather Saving Private Ryan Splash Braveheart Jaws-watch full movie Analyzing movies for camera angles, shots, and movements
unit that will help achieve the desired results?) (What type of differentiated instruction will be used for ELL, SP.ED. and G&T students?) Intro to Film Study (2-3 weeks) Define Film Study and the three basic styles of films. Also to identify and define a working list of Film Genres. discussed as they arise throughout the course; some career options are History of Film (2 weeks) Analyze the evolution of movies. Timeline discussed as they arise throughout the course; some career options are Angles and Point of View, Color/Lighting (3-5 weeks) Define various camera angles, movements, and shots. Analyze how directors create point of view and how they use color and lighting to create mood. discussed as they arise throughout the course; some career options are
Established Goals: NJ CCCS and/or CCSS: (include technology and 21 st century standards) Enduring Understandings: (students will understand...) Editing (2 weeks) Define editing and understand how movies are put together one shot at a time RL.9-10.1, RL.9-10.4, RL.11-12.4, RI.9-10.1, RI.9-10.2, RI.9-10.3, RI.9-10.4, RI.9-10.5, RI.9-10.8, RI.9-10.10, RI.11-12.1,.RI.11-12.2,.RI.11-12.3, RI.11-12.4, RI.11-12.5, RI.11-12.6, RI.11-12.7, W.9-10.1a, W.9-10.1b, W.9-10.1c, W.9-10.1d, W.9-10.1e, W.9-10.2, W.9-10.2a, W.9-10.2b, W.9-10.2c, W.9-10.2d, W.9-10.2e, W.9-10.2f,.W.9-10.3a,.W.9-10.4, W.9-10.5, W.9-10.6, W.9-10.7, W.9-10.8, W.9-10.9a, W.9-10.9b, W.9-10.10, W.11-12.1, W.11-12.1a,.W.11-12.1b, W.11-12.1c, W.11-12.1d, W.11-12.1e, W.11-12.2,.W.11-12.2a, W.11-12.2b, W.11-12.2c,.W.11-12.2d, W.11-12.2e, W.11-12.2f,.W.11-12.4, W.11-12.5, W.11-12.6, W.11-12.7, W.11-12.8,.W.11-12.9, W.11-12.9a, W.11-12.9b, W.11-12.10, The nature of editing and building a story one shot at a time The nature of real time versus reel time The nature of how a movie is put together will affect pacing of the movie and slowing or speeding up real time How to Review a Film (Ongoing)Define reviewer, critic, and theorist. Identify three focus points of the work of art, the artist and the audience and how to critique a movie. RL.9-10.1, RL.9-10.4, RL.11-12.4, RI.9-10.1, RI.9-10.2, RI.9-10.3, RI.9-10.4, RI.9-10.5, RI.9-10.8, RI.9-10.10, RI.11-12.1,.RI.11-12.2,.RI.11-12.3,.RI.11-12.4, RI.11-12.5, RI.11-12.6, RI.11-12.7, W.9-10.1a, W.9-10.1b, W.9-10.1c, W.9-10.1d, W.9-10.1e,.W.9-10.2, W.9-10.2a, W.9-10.2b,.W.9-10.2c, W.9-10.2d, W.9-10.2e, W.9-10.2f,.W.9-10.3a, W.9-10.4, W.9-10.5,.W.9-10.6, W.9-10.7, W.9-10.8,.W.9-10.9a, W.9-10.9b, W.9-10.10, W.11-12.1, W.11-12.1a,.W.11-12.1b, W.11-12.1c, W.11-12.1d, W.11-12.1e, W.11-12.2,.W.11-12.2a, W.11-12.2b, W.11-12.2c,.W.11-12.2d, W.11-12.2e, W.11-12.2f,.W.11-12.4, W.11-12.5, W.11-12.6, W.11-12.7, W.11-12.8, W.11-12.9, W.11-12.9a, W.11-12.9b, W.11-12.10, The three different types of movie reviewers, Reviewer, Critic, and Theorist The three areas of inquiry when critiquing a film; the work of art, the artist, and the audience Understand the answer to the question, What is the essential nature of cinema?
Essential (Guiding) Questions: (What provocative questions will foster inquiry, understanding, and transfer of learning?) Suggested Learning Activities: (What specific activities will students do and what skills will students know as a result of the unit?) Suggested Assessments & Evidence: (Through what authentic performance tasks will students demonstrate the desired understandings?) (By what criteria will performance of understanding be judged?) Editing (2 weeks) Define editing and understand how movies are put together one shot at a time What is editing and how does if effect a movie and the moviegoers experience? Students will brainstorm what it means to edit and its possible effect on film Using the text, students will define the three types of editing; cutting to continuity, classical cutting, and thematic montage Identify the three different types of editing through viewing movie clips Creating definitions Viewing movie clips and identifying different types of editing and their effect Quizzes asking students to define, identify, and explain various terms, ideas, movements, and written and non-written film language Daily Discussions How to Review a Film (Ongoing)Define reviewer, critic, and theorist. Identify three focus points of the work of art, the artist and the audience and how to critique a movie. The theories of Realism, Formalists, the Auteur Theory, Eclectic and Synthesizing Approach, and Historiography The various critiques of current films, both written and verbal How to write a comprehensive movie review What is the essential nature of cinema? What role do reviewers, critics, and theorists, play? Using the text, students will define and analyze the three types of movie reviewers and what they do. Read and watch various criticisms of modern movies. Students will compare and contrast various critiques of specific movies. Creating definitions Viewing movie clips and identifying different types of editing and their effect Quizzes asking students to define, identify, and explain various terms, ideas, movements, and written and non-written film language Daily Discussions- speak about movies intelligently
Editing (2 weeks) Define editing and understand how movies are put together one shot at a time Suggested Resources: Understanding Movies- text Potemkin North by Northwest The Deer Hunter Pulp Fiction Goodfellas Gladiator Rear Window-watch full movie Cross-curricular / differentiation: (What cross-curricular (e.g. writing, literacy, math, science, history, 21 st century life and careers, technology) learning activities are included in this unit that will help achieve the desired results?) (What type of differentiated instruction will be used for ELL, SP.ED. and G&T students?) Analyzing movies for camera angles, shots, and movements discussed as they arise throughout the course; some career options are How to Review a Film (Ongoing)Define reviewer, critic, and theorist. Identify three focus points of the work of art, the artist and the audience and how to critique a movie. Understanding Movies- text The Breakfast Club On the Waterfront Being John Malkovich Muppets in Space Splash Slingblade Legally Blonde Shawshank Redemption- watch full movie Analyzing movies for camera angles, shots, and movements discussed as they arise throughout the course; some career options are