film-and-media-studies
Hocbigg - Film and Media Studies
Path to a free self-taught education in Film and Media Studies!
Contents
Summary
This roadmap provides a structured, self-paced curriculum equivalent to a 4-year undergraduate degree in Film and Media Studies, condensed into 1–2 years of study at approximately 20 hours per week.
Organization
The program is divided into four phases: Introduction, Core, Advanced, and Capstone.
- Total Estimated Workload: 1,000–2,000 hours, depending on pace and depth. Allocate ~20 hours/week across subjects in active phases, including reading, analysis, exercises, and projects.
- Progression Logic: Subjects build sequentially with clear prerequisites to ensure foundational skills are mastered before advancing. Theory is balanced with practice (e.g., analysis and creation), and synthesis occurs through milestones and the capstone.
- Milestones: Defined at phase transitions to assess readiness. These include self-evaluations, such as writing reflective essays or completing small projects.
- Specialization Tracks: Choose one track to specialize in and complete all the courses listed under it: (1) Production and Filmmaking (hands-on creation), (2) Theory and Criticism (analytical depth), (3) Media and Society (cultural and social impacts), or (4) Digital and New Media (emerging technologies). Tracks include 3–4 elective subjects each, allowing customization while maintaining breadth.
Note: When there are courses or books that don’t fit into the curriculum but are otherwise of high quality, they belong in extras/courses, extras/readings or extras/other_curricula.
Process. Students can work through the curriculum alone or in groups, in order or out of order.
- We recommend doing all courses in Core, only skipping a course when you are certain that you’ve already learned the material previously.
- For simplicity, we recommend working through courses (especially Core) in order from top to bottom. Some students choose to study multiple courses at a time in order to vary the material they are working on in a day/week.
- The courses in the Advanced section are electives. Choose one track to specialize in and complete all the courses listed under it.
Communities
- Forums:
- Subreddits:
- Discord servers: Movies & Filmmaking
- Other: Rough Cuts Filmmakers (Slack)
- You can also interact through GitHub issues. If there is a problem with a course, or a change needs to be made to the curriculum, this is the place to start the conversation. Read more here.
Curriculum
Introduction
This phase orients learners to the field, building basic literacy and historical context. Equivalent to the first semester of a traditional program. Complete in 12–16 weeks at 15–20 hours/week.
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Film and Media | To develop foundational understanding of film and media as art forms, industries, and cultural artifacts, enabling critical engagement with everyday media consumption. | Film Art: An Introduction by David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson | The Film Experience (MIT OpenCourseWare lecture series on YouTube) |
| Media Literacy and Critical Viewing | To cultivate skills for discerning media messages, biases, and influences, fostering informed citizenship in a media-saturated world. | Media Literacy by W. James Potter | How to View and Appreciate Great Movies (The Great Courses via Class Central) |
Milestone: After completing this phase, demonstrate basic proficiency through a short analytical essay on a selected film or media piece, identifying key elements and biases.
Core
This phase covers the breadth of the field, equivalent to the second and third years of a traditional program. Focus on building analytical, historical, and practical skills. Complete in 24–32 weeks (split into two sub-phases if needed) at 20 hours/week, with subjects studied sequentially or in parallel where prerequisites allow.
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
| History of Cinema and Media | To contextualize modern media within historical developments, understanding how technological and cultural shifts shape content and form. | A History of Narrative Film by David A. Cook | Scandinavian Film and Television (Coursera by University of Copenhagen) |
| Film and Media Theory | To provide conceptual frameworks for interpreting media texts, enhancing depth in analysis beyond surface-level viewing. | Film Theory: An Introduction by Robert Stam | Film Studies Lectures (YouTube playlist with university lectures by Thomas Elsaesser and Slavoj Žižek) |
| Narrative and Storytelling in Media | To explore how stories are constructed across media, bridging theory and practice for creative and analytical purposes. | Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee | Transmedia Storytelling: Narrative worlds, emerging technologies, and global audiences (Coursera by UNSW Sydney) |
| Visual and Audio Analysis | To develop technical skills for dissecting media elements, enabling precise critique and informed production decisions. | Film Art: An Introduction by David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson | Every Frame a Painting (YouTube lecture series on film analysis) |
| Cultural Studies in Media | To examine media’s role in society, promoting awareness of power dynamics and cultural exchanges. | Cultural Studies: Theory and Practice by Chris Barker | Film and Cultural Studies (Udemy course) |
| Introduction to Media Production | To gain hands-on experience in creating media, balancing theoretical knowledge with practical application. | Producing and Directing the Short Film and Video by Peter W. Rea and David K. Irving | Explore Filmmaking: from Script to Screen (FutureLearn by National Film and Television School) |
Milestone: After this phase, compile a portfolio of analyses (e.g., essays on historical films, breakdowns of media narratives) and a short media project, reflecting core competencies in theory, history, and practice.
