Introduction to Film Studies

 

Getting Started - Introduction to Film Studies 

San Francisco City College

Professor Anna Geyer

Welcome!  This week is a chance to get your bearings, familiarize yourself with Canvas and the expectations for this course, and then sequentially proceed through the content, activities, and assessments in this Getting Started module. You will also meet your classmates as we start to build our online community.  Finally, you will become familiar with the structure and pace of the course in that you will complete the reading, a mini lecture and a short quiz. Because this is the first week of class the "To Do List" appears a bit longer than for other weeks, much of it is actually introductory material.

Hello students,

I am Anna Geyer your Intro to Film Studies instructor. I am a working filmmaker. I love filmmaking and am fortunate enough to teach my passion. I truly look forward to our discussions.. My goal is to facilitate your success. This semester we will have a number of unique challenges to overcome. In my mind filmmaking is troubleshooting - you make your plans and then are prepared to face the unforeseeable. Troubleshooting is a learned skill which can easily be applied future to obstacles. Hopefully we have faced the worst of our pandemic problems and we have by now ironed out most of the kinks in our systems.

I am fascinated with antiquated, analog technology and alternatives processes. Yet, I am anchored in the present, narrative filmmaking and the ever changing world of digital technologies. I often instruct both film production and film studies classes. This is Maila(a cat), my star p.a. Here, she expresses her ennui as I begin my praise of mise-en-scène, a speech she has by now memorized . And yes, my Instagram feed is sprinkled with cats and cat people. Kittenlxlady, IAmMoShow, CatManofWestOakland and many of those involved in rescue and TNR are my heroes. 

In today’s troubled world of pandemic(s) and tenuous facts we must look towards those compassionate beings for inspiration and peace of mind.

READING ASSIGNMENT

To-Do Date: Aug 30 at 11:59pm

Read Chapter 11 pgs. 410-420 (through "Postproduction") and Chapter 1 pgs. 1-14 (through "Viewer Expectations")

As noted our text is required and will be utilized for graded assignments, and assessments (i.e. the midterm). I suggest you take notes while reading. For instance, you could include a quote  from the text and indicate why you feel it is important in any of your discussions. Skeletal outlines are included with the various presentations, but may also be useful in taking notes on the reading.

The text is:

Looking at Movies: An Introduction to Film, 6th edition. Richard Barsam. Dave Monahan.

Student Bios: