UGA Bulletin

Course Description

History of major technological inventions in cinema and the results on narrative film style.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Students will read additional historical materials from reading list and present readings to class, covering assigned topics on specific techniques and films. A 15-page research paper is required. Note: There is no graduate degree in Film Studies; hence the graduate students come from a wide range of departments and programs, often with little training in film.

Athena Title

Film Technology and Style

Prerequisite

FILM 2120

Semester Course Offered

Not offered on a regular basis.

Grading System

A - F (Traditional)

Student Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students should be able to give an overview of significant moments of technological transition and overall technological trends in media industries, with a focus on the United States
By the end of the class, students should be able to identify multiple factors (technical, economic, social, aesthetic) that shaped these transitions and trends and explain the roles played by each.
By the end of the class, students should be able to recognize and challenge (as appropriate) commonplace ideas about technology (inventor as individual genius, technological determinism, technology as progress) and develop alternative models for understanding technological change that take into account complex economic and social factors.
By the end of the class, students should be able to effectively describe and analyze elements of film style (in oral and written form) and draw conclusions about how film technologies can shape stylistic choices and options for filmmakers.

Topical Outline

UNIT 1: Introductory Questions Week 1: Debating Technological Change, Realism, and Spectacle Week 2: Technological Change in Hollywood History UNIT 2: Transitions Week 3: Color Week 4: (Multichannel) Sound Week 5: Immersive Media from Widescreen Cinema to VR Week 6: 3D Week 7 - From Analog to Digital UNIT 3: Standards Week 8: Camera Movement and Zoom Week 9: Lighting Week 10: Practical Effects Week 11: Computer Animation and Digital Special Effects UNIT 4: Beyond 35mm/Theatrical Week 12 – 16mm and the Mobile Camera Week 13 – 8mm and Amateur/Home Movies Week 14 – Home Video Week 15 – Networked and Mobile Images

Institutional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.

Critical Thinking

The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.

Syllabus

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