film review

ASSIGNMENT #3: FINAL ESSAY

BUT FIRST… FILM STUDIES WRITING RULES!

• There are some writing rules unique to Film Studies that you need to follow in this assignment:

• EVERY TIME you mention the film, put it in Italics; and at first mention, connect the film to its director and year of release:

• Raging Bull, released in 1980 and directed by Martin Scorsese, explores…

• Afterwards, just the last name of the director is sufficient!

• You can use IMDb.com to look up the names of cast and crew (but don’t look at the plot reviews or summaries!)

FILM STUDIES WRITING RULES

• At first mention, connect film characters to the actors who portray them:

• Jake LaMotta, played by Robert De Niro, struggles…

• Afterwards, just first name of the character is sufficient!

• When writing about what happens in the film, use the present tense:

The film depicts…

The film follows...

Jake responds…

The camera pans…

Scorsese uses…

FILM STUDIES WRITING RULES

• Avoid plot summary - consider the audience of your essay: your Instructor! She has seen the movie so there is NO NEED to recount the entire plot!

• WHAT happens in the movie is never as important as HOW

• Avoid evaluation - avoid using evaluative language like “good,” “great,” “perfect,” “masterpiece,” “amazing,” and etc… you’re not writing a review, nor are you trying to convince me to see the film!

• See the charts below for better words to use when writing about film:

ASSIGNMENT #3 • Now let’s shift focus to Assignment #3. For

this assignment, you are to turn Assignment #2, your essay proposal, into a full essay of 1000-1200 words

PREREQUISITE: If you did NOT submit Assignment #2, your proposal, you are NOT permitted to proceed with this assignment.

WARNING: If you did NOT pass the MLA Workshop, you MUST consult with a WLC Humanities Specialist for at least one 30 minute appointment to review this assignment, in particular its citations and formatting, prior to submitting, no exceptions!

ASSIGNMENT #3: FIVE PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE

• I recommend you follow a 5 paragraph structure.

• As each topic has 3 main points you need to address, this structure allows each body paragraph to have a singular focus.

• The order of the points and the evidence you provide is up to you!

• Let’s review the 5 paragraph essay structure more closely!

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

• Begin your essay with a HOOK. What’s a hook?

• a strong opening sentence that captures your reader’s attention

• Tips for hooks:

• describe a concrete image

• integrate a line of dialogue from the film or reading

• start with an interesting question or strong statement

• use a metaphor or a simile

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

• After your hook, introduce the film, its director and main cast, and provide any context needed to comprehend your thesis BRIEFLY; also establish who wrote the article your essay engages with (Marshall or Bordwell).

• Your THESIS STATEMENT should appear as the LAST SENTENCE of your introductory paragraph.

• Your introduction should not go on and on (do not exceed a page double-spaced).

BODY PARAGRAPHS • Your 3 body paragraphs must defend your thesis by presenting examples from the film and evidence from the course reading, and any other course materials you may have chosen to support your argument

• Each body paragraph should begin with a TOPIC SENTENCE, also known as a MINI-THESIS, that clearly states what the paragraph is about; topic sentences should integrate keywords from your thesis to keep your argument, and your reader, on track.

• A body paragraph should not exceed a page double-spaced!

BODY PARAGRAPHS • Each body paragraph must present examples from the film and EXPLAIN how they support your mini-thesis/topic sentence.

• As per MLA 8, you must provide the time range when describing a specific scene/shot from the film, or when quoting a line of dialogue or transcribing video essay narration (HH:MM:SS-HH:MM:SS). For example:

At the end of their conversation, Don Pietro and Pina see a group of Nazis harassing

someone and Don Pietro cannot help but agree with Pina when she expresses she “would

like to kick their faces in” (Rome Open City 00:32:22-00:32:47). This comment not only

demonstrates Pina’s rebelliousness, but also foreshadows the treacherous action of the

Nazis that will soon tragically cut both their lives short. Their fighting spirit, however,

will live on in the resistance, which provides viewers with hope for the future of Italy.

BODY PARAGRAPHS • Each body paragraph must also provide evidence from the topic’s reading and other course materials you may have chosen to support your argument.

• Use the words of ideas of others to help EXPLAIN the features of art cinema or the zombie subgenre, and to strengthen your argument about the film.

• Cite any words/ideas that come from course readings and materials in-text at the end of every sentence that uses them.

WARNING: Failure to provide proper citations will result in you receiving 0, and an Academic Alert. If you need help with citations, visit the WLC!

BODY PARAGRAPHS • Students are discouraged from paraphrasing in this assignment; rather, use the “quote sandwich” method to integrate direct quotes from readings and video essays!

• See an example for how to do this on the next slide.

QUOTE SANDWICH EXAMPLE

According to the 1962 article, “[t]he way a film looks and moves should have some relationship

to the way a director thinks and feels” (Sarris 562). This means that the fluid pans and tilts from

a low camera height throughout Roma effectively bring viewers into the mind of its director; we

see Cleo as Cuarón would have seen Libo as a child: lovingly low to the ground.

To review, here’s the method in a formula:

Introduce quote + “quote” (cite author’s name or film’s time

range) + explain what quote means + how it supports your

argument

BODY PARAGRAPHS • The LAST SENTENCE of a body paragraph serves two purposes: to conclude your ideas, and to transition to the next paragraph.

• Remind your reader what this paragraph achieved, and use transitional language to set up the next.

CONCLUSION • Finally, write a conclusion that echoes, but does not repeat your thesis; remind your reader of your main points.

• Your conclusion can be brief; just a few sentences is sufficient!

CONCLUSION • Leave the reader with a powerful closing statement; this is the time be dramatic!

• Tips for closing statements:

• conclude by considering the implications of your argument; what does your argument imply or suggest about World Cinema today?

• conclude with a concrete image to encourage an emotional response in your reader

• conclude with a “quotation” from or reference to the film or reading; one that amplifies your argument or puts it in a different perspective

• conclude by referencing your hook or title to bring your paper full circle ⭕

ASSIGNMENT #3 • Let’s conclude by reviewing the rubric!

• You will be evaluated on how well you implement feedback from Assignment #2, and how well you integrate sources (the readings/video essays) and analyze examples (from the film) to support your argument.

THE WLC

• Some students are required, but all are encouraged to consult with a Humanities Specialist at the WLC prior to submitting this assignment!

• Please be advised that the WLC is very busy this time of year, so book your appointment well in advance —> https:// alexander.mywconline.com/

• If you have questions or concerns while completing the assignment, you’re also welcome to visit me during Zoom office hours from 1:30-3:00 PM Pacific Standard Time on Thursdays, or email me to make an appointment at another time —> [email protected]

Homework! • No class on Wednesday! I will hold office hours instead.

• Next week we start our last unit on Animation!

• Read Film Art 389-394, and the David A. Ross article “Musings on Miyazaki”

• Watch My Neighbor Totoro (Hayao Miyazaki, 1988) on Netflix