Why this course?

Crucially, the course utilizes classic screenwriting structure as our narrative compass. Rather than traditional lectures, patrons will be provided a tailored viewing guide for each film. I have developed a full, eight-week curriculum for all three sessions. This guide will prompt patrons to look for structural milestones, tracking the central dynamic question and pinpointing the precise pivots where the film breaks into acts. It will also highlight specific styles and techniques pioneered by each film, drawing attention to the director's choices regarding blocking, sets, and lighting. Classroom discussion will then focus on comparing notes.

The class will also look closely at visual language - examining how a studio's directive to shoot a movie in black-and-white versus color completely dictated the technical and artistic choices on set. We will explore how these mandates altered lighting setups, set design, costumes, makeup, shadowing, and specific blocking choices tailored to the theme and the script. My goal is to help students recognize the dual language of script and screen, understanding the deliberate choices that turn a sequence of images into not only a powerful human experience, but art.