Honors Film As Literature
Price
TBA
Duration
4 Quarters; 2 Semesters
Table of Contents
COURSE OBJECTIVE
Stories told on screens are the literature of today’s youth. Not everyone loves to read, but even avid readers should learn to be wise consumers of film. If you’re looking for an English class that fosters critical thinking and literary analysis through movies instead of just reading books, you’ve found it!
English Language Arts (ELA) has long focused on the written word to teach people about the culture of their time. However, today's literature extends beyond print to include stories told on screens. The principles of fiction apply equally to both mediums, making the study of screened stories increasingly vital as youth shift their attention from print to visual media. Since the best films incorporate the same elements found in great literature, ELA educators are uniquely positioned to teach how these devices work across both mediums.
Honors Film as Literature is an exciting course that combines the enjoyment of watching films with the rigor of an upper-level English class. You'll learn to "read" movies like novels, identifying key narrative elements like plot, theme, and characterization, just as you would in written texts.
Essential questions drive our exploration:
Is film literary?
Can films achieve what books do? Can books do what films do?
What makes a good story, and how do stories help us understand the world and ourselves?
What are the components of filmmaking?
What is the essential message of the film? Of the novel? Is that message changed through the process of adaptation? If so, how?
How do film techniques—camera angles, lighting, color, music, and casting—affect how audiences interpret meaning?
Throughout the course, we’ll analyze eight great works of literature alongside their screenplays and film adaptations, examining their narrative elements, cinematic techniques, and cultural significance. By mastering the language of both literature and film, you’ll explore how elements like setting, point of view, conflict, mood, tone, symbolism, and motif are adapted for the screen. You’ll also compare the unique strengths and limitations of each medium, exploring how films both reflect and shape culture and society.
Because students who have learned to analyze literary elements through film often find it easier to recognize and evaluate those concepts in literary texts, this course will prepare you for more traditional literature courses in high school and college. Additionally, learning to think critically about film enhances your media literacy, making you a more discerning and thoughtful consumer of what you watch.
Beyond analyzing movies, this course emphasizes academic writing and critical thinking. You’ll sharpen your research skills, develop a strong writing voice, and engage in lively, thought-provoking discussions. Assignments will range from film reviews and literary analyses to personal narratives, all building up to a final capstone project: writing your own full-length screenplay for film or TV in the genre of your choice.
Ready to embark on a captivating journey that blends film and literature? Join us for this epic edventure through Film as Literature!
COURSE FORMAT
The class meets 90 minutes twice a week (M/W or T/Th) for 20 weeks. Like all other courses in our curriculum, Honors Film as Literature consists of two components: asynchronous and synchronous learning.
We use the Screenwriting course by Moviola and the Write A Feature Length Screenplay For Film Or Television course by Michigan State University for the asynchronous flipped classroom portion of the course. This makes up 30% of your overall grade.
Your academy instructor will facilitate the virtual in-person synchronous portion of the course. This makes up 50% of your overall grade.
Asynchronous Learning
The Screenwriting course by Moviola was created by a panel of film industry experts who break down concepts with bite-sized, animated video lessons organized into topical modules that improve comprehension and retention, making learning fun and engaging. Each module comes with a quick quiz to help you measure your "first exposure learning" during the pre-work phase before the actual class.
Write A Feature Length Screenplay For Film Or Television was created by David Wheeler, while still the Director of Media Sandbox, an interdisciplinary creative community within the College of Communication Arts and Sciences at Michigan State University. He is now an adjunct assistant professor in the Cinematic Arts Department of the University of Southern California. David's style of teaching the course content is refreshing and somewhat unconventional.
I'm a proponent of Experiential Learning (Active Learning). My lectures are short (sometimes just two minutes long) and to the point, designed in a step-by-step process essential to your success as a script writer. I will guide you, but I won’t "show" you how to write. I firmly believe that the only way to become a writer is to write, write, write.
David Wheeler's industry recognitions include the Writers Guild of America nomination (Best Game Script), MI6 Award (Best Cinematic), 4 Emmy awards (Documentary), and more.
You should expect to spend a minimum of 2-3 hours per week watching films assigned for out-of-class viewing, screenwriting assignments, and homework. The academy intentionally schedules no classes on Fridays to provide dedicated time for homework assignments and out-of-class projects.
Synchronous Learning
In our live virtual classroom, your academy instructor will take on the role of "Gamemaster," guiding interactive sessions that enhance your understanding of film and literature.
Expect a dynamic environment where you actively engage in various activities designed to sharpen your analytical and writing skills:
Film Screenings: Watch selected short films or clips, followed by discussions to analyze narrative structure, themes, and cinematic techniques.
Guided Notetaking: Use structured worksheets to focus on key elements like cinematography, character development, and themes while watching films or participating in discussions.
Group Discussions: Dive into small and whole-class discussions exploring the films’ meanings, characters, and cultural contexts. Engage in Socratic seminars or structured debates on thought-provoking questions.
Class Debates: Participate in debates on essential topics, such as the role of film in society or the effectiveness of adaptations, fostering critical thinking and clear argumentation.
