Slovenia Osnovna šola Curriculum - Film Studies (Elective)

This elective course introduces students to the basics of film as an art form, a mass medium, and a technical product. It emphasizes film experience, understanding fundamental film principles, and fostering creativity. The curriculum aims to influence students' social, ethical, and creative development, encouraging them to explore universal themes and accept diverse perspectives. The course recognizes film's significance in contemporary society, where audiovisual content plays an increasingly important role. It covers various aspects of film, including its artistic value, its place in audiovisual culture, its role in communication, and its connection to new technologies. The primary focus is on educating viewers to experience and understand film critically and creatively.

The curriculum is designed modularly, comprising three modules:

1. What is Film? (35 hours)

• Film Viewing and Discussion (15 hours): Students watch films and engage in discussions to deepen their understanding and interpretation.
• Film, Filmmaking, and Film Genres (13 hours): Students learn about basic film types (fiction, documentary, animated, experimental) and forms (short, medium, feature-length). They explore elements of film genres, their rules, and notable examples. They also learn about film narrative, audiovisual techniques, basic film technology (potentially through visits to local cinemas or film museums), the filmmaking process, key film professions, basic expressive elements of film (acting, set design, costumes, makeup, lighting, music), film distribution, and copyright issues. Additionally, they explore animated films, different animation techniques, and the role of sound in animation, possibly through discussions with animators.
• Creating: Animated Film (7 hours): Students create and edit short animated films using mobile phones, cameras, and school computers. They present their films, evaluate them, and compare their work.

2. Film Genres (35 hours)

• Film Viewing and Discussion (15 hours): Students watch Slovenian and international films, followed by discussions and interpretations.
• Film Genres and Historical Development (10 hours): Students explore filmmaking and prominent filmmakers (Slovenian and international), potentially through discussions with film critics or journalists. They learn about film narrative structure, including dramatic structure and suspense. They analyze themes, ideas, stories, and messages in films. They also study basic film expressive elements (shot, sequence, shot type, camera angles, camera movement, protagonist movement, perspective, lighting, lenses, optical devices, special effects, editing, sound), dominant genres in different periods, and current trends. Finally, they learn about the elements of fiction film production and the stages of the filmmaking process.
• Creating: Short Fiction Film (10 hours): Students plan and shoot a short fiction film using available equipment. They present their films and evaluate them.

3. Film and Society (32 hours in 9th grade)

• Film Viewing and Discussion (15 hours): Students watch films and engage in discussions to deepen their understanding and interpretation.
• Film and Society (10 hours): Students analyze their reflections and learn about different ways of receiving film: experiencing, understanding, interpreting, and evaluating. They explore expressing their thoughts about film in written or oral form. They connect film to other subjects within the curriculum. They examine how social issues are addressed in fiction and documentary films. They learn about the social aspects of filmmaking and analyze how film addresses social problems (class, race, gender, religion, culture, age, etc.). They also learn about documentary film basics, different documentary approaches, and potentially engage in discussions with documentary filmmakers. Finally, they explore the key differences between fiction and documentary films.
• Creating: Short Documentary Film (10 hours): Students plan and shoot a short documentary film using available equipment. They present their films, evaluate them, and justify their viewpoints based on content, formal elements, and social responsibility.

Standards of Knowledge: Upon completion of the three modules, students are expected to:

• Explain what film and audiovisual activity are.
• Identify different film types and provide examples.
• Identify different film genres and their characteristics, providing examples.
• Identify basic film expressive elements and understand their function.
• Explain and demonstrate basic filmmaking processes.
• Participate in creating a film as a form of teamwork.
• Present and defend a created film with collaborators.
• Demonstrate attentiveness, interpretation, and independent expression of feelings and insights while watching films.
• Explain the relationship between film and society, and how film addresses social issues.
• Demonstrate acceptance of diverse opinions.
• Develop an active attitude towards film and an interest in various film types.
• Develop a positive attitude towards film culture as an important aspect of general knowledge.