Film Analysis – Winter 2025 Week 1: Study - Mise-en-Scène Focus: Understand the elements of mise-en-scène (set design, lighting, costume, staging, and composition) and how they convey meaning. Activities Citizen Kane (1941) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUX11EQ7ICA Wes Anderson, analyse visual style. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCaMMfp8C10 Discuss: How do props, costumes, and framing enhance storytelling? Assignment: Select a scene from a film of your choice to analyse its mise-en-scène for next week’s presentation. Week 2: Presentation - Mise-en-Scène Analysis Focus: Present your analysis of a chosen film scene, focusing on how mise-en-scène elements contribute to mood, theme, or character. Activities: Prepare a 5-7 minute presentation with clips or stills. Discuss as a group (if applicable): Compare different films’ use of mise-en-scène. Example Films: Blade Runner 2049 (2017), Amélie (2001). Week 3: Study – Cinematography Focus - Cinematography: Explore camera techniques (shot types, angles, movement, framing, and depth of field) and their narrative impact. Cinematography Activities Children of Men (2006) for long takes, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKmllIK6Md0 POV shots. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLCQAmTleP0 Dune – Denis Villeneuve - pure beauty as image – technical breakdown https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezXcNl2Bla8 Discuss: How does camera work shape audience perspective? Assignment: Choose a scene to analyse its cinematography for the next week. Week 4: Presentation – Cinematography Focus: Present how cinematography techniques in your chosen scene enhance storytelling or emotion. Activities: Share visual examples and explain choices like lens selection or camera movement. Group discussion: Compare cinematographic styles across genres. Example Films: 1917 (2019), Dune Pt1/2, Blade Runner 2049 Week 5: Editing Focus - Editing: Learn about editing techniques (continuity editing, montage, pacing, transitions) and their role in narrative flow. Psycho (1960) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeLjQ7qcNN8 Whiplash (2014) brilliant musical editing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKju6NvIKa0 General editing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVR8zz8ci2k Discuss: How does editing manipulate time and audience emotion? Think of quick/slow, linear/non linear Assignment: Select a scene/s to analyse editing techniques. Week 6: Presentation - Editing Focus: Present how editing shapes the narrative or emotional impact of your chosen scene. Activities: Use timestamps to highlight specific cuts or sequences. Discuss: How do different editing styles (e.g., fast-paced vs. slow) affect viewer experience? Example Films: Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), Whiplash. Week 7: Study - Sound Design Focus: Explore diegetic vs. non-diegetic sound, sound effects, music, and silence in creating atmosphere and meaning. Activities: No Country for Old Men (2007) for minimalism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlNw1M6mQSU Drive https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFU3FQh3xgE Diegetic and non Diegetic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vlwm4VyyTc Discuss: How does sound influence audience perception without visuals? Assignment: Choose a scene to analyze its sound design. Week 8: Presentation - Sound Design Analysis Focus: Present how sound elements in your chosen scene enhance the narrative or mood. Activities Play audio clips or mute visuals to isolate sound’s impact. Discuss: Compare sound design across different directors or eras. Example Films: A Quiet Place (2018), Star Wars: Episode IV(1977). Week 9: Study - The Role of Film Music Focus: Understand the functions of film music, including establishing mood, enhancing narrative, and supporting character development. Activities (90 minutes): Watch Clips (30 min): Analyze scenes from Jaws (1975) for John Williams’ suspenseful score classical https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSYDsrx65m0 Sicario (2015) The Beast, Johan Johannsen semi classical https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTedsOULqX0 Drive – Synthwave https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k2AMDvugzw&list=RD8k2AMDvugzw&start_radio=1 Note how music shapes emotional tone or pacing. Discuss/Reflect (30 min): Consider questions like: How does music guide audience emotions? How do different genres (e.g., orchestral vs. electronic) affect a film’s tone? If solo, journal your thoughts; if in a group, discuss examples. Assignment: Select a film scene (5 - 10 minutes) to analyze how its music contributes to mood, narrative, or character. Prepare for next week’s presentation. Example Films for Analysis: Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980) for leitmotifs, Drive (2011) for atmospheric use of silence then dark synths Elevator scene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xKq3a_QYb8 Week 10: Presentation - Film Music Analysis Focus: Present your analysis of how music in your chosen scene enhances the cinematic experience, focusing on its emotional, thematic, or narrative impact. Activities (90 minutes): Presentation (10-20 min): Show your selected scene (with sound) and explain how the music functions. Highlight specific moments (e.g., a crescendo, a recurring motif) and their effect on the audience. Use timestamps or stills to support your points. Discussion/Q&A (30-40 min): If in a group, compare analyses (e.g., how music differs in action vs. drama). If solo, write a short reflection on what you learned from your analysis and how it compares to other films. Wrap-Up (30 min): Watch another group’s scene (or a new clip, like from Inception (2010) or Interstellar for Hans Zimmer’s score) and discuss how music styles vary across films. Example Films: La La Land (2016) for thematic integration, Psycho (1960) for iconic string, Barbie for modern pop, Drive Synthwave, LOTR classical/folk...