Syllabus

Film and Video Arts Department Facts:
• The Film and Video Arts department will begin with approximately 25 students in a multi-age classroom setting - freshman through senior during its first year.
• Students will be evaluated according to grade level appropriate standards.

Film History:
• During the first semester, all students will study the history and development of film during the last hundred years.
• Students will explore how technical developments gave rise to stylistic changes in the medium up to and including modern film.
• Key films will be analyzed, discussed and written about.

Visual Literacy and Cinematic Styles:
• Students will study the language of film and analyze how cinematic elements are used to create effect including: dramatic storytelling, experimental filmmaking, documentary filmmaking, news and commercials.
• The filmmaker’s toolkit (visual images, movement, color, composition, sound, music, words) will be considered and analyzed in relationship to specific films.

Filmmaking Lab:
• The filmmaker’s tools will be utilized in project-based learning which will include some of the following: dramatic storytelling, experimental filmmaking, documentary filmmaking, news and commercials.
• Students will be responsible for developing and planning their projects (including budgeting and scheduling), all aspects of production and complete post-production.
• Crossover opportunities exist in incorporating MSA creative writing, dramatic arts, dance and music into student projects.
• An emphasis will be placed on film and video as a communications tool. To that end, school and community outreach will be required and encouraged both within the curriculum and in extra curricular opportunities.

Extra Curricular Opportunities
• NPAT
• School News
• Film Festivals
• MSA program documentation and promotion

State Visual and Performing Arts Content Standards for California Public Schools

Auxiliary Activities:
School News
Sports Reviews
MSA- Documenting the start of the school
Cross Curricular Activities

After-School Offerings:
NPAT
Grant-writing
Internships
Film Festival

Marin School of the Arts at Novato High School, 625 Arthur Street, Novato, California 94947 (415) 892-7915 fax: (415) 898-2418

MSA is a Non-Profit Tax Exempt 501(c)3 corporation: Tax ID No: 51-0490730