FILM ANALYSIS PAPER

DUE: April 5, 2022 at 10:00a.m.

25 points possible

For this assignment, you will write a 4-6-page, double-spaced paper which makes an argument about how two elements of cinematic language establisha character and his/her goal in one of the scenes/sequences listed below.

She Wore A Yellow Ribbon

Citizen Kane

School Daze

1. Watch your selected clip several times and consider its purpose in the film. Watch and listen for mise-en-scene, cinematography, sound and editing in the clip. How do these elements contribute to your understanding of and feelings toward a character in the scene? How do these factors help create, embellish, visualize the character’s personality, attitudes, and goal in the scene? It will be most effective if you focus primarily on one of the characters in the clip.

• Write your argument statement. This should be a clear sentence that indicates your take on how two elements of film languagein the clip establish/add to the character portrayal and his/her goal. Example: The cinematography and mise-en-scene in this early clip from The Godfather work to establish Michael as a confident, caring and moral man hoping to impress his girlfriend with the extravagances of his family’s wealth.

• Outline the major points and analysis for your paper. This will involve examining the filmic elements in your argument statement, analyzing them in a deep way, and connecting them to what you have said about the character and his/her goal in the scene. In the example statement in 2 above, I would look at the mise-en-scene and cinematography in the clip carefully to find at least two sections that I can use in my analysis to argue that these two elements are used to SHOW that Michael is (a) confident, (b) caring, and (c) moral and accentuate Michael’s efforts to impress his girlfriend. I would identify specific moments in the clip (using time code) that I will describe and analyze in the paper to prove my argument statement.

• Write your paper. Using the organization you have created with your argument statement and outline, write draft 1 of you paper. There should be a well-written opening paragraph that introduces the film, the clip and gives your argument statement. The body of your paper will systematically move through your major points, discussing each and supporting your discussion with the description and analysis of specific moments in the clip. You will have a conclusion paragraph (or two) that restates your argument statement (reword it if possible) and summarizes your analysis in a brief, definitive way.

• Revise. Please leave time to revise your paper. None of us write perfectly the first time through. Make sure that your paper reads fluidly and carefully develops your points and analysis in a logical and clear way.

• Proofread and spellcheck. Don’t just rely on the software’s spellcheck and grammar check. If possible, ask a friend to read your paper for clarity, grammar, spelling and punctuation errors. Revise as needed.

Formatting requirements for Film Analysis Paper:

1. Paper is to use APA 7^th edition formatting.
2. Number pages appropriately and double-space the text of your paper.
3. Film titles must be italicized or underlined.
4. The first time you use the title of the film in your paper follow the italicized title with (director’s last name, year of release). Example: The Godfather (Coppola,1972)
5. Papers (in .pdf format) must be submitted in the appropriate assignment section on Blackboard.

REMINDER: The plagiarism-detection software Safe Assign will be used on all assignments turned in.