1. UNIT 8 The Moving Image: Film

2. Film and fun: why do we love movies? What are some genres (types) of films? What are some of your favorites?

3. Film and fun: why do we love movies? What do you think the purpose of film is? Should it communicate a moral lesson? Should it merely entertain?

4. The origins of film 1824: The theory of “The Persistence of Vision with Regard to Moving Objects” developed by Peter Mark Roget, a British physician. 1839: the invention of Photography 1879: Thomas Edison introduces the incandescent light bulb 1890: the development of the Kinetograph, a camera capable of photographing motion in multiple frames

5. Genres of film Slapstick comedy and farce Film noir and suspense Horror Musical Romantic comedy

6. Slapstick and Farce Slapstick: a comic style in which characters are totally dehumanized, fall down, get hit repeatedly, or endure other types of comedic violence with no apparent ill effects. Farce: a story characterized by satire, comedy, and improbable plot developments Click here for film clip selections from A Night At the Opera featuring the Marx Brothers. What scenes or actions are examples of slapstick and/or farce?

7. Film Noir Film noir: a genre of film known for dark settings, cynicism, and emphasis on the seamy side of human nature; the story usually centers on crime in the city, investigated by an alienated hero. The establishing shot informs the viewer of location and context; in what ways is the setting communicated to the viewer? Where is the perspective of the camera? How does it change? What important information sets the scene in dialogue and body language? Click here for a film clip from The Maltese Falcon, starring Humphrey Bogart.

8. Suspense Suspense: a type of film that builds anticipation in the story line often through suggestions of fear, danger, or peril, often incorporating a current of mystery. What elements create suspense in this clip? How does the drama progressively heighten? Click here for a film clip from Notorious, directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

9. Horror Horror: a type of film that is meant to be horrific and terrifying, either through psychological suggestions or the showing of physical brutality. Antagonists in horror films are often societal outsiders, or have otherworldly or occult associations. How do music, the camera angles and framing, and the details we don’t see contribute to the creepiness of this clip? Click here for film clip from Psycho, directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

10. Special Effects What impact do special effects have on a film? Do you need a strong plot and characters, or can special effects be sufficient?

11. Musicals Musicals: a film, most typically comedic, romantic, or a light drama, that incorporates song and dance numbers in the course of the storytelling. Click here for a film clip from Singin’ in the Rain, featuring a famous song and dance sequence with Gene Kelly. Do you think that, with programs like So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars, dance is making a comeback in popular entertainment?