Instructions
The essay must be roughly 1,000 words, double-spaced, with standard margins and 12-point font (~4 pages, double-spaced). Your essay will examine why you believe the film is significant and how the director uses three (3) different aspects or techniques from the formal elements of film to tell the film’s story. The formal elements of film are: Narrative form Mise-en-scène Cinematography Editing Sound Examples from Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane would be: canted angles (a technique from cinematography) episodic flashbacks (a technique of narrative form) lightning mix (a technique of editing) All three of the techniques you identify may come from the same formal element or from multiple. Identify what you believe the theme (central message) of the film is. Discuss how the techniques you’ve identified work to advance the theme (in your informed opinion). Finally, contextualize the film’s significance culturally, artistically, historically, and/or politically. For Jaws, a possible theme might be “we must overcome our differences and all work together to confront the challenges that we face as a community or society.” Recommended Structure It is not necessary for all of your paragraphs to correspond exactly to this recommended structure. It is just a general guideline to assist you. You may exceed the total number of paragraphs recommend in this framework or organize them differently. Paragraph 1: Brief introduction, identifying the film and the techniques you will analyze. Paragraph 2: Provide a brief plot synopsis. Paragraphs 3-5: Cover the three techniques you believe are noteworthy, clearly identifying the formal element under which each is classified. You MUST underline the technique when you introduce it (e.g., canted angles, episodic flashbacks, lightning mix) . Do not underline the whole paragraph. Explain these techniques’ significance to the larger film. Paragraph 6-9: The theme of the film, underlined. Explain its significance. Then, include your analysis of how well you think each of the techniques discussed above works to advance the theme. Paragraph 10-13: Contextualize the significance of this film. Discuss any larger social, cultural, political, historical, industrial, or artistic implications or factors affecting its production and/or reception (how audiences/critics responded to it at the time). How does this film remain relevant in our own day (or is it no longer relevant)? This is a great place for your research. Paragraph 14: Conclusion. Wrap up your essay. These essays are short, so get to the point quickly. THIS IS NOT A PLOT SUMMARY. Essays that are purely plot summaries (outside Paragraph 2) will earn a grade of 0. Be sure to cite 2-3 specific examples of the technique that you’re discussing and elaborate on them. Don’t just speak in broad terms. Film titles must be written in italics (e.g., No Country for Old Men). Works Cited This paper requires a limited amount of research. Focus your research on the formal techniques, theme, and especially the contextualization sections of the essay. You MUST cite three (3) academic sources. Some rules regarding sources: Neither Film Art (our textbook) nor the Smith article (“It’s Just a Movie) count as sources. You may cite either of them. But you’ll need three other sources for full credit. The film itself does not count as source. It is not necessary to include it in the Works Cited section. No other film will be acceptable as a source. However, video essays or documentaries about the film you’re analyzing will count. You may count as a source any chapter from Closely Watched Films (by Marilyn Fabe) or any other articles assigned in this class. Do not cite pop culture magazines that cover the entertainment industry, like People or US Weekly. Variety or Moviemaker magazine, for instance, would count. If you’re in doubt about the acceptability of a source for this assignment, message me with a link to review (either to the source or the library record). A separate Works Cited page listing all your sources must be included at the end of your essay for full credit. Essay Expectations: Paper provides specific examples to illustrate ideas and points. Ideas are original, developed, and demonstrate thoughtful, informed reflection on the film. Though from a personal perspective, this is an academic essay. Paper is tightly written and concise, with attention to organization, flow, and transitions between paragraphs. Paper uses correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling. It is free of typographical errors.