This lecture will explore two well known classics of Hollywood cinema - The General and Casablanca - with a close focus on screenwriting and editing. We will consider how these elements relate to the overall style of each film including other aspects of film form such as cinematography, music, mise-en-scene and performance. The aim is to deepen our appreciation and understanding using close analysis of extracts. The analysis of each text will be related to debates in film history about the nature and development of classical Hollywood cinema. This is a lecture for anyone who enjoys cinema and would like to study, or look again. at these iconic films, with attention to the effects achieved through screenwriting and editing.
Course aim
This lecture will present an exploration of two classic Hollywood films - The General and Casablanca - with a focus on screenwriting and editing.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- recognise key techniques used in the editing of each film.
- recognise key techniques used in the writing of each film.
- relate the editing and screenwriting of each film to other elements of film form.
- relate the style of editing and screenwriting to specific contexts, historical and industrial.
What else do I need to know?
The presentation will involve a series of extracts with suggestions of points to look out for.
View full course information sheet
Screenwriting and Editing in Two Films from Classical Hollywood
