Introduction+to+Film

Back to IB Film

Can you name the four films in the images above? Email me to know the answers: anthony.reich@dulwich-shanghai.cn

As you begin your study of Film you will need to know certain things. For example: And so on...
 * What are film genres?
 * What is the difference between a Tilt and a Pan?
 * How does using a 50mm lens differ from using a 16mm?
 * Which websites can I use to find useful information on Film?
 * I want to watch some decent films - where should I start?

In order to address this, I have placed various documents here for you to use and, of course, to study. I hope you find them useful - and if you find anything missing, just let me know.

You might also want to follow me on Tumblr. I am not on there everyday, but I do make periodic posts when I find interesting articles, films or tidbits from the world of film. I hope you find it useful: []

This is just about the most useful document you will ever see. Basically, this is your film language Bible. Study it and make it part of your everyday life! Oh... and it has pictures...
 * Language of film... **

Oh my gosh! Another SERIOUSLY useful document for you all. Wow. No, need to thank me (thank the guy that made it and that I borrowed it from)

This link Photography Vocab is also very useful to help you understand photography vocab which you will need to be comfortable using during this course. Enjoy.

Check out this list of genres with some recommendations for films to watch in each category.
 * Film Genres... **

[]
 * Shot Types... **

To begin to understand filmmaking and how it works, try making a **pinhole camera**. Find out here:

How do I go about watching films? What should I look out for?
 * Introduction to Studying Films... **

Things Michael Radford (director of 1984/Merchant of Venice etc) has learnt as a Moviemaker...
 * Tips for Moviemaking... **

And why not watch this YouTube video explaining so many of the shots, cuts, transitions and techniques that you need to be familiar with... media type="youtube" key="d1japIhKU9I?version=3" height="360" width="640"

There are just soooo many films out there, from different genres, to different countries, to different directors and different decades. The plethora of options can be overwhelming and yet perhaps (I hope) you don't just want to watch the latest Hollywood blockbusters... So where should you start?
 * What to watch?! **

1. Check out IMDb's Top 250 [|www.imdb.com/chart/top] and open an account at [|www.framerater.co.uk] and keep a tally of the films you have seen and those yet to be checked off your list... This is a great - and fun - way to keep actually log and check that you are watching both popular and classic films.

2. Frank Darapont's Top Films of All Time (and you should listen to him, he directed //The Shawshank Redemption//...)

3. Mr Reich's Best Films of the Noughties... (you should listen to him too... err...)

** Useful Websites and Film Magazines... ** Also make sure you check out the __ World of Film __ link...

Boxoffice Box office results, top ten, movie reviews. []

Bright Lights One of the best film magazines online that examines classic, commercial, and independent films from a wide range of vantage points from the aesthetic to the political. []

Cineaste Selected articles from the magazine on the art and politics of the cinema. []

Close Up Online UK film magazine. Find reviews, features and interviews for new cinema and dvd releases, articles on independent, low-budget and regional filmmaking, more. []

eFilmCritic.com Australian movie magazine offering film reviews by visitors to the site. []

Empire Features news, reviews, top movies, upcoming releases, box office results (UK), forum, and more. []

Errata Presents collection of essays, reviews, commentary, and discussion about cinema. []

Eye For Film UK site with movie reviews, news, critique and festival coverage. []

Film Comment Quality magazine providing articles on films old and new, foreign and domestic, narrative and documentary. []

Film Journal Movie reviews, news, and interviews for Hollywood, indie, and foreign films. [] Film Threat Covers cult films, underground shorts, alternative films and independent features. []

Filmink Magazine Provides film news and gossip, movie reviews, video and DVD releases, Australian and international film industry information. []

Filmmaker Magazine Presents an insider's perspective on the world of independent filmmaking, including: interviews, case studies, financing and distribution information, festival reports, technical and production updates, and more. []

Films in Review Online version of the oldest film magazine in the US. Find reviews, interviews and feature articles. [|www.filmsinreview.com/]

Future Movies British movie review guide features profiles of new movies, cinema releases and latest DVD reviews. []

Guardian Unlimited Film Film news and reviews from the Guardian and Observer newspapers. []

Hollywood Reporter Newspaper providing movie reviews, box office info, entertainment and celebrity news, more. []

iF Magazine US magazine on indie filmmaking. []

Images Journal Quality reviews and analytical articles on old and recent movies, and popular culture. []

Inside Film Provides news and information on the world's film festivals. []

Kamera Intelligent UK magazine that mainly concentrates on arthouse and independent films. []

MovieJuice Hollywood's movie satire site. []

movieScope Magazine explores the various aspects of filmmaking from the perspective of the filmmakers themselves. []

MovieMaker Guide to independent film and filmmaking from around the world. []

Premiere Features Hollywood movie news, reviews and previews, celebrity interviews and inside stories. []

Preview International magazine packed with information on the latest big screen movies. []

Rotten Tomatoes Reviews and previews of Hollywood movies and videos from the nation's critics. []

Screen India Online edition of the bollywood weekly magazine offering Indian movie news and interviews with stars. []

Screendaily Daily film industry news from around the globe, reviews from the world's leading festivals and box office comment from every major territory. []

Senses of Cinema Online film journal devoted to the serious and eclectic discussion of cinema. []

Sight and Sound Well-known magazine from the British Film Institute. Features top ten movies, the best film music, in-depth interviews, retrospective articles and news. []

Strictly Film School Online journal offering a collection of short essays featuring the respective filmmaker's notable films. []

Uncut Popular UK music and film magazine. Features hundreds of music and movie reviews, interviews and news. []

Cinevistara Blog Interesting and erudite film blog.

[]