104211 - FILM ANALYSIS

Subject type: Basic

Coordinator: Rafael Suarez Gómez

Trimester: First term

Credits: 6

The subject of Film Analysis is within the subject "History" and consists of the thought and application of textual analysis to audiovisual works (films, short films, series, etc.). The subject assumes the knowledge related to previous subjects of the subjects History, Communication, Artistic Expression, Image and Business, with which it is related: History of audiovisuals and video games, Language and audiovisual expression, Lighting, Graphic design, Script audiovisual and audiovisual production. In addition, the subject shares an evaluation activity with the subject Audio and sound, of the matter of sound. 

The main objective of the subject is to encourage the critical capacity and analytical spirit of students, so that they are able to recognize the various audiovisual and cultural codes present in both classical and contemporary works, and appreciate their operation. Later, they will be able to apply their learning to their creations.

This subject has methodological and digital resources to make possible its continuity in non-contact mode in the event that it is necessary for reasons related to COVID-19.

In this way, the achievement of the same knowledge and skills that are specified in this teaching plan will be ensured.

At the end of the course, students must be able to:

LO1: Get to know, value and contextualise the main audiovisual works and their authors

LO2: Present and write ideas in an argumentative and formally correct way

LO3: Deepen and reflect on cinema understood as discourse

LO4: Observe the historical, ideological and linguistic circumstances that condition the audiovisual

In addition, students should be able to:

RAC1: Identify the implications of meaning and ideology of works (includes gender representation)

RAC2: Organize as a group to carry out shared work

The subject is structured in 4h / week of theory sessions and 2h / week of practical laboratory sessions.

The subject, therefore, combines theoretical classes (LARGE GROUP), practical classes (SMALL GROUP) and hours of autonomous learning (AUTONOMOUS LEARNING).

The theoretical classes (LARGE GROUP) consist of expository classes, with the explanation of the contents of the subject and applied activities, as well as discussion seminars, case studies and project tutorials with students. Some of these activities can be carried out without prior notice and may be necessary for the subsequent development of the evaluable work, exams and internships of the subject.

The practical classes (SMALL GROUP) consist of the practical realization of individual and / or group activities of learning and evaluable. Each assessable activity is designed so that students can first perform a similar learning activity that allows them to practice the skills required in the assessable activities. Attendance at the practical classes is necessary, and is mandatory for their approval. In addition, internships are used to foster transversal competence in working in an interdisciplinary team.

The hours of autonomous learning (AUTONOMOUS LEARNING) consist of the individual study work of each student, which can be intended both for content learning and the production of works, both individual and group, both theoretical and practical. . These hours include case studies, research and critical reading of articles and materials proposed by the teaching staff.

This course, due to the situation generated by COVID, some of the large group sessions will be held in hybrid format: face-to-face and online (via streaming). This will allow students to rotate to face-to-face classes, respecting the maximum number of students per classroom that they impose distance measures. When they do not have a face-to-face session, they will be able to follow the class online from home.

As for the practice sessions, if necessary, they will be worked on simultaneously in several spaces in order to ensure that the conditions established by the security protocols are met.

Contents

1. Introduction: Analysis processes

• What is film analysis?
• Stages of the analysis

Related activities:

Practical Activities:

Activity 1: Deconstruction of linearity

Theory activities:

Activity 5: Analysis of a film

Activity 6: Video-synthesis of the analysis of a film

Activity 7: Theoretical exam

2. Contextual analysis

• Historical and production context
• The film genre
• Topics and message

Related activities:

Practical Activities:

Activity 2: Contextual and narrative analysis

Theory activities:

Activity 5: Analysis of a film

Activity 6: Video-synthesis of the analysis of a film

Activity 7: Theoretical exam

3. Analysis of the narrative

• Semiotic analysis of the narrative

Related activities:

Practical Activities:

Activity 2: Contextual and narrative analysis

Theory activities:

