Art Appreciation: The Visual Heritage of Film

In this course, we will explore those visual arts influences from the overt use of art as source materials and homages to art and artists to the more subtle impact of cultural conventions, symbolisms, and styles.

We will learn more about the key elements and specialists that shape the visual aspects and style of films: cinematography, mise-en-scene and set design.

We will also consider how art is used to provide a sense of a film’s setting in space and time, and the interplay between film and the arts.

This course is for those interested in film and students of art (history) keen to learn more about the moving image. It open to those new to film studies as well as those who already have experience. During our sessions, we will look at selected clips from a range of films and discuss them. We will also look at examples of paintings and other art works. Background on the historic, social and cultural context, on the directors, films, artists and artistic styles/schools will be provided as will resources on further viewing and reading for each session.

It isn’t a prerequisite to watch all of the films in their entirety for this course.