Be transported back to afternoons of sweeping emotions, lush Technicolor and heart wrenching narratives of the 40’s and 50’s in this short course in Film Studies.

Course tutor Darren Elliott (University of Hertfordshire) will guide students through textual analysis of significant titles such as Imitation of Life, Leave her to Heaven, Bigger than Life and The Reckless Moment and the work of renowned directors like Douglas Sirk, Max Ophüls, King Vidor and Francois Ozon.

Focusing specifically on the melodrama, the star system, recurring conventions and aesthetics alongside post modern contemporary incarnations (Ali: Fear Eats the Soul, Far From Heaven) the courses clip-led discussion will take place in a relaxed and sociable format where students are not required to have any previous film studies knowledge.

Cost: 6 weeks £50 (£45 concessions)
Suitable for: 15+
Venue: Campus West Theatre & Cinema
For further information: 01707 28 5949 or email: filmconsortium@herts.ac.uk

18th October for 9 weeks 6.30pm – 8.30pm
(except 25 October)

This special 9 week course in Indie cinema will consider underground, experimental and crossover international cinema. Focusing on the low budget, the controversial and the ‘low-fi’ aesthetic of independent film, case studies of significant directors, textual analysis, production histories – the independent film will be shown to reject traditional film language. Via clip-led discussion, students will connect with challenging and alternative visual styles and storytelling techniques.

Titles may include: Trash, The White Ribbon, Before Sunrise, Vagabond, Hustler White, Little Miss Sunshine and directors range from Gregg Araki, Richard Kelly, Paul Thomas Anderson, Agnes Varda, Paul Morrissey, Bruce LaBruce, Takashi Miike and Michael Haneke.

Led by: Darren Elliott-Smith (University of Hertfordshire)
Cost: £90 (£65 concessions)
Suitable for: 15+ students of Film, Media Studies & Music
Course includes: Study guide and DVD screening materials
Venue: de Havilland Campus, University of Hertfordshire
Telephone: 01707 285949
Email: filmconsortium@herts.ac.uk

This new spin off short course follows on from the popular Understanding Film Studies courses, and focuses specifically on the history and pleasures of international horror and gothic cinema. Led by horror film academic Darren Elliott (Royal Holloway), the couse will highlight specific directors (Wes Craven, Dario Argento, George A. Romero, Terence Fisher and Sam Raimi), genre defining titles (such as Night of the Living Dead, The Innocents, Suspiria, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre) and hair-raising film making techniques. This informal short course requires no previous Film Studies experiences, and includes comprehensive course booklet and free feature length screening.

Led by: Darren Elliott (Royal Holloway)
Course Fee: £35
Runs: 5 weeks from 24th February (6.30pm – 8.30pm).
Venue: Room R110, de Havilland campus
20 places
To book your place call 01707 28 5949 or email: filmconsortium@herts.ac.uk

Join us over two consecutive Saturdays to study the groundbreaking genre of the forties and fifties, Film Noir. This spin off weekend course will focus on such films as Kiss Me Deadly, The Big Sleep and Double Indemnity, considering its Expressionist roots, its distinctive lighting and its imposing and seductive recurring character types. This relaxed and discursive study class will include a comprehensive study pack and free invitation to UH Arts’ Film Fatales: Film Noir Evening (26th March). No previous Film Studies experience necessary.

Led by: Darren Elliott (University of Herts), Danny Graydon (Empire Magazine)
Fee: £30
Course runs: Saturday 27th March and Saturday 3rd April, 11am – 4pm
Venue: Room R110, de Havilland campus, University of Hertfordshire
25 places
To book your place call 01707 28 5949 or email: filmconsortium@herts.ac.uk

Why not develop your love and appreciation of film by joining with others on our informal introductory course in film studies? This 10 week course takes a sociable, relaxed and informal format with plenty of clips over weekly modules in director case studies, genre, film language and style. With no previous Film/Media Studies experience necessary, Understanding Film courses have all previously sold out proving extremely popular at various venues across Hertfordshire.

Course tutor Darren Elliott (with visiting lecturers) will approach wide and varied topics including: Textual Analysis, European and US Film Movements, Genre Studies, Psychoanalysis and Film, Auteur Theory, Avant-Garde and Experimental Film. The course will include films such as THE BICYCLE THIEVES, VERTIGO, STELLA DALLAS, DON’T LOOK NOW, MESHES OF THE AFTERNOON and directors ranging from DAVID LYNCH, ALFRED HITCHCOCK, PAUL MORRISSEY, DARIO ARGENTO, DANNY BOYLE and JANE CAMPION and many more.

Enrol now and join like-minded individuals to build upon your knowledge of Cinema and the moving image via flexible study in a laid back yet challenging environment. The course also includes a comprehensive study pack, reference materials and 2 free feature screenings at the University of Hertfordshire’s The Weston Auditorium and Campus West Theatre (designated by tutor)

Takes place: weekly at Campus West Theatre, Acorn Suite, Tuesdays from April 24th (TBC).
Led by: Darren Elliott (Film Education Coordinator)
Course fee: £70 (£50 concs)
Booking and information: 01707 28 5949 or email: filmconsortium@herts.ac.uk