Film Elements Sara

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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:

o Who are the Protagonist(s) and Antagonist(s)? o What is the central conflict? o Does the closing reflect a clear-cut pattern of development that relates

to the opening? o Do all narrative lines achieve closure?

o Is Narration used? Is subjective or objective. What purpose does it fulfill?

• Cinematography:

o How does the DP use light? Is it classically lit (3-Point), or moody and shadowy?

o Does the camera move, or is it stationary? o Depth of Field – Staging in Depth? o Camera angles and lenses? o How close does the camera get to the action?

· Editing/Montage: o Does the editing ever call attention to itself? o What rhythmic relations are created, if any? o Are the cuts on the action, the dialog? o Is parallel editing (cross-cutting) used?

· Sound Design: o How does diegetic sound help create the world beyond the frame? o Is there non-diegetic sound used? What is its role in the final product?

· Mise-en-Scene:

o Do the costumes separate the characters into groups? o How do costumes tell us more about the individual character? o Are the sets and settings heavily detailed or sparse and

impressionistic? o Are there any motifs you notice repeated through the film? o Do the settings, costumes, and staging help create curiosity, suspense

or surprise?

· Genre: o What is roughly the genre of the film? o What genre expectations are set up for the film? o Does the film support or subvert those expectations?

· The Directors: o Who are the directors? Are you familiar with any other of their films?

o How does each director utilize these elements to form their own particular film?

o 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).