Working with the Film Camera

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 4
• Convenor: Michael Temple
• Tutors: Michael Temple, Mark Saunders, Bartek Dziadosz/Lily Ford
• Assessment: a 2000-word essay (40%), and a 5-10-minute practical filmmaking exercise (40%) with a 1000-word critical reflection (20%)

This module will teach you to combine practical work and critical thinking in your experience and understanding of filmmaking. You will learn to combine rigorous academic study of key aspects of the filmmaking process with hands-on practical projects and study the history of the film camera and of the professional roles and working methods of the people behind the camera. You will also explore some of the key stylistic figures of framing and visual composition and analyse film examples in class and write about them. You will then take a series of practical filmmaking workshops in which you work on a focused and clearly defined practical exercise, which will help you to explore the historical and theoretical elements covered in the seminars.

Indicative module content

• Technological evolution of the film camera from the end of the 19th century to the present day
• Framing and visual composition: depth of field, long takes, use of off-screen, camera movements
• Elements of mise en scène, e.g. lighting, design, costume
• Film analysis related to technological and stylistic aspects
• Practical understanding of the workings of the contemporary film camera
• Practical exercises involving framing and visual composition: depth of field, long takes, use of off-screen, camera movement
• Practical experiments with pro-filmic aspects of mise en scène
• Preparation of short film or film sequence