Does the film have a political or social intent,how does it communicate that intent?

National Film Board Film

Instructions: Choose a short documentary or animated film or experimental film from the following series. Try to choose one where you can raise substantive questions about the evolution of documentary form or film form in general. These are suggestions of the most prominent films and the ones that may have something written about them.

You are free to choose ones not on the list.

You are expected to do additional research which might include some of the essays listed in the Recommended Reading section of your course outline. Use, at minimum,three different sources, employing proper citations (ie Chicago or MLA style listing the author and date in the body of the essay). (Mitchell, 2004, p.4 ) and then include the full citation in your complete bibliography.

The aim is to write a critical essay, one that successfully integrates a theoretical or conceptual question with detailed analysis of the formal and thematic properties of the film. Your theoretical or conceptual question should derive from your careful reading of select secondary sources.

For example: In Projecting Canada, Zoe Druick argues that many NFB films might be read in relation to the concept of ‘governmentality’ as each, in many different ways, embodied a mission that would train, discipline and educate the Canadian citizen so as to fulfill various governmental objectives. XXX perfectly embodies Druick’s assertion because or XXX might be seen as a strong exception to Druick’s assertion because

Another conceptual frame might include the debates around Challenge for Change where some writers (Marchessault and MacKenzie) argue that the avowed rationale for the series handing over the means of representation to the people—was never as fully realized as the myths around the series would have us believe.

Rationale for Choosing the Film: Why did you choose this film,what appeals to you about this particular film or set of films?

Production Context: Begin with a discussion of the production context, what period, what studio, any information you can garner on the director. How is this film significant in the evolution of war or post war Studio practices at the NFB ? How is the film’s approach influenced by the historic concerns of its time of production (war versus post war). How does the film fulfill (or subvert) the Griersonian mandate of ‘interpreting Canada to Canadians?’

Formal Treatment and Style: Describe the overall structure, story, and formal approach of the film. Elements you might consider here are the use (or not) of voice over narration, talking head interviews, synch sound versus narration, colour versus black and white, poetic versus propaganda, impressionistic versus rhetorical.

Does the film have a political or social intent,how does it communicate that intent?

How does the formal treatment repeat or depart from the propaganda films of the 1940s?

Close Sequence Analysis: Conduct a close sequence analysis that supports your

argument. Choose one or two sequences and provide a close reading of these, linking your reading to the film’s intent and overall formal and aesthetic approaches.

Evolving Mandate: How does the film fit into the evolving mandate of the NFB?

How does it differ from other films produced at the NFB, eg. the war propaganda films.

How did the actual production differ from the script?

Death of a Salesman

For this assignment,you will the script and the film Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman,available at most bookstores and on videotape. You will write a three-page paper about the overall plot,the characters,the scenery and costumes,etc.

How did the actual production differ from the script?

Compare and Contrast the two major characters in this movie describing their different personality traits.

Compare and Contrast the two major characters in this movie describing their different personality traits

Compare and Contrast the two major characters in this movie describing their different personality traits (Bill Murray as Bob Wiley and Richard Dreyfuss as Dr. Marvin). Look at Dr. Marvin’s professionalism or lack there of and any ethical and confidentiality issues and responsibilities observed in the movie.

Include in your paper the different theories and theoretical perspectives learned and observed throughout the movie and apply them in your psychological analysis. Also include some therapeutic techniques observed throughout the movie. (include academic support) to increase clarity to your paper.

Do you see any stereotypes about class or certain members of a class in these movies

Social class

Choose at least two American films that depict more than one class. One film should have been produced prior to 1960.

One film should have been produced from 1980 to the present. They can be from any genre. Answer the following questions.

What do you consider your own class standing to be and why?

Do you see class representation in the movies you watched in ways that match accurately your own experience of class? Explain your answer.

Do you see any stereotypes about class or certain members of a class in these movies

Demonstrate understanding of a relationship between a media genre and society.

This paper is abstract and different.

Need to analyse the post 9/11 era and the zombie genre in films.

Our question is “ Demonstrate understanding of a relationship between a media genre and society”

Detailed instructions are in this PowerPoint (link) and attachment

detailed instructions link
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1eqFHYm32Kc-9Y1iUMycqXFuUAmmtBKV_3cgRSGodcvg/edit?usp=sharing

Discuss some of the reasons why the director may have used particular elements of the mise-en-scene and cinematography.

Write a specific analysis of four scenes from films that we have seen in class. (Two scenes from two films for example, two scenes from
Volver and two scenes from Bend it Like Beckham.)
Other movies:
Do the Right Thing
Shadow of a Doub
Chungking Expres
Mildred Pierc
Buster Keaton “The general”
Mustang Turkey, 2015
Maudie
CRAZY

Your scene descriptions should be detailed and talk about all aspects of both the mise-en-scene and the cinematography.

