Lecture 5
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Lecture5.docxLecture 5 - Academic Writing and Thinking
Feb 24 LONG PAPER #1 Coming Due; grammar ex.; handout, “Black Panther in Context”—euphemism vs academic discourse 173-174 STEPS; discussion of the elements of critical analysis—196 and 106-110; “Battle of the Ants”—662-664 STEPS
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I do not have a long lecture for you today--I want you to have time to catch up with reading and to get papers you owe done. Let's take a look at your current writing assignment, as well as reviewing basic writing requirements.
Your writing assignment is to write in essay form--a brief essay, at least three pages, in which you PROVE some or all, or even just one point being made above, by my article on the film, "Black Panther" based on the clips provided or if you want, using "Black Panther" itself--the entire film or the example passages from the film that I have posted below.
Use any one of three film sources: FILM COMMENTARY, New York Times Film Review, or The Village Voice films review section for your source or sources. Feel free to simply use WIKIPEDIA if you find it too difficult to understand or find data to support you in those sources.
First, however, look up the term, ‘mise-en-scene’ [Wikipedia has a good article on it], a French theater and film technique, a French phrase meaning ‘placement in the scene’. Once you feel you have understood what it is, realize that two of the films that have used it most effectively in the past 80 years have been THE MATRIX (directed by the Wachowsky Brothers, released in the year 1999), and CITIZEN KANE (directed by Orson Welles, released in the year 1941).
The two films, MATRIX and CITIZEN KANE are separated by many years but they share popularity AND critical approval as important works of art, setting standards for achievements in film art.
So first of everything, below are two scenes, one from KANE and one from MATRIX, both using Mise-En-Scene brilliantly and effectively, with both films featuring scenes of conflict between two main characters and communicating deep meaning in those conflicts, using Mise-en-Scene.
You will have looked up 'Mise-en-scene' and whatever you will have decided to take from your research is fine. The two scenes both use 'placement' ('mise') as a way to create meaning. Notice that both scenes are very emotional, and that both scenes focus on a conflict between two characters. In both scenes one character is sitting down and the other is standing.
In both scenes one character is the one the writers who wrote these films want us to identify with (the 'protagonist'). The writing for "Citizen Kane" wants us to identify with the lead character, the protagonist rather than the 'antagonist' who is . In each scene the protagonist is the younger man (who is standing, in "The Matrix" rather than the older man, who is sitting, and who is sitting in "Citizen Kane" rather than standing--the older, antagonist). In both scenes the older man is very angry at the younger man--the antagonist is very angry at each protagonist.
"This attack is an act of desperation" Morpheus and Lock scene (Matrix Reloaded)
Duration: 3:20 User: n/a - Added: 2/14/20
YouTube URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zjF_rrVPyg
Citizen Kane - How to Run a Newspaper Scene (3/10) | Movieclips
Duration: 3:00 User: n/a - Added: 1/27/17
The writing for "Matrix" is the opposite mise-en-scene of"Citizen Kane": we are meant to identify with the man who is standing, the lead character, in the clip[ from "The Matrix" -- The man who is sitting is angry, and even starts out shouting.
However, in "Citizen Kane" clip, the antagonist is standing; he is the one shouting, very loudly. In both scenes you looked at, the meaning is a strong one: that one character is rebelling while the other character is angry about the protagonist's rebellion.
The essays in your textbook will always have a core of emotion--the essays have that in common; ideas that the writers and that manu American citizens are very passionate about. YOUR responsibility as an academic writer and thinker in advanced composition, is, while recognizing the feelings of ordinary Americans when it comes to so-called 'issues', to train yourself to RESIST emotion and passion, so that you can be CRITICAL and to be able to objectively ANALIZE any 'issues' you encounter in this class and in your college career.
I will be lecturing in the future about this, and I want to start off on this idea by mentioning to you that next week I will be lecturing on the essay, "Battle of the Ants" one of the essays in your textbook. There is also the portion of the essay I myself wrote, called "Black Panther in Context" which is attached, a download link a the bottom--at the end, of this lecture.
We will talk about both essays in class on Wednesday, but as you read them be aware that "Battle of the Ants" is making a very serious point about how humans behave, by comparing human beings to ants.
"Black Panther in Context" is a critical article that wants to reject a lot of the popularity of the movie, "Black Panther", and offerss some serious reasons for being so critical.
Here is essentially, the topic sentence, and the major thesis and central critique of "Black Panther in Context":
"Our public discourse can and does often conflict with Black popular thought. That conflict is constant, and exists in Black response to Hollywood products, such as Panther, which has been embraced by a large segment of the Black masses for what are considered to be ‘positive’ values but should be critiqued as superficial and false ..." (Waller, P. 1)
Here are pertinent sample clips from "Black Panther" emphasizing plot (although thin) rather than mindless comic book violence from "Black Panther":
T'Challa Gets His New Black Panther Suit Scene - Black Panther (2018) Movie CLIP HD
Duration: 3:34 User: n/a - Added: 4/14/19
(Marvel) Erik Killmonger || I'm Your King
Duration: 4:25 User: n/a - Added: 11/11/19
Here is a refresher of the "Panther" critique's supporting details:
1. The fronting of Black talent (such as director Ryan Coogler and an admittedly commendable Black cast).
2. Perceived ‘positive’ representation of Africa, Africans, and African genius.
3. Screen portrayals of idealized, fictional African monarchy.
4. ‘Feminist’ empowerment of Black female characters.
5. Various other cosmetic elements hailed as ‘positive’ that are window dressing for a visually appealing, expensively produced, but conventional White corporate ‘movie’ that challenges neither the Hollywood nor the Marvel movie house formula (fantasy, escapism, ingenuity in espousing violence, etc.)
CONTRAST:
Shaft in Africa Official Trailer #1 - Richard Roundtree Movie (1973) HD
Duration: 2:56 User: n/a - Added: 10/5/12
I will lecture again on next Monday.
Black Panther in Context Edited.docx
