Film Fundamentals / Visual Storytelling will relay visual storytelling paradigms via film scenes, as well as introduce students to the basics of ‘story central’ critical film theory and the ‘language’ of film. What comprises a film scene? What are angles, colour theory, beats, bookends, hooks, throwbacks, catalysts, actor ‘candy’, inciting incidents, setups/payoffs, opening images, montages, reversals and reveals? How do they work together to make a screenplay and film? We will examine the macro/micro so the student can learn how the tiny parts comprise (and can be manipulated to make better) the whole, while learning common sense cinematic investigation. Knowing how to craft a well-constructed scene–and the bridgework to link it to what comes before/after — is the foundation of visual storytelling. Using film clips to showcase these concepts, students will view, critique and deconstruct movie scenes in assorted styles/genres to reveal how these filmmaking elements work in conjunction to make memorable film scenes and great films. The idea is to approach a film with an audience-first perspective and remember its inherent purpose is to entertain, engage, and — on occasion–enlighten.