Activity 5: Analysis of a film

Activity 6: Video-synthesis of the analysis of a film

Activity 7: Theoretical exam

4. Analysis of the characters

• Character analysis

Related activities:

Practical Activities:

Activity 3: Analysis of cinematic language

Activity 4: Applied analysis of cinematic language

Theory activities:

Activity 5: Analysis of a film

Activity 6: Video-synthesis of the analysis of a film

Activity 7: Theoretical exam

5. Communication analysis: the narrator

• The communicative framework
• Focusing
• Narrator and narrator

Practical Activities:

Activity 3: Analysis of cinematic language

Activity 4: Applied analysis of cinematic language

Theory activities:

Activity 5: Analysis of a film

Activity 6: Video-synthesis of the analysis of a film

Activity 7: Theoretical exam

6. Analysis of cinematic language

• Technological codes
• Visual codes
• Graphic codes
• Sound codes
• Syntactic or assembly codes

Related activities:

Practical Activities:

Activity 3: Analysis of cinematic language

Activity 4: Applied analysis of cinematic language

Theory activities:

Activity 5: Analysis of a film

Activity 6: Video-synthesis of the analysis of a film

Activity 7: Theoretical exam

7. Space analysis

• What space?
• The general space and the sub-spaces
• Classifications of the space

Related activities:

Practical Activities:

Activity 4: Applied analysis of cinematic language

Theory activities:

Activity 5: Analysis of a film

Activity 6: Video-synthesis of the analysis of a film

Activity 7: Theoretical exam

8. Time analysis

• What time?
• Aspects of time: order, duration, frequency
• Types of construction of time

Related activities:

Practical Activities:

Activity 4: Applied analysis of cinematic language

Theory activities:

Activity 5: Analysis of a film

Activity 6: Video-synthesis of the analysis of a film

Activity 7: Theoretical exam

Other resources:

During the course other resources may be provided to deepen topics and contents.

Audiovisual resources:

At the beginning of the course, the films that make up the compulsory filmography of the subject will be indicated.

Both in the theoretical sessions and in the practical sessions of the subject, before carrying out an evaluation activity, students carry out preparatory learning activities (exercises, tutorials, case analysis, discussions, etc.) with the teaching staff support. In this way, they can acquire the skills necessary for the development of assessment activities.

The preparatory learning activities and the assessment activities themselves are organized in Practical activities i Theory activities. 

Practical activities (40% final grade)

Activity 1: Deconstruction of linearity (10% final grade)

Relationship with the syllabus: Content 1

Related skills: G3, E14

Related learning outcomes: RA2, RA3

General description: 

Internship activity. Individual evaluation.

From the viewing of audiovisual pieces, the theoretical knowledge for the deconstruction of the linearity of a work is applied.

The activity lasts two weeks, corresponding to two practice sessions of the subject. In the first session (day 1) preparatory exercises are performed in groups and in the second session (day 2) the individual evaluation activity is carried out. 

The deliverable end of the activity (day 2) is individual.

Support Material:

• Videos proposed in the laboratory
• Computers available in laboratories

Deliverable and links to the evaluation:

Deconstruction sheet of the linearity of an audiovisual piece assigned to class on the same day (day 2). The form must be handed in at the end of the class.

The grade obtained corresponds to 10% of the final grade and is individual. 

Specific objectives:

At the end of the activity the students must be able to:

• Apply the knowledge acquired through the theoretical sessions of the subject
• Identify the linear parts that make up an audiovisual piece: sequences, scenes, frames, images
• Analyze the characteristics of each of the identified parts
• Recognize and evaluate the punctuation marks that link the various parts
• Get the "script a posteriori " of an audiovisual piece

Activity 2: Contextual and narrative analysis (10% final grade)

Relationship with the syllabus: Contents 2 and 3

Related skills: G3, E14, T2

Related learning outcomes: RA1, RA2, RA3, RA4, RAC2

General description:

Internship activity. Group work.

