Photonarration
| Code | Completion | Credits | Range | Language Instruction | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 311PHN | credit | 1 | 10 hours (45 min) of instruction per semester, 18 to 23 hours of self-study | English | winter and summer |
Subject guarantor
Jitka HEJTMANOVÁ
Name of lecturer(s)
Jitka HEJTMANOVÁ
Department
The subject provides FAMU International
Contents
The exercise was developed in order to provide condensed basic knowledge of the visual component in storytelling.
The topic of the exercise does not have to be linear narration, documentary and visual essay stories are also welcome. We do not resemble films storyboards - we try to built an dramatic arc of the story through a narrative based exclusively on photography without any textual assistance.
(Students are asked to pay attention even to unknowingly captured graphic symbols that can shift the meaning of the image.)
Students - non-photographers are led to perceive the image in its complexity, to read image plans and to attempt to faithfully transfer their imagination to two-dimensional representation. Explaining words are not accepted, there is nothing like “we see THIS at the photo“. Photograph is the message itself.
In the frame of (maximum) sixteen photographs selected, students tell the story in 3 steps.
-1. they learn the assignment and start working on it
-2. they present the pictures on computer screen to the teacher and their colleagues - fellow students.
“Do we read or do not read the story in the pictures?”
-3. The result of phase 3 never corresponds with the intention of phase 2.
Over the printed images, students learn that Montage is as creative part of creation as inventing the story and shooting it. Often, the beginning becomes the end of the picture series and we may end up with only 12 pictures on the table.
The learning outcome is on the one hand the awareness of the limits of the image without text and on the other hand the power of the meaningful image.
This exercise focuses on learning process and doesn't emphasize the final output. Our aim is to learn through mistakes and avoid repeating them.
Learning outcomes
Developing storytelling skills. It does not matter if we write or draw, speak or take photographs – to tell a story successfully we simply have to follow certain rules.
Prerequisites and other requirements
A digital camera would be great. A cell phone is sufficient, too.
Literature
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Evaluation methods and criteria
The exact date and time of photographs delivery will be discussed with students during the 1st meeting.
100% attendance and good performance is required.
Note
a) it is important to attend the intro session to learn the nature of the assignment
b) reminder of the key aspects of the exercise: landscape pics only, aspect ratio kept in all images, 2 - 4 MB of size each photograph, be careful with the graphic signs/design within the frame - they can be misleading, maximum 20 delivered pictures (the final selection can be even less than 16).
In addition to the introductory session, there will be two more sessions of 3-4 hours each. The dates and times of these meetings will be announced shortly.
NOTE:
WE WILL MEET EITHER ON TUESDAY, OCT 22 OR TUESDAY, OCT 29.
PLEASE BOOK THE SLOT IN ONE OF THE RESPECTED DATES, THE SHEET LINK WAS SENT VIA E-MAIL.
Schedule for winter semester 2025/2026:
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06:00–08:0008:00–10:0010:00–12:0012:00–14:0014:00–16:0016:00–18:0018:00–20:0020:00–22:0022:00–24:00
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| Date | Day | Time | Tutor | Location | Notes | No. of paralel |
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| Tue | 10:40–15:00 | Jitka HEJTMANOVÁ | Tuesday October 21, Jitka´s office, FI 4th floor (Only for group 1) | lecture parallel1 | ||
| Thu | 09:00–09:45 | Jitka HEJTMANOVÁ | intro class October 2, Jitka´s office, FI 4th floor | lecture parallel1 | ||
| Thu | 09:00–13:05 | Jitka HEJTMANOVÁ | Thursday October 23, Jitka´s office, FI 4th floor (Only for group 2) | lecture parallel1 |
Schedule for summer semester 2025/2026:
The schedule has not yet been prepared
The subject is a part of the following study plans
- Academy Preparation Program - Animated Film (Elective subjects)
- Academy Preparation Program - Cinematography (Elective subjects)
- Academy Preparation Program - Directing (Elective subjects)
- Academy Preparation Program - Documentary (Elective subjects)
- Academy Preparation Program - Editing (Elective subjects)
- Academy Preparation Program - Photography (Elective subjects)
- Academy Preparation Program - Screenwriting (Elective subjects)
- Academy Preparation Program - Sound (Elective subjects)
- Production Team Studies (Elective subjects)