MIDTERM ASSIGNMENT

DFV363

Midterm Assignment

“Fleshing out a Review”

For the past five weeks we have been honing observational skills by using the template and also, sharpening critical skills by assessing a film’s relevance to questions regarding its place in a movement. For the midterm assignment, you and a partner will be assigned one particular film, which you will write a professional review for.

Remember you are combining your research to create one article. If you and your partner have conflicting opinions, this is fine – think of a way to articulate them in a comparative non-judgmental way.

You will post your very well articulated review on the blog with image. You can read from the blog when you present your review to class (i.e. reading aloud) and are allowed to screen up to eight minutes of the film. The relevance of the clip you choose is one of the major aspects of this assignment: select a scene that shows us an important theme or character arc. You are required to bring a PHYSICAL copy of your film to class, no streaming clips or youtube. Also-- burned discs often do not play in the Blu-Ray

GRADING CRITERIA:

10 points: Strength and clarity of writing

10 points: Relevance of clip. Well prepared clip selection and format.

10 points: Oral presentation (articulate reading and appropriate response to questions)

10 points: Use of objective and subjective analysis

 

Three tips for success:

• Each person should write their own review and act as editor for their partner. After you have finished this step, work together to formulate a cohesive piece.
• Watch the film twice!
• Take notes AS you watch.

Keep in mind:

*Read “Analysis of the Whole Film,” by Joseph Boggs – this will give you a roadmap (on ecompanion as PDF).

*No fragmentary sentences!

*“You should be able to defend each opinion that is objectively framed with a logical argument, based on or supported by your analysis as a whole.”

(essentially, “it looked dope,” or “she started acting all crazy” does not qualify.)

* Use as many descriptive words as you can.

* It’s ok to relate your film to other work you are familiar with, if you find there is a real connection. It is not necessary to force a connection to other work or historical context if you do not see it.

Here are some questions to use as jumping points:

1. What is the director’s purpose or primary aim in making the film?
2. What is the true subject of the film, and what kind of statement, if any does the film make about the subject?
3. How do the separate elements of the film relate to and contribute to the theme, central purpose, or total effect? (separate elements= story, dramatic structure, symbolism, characterization, conflict, setting, title, irony, cinematography, editing, film type and size, sound effects, dialogue, the musical score, the acting, the film’s overall style)
4. What is the films “level of ambition”
5. In terms of the director’s intentions and the film’s level of ambition, how well does the film succeed in what it tries to do? Why does it succeed or fail?
6. What elements or parts make the strongest contribution to the theme and why? What elements or parts fail to function effectively in carrying out the director’s intentions? Why do they fail?
7. What were your personal reasons for liking or disliking it?