Based on the proposals of various audiovisual titles, both by the teaching staff and the students, the processes of searching for contextual information and identifying the topics, message (or thematic idea), genre and d are worked on. 'narrative elements of the pieces.

The activity lasts two weeks, corresponding to two practice sessions of the subject.

During the first internship session dedicated to the activity (day 3) the contextual analysis of a film is worked on in groups with the support of the teaching staff. At the end of the first session, each group is assigned a film to look for information about the context, topics, message, genre, and other narrative elements outside of class hours. 

Each group must collect the relevant information outside school hours and, during the second internship session dedicated to the activity (day 4), carry out the contextual analysis of the assigned film and deliver the corresponding tab.

Support Material:

• Materials proposed in the laboratory
• Computers available in laboratories

Deliverable and links to the evaluation:

Contextual and narrative analysis sheet.

The grade obtained by the group corresponds to 10% of the final grade.

Specific objectives:

At the end of the activity the students must be able to:

• Apply the knowledge acquired through the theoretical sessions of the subject
• Search for and present contextual information from an audiovisual work
• Identify the themes and message of an audiovisual work
• Recognize the genre of an audiovisual work
• Identify the universal plot of an audiovisual work and other narrative elements

Activity 3: Analysis of cinematic language (10% final grade)

Relationship with the syllabus: Content 6

Related skills: G3, E14, T2

Related learning outcomes: RA2, RA3, RA4, RAC1, RAC2

General description:

Internship activity. Group work.

From the consolidation of theoretical knowledge and critical viewing of audiovisual cuts, the analysis of the different codes is applied to an audiovisual scene or sequence.

The activity lasts two weeks, corresponding to two practice sessions of the subject.

During the first internship session dedicated to the activity (day 5), scenes / sequences proposed by the teaching staff are critically analyzed. Then a scene / sequence is assigned to each group, which looks for information outside school hours and carries out the analysis of the cinematographic codes during the last practice session dedicated to the activity (day 6). 

Support Material:

• Videos proposed in the laboratory
• Computers available in laboratories

Deliverable and links to the evaluation:

Film components analysis sheet

The grade obtained by the group corresponds to 10% of the final grade.

Specific objectives:

At the end the students must be able to:

• Apply the knowledge acquired through the theoretical sessions of the subject
• Recognize visual, graphic, sound and syntactic codes
• Analyze audiovisual scenes / sequences critically

Activity 4: Applied analysis of cinematic language (10% final grade)

Relationship with the syllabus: Contents 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8

Related skills: G3, E14, T2

Related learning outcomes: RA2, RA3, RA4, RAC1, RAC2

General description:

Internship activity. Group work.

Based on the analysis carried out in Activity 3, the same scene / sequence analyzed is scripted and carried out, starting from a new proposal that takes into account the cinematographic, generic and narrative codes worked on in the theoretical classes.

The activity lasts three weeks, corresponding to three internship sessions of the subject.

During the first internship session dedicated to the activity (day 7), each group presents an alternative proposal for the assigned scene / sequence, writing the literary script (if applicable) and the technical script necessary for the shooting. . Outside class time, and also taking advantage of the second session dedicated to the activity (day 8), each group shoots and assembles the proposed scene / sequence. During the last internship session dedicated to the activity (day 9) each group must present their proposal, through a viewing and a comment on the comparison between the original and the own proposal, with the pertinent justification.

Support Material:

• Videos proposed in the laboratory
• Computers available in laboratories
• Material to record and assemble (SERMAT)

Deliverable and links to the evaluation:

Scene / sequence and presentation support.

Both the scene / sequence presented and the oral presentation itself, the materials needed for the production (scripts) and the group commentary (content in support of the presentation) were evaluated. The most important thing is the justification that the group makes for the reason for the application of certain codes.

The grade obtained by the group corresponds to 10% of the final grade.