Discuss some of the reasons why the director may have used particular elements of the mise-en-scene and cinematography. These reasons might include, e.g.: establishing the genre, tell the stories, set a mood, or reveal the characters.

Your scene descriptions might also describe relevant motifs and themes. Consider also discussing the use of sound.

As an option, you may discuss how the two films are similar or different, in terms of themes, visual style, characters, etc.

In each case make sure that you refer to the relevant handouts and use the proper film terms

(Don’t forget to consult the “Glossary,” under “Resources’ in SLATE).

Do not use any other sources from books, articles, or online.

Do not Google the films. Essays that include material from the web will receive zero (0).

This is not a group exercise. Essays which include sentences used in other student’s essays will receive zero (0)

Submit your essay by Aug. 4th

Late essays will not be considered.

Note these four points in writing any film essay:

1. Film titles must be in italics.

2. Always use the present tense in talking about a film. The following is correct: “Buster tricks the bad guys by jumping through a window into a woman’s dress.” “Buster tricked” is incorrect.

3. Use the first person in writing about your observations, ideas, thoughts. For example: “believe that the Veda character functions as the femme fatale in Mildred Pierce.”

4. You are writing the essay for me or someone like me in other words,someone who has seen the film many times. As such, do not spend any time re-telling the plot.Just jump right into the scene you want to discuss. For example: “In the scene where Raimunda returns to the apartment with Paula, we see lots of red objects, e.g. pieces of clothing, etc. in the street and at the house.”

Discuss the entry will consist of a general response to the film and an in-depth discussion on how the film relates to in-class lectures.

German Expressionism

The purpose of the film journal is to allow students the opportunity to view and discuss films that coincide with class discussions. The journal itself will consist of entries of at least 200 words on a films picked from the following categorical list.

A student may pick any film from each category to view and discuss The entry will consist of a general response to the film and an in-depth discussion on how the film relates to in-class lectures. For example, you can provide what you you thought of the film on a general level and then discuss how the specific film you picked shows the characteristics of the category it is in.

Do analyze the stylistic and technical aspects of the film,what worked for you, what didn’t work, and why?

Write a 500 word paper on any Feature film of your choosing made between 1970 and the present day. DO NOT WRITE ABOUT ANY FILMS DISCUSSED IN THE LEARNING MODULES. Submit your papers to the drop box in either the MS WORD file or a PDF file ONLY.Give some background and context for the film you are analyzing; when was it made, who was the Director, what awards did it win, and any other information that helps provide context. Give a summary of the plot in at most 3 or 4 paragraphs,Do analyze the stylistic and technical aspects of the film,what worked for you, what didn’t work, and why? Things to consider include the script, the directing, the acting, the editing, the music and sound effects, the special effects, etc. Be as specific as possible, and cite information from specific scenes in the film to back up your opinions. This paper is due July 26; no late papers accepted. Please be sure to both use and cite at least two sources; you lose 5 points if you do not do this.

What did you think of the ABC 20/20 report on the backstory and the criminal investigation? Did it change your take on the movie or any of the real life characters?

Hustlers

It is answering opinion question after watching the film Hustlers. There is no specific format because no outsources can be used.Write full two pages, should not be less. No Introduction or conclusions are required. Just answer the question in one full paragraph after reading the related article to answer questions. Because it is opinion based question, do not need summary for article and movie.write thoughts and reflections.will attach articles address that is required to read to answer the question.

QUESTION: What did you think of the ABC 20/20 report on the backstory and the criminal investigation? Did it change your take on the movie or any of the real life characters?
QUESTION: One of the CNN articles says that some exotic dancers have spoken out about the film on social media because they feel the film equated their work with criminal activity. Do you feel like this film paints an open minded portrait of women just trying to make a living? Or does it indict their entire profession?

How does this quote relate to modern American consumer society? Do you believe that Durden’s observation is accurate? Why or why not?

Fight Club Movie & Consumerism

Fight Club Essay Prompts

Prompt 1:“The things you own end up owning you. It’s only after you lose everything that you’re free to do anything.” Tyler Durden

How does this quote relate to modern American consumer society? Do you believe that Durden’s observation is accurate? Why or why not?

Prompt 2:“We’ve all been raised on television to believe that one day we’d all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. But we won’t. And we’re slowly learning that fact. And we’re very, very pissed off.” Tyler Durden Do you agree with this statement? Do you believe that Americans are raised to believe they are all special and destined for some great destiny? What are some potential negative outcomes of believing such promises?

Choose one prompt to respond to. Write a 1.5-2 page, typed, MLA formatted essay.