Assignment 1

As you prepare to write this discussion, take a few moments to do the following:

• Review the Modeled Discussion.
• Read any required and recommended reading materials for this week, especially Chapters 3 and 10 in your text.

Then, watch the following movie clips, paying special attention to the cinematic elements under the discussion.

Editing – visual transitions between shots that work to move the story forward

• Watch the following clips. Each demonstrates the effective use of editing.
  • The Baptism Murders – The Godfather (8/9) Movie Clip (1972) HD
  • A Beautiful Mind (4/11) Movie Clip – Nash Cracks the Code (2011) HD
  • The Shower – Psycho (5/12) Movie Clip (1960) HD

Cinematography – camera angles, types of shots, framing, and color all working to set a particular mood

• Watch the following clips. Each demonstrates the effective use of cinematography.
  • The Long Take: Goodfellas
  • Manhattan – The Bridge Scene
  • Miriam’s Last Breath – Strangers on a Train (4/10) Movie Clip (1951)

Lighting – light and shadow used to affect the mood, the way we view characters, and set the overall tone of the film

• Watch the following clips. Each demonstrates the effective use of lighting.
  • Jurassic Park (10/10) Movie Clip – Raptors in the Kitchen (1993) HD
  • Lost in Translation (7/10) Movie Clip – Bob and Charlotte Meet (2003) HD
  • The Stuff that Dreams Are Made of – The Maltese Falcon (10/10) movie clip (1941) HD

Write (due Thurday)

Analyze each of these aesthetic choices by following the instructions below. Your initial post should be at least 300 words in length. Support your claims with examples from the required material(s) and/or other scholarly sources, and properly cite any references.

• Choose one of the clips from the “Editing” section and analyze the use of editing in one short paragraph. In your analysis, describe the transitions between specific shots and the overall effect this has on the scene.
• Choose one of the clips from the “Cinematography” section and analyze the use of cinematography in one short paragraph. In your analysis, describe the way specific shots are composed, paying particular attention to the camera angles, types of shots, framing, color, and the overall effect this has on the scene.
• Choose one of the clips from the “Lighting” section and analyze the use of lighting in one short paragraph. In your analysis, describe the way the light looks in specific shots, how it affects the mood and the way we view characters, and how it sets the overall tone of the film.

Assignment 2

As you prepare to write this discussion, take a few moments to do the following:

• Read any required and recommended reading materials for this week, especially Chapter 3 from the text.
• Select a full-length film from the AFI 10: Top 10 list.

Our textbook sets up a distinction between story and plot, stating that story is what happens in a movie, and plot is how it happens. The distinction may seem minor; however, throughout this course, we will be scrutinizing the various aesthetic choices and cinematic techniques that work together to create meaning in any movie. With that in mind, we can see that how a film presents action can be very important.

In at least 300 words, describe the relationship of story to plot in your chosen film. Be sure to:

• Identify the title, writer, director, major actors, and the year.
• Summarize the story and plot of your chosen movie.
• Discuss whether your film is presented chronologically or non-linearly. In your discussion, address the following:
  • How did this aesthetic choice contribute to the general effect on the audience?
  • How are elements like character development or foreshadowing impacted by the choice of storytelling methods?
• If the film had followed a different presentation style, how would the general effect on the audience have been different?

You must use at least two outside sources, in any combination of embedded video clips, still photos, or scholarly sources. All sources should be documented in APA style.