Film/Media Studies: Screen Storytelling In Reservoir Dogs With Gerry McCulloch From Goldsmiths, University of London

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Opening Definitions:

Story: A narrative consisting of incidents that play out in a cause-effect sequence.

Storytelling: Identifiable principles that maximise audience engagement as a story unfolds.

This class is relevant for students who are considering a career in filmmaking practice. During the class, we examine Screen Storytelling techniques in a scene from Reservoir Dogs that are designed to induce maximum audience immersion. We investigate the means through which the filmmakers opted to position their audience in the perspective of the protagonist. Students gain insight into the skills and techniques that expand fictional story worlds using screen language.

We look at how the dynamics of cinema logic differ from the logic of written stories. For example, the imperative when generating audience engagement in a film context, whether dialogue is present or not, is the interplay of primary screen elements such as: staging, sound, images, cuts and so forth. We uncover how the filmmakers externalize internal character dynamics using the interplay of filmic elements – what Alexander MacKendrick refers to as the Pre-Verbal (and consequently cross-cultural) Language of Cinema.

Lecturer Profile (Please Click): Gerry McCulloch is MA Cinematography & BA Screen Fiction Convener, MCCS Dept, Goldsmiths, University of London.

Our events are designed so that a group of students can take part from a classroom or students and teachers can take part as individuals, either from school or from home. This means that sessions will continue irrespective of possible school closures.

As a live, participative event, this session will not be recorded but slides and other resources will be shared after the event, where available.

Suitable for: Year 12 & 13 students (and equivalent) studying, or with a possible interest in studying, Film/Media Studies and related disciplines. This is particularly relevant, also, for students considering a career in filmmaking practice.

Preparation/Pre-Reading: Students will be asked to watch a clip of the film in advance. They may also wish to consider the topic in advance and to think about questions they have about studying Film/Media Studies at university level.

The IT Setup: The event will be run on Bluejeans (similar to Zoom) and participants will be able to join using laptops, tablets, and mobile devices. If you are joining as a school group, we recommend connecting with one device and projecting on to a whiteboard. You will be able to interact with the university via a microphone and/or typed comments and questions. Full details will be sent to those who have registered (see below) prior to the event.

Booking a Place: This is free for schools and colleges. If you would like to take part in this event, please register your interest using the link to the registration form below:

Register here