DIRECTOR'S CUT RESPONSE revised December 2013
DUE December 2, 2013
Finally, this is your chance to take control and teach the class
something about a film of your choice (school appropriate, of course).
You will select one scene (maybe your
favorite, maybe one that is unique to the film) and become an expert on that
scene. Use your film skills to closely analyze and discuss the scene with the
class. Don’t be shy about digging into the film and explaining what the
director is really trying to communicate to the audience. You may need to do
some research to make sure that
your presentation is well-informed.
You may choose to do this project alone or with one
partner. Your film must be teacher approved.
Written Component
If you are working with a partner, you are each
responsible for turning in an original
essay. You may help each other with this task, but you
are responsible for your own work.
Directions:
You are to write a minimum of 5 complete paragraphs that are clear and direct while being
mindful of explaining your film analysis in full. Your final result must reflect your
expertise of the film, and must be 2-3 pages in length, double-spaced, and typed in 12 point font in standard
format.
Format:
Paragraph I:
Introduction - Introduce us to the film's most basic components: Include the title of the film, director, main cast of characters and year of release.
Tell a little bit about the film. Provide a brief summary of the film. What is the film about? Is this film an adaptation? DO THE RESEARCH!
Paragraph II: Designers, Actors, and Director
·
Choose at least 1 of the designers (sound, lighting, set, etc.) OR an actor from the film.
What other types of films have they worked on before? How is their previous work
similar to or different from that of their work in this film? Research the director of the film.
What other films has the director worked on? Do you see any trends in types of films
the director tends to do? (Look at film genres, themes, etc.) What experiences/people/ideas/etc
have shaped the director’s vision for the film?
Paragraph III: Cinematic Elements
Pick one of the following cinematic elements to discuss in full:
Script, lighting, editing, framing, setting, or character development
(Note: you may only discuss sound if it is particularly outstanding to the film.)
Provide at least two specific examples of how the cinematic element is used in the film.
How effective is the cinematic element in helping tell the film’s story?
Paragraph IV: Central Theme
Discuss the central theme (or director’s point of view) of the film:
What is the overarching message of the film?
Provide at least two specific examples from the film to support your answer.
Paragraph V: Conclusion
Discuss the three central questions to answer when studying a film:
1) Do you consider this film to be included in one of the top 100 films of all time?
Should it be considered? Why or why not? Be sure to point to specific examples.
2) What social commentary is the director making in this film? Do you think we as an
audience agree with what the director is saying? Why or why not?
3) How does this film promote a greater understanding of ourselves and the world around us?
____________________________________________________________________________
Presentation
All students are required to give an oral presentation of their film. Your final presentation should
be approximately 8-10 minutes in LENGTH. This includes time of your film clip.
If you are working with a partner, you will each show a clip from the film on which you are an expert. However, the focus of
the presentation can be about one idea. Both people need to address the class.
Before presenting, you might think about the following: What is it about the film that makes it worth analyzing? What details are
used in the scene to help create meaning (camera angles, sound, lighting, character’s speech acting, symbolism, etc.)?
Remember that you want to tell us what the film is about without giving away the story. Make us want to watch the film.
something about a film of your choice (school appropriate, of course).
You will select one scene (maybe your
favorite, maybe one that is unique to the film) and become an expert on that
scene. Use your film skills to closely analyze and discuss the scene with the
class. Don’t be shy about digging into the film and explaining what the
director is really trying to communicate to the audience. You may need to do
some research to make sure that
your presentation is well-informed.
You may choose to do this project alone or with one
partner. Your film must be teacher approved.
Written Component
If you are working with a partner, you are each
responsible for turning in an original
essay. You may help each other with this task, but you
are responsible for your own work.
Directions:
You are to write a minimum of 5 complete paragraphs that are clear and direct while being
mindful of explaining your film analysis in full. Your final result must reflect your
expertise of the film, and must be 2-3 pages in length, double-spaced, and typed in 12 point font in standard
format.
Format:
Paragraph I:
Introduction - Introduce us to the film's most basic components: Include the title of the film, director, main cast of characters and year of release.
Tell a little bit about the film. Provide a brief summary of the film. What is the film about? Is this film an adaptation? DO THE RESEARCH!
Paragraph II: Designers, Actors, and Director
·
Choose at least 1 of the designers (sound, lighting, set, etc.) OR an actor from the film.
What other types of films have they worked on before? How is their previous work
similar to or different from that of their work in this film? Research the director of the film.
What other films has the director worked on? Do you see any trends in types of films
the director tends to do? (Look at film genres, themes, etc.) What experiences/people/ideas/etc
have shaped the director’s vision for the film?
Paragraph III: Cinematic Elements
Pick one of the following cinematic elements to discuss in full:
Script, lighting, editing, framing, setting, or character development
(Note: you may only discuss sound if it is particularly outstanding to the film.)
Provide at least two specific examples of how the cinematic element is used in the film.
How effective is the cinematic element in helping tell the film’s story?
Paragraph IV: Central Theme
Discuss the central theme (or director’s point of view) of the film:
What is the overarching message of the film?
Provide at least two specific examples from the film to support your answer.
Paragraph V: Conclusion
Discuss the three central questions to answer when studying a film:
1) Do you consider this film to be included in one of the top 100 films of all time?
Should it be considered? Why or why not? Be sure to point to specific examples.
2) What social commentary is the director making in this film? Do you think we as an
audience agree with what the director is saying? Why or why not?
3) How does this film promote a greater understanding of ourselves and the world around us?
____________________________________________________________________________
Presentation
All students are required to give an oral presentation of their film. Your final presentation should
be approximately 8-10 minutes in LENGTH. This includes time of your film clip.
If you are working with a partner, you will each show a clip from the film on which you are an expert. However, the focus of
the presentation can be about one idea. Both people need to address the class.
Before presenting, you might think about the following: What is it about the film that makes it worth analyzing? What details are
used in the scene to help create meaning (camera angles, sound, lighting, character’s speech acting, symbolism, etc.)?
Remember that you want to tell us what the film is about without giving away the story. Make us want to watch the film.