The Art of Filmmaking

This course is an introduction to composition specifically as it is used in the moving image. There are four modules: Cinematic Thinking, which will serve as an overview of cinematic history, vocabulary, and alternative approaches to filmmaking, Choreography for Camera, a dive into the rules of composition and camera movement, Light Writing, which will explore different kinds of lighting, and Composing, in which all that we’ve learned will be combined and broader aspects of filmmaking such as sound and editing will be introduced. This course is designed to be hands-on. In each module there will be a combination of short video lectures, readings, samples of work by filmmakers and artists, and supplemental suggested materials in case you want to further explore the topics. There will be both practice and graded assessments such as written reflections, quizzes, discussion prompts, and peer reviews. There is a course long project that will build from one module to the next to create a longer final video project. The final project will be assessed by peer review. You must complete all required assessments and the final project in order to successfully pass the course. It is important to see examples of how filmmakers use these concepts in their actual work. Most of the work samples will be small, independent productions, many will be made by students. This will introduce you to different approaches to filmmaking without a huge budget to give you a sense of the kind of work you can create on your own. The concepts covered are also used in major mainstream productions, but you can see examples of that kind of work out in the world. This course will introduce you to new ways of working that you might not have the opportunity to experience otherwise. Much of it will be experimental or avant-garde. Keep an open mind while watching these works, you will learn to be challenged by radically new techniques and approaches to filmmaking just by watching something you might not have experienced before. You are encouraged to keep a film journal during this course and write reflections on your responses to the works you’re seeing both in this course and outside. You will be asked to write reflections as assessments throughout the course. Keeping a journal is helpful so you can track the development of your own way of seeing and thinking about cinema.

The sequencing of images gives films their cinematic form. Editing is essential to establish a film’s rhythm, pacing, and experience for the viewer. The editing may be subtle and hardly visible, or it can be forcefully present. In this course, you will be introduced to different approaches to editing that include montage theory, continuity editing, and minimalist cinema. You will produce short videos based on prompts designed to explore editing concepts and techniques. To complete the assignments, a video camera is recommended, but a smartphone can be used. Access to, and a working knowledge of editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro is required.