The studios wanted to study the effects of this new thing called movies, so the Hays’ office was formed to study the effects of movies on a growing audience—and the “office” eventually frustrated the studios.

Students learn about the Star System and why it dismantled.

Students learn the traditional three act story structure of movies and exceptions to this pattern.

Brief supplemental video explaining the difference between suspense and surprise

Students learn the fundamentals of the artistic elements of types of shots, angles, and camera movement.

Supplemental video demonstrating the different ways a filmmaker moves the camera

Supplemental video demonstrating the difference between a zoom and a dolly

Supplemental video demonstrating different camera angles

Students learn about motion picture photography, including basic film lighting.

Supplemental video explaining focal length and the lens

Supplemental video discussing light and shadow

Supplemental video explaining this rule

The heart of the course and understanding the art of film. Students learn the importance of what’s depicted “inside the frame.”

Students learn how the mise-en-scene of “Rocky” reveals character and theme.

Supplemental video explaining mise-en-scene

Supplemental video discussing setting and Expressionism

The student learns how editing and point of view are artistic elements in film.

Supplemental video demonstrating the artistic element of film editing

Supplemental video explaining POV and the framing of a shot

Students learn the parts of the soundtrack of a film.

Supplemental video explaining how sound is used in movies

Many students will likely never watch a movie the same way again after this lecture and after watching the movie “The Graduate.”

The different film genres are introduced to the student.

The student learns the basics of the film documentary or point of view filmmaking.

The student learns about the characteristics of film noir.

Supplemental video explaining genre, especially The Western