Advanced
This phase allows specialization, equivalent to the final year of a traditional program. Select one track and complete its subjects, plus any cross-track electives for breadth. Complete in 12–16 weeks at 20 hours/week, focusing on deeper inquiry and synthesis.
Choose one specialization track:
- Production and Filmmaking Track: For those interested in creative output, emphasizing hands-on skills and industry practices.
- Theory and Criticism Track: For analytical minds, focusing on scholarly interpretation and critique.
- Media and Society Track: For exploring sociocultural impacts, ideal for interdisciplinary applications.
- Digital and New Media Track: For forward-looking studies on emerging technologies and platforms.
Production and Filmmaking Track
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Film Production | To refine creative skills for professional-level output, integrating theory into practice. | Directing: Film Techniques and Aesthetics by Michael Rabiger and Mick Hurbis-Cherrier | The Art of Filmmaking: Composition and Moving Image (Coursera) |
| Screenwriting and Development | To master the art of crafting compelling scripts, essential for storytelling in visual media. | Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting by Syd Field | Write A Feature Length Screenplay For Film Or Television (Coursera by Michigan State University) |
| Documentary and Non-Fiction Media | To explore truth-telling in media, balancing ethics, research, and creativity. | Directing the Documentary by Michael Rabiger and Mick Hurbis-Cherrier | Documentary Storytelling (FutureLearn by National Film and Television School) |
Theory and Criticism Track
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Film Criticism and Review | To develop articulate critique, contributing to public discourse on media. | Better Living Through Criticism: How to Think About Art, Pleasure, Beauty, and Truth by A. O. Scott | Film & Media Studies (YouTube channel with video essays and lectures) |
| Genre Studies and Auteur Theory | To deepen understanding of stylistic patterns and individual creators, enhancing interpretive skills. | Genre and Hollywood by Steve Neale | Film Genre: How to Identify and Subvert It (The Great Courses via Class Central) |
| Semiotics and Media Interpretation | To apply symbolic analysis for uncovering hidden meanings, advancing theoretical sophistication. | Mythologies by Roland Barthes | Introduction to Film Analysis (YouTube fall lecture series by Indiana University Bloomington) |
Media and Society Track
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Media Ethics and Policy | To navigate moral and regulatory issues, preparing for responsible engagement in media landscapes. | Media Ethics: Issues and Cases by Philip Patterson, Lee Wilkins, and Chad Painter | Media ethics & governance (Coursera by University of Amsterdam) |
| Global Media and Transnational Flows | To understand media in a connected world, addressing cultural imperialism and diversity. | Global Entertainment and Media Industries by David Hesmondhalgh | Films and Theatre (My Mooc category with global film courses) |
| Media Audiences and Effects | To investigate how media influences behavior and society, grounding in empirical approaches. | Audience Analysis by Denis McQuail | Media Audiences and Effects (Udemy course) |
Digital and New Media Track
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Media Technologies | To explore innovations shaping future media, blending technical and cultural perspectives. | Understanding Digital Culture by Vincent Miller | Digital Media (edX learn series) |
| Interactive and Transmedia Storytelling | To design engaging multi-platform narratives, adapting to digital convergence. | Transmedia Storytelling: Building Worlds For Creative Properties by Max Giovagnoli | Transmedia Storytelling (FutureLearn by University of Westminster) |
| Data and Analytics in Media | To leverage metrics for content creation and distribution, understanding big data’s role. | Media Analytics: Concepts and Applications by Matthew Ganis | Powerful Tools for Teaching and Learning: Digital Storytelling (Coursera by University of Houston, includes analytics elements) |
Capstone
This final phase synthesizes all prior learning through an independent project. Complete in 8–12 weeks at 15–20 hours/week, allowing time for iteration and reflection. Successful completion of the capstone project, including a final presentation or defense (self-recorded or written), marks program graduation. This ensures a holistic synthesis of theory, practice, and specialization.
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capstone Project in Film and Media Studies | To apply accumulated knowledge in a real-world context, demonstrating mastery and preparing for professional or further academic pursuits. | The Filmmaker’s Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide for the Digital Age by Steven Ascher and Edward Pincus | Documentary Filmmaking Masterclass (Udemy project-based course) |
Congratulations
After completing the requirements of the curriculum above, you will have completed the equivalent of a full bachelor’s degree in Film and Media Studies. Congratulations!