ClassInfo

DC 222 Classic Hollywood Film Structure

Patrick Wimp

Spring 2013-2014
Class number: 30766
Section number: 603
Th 10:10AM - 1:25PM
14EAS LL105 Loop Campus

Summary

Critical analysis of successful Hollywood films and their narrative structures. Films of various genres and eras will be examined. Students will learn how to recognize classical three-act structure in finished films and scripts. Students will develop a cinematic language with which to discuss films as well as a toolbox of techniques to use when making films. Key story concepts to be discussed include: protagonist, antagonist, want versus need, elements of the future, poetic justice, planting and payoff, catalyst, climax, and Aristotelian terminology.

OBJECTIVES:
- Understand the relationship between character and story structure
- Grasp the differences and similarities between story structure systems
- Explore strategic filmmaking tools such as the creating and maintaining tension, audience manipulation and crafting an effective story
- Develop a cinematic language with which to discuss films critically
- Discover writing and filmmaking techniques for use in future student work




Texts

No required text.

Suggested Readings for Additional Study:

The Tools of Screenwriting by David Howard and Edward Mabley
The Hero With a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell
Screenplay by Syd Field
Save the Cat by Blake Snyder


Grading

(20%) Weekly Writing Exercises
(15%) Zodiac Comparison Paper
(20%) Midterm
(30%) Final Paper
(15%) Participation

All assignments must be typed. Assignments must be turned in at the beginning of class (5:45pm on date due). No late work is accepted.


Prerequisites

None.


Arts and Literature Domain

DC 222 - Hollywood Film Structures is included in the Liberal Studies program as a course with credit in the Arts and Literature domain. Courses in the Arts and Literature domain ask students to extend their knowledge and experience of the arts by developing their critical and reflective abilities. In these courses, students interpret and analyze particular creative works, investigate the relations of form and meaning and through critical and/or creative activity to come to experience art with greater openness, insight, and enjoyment. These courses focus on works of literature, art, theatre, or music as such, though the process of analysis may also include social and cultural issues. Students who take course in this domain choose three courses from such choices as literature, the visual arts, media arts, music, and theater. No more than two courses can be chosen from one department or program.



Learning Outcomes



1. Students will be able to explain, in well-written prose, what a work of art is about and/or how it was produced.

2. Students will be able to comment on the relationship between form and content in a work.

3. Students will be able to assess the formal aspects of their subject and put those qualities into words, using, when appropriate, specialized vocabulary employed in class and readings.

4. Students will be able to contextualize a work of art. They will be able to do so with respect to other works of art in terms of defining its place within a broader style or genre. They will also be able to contextualize a work of art in terms of contemporaneous aesthetic, social, or political concerns, discussing how these might shape the work?s reception and how that reception might differ amongst various peoples and historical periods.



Course Objectives:


? Understand the relationship between character and story structure.

? Demonstrate an understanding of the differences and similarities between story structure systems.

? Explore strategic filmmaking tools such as the creating and maintaining tension, audience manipulation and crafting an effective story.

? Develop a cinematic language with which to critically discuss films both in terms of the art form and societal impact.

? Discover writing and filmmaking techniques for use in future student work.



How learning Outcomes Will Be Met


Weekly papers will assess and develop student learning across the objectives above. Writing assignments will be drawn from the films screened in class, course lectures, and the reading material posted online. Students will break down several films into the classic three-act structure and also analyze films based on character, theme, camera and point of view.



Writing Expectations:

Students will be expected to complete a minimum of 9 pages of writing for this course.


Additional Policies



? Week 1- What is story? Structure.
o In-class: Review Syllabus. Structure Lecture.
o Screen: Back to Future.
o Assign: BACK TO THE FUTURE ANALYSIS

? Week 2 ? Character.
o Character Lecture.
o Due: Back to the Future Assignment
o Screening: TBD
o Assign: Character Analysis.
o Self: Create Midterm Study Guide and Upload
? Week 3 ? Filmmaker?s Toolbox
o Due: Character Analyses
o Lecture: Filmmakers Toolbox 1 (tension)
o Screen: Raiders of the Lost Ark
o Assign: Raiders Structure Map, Character and Toolbox Q?s
o Assign: Midterm Study Guide
? Week 4 ? Filmmakers Toolbox 2
o Lecture: Toolbox 2
o DUE: Raiders Assignment. Discuss Raiders Assignment
o Screen: The Hustler
? Week 5 ? Midterm ? Week 6 ? Save the Cat
o Lecture ? Snyder
o In Class ? Screen REAR WINDOW
o Assign: Rear Window Assignment
? Week 7 ? Script to Screen
o Discuss ? Rear Window assignment
o Distribute Zodiac script
o Assign: ZODIAC Assignment
o Screen: Zodiac
? Week 8 ? Hero?s Journey
o Lecture: Hero?s Journey
o DUE: Zodiac
o Discuss: Zodiac
o Assign: Final Paper
? Week 9 ? Alternative Structures
o Screen and Discuss Films that follow Alternate Story Structures.
? Week 10 ? Best Movie Ever Made.
o Lecture: Citizen Kane History
o Screen Citizen Kane
o Discuss Citizen Kane

School policies:

Changes to Syllabus

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.

Online Course Evaluations

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.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

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.

Academic Policies

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 with Disabilities

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