2022
Introduction to Film Studies with Richard Peña (Online)
- Start date:
- Aug 01, 2022
- Ability Level:
- All Levels
‘What is Cinema?’ was the title of one of the most important books written on film theory, by Frenchman André Bazín. Bazín was interested in the and metaphysical aspects of the medium, but “what is cinema”, in more practical terms? It’s a series of decisions, every shot, that deals with everything from composition to sound to quality of light to what shots precede or follow.
Each moment of a film involves many, many decisions: where to place the camera, where to position the actors, choosing how they will dress, should there be music in the background (or not), the relation of a shot to those that precede it and those that follow it, etc.
In this eight-part mini-course, we go over the basic techniques filmmakers have at their disposal in order to convey information and create meaning in film. The first six sessions of this course will introduce the major avenues of expression in the cinema: cinematography, camera movement editing, mise-en-scène, sound and narrative. In the final two sessions, all participants will engage in close, detailed readings of two films that will elucidate not only the filmmakers’ technical choices but the reasons behind those choices.
Each class will be 3 hours long.
Course syllabus:
- Class One: The Origins of Cinema; cinematography – all operations involving the camera
- Class Two: Camera Movement
- Class Three: Mise-en-scène—all operations having to do with what is to be filmed by the camera
- Class Four: Editing – Classical Editing and Alternative Editing Strategies
- Class Five: Sound—all operations having to do with pre-recorded audio accompaniment for images
- Class Six: Narrative—the assemblage of series of shots into stories
- Class Seven: Analysis of a Classical Film (film to be seen outside of class)
- Class Eight: Analysis of a Modernist Film (film to be seen outside of class)
Language: English
Ability Level: All Levels
Participation Fee: 350 QAR
Fee with our Qatar Museum’s Culture Pass Discount (20%): 280 QAR
Dates: August 1st – August 7th 2022
Programme timings:
Sunday – Thursday: 4:30pm – 7:30pm (Doha time)
Friday: 3:30pm – 6:30pm (Doha time)
Saturday: 11:30am – 1:30pm and 3:30pm – 5:30pm (Doha time)
Eligibility:
This programme is open to individuals over the age of 18. The sessions are best suited for those with some previous knowledge of filmmaking or film history, and who wish to expand their understanding of the medium.
Registration Process:
- To register and secure your place, purchase a ticket online to this event by clicking HERE.
- Your registration will be confirmed once your payment is processed.
- You will receive all necessary webinar links via email reminders before the sessions.
- For any questions or assistance with registration, please contact training@dohafilminstitute.com
Mentor:
Richard Peña
Richard Peña was the Programme Director of the Film Society of Lincoln Center and the Director of the New York Film Festival from 1988 until 2012. At the Film Society, Peña organised retrospectives of many film artists, as well as major film series devoted to numerous national cinemas. Together with Unifrance, in 1995, he created Rendez-Vous with French Cinema, the leading American showcase for new French cinema. He is Professor of Film and Media Studies at Columbia University, where he specialises in film theory and international cinema and has served as a Visiting Professor at the Sorbonne, Beijing University, UNAM-Mexico City and the University of São Paulo. He also currently hosts WNET/Channel 13’s weekly ‘Reel 13’.
Thank you
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