Specific objectives:

At the end of the activity students must be able to:

• Apply the knowledge acquired through the theoretical sessions of the subject
• Analyze audiovisual scenes / sequences critically
• Apply cinematographic, generic and narrative codes in the ideation of audiovisual scenes / sequences
• Choose the right point of view in an audiovisual production
• Properly apply the treatment of space and time
• Make an audiovisual piece taking into account the gender treatment of the characters

Theory activities (60% final grade)

Activity 5: Analysis of a film (10% final grade)

Relationship with the syllabus: All contents

Related skills: G3, E14, T2

Related learning outcomes: RA1, RA2, RA3, RA4, RAC1, RAC2

General description:

Theory activity. Group work.

At the beginning of the course, each group must choose a film to perform a complete analysis: contextual analysis, narrative analysis, character analysis, cinematic language analysis, space analysis, time analysis, analysis of communication.

This activity is shared with the subject Audio and sound (Activity 4: Analysis work), since the same audiovisual work is worked on in both subjects. 

At the end of the course, each group must submit the written analysis work of the film, following the instructions given by the teaching staff.

Support Material:

• Computers with Internet access and text editor

Deliverable and links to the evaluation:

Analysis

The grade obtained corresponds to 10% of the final grade.

Specific objectives:

At the end of the activity the students must be able to:

• Apply the knowledge acquired through the theoretical sessions of the subject
• Contextualize an audiovisual work correctly, looking for information in an appropriate way
• Recognize the narrative components of an audiovisual work
• Identify staging, filming and editing solutions appropriate to the genre and the specific themes of an audiovisual work
• Analyze the temporal and spatial treatment in relation to the specific objectives of an audiovisual work
• Identify and describe the point of view present in an audiovisual work, based on the analysis of the other elements
• Relate the different facets of the analysis with the meaning and ideological component of a work

Activity 6: Video-synthesis of the analysis of a film (10% final grade)

Relationship with the syllabus: All contents

Related skills: G3, E14, T2

Related learning outcomes: RA1, RA2, RA3, RA4, RAC1, RAC2

General description:

Theory activity. Group work.

Students must present, in groups, a video-synthesis of the Analysis of a film made during the course (Activity 5).

This activity is shared with the subject Audio and sound (Activity 4: Analysis work), since the same audiovisual work is worked on in both subjects. 

Support Material:

• Recording and editing material (SERMAT)
• Presentation support (power point or similar)

Deliverable and links to the evaluation:

Link to video-synthesis and oral presentation

The grade related to the activity corresponds to 10% of the final grade of the subject.

Specific objectives:

At the end of the activity the student must be able to:

• Present a project to both specialized and non-specialized audiences
• Apply in a practical way the knowledge acquired in the course of the subject
• Critically apply the knowledge acquired in the course of the subject

Activity 7: Theoretical exam (40% final grade)

Relationship with the syllabus: All contents

Related skills: G3, E14

Related learning outcomes: RA1, RA2, RA3, RA4, RAC1

General description:

Theory activity. Individual work.

At the end of the course there is a theoretical exam in which the knowledge of all the contents treated during the subject is evaluated.

Students have 2 hours to complete the test.

An additional 8 hours of independent learning is considered necessary to prepare for the theory exam.

Support Material:

• Statement of the test

Deliverable and links to the evaluation:

Exam solved

The grade is individual and corresponds to 40% of the final grade of the subject.

Specific objectives:

- At the end of the activity students must be able to critically apply the knowledge acquired in the course of the subject.

Rules for carrying out the activities

For each activity, the teaching staff will report on the particular rules and conditions that govern it, including the deadlines and means of delivery.

Deliveries will not be accepted outside the deadlines indicated and by means not specified in the rules.

The individual activities presuppose the commitment of the students to carry them out individually. All activities in which the student does not fulfill this commitment will be considered suspended.

