(in Polish) Podstawy pracy z kamerą WR/R/PPzK-Z

The course is devoted to the study of film language and to developing the ability to use it consciously in the process of translating text into images. The course is lecture-based and is structured analogously to learning a foreign language – through the gradual introduction of the elements of film language, the principles of its “grammar,” the analysis of examples, and exercises in their application.
The starting point is a source text – literary, journalistic, documentary, or original – which is analysed during the course and adapted into screenplay form. The screenplay is then translated into a shot list/storyboard, understood as a record of visual and narrative decisions made through the use of film language. The course prepares students to consciously use the shot, the scene, and the sequence as the basic units of meaning in film.
Course topics / content
- film language as a system of signs – film as a form of visual communication,
- the shot as the basic unit of film language,
- the relationship between shot, scene, and sequence,
- thinking in shots: the image as a carrier of meaning,
- point of view, perspective, and the relationship between viewer and character,
- the role of editing in constructing meaning and narrative,
- story structure and visual decisions,
- the source text: analysis and interpretation,
- the process of adapting a source text into screenplay form,
- the screenplay as an intermediate stage between text and image,
- the shot list/storyboard as a tool for translating a screenplay into film language,
- analysis of film examples in terms of their use of film language,
- exercises in translating text into visual solutions,
- discussion and revision of prepared shot lists/storyboards,
- course summary – film language as a creative tool.
The order and number of topics may be modified depending on the dynamics of the group.
Teaching forms and methods
- problem-based lectures,
- analysis of film excerpts,
- exercises in translating text into images,
- work with examples of screenplays and shot lists/storyboards,
- discussion and feedback on students’ work.

Term 2025/26-Z:

None

Term 2026/27-Z:

The course is devoted to the practical study of film language and to developing the ability to use it consciously in the process of translating text into images. It combines workshop-based and lecture-based teaching and is structured analogously to learning a foreign language: through the gradual introduction of the elements of film language, the principles of its “grammar,” and practical exercises in their application.
The starting point is a source text (literary, journalistic, documentary, or original), which is analysed during the course and adapted into screenplay form. The screenplay is then translated into a shot list/storyboard, understood as a record of visual and narrative decisions made through the use of film language. The course prepares students to use the shot, the scene, and the sequence consciously as the basic units of meaning in film.
Course topics / content
Film language as a system of signs – film as a form of visual communication
The shot as the basic unit of film language
The relationship between shot, scene, and sequence
Thinking in shots: the image as a carrier of meaning
Point of view, perspective, and the relationship between viewer and character
The role of editing in constructing meaning and narrative
Story structure and visual decisions
The source text: analysis and interpretation of source material
The process of adapting a source text into screenplay form
The screenplay as an intermediate stage between text and image
The shot list/storyboard as a tool for translating a screenplay into film language
Analysis of film examples with regard to the use of film language
Exercises in translating text into visual solutions
Discussion and feedback on prepared shot lists/storyboards
Course summary – film language as a creative tool
(The order and number of topics may be modified depending on the dynamics of the group.)
Teaching forms and methods
problem-based lectures,
analysis of film excerpts,
practical exercises in translating text into images,
work with examples of screenplays and shot lists/storyboards,
discussion and feedback on students’ work.

Course coordinators

Katarzyna Rosłaniec

Learning outcomes

understanding the principles of film language,
ability to analyse a source text in terms of its visual potential,
ability to transform a source text into a screenplay,
ability to prepare a shot list/storyboard as a record of visual decisions,
ability to consciously use the shot, scene, sequence and editing as elements of film language,
ability to communicate and justify one’s visual decisions in collaborative work.

Bibliography

Film materials presented during classes.
Excerpts from screenplays and shot lists/storyboards discussed during classes.
Texts and teaching materials indicated by the instructor during the course.

Term 2025/26-Z:

None

Term 2026/27-Z:

Recommended reading:
How to Build a Great Screenplay by David Howard
The Tools of Screenwriting by David Howard
Save the Cat! by Blake Snyder
The Art of the Film Director by Tom Kingdom

Notes

Term 2025/26-Z:

None

Term 2026/27-Z:

The assessment is based on the student’s command of the fundamentals of film language and their ability to consciously translate text into images. Particular attention is paid to the clarity and relevance of decisions concerning the staging of a scene, the choice of shots and shot sizes, camera point of view, camera movement, space, rhythm and editing, as well as the ability to justify one’s own directing choices.
The basis for passing the course is the independent preparation of a shot list/storyboard that constitutes a cinematic translation of the source text. It is assessed in terms of clarity, coherence, consistency in the use of film language, and the ability to convey meaning, emotion and the development of the scene through images. Preparation for classes, active participation and consistency of work are also taken into account.