describing an film

The Meaning of Life (2005) 13 min. Animated. https://youtu.be/xMsyOowMaEY

Thesis: The element of sound is used in my chosen film to be the speaking voice of the scenes and represent the emotions as the film goes on.

The central argument is that can sound lead us to the way that the director wants us to go? Or does it lead the audience to different understandings as it is understood differently by everyone.

Your final paper (Google url or Word/PDF file) should be 2-3 pages, double-spaced, one-inch margins, and Times New Roman 12-point font. All papers must contain the following information at the top of the page:

● your name ● the instructor’s name ● the course ● the date

You should also include a centered title. Your title should also be 12-point font with no special formatting or additional line breaks.

Your first paragraph should quickly establish your film and provide your Thesis Statement.

Keep in mind the following "Writing Tips" from Chapter 9:

● Avoid plot summary - just focus on your argument; organize your essay around key points.

● Use examples, not extended visual description - only include what is relevant.

● Balance evidence with analysis - for every sentence or two of observations, follow with a sentence or two of your analysis.

● Explain, don't evaluate - don't use words like "great" or "excellent," explain how the film works.

● Use precise film terms - integrate terms we studied in the Module that pertains to your analysis.

Vocabs consider using: ● aspect ratio- the ratio of width to height of a screen ● color correction- adjusts color, light, and saturation across shots to create

cohesive sequences ● color grading-creates world immersion by casting scenes in a particular color

hue. ● shot- a single piece of footage without any cuts

● sequence- a longer unit of film thats made of several shots stitched together with cuts.

● transitions- a style of scene to scene editing ● ADR- an actor records her own voice in post-prodcution for crispr and quality ● sound fidelity- each prop that we see on screen makes a believable sound in

post-production. ● Lack of fidelity- sound affects are obviously different from the prop’s “natural

sound” Often used for exaggerated or comic effect. ● Foley- The reproduction of everyday sounds using various materials in a

studio. ● Sonic close-up: The volume of a certain sound effect is increased to bring

attention to an object or experience. ● Off-screen sound: Diegetic sound whose action is out of frame. ● Sound perspective: Matches camera distance to sound volume. Sonic

close-ups are matched with visual close-ups. Sound becomes muffled when it is far away from the camera or unimportant to the story.

● Sound bridge: Bleeds sound from one scene into another. Creates a sense of continuity between sharp cuts.

● J-cut: A type of sound bridge that bleeds the next scene’s sound into the first scene’s image.

● L-cut: A type of sound bridge that bleeds a scene’s sound into the next scene’s image.

● Room tone: An ambient sound that is emitted from every room. Recorded room tone provides naturalism to a scene and helps to blend together sound recorded from different sites (for example, on set and in studio).