Course Description

Visual storytelling methods to engage an audience and keep it in a state of anticipation. Emphasis will be placed on live-action film making, but material covered should apply to any time-based visual medium. Topics include narrative structure, camera grammar, and editing.

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Athena Title

Visual Narrative

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Grading System

A - F (Traditional)

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Course Objectives

The goal of this course is for students to learn how to create images that tell a dramatically compelling story. Upon completion, they should be able to analyze a script, isolate the critically important emotional moments, and choose camera angles and framing that will emphasize those moments in order to fully engage the audience. Each student will demonstrate a knowledge of these skills by creating a final project in the medium of his or her choosing.

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Topical Outline

Narrative Structure Overview The Function of Myth What Happens Next? Conflict and Crisis Dramatic Irony and Perepeteia Camera Grammar Overview Screen Direction Point of View Framing Staging in Depth Shot-to-Shot Relationships Coverage Camera Movement Condensing Screen Time The Chase Final Project

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