Film Studies

Course summary

Through studying and engaging with a wide-ranging and exciting selection of films as well as creating your film text, you will develop your understanding of the methods and techniques of cinema, and the contexts in which films are made and received. During the first year, you will study topics in American and British film history and begin to make a short film or screenplay. You will analyse a set of key films from the Classical and New Hollywood periods, as well as study an engaging and thought-provoking selection of contemporary American and British cinema; the focus will be on aspects of filmmaking methods and audience response, as well as the contexts in which the films were made. The second year sees a broadening of the areas of study that will take in stimulating and provocative examples of world cinema, documentary, silent film and experimental filmmaking and encourage you to understand how each type of experience generates meaning for the spectator. There will be an emphasis on the techniques of filmmaking in support of your work, so you can develop skills and expertise in understanding how cinematography, sound design, mise-en-scene and editing can shape meaning.