Assignment Sheet                                                                     Greenberg

Assignment Sheet                                 American Film

Mon., 2/12: Watch It’s A Wonderful Life.

 When you watch, note the use of soft focus on Mary.  Why does Capra employ that technique?   Notice the use of the freeze frame in the movie.  Keep in mind that this movie opened in 1946.  What do you imagine that the attitude and perspective of the audience to be?  What are the themes?  How are the themes developed throughout the story? 

Tues., 2/13:  Take notes on the opening sequence to right before the graduation party.  What do we learn about George Bailey?  What do learn about Clarence?  How would you describe them?  Are there any film techniques worth noting?

Wed, 2/14: Read about Structuralism and Film Theory (pp.474-the top of 476 and pp.497-504)  Structuralism is an analytical approach where one examines the ideologies of films in order to reveal basic patterns from the resulting dichotomies (pairs of opposites).  Opposed ideologies might be revealed in themes, issues, values, people places, objects.  The movie contains many dichotomies: success vs. failure, self-reliance vs. conformity, George Bailey vs. Henry Potter, Bedford Falls vs.  Pottersville. List ten dichotomies Capra presents in the film. 

Thurs.,2/15:  Read Chapter 5 on Sound

Tues., 2/20:  Watch Double Indemnity . Begin film noir. I will give you a short handout on Film Noir.  Watch the movie looking for the various characteristics of Film Noir in mind.  

Wed., 2/21: When Double Indemnity opens, we don’t know if Walter Neff is the protagonist, victim or villain in this film.  In fact, he is all three.  List examples to support this statement.

Thurs., 2/22:  Handouts on Film Noir

Fri., 2/23: Finish Film Noir and begin Neo Noir

Mon., 2/26: Watch A Simple Plan

Thurs., Jan. 18: Course introduction

Fri., Jan. 19: Read Understanding Film pp 2-35. The focus of the chapter is photography. Be sure to take notes. Note: You are responsible for the terms not the particulars of the film examples. 

Mon., Jan. 22: Watch The Graduate quiz on the content of the movie

Tues., Jan. 23: Read pp. 48-75.  Take notes on mise en scene.

Wed., Jan 24: Finish chapter 2. Take notes.

Thurs., Jan 25:  Begin preparing a visual analysis of the strip joint scene, the scene when Mrs. Robinson comes to Ben’s car in the rain or the scene in the church at the end of the movie.  Once you choose your scene, watch it several times taking notes.  You want to consider the arrangement of elements in the scene.  You want to consider color imagery, props, costumes, background, lighting, framing and camera angles. Record everything you see in the scene.  Use the list on page 95 as a guide.  You can list your observations but be specific.  You want to hand in a proofread piece.  You will be graded in terms of the detail of your observations.

Fri., Jan. 26: Analysis due.

Mon., Jan. 29: Watch Citizen Kane Quiz on the film content

Tues., Jan. 30: Read pp.142-170 on editing. Take notes.  

Wed., Jan. 31: Read pp. 171-215. Begin work on presentations. 

Thurs., Feb 1:  Work on presentations.

Fri., Feb 2: Begin Presentations.

Mon., Feb 5: Presentations

Tues., Feb. 6: Homework to be announced.

Wed., Feb 7: Finish ­Citizen Kane

Thurs., Feb 8: Student presentations begin

Fri., Feb 9: Quest on Citizen Kane and The Graduate and film terminology

Mon., Feb. 12: Watch It’s A Wonderful Life