assignments
1) film journal + commentaries (10% + (2 x 10%) = 30%): over the course of the term, students will be asked to keep a journal of informal notes and produce two, more formal written commentaries related to the films seen in the classroom. the film journals should include point-form notes taken in response to each film screened and from the class discussion following. consideration should be given to formal and thematic aspects of the films. students should develop their notes into more carefully structured statements soon after each film is screened, while the film and discussion are still fresh in mind. the more formal commentaries should place emphasis on personal points-of view in relation to the topics covered, not on points covered in the discussion that took place in class. the commentaries should be approximately 250 words and are due on the following dates september 23/24 + october 21/22.
2) scene analysis (25%) students are asked to write a short scene analysis (1000-1250 words, 4 – 5 typed, double-spaced + paginated pages) analyzing a scene/sequence from one of the films we’ve screened in class. the analysis should focus on the relationship of scene to film and be concerned with how the stylistic approach adopted by the filmmaker serves to advance the story’s themes. hence, the paper should be more concerned with the filmic elements (visual and audio) rather the literary aspects of the film (script or dialogue). the scene analysis is due november 11/12.
before beginning, decide which film you want to discuss. it should be a film you felt particularly moved by or interested in. ask yourself what the film is about and how/why the filmmaker has approached the subject the way s/he has. what are the film’s primary themes? how are these themes served by the stylistic approach the filmmaker has taken? next, decide which scenes are key to the film? how do these scenes contribute to the film’s overall sensibility? what images stick out in these scenes as significant? what do they contribute to your understanding of the film’s subject matter?
at the writing stage, begin with a brief introduction to the film from which the scene is drawn that sets up the scene you plan to analyze. sum up the film’s story in a concise way and briefly describe the general themes and the principle stylistic approach taken. introduce the scene to be discussed by situating it in relation to the rest of the film. is it an introductory or closing scene/sequence? does it occur at a critical juncture in the film’s action? does it sum up the film’s message in a significant way? this introduction should be followed by a brief description that explains what is happening in the scene. pick out an image or a sequence of images within the scene that you find significant and discuss them? what do these scenes reveal about the subject depicted in the film? how do these scenes convey meaning? continue your analysis by discussing how the scene you’ve described contributes to our understanding of the film. sum up your essay re-stating your ‘thesis’ and your main points of discussion in another way.
3) film series (20% + 5% statement + 5% research notes= 30%): at mid-term you will be divided into groups, in preparation for a series of class-room presentations scheduled to take place in the last three weeks of the term. each group will be asked to create a hypothetical film series and present an illustrated overview of this series to the rest of the class. together you will decide on a theme for the series as well as a list of the films to be screened and the content and organization of each individual contribution. each of the members of the group is responsible for conducting research on one of the films in the series and presenting this information, along with 5 minutes of clips from the film during the final presentation. the illustrations must be decided well in advance of the presentation date as the materials will have to be ordered/acquired, and the appropriate equipment secured. additionally, each student must hand in a typed summary of the points made in their presentations, written in sentence form, at the beginning of class on the day the presentation and attach their research notes. the presentations are scheduled for the two weeks of class–november 26/27 + december 02/02.