Likewise, the activities that must be carried out in groups presuppose the commitment on the part of the students that make it up to carry them out within the group. All activities in which the group has not respected this commitment will be considered suspended. The responsibility for the results of the work lies with the group, and not with the individuals who make it up.

The activities related to the theoretical sessions of the subject will be presented in theory class, although they must have been carried out by means of autonomous work of the students outside the class hours.

The activities related to the practical sessions of the subject will be carried out in the laboratories, although they also include autonomous work of the students outside the class hours.

In all the works will have to identify clearly the relative data to the asignatura as well as to the specific activity and the / s author / s, according to indications of the educational team. 

Both the wording and the presentation will take into account both the content and the form, including the spelling. Spelling, syntactic and lexical errors will be penalized according to the criteria indicated in each activity. Papers that do not meet minimum requirements at the formal level will not be evaluated and will therefore be scored with zero points.

Any undelivered activity will be scored with zero points.

Any activity where plagiarism is detected will be scored with zero points, apart from other disciplinary actions that may be initiated.

Any activity that does not meet the requirements specified in the rules will be scored with zero points.

In case of confinement the following changes will be applied: the activities, debates or presentations conceived to be carried out in person will be carried out through a telematic system (for debates, meetings, tutorials or presentations).

The evaluation of the subject is divided into Practical Activities i Theory activities. 

Continuous assessment involves carrying out all the activities detailed in this teaching guide during the course.

The continuous evaluation of the Practical Activities (40% of the final grade of the subject) is done through four activities:

• Activity 1: Deconstruction of linearity (10% of the final grade)
• Activity 2: Contextual and narrative analysis (10% of the final grade)
• Activity 3: Analysis of cinematic language (10% of the final grade)
• Activity 4: Applied analysis of cinematic language (10% of the final grade)

It is mandatory to pass the internship to enjoy the continuous assessment and pass the course. Attendance at least 80% of the internship sessions is mandatory in order to enjoy the continuous assessment. A maximum of two justified absences will be accepted.

El theoretical content is evaluated through the following activities:

• Activity 5: Analysis of a film (10% of the final grade)
• Activity 6: Video-synthesis of the analysis of a film (10% of the final grade)
• Activity 7: Theoretical exam (40% of the final grade)

It is mandatory to pass the Theoretical Exam (Activity 7) to enjoy the continuous assessment and pass the subject.

On recovery the Practical Activities and theTheoretical Exam, but not the Activities 5 and 6. The Practical Activities and the Theoretical Exam will be able to recover of separate form and according to indications of the educational team at the beginning of the course.

There is the possibility of resorting to one single evaluation, according to the following conditions:

1. It will be restricted to repeat students or to cases highly justified and validated by teachers.
2. The activities will be carried out individually.
3. It does not imply compulsory attendance to the course.
4. Deliveries will be made jointly at the end of the course.

In this modality the following activities are carried out individually (50% of the final mark):

• Activity 1: Deconstruction of linearity (10% of the final grade)
• Activity 2: Contextual and narrative analysis (10% of the final grade)
• Activity 3: Analysis of cinematic language (10% of the final grade)
• Activity 5: Analysis of a film (20% of the final grade)

The exam (50% of the final grade) is carried out normally at the end of the course.

It is necessary to pass both the average of the activities and the exam to pass the course.

In case of confinement, the final test of the subject will also be done through a telematic system.

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Gaudreault, A., & Jost, F. (1995). The cinematic story. Cinema and narratology. Paidós.

Aumont, J., & Marie, M. (1990). Film analysis. Paidós.

Cuevas, E. (1994). Notes on "author theory" in audiovisual fiction. Communication & Society, 7 (1).

Cruz, C. (2013). Narrated images. How to make the invisible visible in a movie script. Editorial Círculo Rojo.

Balló, J., & Pérez, X. (1995). The immortal seed: the universal arguments in cinema. Empúries. 

Cuevas, E. (2001). Focus on audiovisual stories. Tripods, 11, 123-136.

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