NJCU Media Arts Department, Understanding Movies: The Art of Film, taught by Filmmaker, Joseph A. Eulo, of First Frame Films.

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MEDI120-6 UNDERSTANDING MOVIES: THE ART OF FILM
LECTURE 2747 | TUE 8:30AM–11:10AM| FRIES, RM. 146 | SPRING 2018 1/16 - 5/15
Instructor: Joseph A. Eulo
josepheulo@firstframefilms.net jeulo@njcu.edu
Mobile/SMS: 646.755.0003 www.josephaeulo.com
Office: Fries Hall (201) 200-3494
Office Hours: Tuesdays, after class by appointment.
“A film is difficult to explain because it is easy to understand.”
- Christian Metz
OVERVIEW
The “Art of Film” lays the foundation for understanding the practical techniques, specialized
language, and unique aesthetics of motion pictures. This course explores the expressive
range of cinematic language and the ways in which complex emotions and ideas are
communicated to the viewer.
How do movies speak to us? How do we understand their meaning? In class screening
combined with weekly reading assignments and video tutorials help students acquire a
general familiarity with the range of cinematic expression and become better prepared to
form surer and sounder judgments about their own film experiences and to write about
those judgments with greater clarity and skill.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS (Available in the Frank Guarini Bookstore)
§ Richard Barsam and Dave Monahan, Looking At Movies, 5th
Edition, September 2015
(with Ebook and Student Website Access Registration) W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.
ISBN: 978-0-393-26519-4.
§ Jeffrey Geiger & R. L. Rutsky, Writing About Movies, 4th
Edition, September 2015
W. W. Norton & Company, Inc, ISBN: 978-0-393-26523-1 This book is available in the
Frank Guarini Bookstore
REQUIREMENTS
CLASS PARTICIPATION
You are required to attend class and participate in class work. This will include active
participation online in weekly discussion posted in blackboard and in class discussions.
If you miss a class, YOU are responsible for keeping up with assignments. This means you are
to see the film you missed, read the assignments, and prepare post/submit all written
materials.

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You are to consult the Syllabus, check in daily on blackboard, and get class notes from a
fellow student.
BLACKBOARD (http://blackboard.njcu.edu/)
Blackboard is mandatory. Weekly reading assignments, Video tutorials other materieal will
be posted on a weekly basis. All written assignments are to be submitted via Blackboard.
READING ASSIGNMENTS (before each class)
All assigned readings will be posted on Blackboard and must be completed before each class
period. You are to prepare one questions you would like to discuss each week in class.
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (before each class)
You will make at least two entries a week in blackboard. Each entry will be 300-700 words in
length. You are required to Print out a hard copy and bring to class.
1) Response #1: Respond to Weekly Topic.
Answer the “question(s)” posted in Weekly Topic Discussion forum on Blackboard.
2) Response #2:
Write a response to each film shown in class, then answer the question, “What did I
like best about this film?” Explain by giving at least three examples from the film. Post
in the Weekly Film Discussion forum on Blackboard.
3) Comment on a classmate’s post in Blackboard (counts towards participation)
The writings should thoughtful, and demonstrate an understanding of the topics,
terms and issues presented in the readings and in class.
DUE every Monday by 11:59PM on Blackboard.
FILM ANALYSIS PAPERS
Students will outline, draft, and write two typed 5 to 7-page film analyses papers focusing on the
previous week’s topics using The Modern Language Association (MLA) style.
1) PAPER #1: The first film analysis paper should focus on;
mise-en-scene, camera movement and cinematography. Due on 2/12 by 11:59PM
via Blackboard. https://blackboard.njcu.edu/
2) PAPER #2: The second Film Analysis should focus on; editing, sound, formalism and
realism. Due on 3/19 by 11:59PM via Blackboard. https://blackboard.njcu.edu/
The films are to be chosen from the recommended list (Please note: You may not do any
films we view in class). Late papers will lose ½ letter grade for each week late, starting on its
initial due date.
TEST/MIDTERM/FINAL EXAM
Test and Exams will be given to test your knowledge of assigned readings, handouts and video
tutorials/exercises. 20 to 50 Multiple choice questions. Test are given on 2/13, 2/27, 4/13.
Midterm Exam is given on 3/20. Final Exam is on 5/15 No extensions or makeups will be given.

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FINAL GRADE
Attendance/Participation 20%
Test #1, Test #2 25%
Film Analysis Papers, Responses 25%
Midterm, Final Exam 30%
Note: 3 or more absences may decrease your grade by one full grade, 4 or more, failure.
Mandatory for all credit and certificate students.
WEEK BY WEEK SCHEDULE
WEEK 1 | Jan 16th, 2018 | Course Introductions,
Discussion: Syllabus Review, Blackboard, Q&A, Expectations. What is Cinema?
Screening: Juno (Jason Reitman, 2007) Drama/Romance, 96mins
Complete before Next Class:
c Sign into the class in Blackboard http://blackboard.njcu.edu
c Read: (LAM) Chapter 1, & (WAM) Chapter 1, and 2
c Watch: Assigned Video Tutorials “Film Analysis, Part I, II, and III
c Respond: to Question posted in weekly discussion forum on Blackboard.
WEEK 2 | Jan 23th, 2018 | Chapter 1: Looking at Movies
Screening: Full Metal Jacket (Stanley Kubrick, 1987), Drama/Black Comedy, 116mins
Complete before Next Class:
c Sign into the class in Blackboard http://blackboard.njcu.edu
c Read: (LAM) Chapter 2 and (WAM) Chapter 3 and 4
c Watch: Video Tutorial “Form and Content”
c Respond: to Question posted in weekly discussion forum on Blackboard.
WEEK 3 | Jan 30, 2018 | Chapter 2: Principles of Film Form
Screening: Dallas Buyers Club (Jean-Marc Vallée, 2013), Bio/Drama, 117mins
Complete before Next Class:
c Sign into the class in Blackboard http://blackboard.njcu.edu
c Read: (LAM) Chapter 3 and (WAM) Chapter 5 and 6.
c Watch: Video Tutorial “Genre: The Western”
c Respond: to Question posted in weekly discussion forum on Blackboard.

