Lesson 1Editing and rhythm: continuity editing, montage, cross-cutting, jump cuts, tempo and pacingThis section looks at editing as the way time and space are organised, covering continuity editing, montage, cross-cutting, jump cuts, and how tempo, pacing, and shot duration shape narrative clarity, tension, and how viewers stay hooked.
Continuity editing and invisible styleMontage theory and associative editingCross-cutting, parallel action, suspenseJump cuts, ellipsis, and temporal gapsPacing, shot length, and viewer attentionLesson 2Narrative structure and temporality: linear vs non-linear, flashbacks, ellipses, story vs plotThis section explores narrative structure and film time, distinguishing story from plot, linear and non-linear forms, and tools like flashbacks, ellipses, and voiceover that mix up time and shape what the audience knows.
Story vs plot and narrative discourseClassical three-act and alternative formsNonlinear narration and flashbacksEllipses, gaps, and viewer inferenceVoiceover, focalization, and reliabilityLesson 3Music and scoring: leitmotif, diegetic music, emotional cueing, spottingThis section dives into film music and scoring, including leitmotifs, music from within the story and outside, spotting techniques, and how harmony, rhythm, and instruments stir emotions, build scenes, and guide what viewers take away.
Leitmotif and thematic developmentDiegetic, nondiegetic, and source scoringSpotting sessions and cue placementMusical style, genre, and audience expectationLesson 4Mise-en-scène elements: set design, costume, props, performance blockingThis section examines mise-en-scène as everything in front of the camera, like sets, costumes, props, and actor movements. It shows how these build the world, characters, themes, and mood across different genres and eras.
Set design, architecture, and worldbuildingCostume, makeup, and character codingProps, symbols, and narrative motifsBlocking, proximity, and power dynamicsLesson 5Camera movement and lenses: dolly, tracking, handheld, POV, focal length effects on meaningThis section breaks down camera movements and lenses, like dolly, tracking, handheld, and point-of-view shots, plus focal length and depth of field, to reveal how they shape viewpoint, size, and emotional connection.
Dolly, tracking, and Steadicam movementHandheld style, instability, and realismPOV shots and subjective alignmentFocal length, distortion, and scaleDepth of field and selective focus cuesLesson 6Sound design basics: diegetic vs nondiegetic, room tone, ambient soundThis section covers basic sound design, separating sounds from inside the story from those outside, room tone and background noise, and how sound viewpoint, quality, and silence set the mood, feel real, and highlight the story.
Diegetic vs nondiegetic sound functionsRoom tone, ambience, and continuitySound perspective and spatial realismSilence, minimalism, and negative spaceLesson 7Performance analysis: acting styles, star persona, casting choices and subtextThis section focuses on analysing performances, looking at acting styles, star images, casting decisions, and hidden meanings. It explores gestures, voice, movements, and how acting works with shots, cuts, and genre rules.
Classical, method, and stylized actingGesture, facial expression, and micro-behaviorStar persona, typecasting, and imageCasting, chemistry, and narrative stakesLesson 8Lighting and color theory in film: high/low key, color palettes, symbolism, practicalsThis section looks into lighting and colour in films, from bright and dark setups, natural light sources, colour schemes, and how shades, brightness, and contrast build mood, depth, and themes.
Three-point lighting and key stylesHigh-key, low-key, and contrast ratiosMotivated light, practicals, and realismColor palettes, harmony, and dissonanceColor symbolism, genre, and character arcsLesson 9Shot composition and framing: rule of thirds, aspect ratios, deep focus, staging in depthThis section analyses shot setup and framing, including rule of thirds, screen shapes, everything-in-focus shots, and layered staging. It shows how balance, size, and angle direct eyes and build character bonds.
Rule of thirds and visual balanceAspect ratios and field of viewDeep focus, shallow focus, and meaningStaging in depth and blocking layersFraming, offscreen space, and point of view
