Film Analysis

Paper Assignment Instructions

You Choose Which Film Paper Assignment

For the following assignment you have the choice of which movie to use.  It can be one we’ve seen in class or it can be one you’ve seen outside of class.

• First: Pick a movie you have seen at least once but more would be beneficial. You may want to watch it again, keeping in mind what we’ve learned in class. Please include the Title, Stars, Date it was released, and a short description of the plot.

• Second: Discuss which genre your movie falls into and what led you to that conclusion.

• Third: Using a critical eye, pick two or three pivotal scenes from the film and explain in detail why the director chose to shoot it the way it was shot. If it’s an action movie, explain, in detail, why certain shots and lighting are better for that genre.  If its a romantic/love story movie, explain why the director used the techniques that were used.  By now you should have a good understanding of film techniques, language and processes.   Answers like “the character development was nice.” is insufficient.  Explain how the characters were developed, or “the director used several close-ups” should be followed by what the director hoped to achieve by using close-ups.

• What we’re looking for in this paper is an understanding of filmmaking and the various techniques that are used to solicit specific reactions from the audience.

• Paper content/parameters – For this paper, YOU decide how long it needs to be. If 3 pages is enough to validate your points, great.  I’m looking for knowledge, not a certain number of words.  But my expectations are higher than on the first paper, so the grading will be more stringent.   Mechanically your paper should be double-spaced, in Times New Roman font and size 12 (<<< like this). Please have your name, Film Appreciation I O02C, and the date in the upper left-hand corner of your paper. Please save your paper as a MS Word document (since you all have this using your Microsoft Office 365 account).

• Be sure and watch the movie you choose before you begin working on your paper.
• You should cite any books or electronic sources you found and used. Be sure to cite the sources you used at the end of your paper in APA format.