DC 202 History of Motion Picture Editing
Summary
This course studies the origins and rise of film editing as an art form, an industry, a set of technological practices ranging from analog film to digital video. The course examines critical historical events that impacted film editing: the emergence of the studio system, the coming of sound, narrative, experimental and documentary film, MTV, and audience shifts. For many, editing is the unique source of the art of filmmaking. This course addresses this question.
Texts
REQUIRED TEXT: Ken Dancyger, The Technique of Film and Video Editing: History, Theory, and Practice, 4th Edition, 2007.
Grading
Film Reviews 30 pts. Midterm 50 pts. Final Exam 50 pts. Final Project 40 pts. Class Attendance & Participation 20 pts. 180-200 = A 160-179 = B 140-159 = C 120-139 = D 119 (or less) = F
Prerequisites
None
Classroom Policies:
1. Attendance: Each student is expected to attend regularly for the full class period. Each student will receive attendance/participation points. There are 30 points possible. (20 essentially for attendance, 10 for class participation.) Each absence will result in a reduction of 1 point. If a student misses more than 4 classes, he or she will be given an automatic failure in the course. Every absence will be recorded regardless of reason for absence. Arriving late or leaving early, which is extremely disruptive, will also be counted as an absence.
2. Late assignments and missed tests will not be allowed unless the student has made prior arrangements with the instructor before the absence.
3. Points will be deducted for any late assignments accepted.
4. A student who does not withdraw officially from a course may receive a grade of 'F', depending on course progress or course attendance, which will become a part of the student's permanent record.
5. Cell phones must be turned off during class sessions. Text messaging and other non-class activities will not be tolerated and will be counted as an absence.
Course Objectives:
1. A thorough understanding of the Film Editor's craft and its impact on filmmaking. 2. A historical perspective on the nature of the techhology and art.
Earliest Films/Techniques Screen: Early shorts from Edison, Lumiere Brothers, Melies, Read: Ch. 1
Movement toward a fixed approach to editing Screen: Shorts from Porter & Griffith, Read: Ch. 25
Russian innovations; Avant-Garde Experiments Screen: Clips from Man With a Movie Camera, Battleship Potemkin, & Un Chien Andalou
Review #1 Due, Introduction of sound Screen: Clips from The Jazz Singer, Blackmail, & All Quiet on the Western Front, Read: Ch. 2, 28
Documentary innovations & propoganda Screen: Clips from Triumph of the Will & Why We Fight, Read: Ch. 3
Midterm, 1930s-50s - New Technologies & Hitchcock experiments Screen: Clips from Hitchcock films, etc., Read: Ch. 6, 7
Review #2 Due, International Advances: Japan, France, Italy & New Challenges Screen: Clips from Rashomon, Breathless, 8 1/2 & others, Read: Ch. 8, 10
MTV Influence Screen: Videos & film clips, Read: Ch. 11, 12
Review #3 Due, Digital Revolution; non-linear editing, Read: Ch. 30
Digital Medium Today: Films & Home Technology, Screen: Clips from recent films
This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.
Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course
content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The
evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely
separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation.
Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.
This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you
have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.
All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.
All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.
Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that
you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296