Syllabus

FILM 203/380 METACINEMA                                       Film, Video, Animation & New Genres

SUMMER 2015 – 6 WEEKS                                                                                            Ben Balcom

6/22 – 8/1/15                                                                                                  brbalcom@uwm.edu

           

Course Description

Metacinema is a style of filmmaking in which the film is either presented as a story about its own production or in some other way acknowledges the fact that it is a film. The term itself is related to the term “metafiction,” a term coined in 1970, which extends back through literary history to such books as Don Quixote & Tristram Shandy. Similarly, one can find examples of metacinema dating back to the very earliest moments in cinema history. This course will offer a brief survey of examples of metacinema, “films about film,” and other modes of medium reflexivity. The goal will be to understand the various ways in which metacinema, both as a genre and a set of aesthetic strategies, may be deployed as a method of social criticism, media analysis and philosophical reflection.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will:

·      Develop interpretive, analytical, and critical thinking.

·      Develop oral and written expression.

·      Pursue independent inquiry.

·      Expand their knowledge of Film as cultural practice, phenomenon, and mode of expression.

·      Consider Film within wider social, political, psychological or historical contexts.

·      Identify and discuss key facts related to the Film movements, origins and development, important figures and primary critical works.

Assignments

·      Each week students will be responsible for written response to the work screened and the readings assigned for that week  (500 word minimum). These writings should primarily stress the technical aspects of the film: how is metacinema achieved, what kinds of aesthetic choices make this film what it is, and to what thematic end? Analysis the relationship between form & content. Secondarily, one should attempt to discern subtle connections between the various media provided.

·      Each student is required to participate in our weekly meetings (via Google Hangouts).

·      For a final project, students may choose between a written analysis of 2 or more films (at least 1 must be from the class) or a short film/video piece (3-5 minutes minimum) that in some way engages with ideas & strategies addressed in the course.

Final Project

·      Project proposal/outline due Sunday 7/12 (emailed to brbalcom@uwm.edu)

Grading

The grading for this class is simple. An A will be predicated on attending each virtual meeting and completion of all assignments on time. If you are late on any assignments or miss any of the meetings you will automatically be docked to a B. If you do not complete any of the assignments and miss more than one of our virtual meetings you will receive a C. If you are at risk of getting a grade lower than that I will contact you.

Schedule

Week 1: 6/22 – 6/28

What is metacinema? Reflexivity, the 4^th wall, basics…

-       selections from Singin’ in the Rain, The Man With a Movie Camera, Mel Brooks, Wes Craven’s New Nightmare…

-       Buster Keaton, Sherlock Jr.

-       Michael Powell, Peeping Tom

Week 2: 6/29 – 7/5

Reflexive mediums, reflexive fantasies…

-       Belvaux, Bonzel & Poelvoorde, Man Bites Dog

-       Ant Farm & TR Uthco, The Eternal Frame

-       Black Mirror, Season 2 Episode 2, “White Bear”

-       To read: Laura Mulvey, “Visual Pleasure & Narrative Cinema” & selections from Guy Debord’s Society of the Spectacle (pp. 1-34)

Week 3

7/6 – 7/12

Meta-investigations, cinema, culture & metaphysics…

-       William Greaves, Symbiopsychotaxiplasm

-       Vilgot Sjoman, I am Curious

-       To read: selections from Jean Baudrillard, Simulation & Simulacra

Week 4

7/13 – 7/19

What is happening while the movie is happening? Meta-melodramas…

-       David Hall, TV Pieces

-       Olivier Assayas, Irma Vep

-       Leos Carax, Holy Motors

-       To read: chapter 3 of The Society of the Spectacle & Vito Acconci, “Television, Furniture, Sculpture”

Week 5

7/20 – 7/26

Metacinema & Metaphysics: Thinking about thinking, looking at looking…

-       TBD

-       To read: “Can We See Philosophy?” & Martin Hediegger, “What is Metaphysics?”

Week 6

7/27 – 8/1

-       Wim Wenders, The State of Things

-       Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Beware of a Holy Whore

…OR Jean-Luc Godard, Contempt