MFC4123 - Analysing Film

Objectives:

Assessment tasks are designed to enable students to demonstrate the Learning and Employability outcomes for the relevant level of study. Level Learning Outcomes are embedded in the assessment task(s) at that level. This enables a more integrated view of overall student performance at each level.

Content:

In this module you will analyse the form and style of motion pictures and explore the ways that they can be theorised as culturally and industrially significant products. You will develop the core vocabulary and skills for analysing film form and style, with particular focus on mise-en-scène, cinematography, editing, sound and narrative. You will consider conventions and norms within films and filmmaking practices, and deviations from these, across mainstream productions to art cinema and independent film.

Additionally, you will explore a range of core concepts and approaches to studying film. You will apply these, in combination with your your own close analyses, to support an argument and evaluate the strengths and weakenss of competing or complementary perspectives on film.

Lectures, screenings and workshops will work in coordination to consider the immense diversity of both movie-making styles and filmmakers that have helped to construct and inform our global film industries.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Lectures
Hours: 20
Intended Group Size: Cohort

Seminars
Hours: 30
Intended Group Size: 15

Screenings
Hours: 44
Intended Group Size: Cohort

Guided independent study
Hours: 206

Further details relating to assessment
Assignment 1 – Essay: This assignment will demonstrate the student’s ability to conduct close-textual analysis, using their observations to support a thesis.

Assignment 2 – Report: Students will need to produce a 3,000-word report that contextualises a film of their choice amongst the perspectives considered within the module (theoretical frameworks and concepts, industrial and cultural contexts).

There are two key pieces of formative assessment in Semester 1, a diagnostic essay at the start of the semester and short stylistic analyses scheduled for the middle of the semester (with a month before the deadline for assignment 1). These will receive a combination of short tailored feed forward comments and generic feedback.

Assessment:

001 Essay; 3,000 words; end of semester 1 50%
002 Report; 3,000 words; end of semester 2 50%
200 Essay; 3,000 words; end of semester 1 100%
201 Essay; 3,000 words; end of semester 2 100%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Jason Scott
Level - 4
Credit Value - 30
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 4YL

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