Courtesy of Vihaan Bhaduri

Gupta watching a movie during History and Film.

Every Red Day, seniors Vihaan Bhaduri and Ishir Gupta look forward to watching thought-provoking films like “Get Out” and  “The Proposal” in History and Film. 

For them, the class, an elective open to juniors and seniors, is a stress-free period — one where they can earn their visual performance credits, learn about filmmaking techniques and enjoy their last year of high school.

Taught by social studies teacher Margarita Morelle, History in Film is a 2 section multi-unit class where students learn about various movie-making techniques and related concepts through the prism of film. The class has been offered to students for well over 20 years. 

The lessons include topics on different camera angles and the effects they have on the audience, as well as how filmmakers coordinate their colors to achieve a specific mood.

Afterward watching films, students connect what they learn in the movies to real-life events. 

“I want students to become active viewers of all media, not just film,” Morelle said.

In addition, students learn about film through themes and genres: They started the year studying films involving combat, went on to ones featuring women in film and are currently examining romantic comedy. 

Gupta said, “It makes me actually think harder of the movies I watch, even outside of class.”

After taking notes on the two or three movies in each unit, the class then analyzes the techniques used and discusses their effects. Specifically, the class focuses on composition techniques, like the rule of thirds, leading lines and framing, which Gupta feels enhances his experience when watching movies outside of school.

Bhaduri said he also enjoys the movie-watching approach to learning as it deepens his knowledge through direct application. However, for Bhaduri, the class is most enjoyable because of its laid-back atmosphere.

“It’s a great place to step back, enjoy school and calm yourself down,” Bhaduri said. “It’s also a place to catch up on school work since it’s low stress.”

The class has a relatively stress-free curriculum, with no homework, one small project per semester and open-note tests. During class, many students, including Bhaduri, are able to balance learning while also completing their homework for other classes. Because of this, both Bhaduri and Ishir feel it’s the perfect class to complete students’ too often overpacked academic schedules.

“It’s a great, low-effort class to take and get your VPA,” Bhaduri said. “Through everything you learn about film and its techniques, you won’t ever watch a movie the same way.”