First Quarter 2012-13

Introduction to Film Analysis 

Course Guideline

Third & Fifth Periods --Q1—2012-2013 

Students in this college-prep-level course will explore popular film as an art form by analyzing it through the literary, dramatic, and cinematic gazes. That means looking at all the “picky” details like story, setting, character development, symbolism, acting, cast choices, set design, costuming, music, lighting, etc. Be prepared, I will ask you to look for detailed evidence in film as I would with any print material analyzed in my classes. These narrative and film production elements will help us to understand the effectiveness of a filmmaker’s intentions and message as well as our own interpretations of the full visual product. We will also be looking at film as a medium that carefully and purposefully presents important and often controversial life issues situated in a cultural and historical context. Issues to be discussed may be from a variety of socio-political and literary areas.

Assignment Expectations 
• Students will be expected to think about and respond to films through short written responses, note taking, strong discussion contributions, and a compare/contrast essay project.  A cumulative final exam may be given at the end of the quarter.

 • Absent students will not be able to make up note taking sessions but may acquire the missed notes from a classmate.

 • Students will need to view one film and complete analysis assignments on that film outside of class time. Students will view the film, take notes using a specific format, gather and analyze published reviews, and complete a compare/contrast essay on two of the film’s reviews. Students will need to meet all deadlines for the project pieces throughout the quarter. The process for this individual film project is as important as the final essay product. All work is expected to be thoughtful, thorough, organized, and well-edited. Assignments not meeting expectations will be returned to students for revision. If revision work is required, only a short turn-around time will be possible. Attention to detail and thoroughness should be strong the first time.

 • Students must receive a passing score on the final exam (if given).

 • Students must complete ALL assignments at or above a developing level in this class to be eligible for credit. In order to succeed in this course you must also meet set due dates. Turning in assignments late will dramatically affect your ability to earn credit. Extensions will be discussed on a one to one basis and individually considered. Don’t count on them! It’s a COLLEGE-PREP CLASS!

UPDATED GUIDELINES COMING SOON!

Course Guidelines

Introduction to Film Analysis
Course Guidelines -- Second & Third Periods
Q1—2009-10

Students in this college-prep course will explore popular film as an art form by analyzing it through the literary, dramatic, and cinematic gazes. That means looking at all the “picky” details like story, setting, character development, symbolism, acting, cast choices, set design, costuming, music, lighting, etc. Be prepared, I will ask you to look for detail as I would with any print material analyzed in my classes. The picky details and film production elements will help us to understand the effectiveness of filmmakers’ intentions and messages as well as our own interpretations of the final visual product. We will also be looking at film as a medium that carefully and purposefully presents important and often controversial life issues situated in a cultural and historical context. Issues to be discussed may be from a variety of socio-political and literary areas.

General Course Expectations:

• Students will be expected to actively and respectfully view the films in class. What that means is NO SLEEPING or talking through a film! Many feel that once the lights go out, it is nap time or social hour. Think again! It isn’t often that we have the opportunity to have a class devoted to cinema, so please enjoy it respectfully. Students will need to pay very close attention to these films to recognize and analyze elements to be discussed in class. All students are expected to be in class on time and remain seated throughout viewing full films and clips. If you are used to a different social interaction with film viewing, you may need to challenge yourself in this area. Again, respectful academic cinema protocol is required daily.



• Proactive participation in discussion sessions is a course requirement! If you are usually a dominant speaker in class discussion, allow and encourage your classmates to share their views too. If you tend to sit back and listen to others, challenge yourself to speak out more. Participation on discussion days is considered an assignment. If you miss more than one full-film discussion day during the quarter, you may only be eligible for elective credit in the course (not English credit). That, of course, also means that all other components of the course are completed even for Elective credit. Check your fieldtrip schedules!! Students who have a high number of fieldtrips in other courses must have exceptional attendance, participation, and dedication to written work at all other times. (Major Discussion Days are currently scheduled for Sept. 11, 25, Oct 8, 9, 23.) If there is a needed disruption in the schedule (all-school activity, instructor illness, emergency, etc.) these dates might change.


• Students will be expected to think about and respond to the films through written responses and strong discussion. You will need to view one film and complete written assignments outside of class time. Written responses are expected to be thoughtful, organized, and well edited. Papers not meeting expectations will be returned to students for revision. If revision work is required, you may only have an evening or two to do it.

Homework Alert!!!!!

All Quarter Long -- Review & Analysis Assignments
Students will need to review an appropriate feature film throughout the quarter. There are several parts to this assignment, and it will require multiple viewings of the same film. Therefore, students must have access to a copy of the movie over a span of several weeks. A list of approved films will be available at the end of Week One. Students will contract their individual choices during Week Two. All films used for this assignment must be on the class approved film list. There will be no exceptions to this guideline.


Specific Assignments for Credit Eligibility:

To earn credit, each student will:

• have excellent attendance including being on time to class;
• proactively contribute to class discussions and classroom climate on a consistent basis;
• take thorough notes on film clip examples shared in class;
• complete Film Question & Commentary Cards as requested for full-length films;
• research (IMDb), select, view outside of class, take notes on (and turn them in), read reviews of, and write a formal comparative analysis paper on published reviews of individually-chosen film;
• complete final project assignment for individually-chosen film (written paper or presentation) on the literary elements of your film;
• be responsible for turning in assignments on or before due dates.

Late Work:
• Students must complete ALL assignments at or above a developing level in this class to be eligible for credit. In order to succeed in this course you must also meet set due dates. Turning in assignments late will dramatically affect your ability to earn credit. Extensions will be discussed on a one to one basis and individually considered. Don’t count on them! It’s a COLLEGE-PREP CLASS!

Attendance:
• THIS IS NOT A CLASS TO MISS! Beware of absences. Save your absences for when you are really ill. The Shabazz attendance policy will be strictly enforced. Students will not be admitted to class more than 5 minutes late without a note from Aric, another instructor, or support staff individual. If you miss part or all of a film due to absences, it is your responsibility to rent the film immediately and view it on your own at your own expense. You will still be responsible for completing acceptable written responses and participating in discussions. All films viewed in class should be available from any major video rental location. Do not count on the Madison Public Library to have copies of the films on the shelf.


Films that we will view as a class:

• The Breakfast Club
• Thelma and Louise
• American Beauty
• Sleepy Hollow
• Run, Lola, Run (maybe)

Also:
Individual Student-Chosen Film (from lengthy class list)

INTRO TO FILM SCHEDULED FOR 2009-10

The Introduction to Film Analysis course will be offered in 2009-10 during first quarter only. Two sections will be available to students -- second and third hours.

NOTE: SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THIS CLASS IS A PREREQUISITE FOR THE SECOND QUARTER ADVANCED FILM ANALYSIS COURSE.

You MUST take this course to be able to register for the second quarter advanced course.

There will also be Cinema History courses offered during third and fourth quarters WITHOUT pre-requisites.

Please plan your schedules accordingly.

Snaps to all of my students who completed effective final presentations and papers. It has been a wonderful quarter filled with great discussions, deep critical insights, and a classroom community willing to take academic risks.

Saying Goodbye to Paul

At the age of 83, Paul Newman has died after a battle with cancer. Mr. Newman has been one of the greatest Hollywood actors of our current film era. To learn more about his legacy, here's a link to the NYTimes Obit article.


Paul Newman alongside Robert Redford in the classic 1969 film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

Why People Love Movies -- YouTube Video

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