Before attempting this assignment take a look at the comments on the Black & White assignment and the feedback in the general discussion forum. Write the assignment in your word processor and save it as a Rich Text Format file. There is a link to a video that shows how to convert your file in the Black & White assignment drop box.
Identify the film chosen in the subject line of the drop box.
This is the culmination of the class. This assignment is worth the most points and is an opportunity to apply terminology from all of the other seminars.
In the first paragraph identify the film chosen and present a brief subjective statement regarding that film.
Identify at least two outside resources to support the discussion of the paper.
In the second paragraph Identify the screenwriter. Determine if it is adaptation or original screenplay. If it is an adaptation, then include the source as well. Was the screenplay good? Discuss why it was or was not effective. Next identify both the protagonist and antagonist giving rationale for the choices made. Choose to apply either the foil or confidant as relate to the protagonist. Identify an example of foreshadowing. Identify the dramatic question and how it is answered in the denouement. (underline all terms) help
In the third paragraph begin with a general comment regarding the mise en scene that references this film specifically. Choose three significant scenes and apply a different mise en scene term (underline each term) that exists and that support the significance within each scene selected.
In the fourth paragraph begin with a general comment regarding the music that references this film specifically. Include the name of the composer. Choose three significant scenes and apply a different music function (underline each function) that exists and that support the significance within each scene selected.
In the fifth paragraph begin with a general comment regarding the editing that references this film specifically. Include the name of the editor(s). Choose three significant sequences and apply a different editing term (underline each term) that exists and that support the significance within each sequence selected.
In the sixth paragraph begin with a general comment regarding the cinematography that references this film specifically. Include the name of the cinematographer(s). Choose three significant scenes and apply a different cinematography term (underline each term) that exists and that support the significance within each scene selected.
In the last paragraph present a two sentence conclusion that reflects the substance of the paper.
Opening – Like any good paper begin this with an opening statement that sets up the content of the rest of the paper. Include a subjective statement as to what you thought of the film. Although this is an opinion based statement it needs to be substantive and reflected in the rest of the paper. So if there are reasons why you did not like the film, then the rest of the paper should support that discussion. Do not use terminology in this paragraph. Using terminology will make the statement invalid.
Help – What makes the character the protagonist. How does the antagonist create the most conflict with the protagonist. Review foil or confidant (seminar two) before completing that part. In the discussion of foreshadowing two scenes need to be identified – the scene that foreshadows what will happen later and the scene that reveals what was earlier foreshadowed. The dramatic question should be one that reflects the entire point of the film. If it can be answered prior to the denouement, then look for a better question.
Resources – The outside resources can come from books, journals, the internet, commentary within a DVD, etcetera, and can be used in any part of the film to add support to the discussion. One way to use them is to support the opening statement and/or closing statement. Other ways include quotes that support the mise en scene, cinematography, editing, music, or continuity.
Mise en scene opening – Set up the discussion of the mise en scene with a statement as to how effective it is within the film. This should be two sentences: one to discuss its effectiveness, the other to discuss how it was within this specific film over all. Include something about the film that makes that direct connection.
Mise en scene application – Choose scenes that are significant within the film, ones that use some aspect of the mise en scene* in an obvious way to support the significance of that scene. *set/location, costumes, properties, make-up, lighting
Music opening – Set up the discussion of the music with a statement as to how effective it is within the film. This should be two sentences: one to discuss its effectiveness, the other to discuss how it was within this specific film over all. Include something about the film that makes that direct connection.
Music application – Choose scenes that are significant within the film, ones that use one of the music functions* in an obvious way to support the significance of that scene. *mood, time, place, transition, social reference, building tension, conditioned response (from the viewer), pacing, traveling music, character’s state of mind, foreshadowing, supporting dialogue (in what way?), creating continuity
Editing opening – Set up the discussion of the editing with a statement as to how effective it is within the film. This should be two sentences: one to discuss its effectiveness, the other to discuss how it was within this specific film over all. Include something about the film that makes that direct connection.
Editing application – Choose sequences that are significant within the film, ones that use some aspect of editing* in an obvious way to support the significance of each sequence. *there was an exhaustive list of terms in the editing modules
Cinematography opening – Set up the discussion of the cinematography with a statement as to how effective it is within the film. This should be two sentences: one to discuss its effectiveness, the other to discuss how it was within this specific film over all. Include something about the film that makes that direct connection.
Cinematography application – Choose scenes that are significant within the film, ones that use some aspect of cinematography* in an obvious way to support the significance of each scene. *there was an exhaustive list of terms in the cinematography modules
*Class is a intro to film. We covered topics at bottom of rubric in general terms. Don’t want too advanced use of terms that are beyond a first/second semester film class.