After observing this performance by Ravi Shankar, discuss the musical elements of pitch, melody, rhythm. What makes these elements unique compared to music of other cultures that we have experienced thus far?

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India (sitar and tabla)

(Minimum 150-word response – double spaced – Times New Roman 12 point)

After observing this performance by Ravi Shankar, discuss the musical elements of pitch, melody, rhythm. What makes these elements unique compared to music of other cultures that we have experienced thus far?

Explain auteur theory. Describe, using Chapter 8 of the text as a reference, the criteria for what makes a director an auteur. Identify a director who meets the criteria posed by auteur theory Summarize briefly the ways in which this director meets those criteria using examples from at least two of the director’s films.

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Auteur Theory

Explain auteur theory.
Describe, using Chapter 8 of the text as a reference, the criteria for what makes a director an auteur.
Identify a director who meets the criteria posed by auteur theory
Summarize briefly the ways in which this director meets those criteria using examples from at least two of the director’s films.
Apply the lens of auteur theory in breaking down the director’s technical competence, distinguishable personality, and interior meaning using specific examples of his/her work (e.g., particular scenes or plot components).
Analyze the specific ways in which filmmaking techniques, consistent themes, and storytelling distinguish your chosen director as an auteur among his/her peers.

 

Based on the appropriate readings by Neal Gabler, Tino Balio, and Tom Schatz, explore at least two movies from different studios, and explain how it is that the movies represent the studio’s house-style or personality? What explains movies distinctive “personalities”?

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Flim and Aesthetics

We have seen moving pictures made by Warner Brothers (The Gold Diggers of 1933, Baby Face and The Public Enemy,) Metro-Goldwyn Mayer (Grand Hotel), Paramount (Sullivan’s Travels), and RKO (King Kong).

Based on the appropriate readings by Neal Gabler, Tino Balio, and Tom Schatz, explore at least two movies from different studios, and explain how it is that the movies represent the studio’s house-style or personality? What explains movies distinctive “personalities”?

Analyse either Scene 1 or Scene 2, in the links above, from The Devil and Daniel Webster, describing what you think are the most important techniques of the continuity style being used. Explain, as part of your analysis, how the chosen scene functions within the plot of the film, as part of what Corrigan and White call a “classical film narrative” (265).

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Assignment 5

For this Optional Formal Analysis assignment, choose

EITHER

1. Analyse either Scene 1 or Scene 2, in the links above, from The Devil and Daniel Webster, describing what you think are the most important techniques of the continuity style being used. Explain, as part of your analysis, how the chosen scene functions within the plot of the film, as part of what Corrigan and White call a “classical film narrative” (265). Use the appropriate concepts from the textbook, specifically from the chapters on editing and on narrative. You may also refer to sound, as well as any aspect of mise-en-scène, cinematography, and editing that you think are relevant to the narrative and the film’s themes overall.

OR

2. Analyse the scene from Rashomon, in the link above. Describe the narrative structure of the film. In what respect is this film an example of what Corrigan and White in the textbook call an “alternative film narrative” (266-67)? How does this scene function within the larger narrative? What might we conclude about the Woodcutter’s story? How might this relate the the film’s general theme? Use the appropriate concepts from the textbook, specifically from the chapters on editing and on narrative. You may also refer to sound, as well as any aspect of mise-en-scène and cinematography that you think are relevant.

In what ways does Badlands (Malick, 1973) depart from the conventions of classical Hollywood cinema?

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Classical Hollywood cinema

In what ways does Badlands (Malick, 1973) depart from the conventions of classical Hollywood cinema? In your answer pay particular attention to narrative and film style.

What is Belton’s argument on indigeneity in the Western? After identifying his contentions, analyze the depiction of indigeneity in The Revenant and specifically discuss how the film’s portrayals adhere to or depart from (or both) Belton’s argument.

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“Western Reading Response” and “Western Viewing Response”

Reading Response Question: According to Belton, what are some of the conventions of the American Western, and how do they normatively materialize in this genre? Moreover, after reading Belton’s article, view the following clip of 3:10 to Yuma, and identify any conventions that you believe are a convention of the American Western but that Belton does not cover.

The clip link for the reading response is  https://youtu.be/3CevILyvApw

Viewing Response Question: What is Belton’s argument on indigeneity in the Western? After identifying his contentions, analyze the depiction of indigeneity in The Revenant and specifically discuss how the film’s portrayals adhere to or depart from (or both) Belton’s argument.

What is the central conflict How is dialogue used and what does it say about the characters? What is the setting and how is it used? Does it follow the standard three act structure and are flashbacks/ montages employed?

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Script of a film

You should analyze the script of a film, preferably a recent one. It should have a good starting point would be one of the 2022 Oscar nominees for Best Original Screenplay or Best Adapted Screenplay.Your essay should include:
A brief description of the plot/ premise
What genre of film is this?
A discussion of who is the protagonist/ antagonist
What is the central conflict
How is dialogue used and what does it say about the characters?
What is the setting and how is it used?
Does it follow the standard three act structure and are flashbacks/ montages employed?
Is there a “message,” theme or subtext? If so, what is it (what are they)?
Are the writer and director the same person (or is the director one of the co- writers)?
What are some of the other credits of the writer(s)? Have they done anything else noteworthy?
Is this an original work or an adaptation? If it is an adaptation, how faithful is it to the original work it’s based on? (You may have to do a little research on that one.)

Demonstrate your ability to enter into the critical conversation and demonstrate facility with the terminology and concepts of film analysis.

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Critical response assignment

Once you have these under your belt, you’ll move to the next step and write a critical response. This will be like a film review, but with the added step of consulting and responding to other film reviews. For this, you will 1) generate your own review, 2) ONLY THEN consult a review or reviews written by professional movie critics, and 3) RESPOND to that or those critics, evaluating the validity of their critique as compared to yours through agreement and/or disagreement on three points (aspects of filmmaking, specific scenes, and/or points where you and the critic agree or disagree—these can be a combination). Through doing this, you will demonstrate your ability to enter into the critical conversation and demonstrate facility with the terminology and concepts of film analysis.

Choose one of the scenes from M, in the video links in Materials above, to analyze. Explain when the scene occurs in the film. Describe and analyze the uses of sound in your chosen scene, with reference to and relevant quotations from the chapter on sound in the textbook.

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Optional Formal Analysis essay

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1t2SMMu4pR7xZTMppIkkQ6mX7VfoipIxE?usp=sharing

If you choose to complete this Optional Formal Analysis essay assignment, watch the film, M, read the assigned chapter, and go through my “lecture” presentation first. Choose one of the scenes from M, in the video links in Materials above, to analyze. Explain when the scene occurs in the film. Describe and analyze the uses of sound in your chosen scene, with reference to and relevant quotations from the chapter on sound in the textbook. Specifically describe the relation of the sound to each of the shots, describing who is speaking and/or what sounds you hear, and in what mode, according to the critical terms provided in the textbook. Explain how this scene fits in the plot of the film, and how it relates to the larger themes of the film. You should also refer, as necessary, to other formal aspects of the scene with concepts that we have already considered–mise-en-scène, cinematography, and editing.

Did he hate Mozart or did he love Mozart ? Who or what really killed Mozart ?

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Amadeus Critique

Watch movie:
Amadeus
1984 ‧ Drama/Musical ‧ 2h 40m
Critique movie
Write critique paper
Using
background story- Set up
Point of attack- when story begins
Turning Point- looking in another direction (it can be more than one turning point)
Plot-what the story is about
Climax- highest point in story

Did he hate Mozart or did he love Mozart ?
Who or what really killed Mozart ?