How to Watch a Movie

In this course, we will look closely, each week, at a single element of a movie, such as camerawork, editing, music, acting, and plot structure. How does each element contribute to a film’s overall effect? How do different filmmakers, using the same basic ingredients, create very different moods, rhythms, and stories? How can close attention to a film’s component parts help support our opinions and evaluations? The class will examine the history and functions of each element, in a wide range of screenings, clips, and weekly reviews. Filmmakers will include Allen, Almodóvar, Altman, both Coppolas, Hitchcock, Jancsó, Wong Kar-Wai, Lee, Nolan, Renoir, di Sica, Sirk, Spielberg, and Welles.