Scene Analysis: Examine specific scenes in detail, dissecting elements like dialogue, camera angles, and editing techniques to understand their contribution to the narrative.
Creative Writing Exercises: Craft short scripts or alternative endings based on the films viewed, encouraging creativity while applying narrative structure concepts.
Peer Review Sessions: Share written work (such as essays and screenplays) with classmates for constructive feedback, promoting collaboration and improvement.
Comparative Analysis: Compare a film with its literary source material, discussing similarities and differences in themes, characterizations, and narrative techniques.
Film Reviews: Write and present reviews of films to share across our academy's social media platform, encouraging you to articulate opinions and back them up with evidence from the film.
Film Festivals: Teams create a 4-5 minute video analyzing their assigned film, highlighting key literary elements (plot, character, theme, setting, style/dialogue, POV, audio-visual) and film review insights, with the class voting on the best-presented film.
Guest Speakers: Hear from filmmakers, screenwriters, or critics who share their insights into the filmmaking process and literary adaptations.
Game-based activities: Earn points and badges, and climb the leaderboard as you embark on literary edventures through film!
Screenwriters Guild
This is a creative writing intensive, peer-review course. You will be assigned to a "screenwriters guild" consisting of 4 or 5 classmates. Once a week, 45 minutes will be dedicated to activities related to your screenplay. Every peer review assignment requires a minimum of five reviews and, this way, you will always review the work of three or four members of your guild and will get feedback on your work from them. This will create the best possible peer review situation in which you will always be familiar with the work you are reviewing and you will all share in the experience of the growth and progress of each other's work.
Exams
Each semester, there will be a comprehensive mid-term exam over all content covered during the first quarter and a comprehensive final exam over all content covered during the second quarter. Each of these four exams is weighted equally, and the combined average will make up 20% of your course grade.
COURSE TEXTS
There are two primary textbooks for this course and eight literary works:
The Art of Watching Films, 10th Edition by Professors Dennis W. Petrie and Joe Boggs
Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need by Blake Snyder
A list of College Board favorite literary works for the AP® English Literature Exam
The Art of Watching Films
The Art of Watching Films, 10th Edition by Dr. Dennis Petrie and Dr. Joe Boggs equips you with the tools to become a discerning film buff. This engaging, open-source eTextbook is free and available in digital format through the Internet Archive. More than a simple film guide, it explores the idea that watching films is an art form. By focusing on narrative films, the book helps you sharpen your powers of observation, uncover hidden layers of meaning, and appreciate the intricate details filmmakers weave into their stories. With a comprehensive introduction to the formal elements and production processes of movies, this text guides you in analyzing films within their historical, cultural, and social contexts. This organized framework empowers you to apply your newfound knowledge to any movie, transforming your film experiences from casual entertainment to insightful journeys of discovery. Get ready to elevate your movie nights from passive viewing to active analysis!
Key Features:
Read Aloud features and built-in study tools for highlighting and annotations.
Over 450 film frames with detailed captions to illustrate key points and encourage critical thinking.
Active Viewing exercises at the end of each chapter for a hands-on approach to film study.
Engaging questions at the end of each chapter to foster a more involved viewing experience.
Extensive film lists in Chapters 2 through 15 for further exploration.
Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need
Save the Cat by Blake Snyder is the aspiring screenwriter's GPS that navigates you through the complex process of storytelling. This groundbreaking guide breaks down the monomyth, or hero's journey, into a clear, minute-by-minute template for creating compelling plot structures that captivate audiences and leave them wanting more. Snyder, a seasoned Hollywood pro, spent years researching best practices in screenwriting to develop this proven formula for success. His approach is so influential that many Hollywood script reviewers use his concepts to evaluate scripts. If you’re serious about screenwriting, Save the Cat! is a must-read. It's a practical, easy-to-follow resource that has helped countless aspiring writers craft engaging stories. Since its release in 2005, it has remained a global bestseller and a staple for screenwriters everywhere. (Available in print and digital format.)
English Literature and Screenplays
Get ready to dive into a world of great literature and its cinematic adaptations! We'll explore 8 novels, novellas, plays, and epic poems that have been featured on the AP® English Literature exam since 1970. These timeless classics are available in digital format, complete with features like Read Aloud and built-in study tools such as highlights and annotation capabilities. Most of these texts are open-source and free, though a few might require a small fee. Your teacher will provide the titles and links. (For more information, see the Adaptation: From Page to Stage section of this syllabus.)
INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION BOARD
Each module features an interactive discussion board powered by Discussion Hero, a gamified platform developed by Northwestern University. Students choose between "hero" and "villain" roles and avatars, earning points for their contributions. This fosters a sense of competition and engagement, making discussions even more rewarding.
Benefits of Participating in Discussions:
Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills: Go beyond memorization and passive learning by analyzing information, evaluating different perspectives, and forming your own conclusions.
Enhance communication skills: Practice clear communication, learn to articulate your ideas effectively, and develop respectful listening and rebuttal skills.
Fosters a collaborative learning environment: Learn from each other, share knowledge, and collaborate on problem-solving, creating a dynamic and enriching learning community.
