A film study course written for the Dade County, Fla. public schools is described which covers techniques of motion pictures and their historical development. Techniques include the "language of pictures" (distance shots, angle shots, color, lighting, arrangement), the "language of motion" (camera movement, subject movement), and the "language of sound" (dialogue, narration, music, silence). Also included are an introduction to the optical and mechanical principles of motion picture operation. In discussing the techniques and history of the film, short film documentaries, and feature films are viewed and analyzed. This course description includes performance objectives and strategies for attaining them, a rationale for the course, and a list of resources, including books and films (sources of the films are indicated). No student level is specified. (JK)