FTV4935 Narrative Scene AnalysisBahçeşehir UniversityDegree Programs NEW MEDIAGeneral Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy StatementNational QualificationsBologna Commission
NEW MEDIA
Bachelor TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 QF-EHEA: First Cycle EQF-LLL: Level 6

Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Code Course Name Semester Theoretical Practical Credit ECTS
FTV4935 Narrative Scene Analysis Fall 3 0 3 5
This catalog is for information purposes. Course status is determined by the relevant department at the beginning of semester.

Basic information

Language of instruction: English
Type of course: Non-Departmental Elective
Course Level: Bachelor’s Degree (First Cycle)
Mode of Delivery: Face to face
Course Coordinator : Prof. Dr. NİLAY ULUSOY
Course Lecturer(s): Dr. CİHAT ARINÇ
Recommended Optional Program Components: None.
Course Objectives: The purpose of the course is to give students the tools to understand how narrative cinema works from an aesthetic perspective. In the course we watch films, and by analysing both the orginal scripts and the final product on the screen we attempt to answer these 2 questions: 1) what is the effect the director wants to create with the film; and 2) how does the director use the elements of cinema to create this effect? The “elements of cinema” specifically refer to: the narrative structure in the screenplay; the choice of actors, locations, lighting, camera positions, and lenses; the style of acting; the approach to the editing; use of music and sound; and how all of these elements tie into the larger issue of “point of view” in a cinematic sense.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
1. Will be able to watch a scene and break it down into shots and camera positions.
2. Will be able to compare a script to the finished film and make evaluations on those differences.
3. Recognize that narrative filmmaking is about “creating an effect” vs. “telling a story”.
4. Will be able to analyze how to evaluate what effect a director wants to create in their film.
5. Will be able to evaluate what “point of view" means in narrative cinema, how it is created cinematically, and how to evaluate it in terms of narration and narrative sctructure.

Course Content

Every week we screen one feature length film. Also, the original script for 1 scene from the film is given to the students, along with a series of questions about that scene. The students have one week to write the answers to the questions. In the following week we watch the scene again and have a lecture where we answer the questions about that scene that were given the week before.

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week Subject Related Preparation
1) Course introduction. none
2) Screening of the film “Sideways”. Understanding of how to break a scene down. Introduction to conventional narrative language.
3) Screening of the film "The Insider”. Creating a deeper emotional point of view via camera and lense choice.
4) Screening of the film “Lost Highway”. Taking point of view deeper into the unconsciousness. Use of a dynamic sound mix to play with and shift point of view.
5) Screening of the film “La Promesse”. Understanding what “naturalism” means and how to achieve it in cinema. Restricted point of view in the emotional plane.
6) Screening of the film “Elephant”. Extreme restriction of point of view beyond the audiences expectations. Introduction to large scale narrative structure.
7) Screening of the film “Days of Heaven”. Discussion of displaced point of view in narration.
8) Screening of the film “Bad Lands”. Understanding of the effect of a displaced point of view, what kind of emotional effect this produces.
9) Screening of the film “The Limey”. Discussion of uncertain point of view in narration.
10) Screening of the TV shows “The Office” & “Curb Your Enthusiasm”. Understanding of elements of traditional sit-com formal elements, and seeing new directions in the form.
11) Screening of the film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”. Understanding of genre expectations. Formal elements of action sequences and how to play with them.
12) Screening of the film “Secrets and Lies”. Depth of characterization and multiple restricted point of views.
13) Screening of the film “L’Argent”. Restriction of formal qualities to bring out pure cinematic effects.
14) Screening of the film “Dark Water”. Use of cinematic elements and point of view in creating effects in the horror genre. Final lecture. Recap of all subjects covered in the semester into a complete picture of how narration in cinema works.

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks: Yok.
References: None.

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements Number of Activities Level of Contribution
Homework Assignments 6 % 40
Presentation 2 % 20
Final 1 % 40
Total % 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK % 60
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK % 40
Total % 100

ECTS / Workload Table

Activities Number of Activities Duration (Hours) Workload
Course Hours 14 3 42
Study Hours Out of Class 14 3 42
Presentations / Seminar 2 3 6
Homework Assignments 6 6 36
Final 1 4 4
Total Workload 130

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

No Effect 1 Lowest 2 Low 3 Average 4 High 5 Highest
           
Program Outcomes Level of Contribution
1) To be able to critically interpret and discuss the theories, the concepts, the traditions, and the developments in the history of thought which are fundamental for the field of new media, journalism and communication.
2) To be able to attain written, oral and visual knowledge about technical equipment and software used in the process of news and the content production in new media, and to be able to acquire effective abilities to use them on a professional level.
3) To be able to get information about the institutional agents and generally about the sector operating in the field of new media, journalism and communication, and to be able to critically evaluate them.
4) To be able to comprehend the reactions of the readers, the listeners, the audiences and the users to the changing roles of media environments, and to be able to provide and circulate an original contents for them and to predict future trends.
5) To be able to apprehend the basic theories, the concepts and the thoughts related to neighbouring fields of new media and journalism in a critical manner.
6) To be able to grasp global and technological changes in the field of communication, and the relations due to with their effects on the local agents.
7) To be able to develop skills on gathering necessary data by using scientific methods, analyzing and circulating them in order to produce content.
8) To be able to develop acquired knowledge, skills and competence upon social aims by being legally and ethically responsible for a lifetime, and to be able to use them in order to provide social benefit.
9) To be able to operate collaborative projects with national/international colleagues in the field of new media, journalism and communication.
10) To be able to improve skills on creating works in various formats and which are qualified to be published on the prestigious national and international channels.