Deepen your understanding of the content: Actively engaging with the course material through discussion solidifies and expands your understanding beyond lectures and readings.
Provides diverse perspectives: Discussions expose you to different viewpoints and interpretations, encouraging critical thinking and broadening your understanding of the subject matter.
Offers opportunities for self-reflection: Examining your own thoughts and arguments in response to prompts and engaging with others' perspectives helps solidify your learning and identify areas for further exploration.
Apply knowledge to real-world scenarios: Apply course concepts to real-world situations through discussions, enhancing the material's relevance.
Build a digital learning portfolio: Discussions serve as a reference for your learning journey, allowing you to revisit key concepts and track your progress.
Develop digital literacy: Discussions provide a platform to practice online communication etiquette, including respectful disagreement, constructive argumentation, and responsible information sharing.
To actively engage in meaningful learning and reap the benefits mentioned above, participation in each module's discussion board is expected and will contribute to your overall grade. Your instructor will provide a clear rubric within Discussion Hero outlining the expectations for participation and how your contributions will be evaluated. This ensures consistent and transparent assessment while allowing you to showcase your understanding and critical thinking skills throughout the course.
ADAPTATION: FROM PAGE TO SCREEN
Throughout this course, you will read 8 literary works alongside their screenplays and film adaptations. Additionally, you’ll watch and analyze 12 film adaptations based on great literary works, assigned every other week for viewing outside of class. Film Study Worksheets will guide your analysis, focusing on key cinematic elements like visual symbolism, narrative structure, and thematic connections to the original texts.
Required Texts, Screenplays, and Film Adaptations:
Nineteen Eighty-Four (often referred to as 1984) by George Orwell
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Animal Farm by George Orwell and 1999 film adaptation
Required Films:
Gattaca (1997)
The Matrix (1999)
These required works tackle societal and technological issues that are just as relevant today as their were at their inception. They not only challenge your analytical skills but also encourage deeper reflection on authority, freedom, technology, and human nature, sparking discussions and critical engagement.
Film Selection Criteria:
Critical Acclaim: We’ll focus on films that are highly regarded by both critics and audiences.
Literary Fidelity: Adaptations will closely stick to the themes and tone of the original works.
Thematic Relevance: Films will explore themes and motifs that connect to the literary works you’re reading, offering new insights into the material.
Accessibility: Most of them are available for free on streaming platforms like YouTube, Freevee, and Amazon Prime Video. Your teacher will provide the links.
List of Literary Works and Film Adaptations:
The list of literary works and film adaptations is based on titles frequently featured in the AP® English Literature exam’s open-response section, with the latest update from Sandra Effinger on June 15, 2024.
FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPELLING SCREENWRITING
Learn about screenwriting: from storytelling, to character development, dialogue, and solving problems that may come up in your script. This unit will also take you through a tried and tested screenplay outline that's been the basis for just about every commercially successful major Hollywood feature. It incorporates elements of Robert McKee's Five-Act Structure and Blake Snyder's Save the Cat!. You'll analyze some contemporary blockbusters from our College Board favs list as case studies and discuss how they successfully applied this formula, or not. By the end of this unit, you will understand how to construct a compelling screenplay.
CAPSTONE PROJECT: WRITE A FEATURE-LENGTH FILM
In this course, you will write a complete, feature-length screenplay for film or television, be it a serious drama or romantic comedy or anything in between. You’ll learn to break down the creative process into components, and you’ll discover a structured process that allows you to produce a polished and pitch-ready script by the end of the course. Completing this project will increase your confidence in your ideas and abilities, and you’ll feel prepared to pitch your first script and get started on your next.
Write A Feature Length Screenplay For Film Or Television is designed to tap into your creativity and is based in "Active Learning". Most of the actual learning takes place within your own activities - that is, writing! You will learn by doing.
The course curriculum is simple: We will adopt a professional writers' room process in which you’ll write, post your work for peer review, share feedback with your peers, and revise your work with the feedback you receive from your peers. That's how it's done in the real world. You will feel as if you were in a professional writers room yet no prior experience as a screenwriter is required.
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
In addition to your routine writing assignments, three of your writing assignments will require at least 3-4 hours each to complete. These more extensive assignments will be assigned over the weekend.
COURSE OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
Write a complete, feature-length screenplay for film or television
Break down the three-act screenplay structure into 15 bite-size, manageable sections called beats, each with a specific goal for your overall story.
Produce a polished and pitch-ready script by the end of the course
Pitch your first script and get started on your next.
PREREQUISITES
No prior scriptwriting experience is required. However, both English Literature and Composition and English Language and Composition are prerequisites.
During week two, you can choose to download some free scriptwriting software such as Celtx or Trelby or you may choose to purchase Final Draft, the industry standard, or you can continue to use your computer and do your own script formatting.
COURSE CERTIFICATE
The Course Certificate includes:
The course name
The lead instructor's signature
The logo of the Michigan State University
A verification URL that allows others to check the Certificate's authenticity
A statement that confirms the identity of the learner who completed the course
The Course Certificate does not include:
Academic credit from the Michigan State University
The final grade you got in the course
Your Instructor
TBD
