Films and Aesthetics Theory
- Social Sciences
- 200 level
- 2 credit units
- 71 pages
- 8 units
This course, Films and Aesthetics Theory, introduces students to the fundamental concepts of film theory and its application in critical analysis. It explores various approaches to studying cinema, including formalism, realism, and constructivism. The course covers essential film production equipment, continuity editing techniques, and the aesthetics of mise-en-scène and mise-en-shot. Students will learn to analyze films using different theoretical frameworks and understand the impact of film on society.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 26 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- Yes
- Assignments
- Computer based tests
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of FMC217, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
FMC217 · UNIT 2: THE BASIC EQUIPMENT IN FILM PRODUCTION
4.0 CONCLUSION According to Nofilmschool, Film theory is “a set of scholarly approaches within the academic discipline of cinema studies that question the essentialism of cinema and provides conceptual frameworks for understanding film's relationship to reality, the other arts, individual viewers, and society at large." (Jason Hellerman, 2019).
What you should be able to do
- Explain the concept of film theory.
- Discuss various approaches to the study of cinema.
- Identify the basic equipment required in film production.
- Analyze Charles Altman's critical approaches to the study of the cinema.
- Explain the term continuity editing.
- Highlight the importance of editing in film production.
What it prepares you for
- Film Critic
- Film Editor
- Film Director
- Film Producer
- Cinematographer
- Film Production
- Television
- Advertising
- Digital Media
- Education
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: Approaches to the Study of the Cinema
Unit 1: Charles Altman's Approaches & The Theories of Realism
Understanding Altman's approaches requires grasping diverse theoretical perspectives and their historical context.
- Module 3: Aesthetics for Critical Analysis
Unit 3: Eisenstein's Aesthetics Theories
Applying Eisenstein's theories involves understanding dialectical materialism and its relation to montage techniques.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 26 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Introduction to Film Theory and Film Production
Unit 1: Film Theory: An Introduction · 2 hours
Read the introduction to film theory.. Understand the various approaches to the study of cinema.. Examine film production techniques..
- Week 2Module 1: Introduction to Film Theory and Film Production
Unit 2: The Basic Equipment in Film Production · 2 hours
Identify the basic equipment required in film production.. Highlight the functions of the basic equipment.. Study the camera, lenses, and visual effects..
- Week 3Module 1: Introduction to Film Theory and Film Production
Unit 3: Continuity Editing · 2 hours
Explain the term continuity editing.. State the 180° rule.. Highlight techniques for maintaining the 180° axis of action line.. Understand the importance of editing..
- Week 4Module 2: Approaches to the Study of the Cinema
Unit 1: Charles Altman's Approaches & The Theories of Realism · 2 hours
Analyze Charles Altman's critical approaches to the study of cinema.. Account for the theory of realism in cinema and film studies..
- Week 5Module 2: Approaches to the Study of the Cinema
Unit 2: The Principle of Mise-En-Scene and Mise-En-Shot · 2 hours
Account for the concepts of mise-en-scène.. Account for the concepts of mise-en-shot.. Understand aesthetic choice in film production..
- Week 6Module 2: Approaches to the Study of the Cinema
Unit 3: Other Approaches to the Study of Film and Cinema · 2 hours
Account for Film Set.. Account for The Long Take.. Account for Deep Focus photography.. Understand aesthetic choice in film production..
- Week 7Module 3: Aesthetics for Critical Analysis
Unit 1: Formalist Film Production Aesthetics · 2 hours
Analyze Charles Altman's critical approaches to the study of the cinema.. Account for the theory of realism in the approach to cinema and film studies..
- Week 8Module 3: Aesthetics for Critical Analysis
Unit 2: Constructivism Approaches · 2 hours
Analyze various constructivism approaches to the study of the cinema.. Understand the constructivism approaches to the study of the cinema..
- Week 9Module 3: Aesthetics for Critical Analysis
Unit 3: Eisenstein's Aesthetics Theories · 2 hours
Analyze Eisenstein's Aesthetics Theories.. Account for the Elements of Eisenstein's Theory of Editing.. Identify the divergences that exist between the camera's image of reality and what the human eye sees..
- Week 10Module 1: Introduction to Film Theory and Film Production
Unit 1: Film Theory: An Introduction, Unit 2: The Basic Equipment in Film Production, Unit 3: Continuity Editing · 2 hours
Review Module 1 units.. Revise key concepts and theories.. Prepare for assignments and assessments..
- Week 11Module 2: Approaches to the Study of the Cinema
Unit 1: Charles Altman's Approaches & The Theories of Realism, Unit 2: The Principle of Mise-En-Scene and Mise-En-Shot, Unit 3: Other Approaches to the Study of Film and Cinema · 2 hours
Review Module 2 units.. Revise key concepts and theories.. Prepare for assignments and assessments..
- Week 12Module 3: Aesthetics for Critical Analysis
Unit 1: Formalist Film Production Aesthetics, Unit 2: Constructivism Approaches, Unit 3: Eisenstein's Aesthetics Theories · 2 hours
Review Module 3 units.. Revise key concepts and theories.. Prepare for assignments and assessments..
- Week 13Final Revision
All Units · 2 hours
Comprehensive course review.. Focus on challenging topics.. Final exam preparation..
Preparing for the exam
- Review all key terms and concepts from each unit.
- Create concept maps linking different film theories and their applications.
- Practice analyzing film clips using the theoretical frameworks discussed in the course.
- Focus on understanding the historical context of different film movements and their key figures.
- Pay close attention to the examples and case studies provided in the course materials.
- Prepare detailed notes on the main points of each unit and review them regularly.
Questions students ask about this course
What is FMC217 about?
This course, Films and Aesthetics Theory, introduces students to the fundamental concepts of film theory and its application in critical analysis. It explores various approaches to studying cinema, including formalism, realism, and constructivism. The course covers essential film production equipment, continuity editing techniques, and the aesthetics of mise-en-scène and mise-en-shot. Students will learn to analyze films using different theoretical frameworks and understand the impact of film on society.
How many units does FMC217 have?
FMC217, Films and Aesthetics Theory, has 8 units across 3 modules, over 71 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is FMC217?
FMC217 carries 2 credit units, at 200 level in Social Sciences.
Is FMC217 hard?
FMC217 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work, and it has a practical component.
How long does FMC217 take to study?
About 26 hours of study, spread across its 8 units.
How is FMC217 assessed?
FMC217 is assessed by assignments, computer based tests and final examination.
What can I do with FMC217?
Film Critic, Film Editor, Film Director, Film Producer and Cinematographer.