For many, American film is synonymous with the Hollywood studio production system that operated between the 1920s and the 1960s: the art and business of financing, creating, and marketing films that whether they were star vehicles, genre definers, or auteur statements shared a distinctive look and style that are still recognized and copied by a global cinematic community today. Successful films today may take years and massive budgets to make or can be recorded on a smartphone, edited on a laptop, and produced for under $100,000; still, every new film owes something to those early studio years in American film. This course introduces students to the analysis and history of American film in the age of the studio system and will compare and contrast a group of films from the studio system years with contemporary films that reflect the shift from film stock to digital production and streaming platforms. Students will screen and analyze twelve films, complete a small group research project, and read several screen plays. Quizzes, an exam, and weekly writing assignments will reinforce students’ familiarity with the language and techniques used to analyze film. Netflix, Amazon Prime, or other streaming service required.
Prerequisites
Semester Offered
Spring