Arch
443/646: Architecture and Film
Fall
2008: Course Home Page
"...it's a very very mad world..."
Wednesdays 10:00 to 2:00, Cambridge, Main
Floor Lecture Hall ARC 1001
Please note: With the exception
of the first class/film, the class will begin at 10 a.m. with discussion/responses
to the previous week's film. The film listed for the week will start
around 11 a.m. "Visitors" will always be welcome to the
class.
Course Description:
This course explores the relationship between Architecture and the development
of early and modern films. Students will look at the source and portrayal
of architectural expression in film: precedents for imagery, its relationship
to the development of early modern architecture, and its vision of the
urban future.
it's a very very mad world...
This year's theme will begin to combine ideas of the relationship of
the use of architectural and urban elements in film with respect
to dystopia and the uncanny. How this is architecturally evidenced in the various films will reveal itself as the term progresses. The films have been loosely ordered in sequence so that a series of relationships can be developed between them. It is therefore important that you attend and see all of the films - whether or not you have seen them before. You will be responding to a specific pre-assigned question each week. Some of the questions will tie two or more films together.
We will be using FinalCutPro to make our films. The films will be required to manipulate their environments to attempt to modify the direct use of architectural environments in the films to reflect the theme of the term. How the effects are achieved is completely up to you.
The undergraduate and graduate work will also require the creation of a website using Dreamweaver. Masters student will prepare more "advanced" text intensive research related websites. Tutorials in both of these softwares will be provided. The website will create distinct topics related to the theme of "faking it". A reflective piece will be published in a similar mode to the "Zero Gravity Environments" (2005), "Dystopia" (2006) and "How Uncanny" (2007).
Students wishing to explore some of these ideas using iMovie, are recommended to look at some additional plug-ins that are available at http://www.imovieplugins.com/ that enable rotation of movies and adjustment of image height (when it goes sideways...). This is not meant as an endorsement of the product. It just works and the plug-ins are relatively inexpensive.... invert clip, angle clip
Pedagogic
Objectives:
The course is
intended to develop a critical perspective of the use of architecture in
film. Students will learn to examine both the medium of film and the form
and style of architecture as they relates to the development of both film
media and culture. Students will engage in research to understand the choices
and expression of architecture used in film, as well as the relationship
between the idea of the future city and its relationship to both built
and natural environments.
Completion
Requirements:
The course
will be run in a seminar format. Each week we will view a film,
discuss its relevance to architecture, culture, environments, and
the perception of all three. The discussions will take
place in a “for credit” mode. Attendance is mandatory.
Two missed classes will constitute failure of the course.
IMPORTANT: IF YOU MISS SEEING A FILM
Many of these films are not in Musagetes. If you miss seeing a film in class, please arrange to see it. I am not lending out my personal copies.
last updated Sunday, November 16, 2008 8:33 AM
September
10
September 10 
CANCELLED! THIS IS OPEN DOORS CAMBRIDGE AND WE WOULD BE CONSTANTLY INTERRUPTED. THIS WILL BE RESCHEDULED. TBA.
Nov 5
