Reference no: EM133284698
Assignment - Film Element
Overview - For this final assignment you will examine the film elements of two different films.
Instructions - Choose a pair of films to review from the options below. Compare and contrast your chosen pair examining the directors' use of the film elements we have discussed: Narrative, Cinematography, Editing/Montage, Sound Design, Mise-en-Scene, Genre, and Director Style. In doing this analysis, we accept the basics of the critique - that everything is in the film on purpose to make a point or statement, or effect the viewer in some way; and that the film can say something about who the Director is.
Cosmatos, G. P. (Director). (1993). Tombstone. United States of America: Hollywood Pictures. (2 hours, 9 minutes)
Mann, A. (Director). (1950). Winchester '73. United States of America: Universal - International. (1 hour, 32 minutes) OR
Pakula, A. J. (Director). (1976). All the President's Men. United States of America: Warner Bros. (2 hours, 18 minutes)
Howard, R. (Director). (1994). The Paper. United States of America: Universal Studios. (1 hour, 51 minutes) **Below are some prompts to get you thinking. These are not questions to be answered in a 1,2,3 format like a quiz; but to get you thinking about how each film employs these elements to create the movie they make.
Narrative:
Who are the Protagonist(s) and Antagonist(s)? What is the central conflict? Does the closing reflect a clear-cut pattern of development that relates to the opening? Do all narrative lines achieve closure?
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Is Narration used? Is subjective or objective. What purpose does it fulfill?
Cinematography: How does the DP use light? Is it classically lit (3-Point), or moody and shadowy?
Does the camera move, or is it stationary? Depth of Field - Staging in Depth? Camera angles and lenses? How close does the camera get to the action?
Editing/Montage: Does the editing ever call attention to itself? o What rhythmic relations are created, if any? Are the cuts on the action, the dialog? Is parallel editing (cross-cutting) used?
Sound Design: How does diegetic sound help create the world beyond the frame? Is there non-diegetic sound used? What is its role in the final product?
Mise-en-Scene: Do the costumes separate the characters into groups? How do costumes tell us more about the individual character? Are the sets and settings heavily detailed or sparse and impressionistic? Are there any motifs you notice repeated through the film? o Do the settings, costumes, and staging help create curiosity, suspense or surprise?
Genre: What is roughly the genre of the film? What genre expectations are set up for the film? Does the film support or subvert those expectations?
The Directors: Who are the directors? Are you familiar with any other of their films?
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How does each director utilize these elements to form their own particular film?
If this film was indicative of their entire body of work, how would you describe their style?
Requirements - Read the assignment instructions and rubric carefully before beginning.
Use full sentences and appropriate academic language in all work.
Use APA citations and formatting and include a title and reference page.
Length: 2-3 pages (not including title and reference pages).