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WEEK 4 | Feb 6, 2018 | Chapter 3: Types of Movies TEST#1
Screening: Citizen Kane (Orson Welles, 1941), Drama, 119mins
Complete before Next Class:
c Sign into the class in Blackboard http://blackboard.njcu.edu
c Read: (LAM) Chapter 4 and (WAM) Chapter 7 and 8.
c Watch: Video Tutorials “Narrators, Narration, and Narrative”, “Diegetic and
Nondiegetic Elements” ,“Suspense and Surprise”
c Respond: to Question posted in weekly discussion forum on Blackboard.
WEEK 5 | Feb 13, 2018 | Chapter 4: Elements of Narrative
Screening: Raising Arizona (Joel and Ethan Coen, 1987), Comedy/Crime, 94min.
Complete before Next Class:
c Sign into the class in Blackboard http://blackboard.njcu.edu
c Read: (LAM) Chapter 5 and (WAM) Chapter 9 and 10.
c Watch: Video Tutorials “Setting and Expressionism” +3 more in BB
c Respond: to Question posted in weekly discussion forum on Blackboard.
WEEK 6 | Feb 20, 2018 | Chapter 5: Mise-en-Scène - PAPER #1 DUE
Screening: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (John Hughes, 1986) Drama/Teen Film, 103mins
Complete before Next Class:
c Sign into the class in Blackboard http://blackboard.njcu.edu
c Read: (LAM) Chapter 6
c Watch: Video Tutorials Listed in Blackboard
c Respond: to Question posted in weekly discussion forum on Blackboard.
WEEK 7 | Feb 27, 2018 | Chapter 6: Cinematography
Screening: Days of Heaven (Terrence Malick, 1978), Drama/Romance, 95mins
Complete before Next Class:
c Sign into the class in Blackboard http://blackboard.njcu.edu
c Read: (LAM) Chapter 7
c Watch: Video Tutorials Listed in Blackboard
c Respond: to Question posted in weekly discussion forum on Blackboard.
àààà WEEK 8 | Mar 6, 2018 | SPRING BREAK NO CLASS ßßßß

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WEEK 9 | Mar 13, 2018 | Chapter 7: Acting
Screening: War of the Worlds (Stephen Spielberg, 2005), Sci-Fi/Disaster, 118mins.
Complete before Next Class:
c Sign into the class in Blackboard http://blackboard.njcu.edu
c Read: (LAM) Chapter 8
c Watch: Video Tutorials Listed in Blackboard
c Respond: to Question posted in weekly discussion forum on Blackboard.
WEEK 10 | Mar 20, 2018 | Chapter 8: Editing - MID TERM EXAM
Midterm Exam:
Screening: Up (Pete Docter, Bob Peterson, 2009) Fantasy/Comedy, 96mins
Complete before Next Class:
c Sign into the class in Blackboard http://blackboard.njcu.edu
c Read: (LAM) Chapter 9
c Watch: Video Tutorials Listed in Blackboard
c Respond: to Question posted in weekly discussion forum on Blackboard.
WEEK 11 | Mar 27, 2018 | Chapter 9: Sound
Screening: Casablanca (Michael Curtiz, 1942), Drama/Romance, 120mins
Complete before Next Class:
c Sign into the class in Blackboard http://blackboard.njcu.edu
c Read: (LAM) Chapter 10
c Watch: Video Tutorials Listed in Blackboard
c Respond: to Question posted in weekly discussion forum on Blackboard.
WEEK 12 | Apr 6, 2018 | Chapter 10: Film History
Screening: The Birds (Alfred Hitchcock, 1963), Drama/Thriller, 120mins.
Complete before Next Class:
c Sign into the class in Blackboard http://blackboard.njcu.edu
c Read: (LAM) Chapter 11
c Watch: Video Tutorials Listed in Blackboard
c Respond: to Question posted in weekly discussion forum on Blackboard.

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WEEK 13 | Apr 13, 2018 | Chapter 11: How the Movies are Made
Screening: In the Mood for Love (Wong Kar Wai, 2000), Drama/Romance, 98min
Complete before Next Class:
c Sign into the class in Blackboard http://blackboard.njcu.edu
c Respond: to Question posted in weekly discussion forum on Blackboard.
WEEK 14 | Apr 20, 2018 | TEST #2 - DRAFT OF PAPER #2 - DUE
TEST #2 Review
Screening: Apocalypse Now (Francis Ford Coppola, 1979), Drama/Adventure, 153mins.
Complete before Next Class:
c Sign into the class in Blackboard http://blackboard.njcu.edu
c Read: Complete Weekly Reading Assignments.
c Respond: to Question posted in weekly discussion forum on Blackboard.
WEEK 15 | May 1, 2018 | FINAL CLASS
Course Review
Screening: Fight Club (David Fincher, 1999), Drama/Dark Comedy, 151min.
Complete before Next Class:
c Sign into the class in Blackboard http://blackboard.njcu.edu
c Read: Complete Weekly Reading Assignments.
c Respond: to Question posted in weekly discussion forum on Blackboard
WEEK 16 | May 15, 2018 | FINAL EXAM – PAPER #2 DUE
Final Exam.
c Turn in 10 Film Reviews for Extra Credit. (optional)