film Q&As
sharon1997
tipsforspecificquestion.docxTIPS ON THE FTV 113 FINAL EXAM
TA Dan Zweifach ( [email protected] )
Updates:
March 16, 3PM-- added additional advice on #5
March 14-- added advice on #3
Exam is due Thursday, March 19 by 11:59PM via Turnitin (Follow Turnitin link from course website under “Week 4.” Prompts also available on website.) Good luck!
CONTENTS:
Format Reminders
· Answer all seven questions, numbering them.
· No word count minimum or maximum. Answer the question as completely as possible based upon course material.
· Use double-spaced, 12 point font, paragraphs, and complete sentences.
· For course material, include parenthetical citation and page number when paraphrasing or quoting, e.g. “(A. Martin 129).”
· No need for fuller citations of course material
· No outside research is expected. However, as always, any sources you draw upon (including websites) MUST be fully cited.
· Citation formats: Purdue OWL
· This is an individual assignment; Turnitin will flag overly similar responses between students
Overall Tips
· Note the point totals- questions 1-4 are 10 points each and questions 5-7 are 20 points each. Questions 1-4 require direct, shorter answers while questions 5-7 are more detailed. Questions 5-7 are more similar to the midterm prompts (which were worth 25 points each). New for the final.
· No formal thesis statement is required. However, note that questions 5 and 7 do require you to state an opinion and advance an argument (discussed further below). New for the final.
· Questions 5 and 7 ask you to discuss course films. Discuss specific scenes, using the stylistic and narrative terms we’ve discussed in section. New for the final.
· Unlike for the midterm, film analysis (of Lee/DuVernay films) is required for several of the prompts. If you missed the course screenings, be sure to allow time to access and watch the films. New for the final.
· Limit the use of quotes. Put the concepts in your own words. If you use quotes or closely paraphrase a reading OR lecture, explain the significance of the quote in your own words.
· Answer each question as fully as possible, drawing upon the reading, lecture, screenings, and discussion section.
· Check that you’ve answered each part of the question and included the requested number of readings and/or media.
· Re-read the relevant articles. Don’t rely on lecture slides/notes alone.
· For questions 5-7, be sure you understand each article’s argument or intervention. Why did the author write it? What are they trying to add to the scholarly conversation?
· An answer like “highlight the importance of female directors” is a good start but not enough because it applies to many articles we’ve read. Each article has a unique perspective.
Advice on Specific Questions
#3
· The question refers to comments Prof. Bowdre made in lecture (not in the slides and not in the reading). If you’re not sure what she said, just pick one of the directors (Lee or Perry) and summarize Prof. Bowdre’s perspective based upon her article. I will still give significant partial credit if you engage with the reading.
#5
· Be sure to discuss specific scenes from AT LEAST two Lee films, including 4 Little Girls and/or When the Levees Broke.
· The prompt asks you if sexism is apparent in Lee’s documentaries. I recommend giving your answer, and briefly explaining why, in your opening paragraph. This will help focus your response.
· The prompt asks you to “consider the sexism in his fiction films such as School Daze (1988) and Malcolm X (1992) and then consider his documentaries,” so part of your answer can certainly be focused on the fictional films.
· Remember it’s fine to disagree with a reading, or say that it applies to the fiction films but not the documentaries.
#6
· Note that the prompt says, “Use Maryann Erigha and other writers in your analysis.” So the response should discuss Erigha, Benshoff/Griffin, and AT LEAST one additional author.
#7:
· Here’s a good chance to use the stylistic/narrative elements I kept bringing up in section and that you used on your papers. You may want to consult my handouts on Film Form/Style and Narrative.
· Though optional, it may be helpful to include a basic thesis statement in your intro. Here, you can summarize the themes/visuals you will discuss and your answer as to whether or not the themes apply across both documentaries and fiction.
Film Availability
As noted earlier in the quarter, all screened films are available for viewing at the Instructional Media Lab , 270 Powell Library (310-206-1211) EXCEPT the following:
· Miracle at St. Anna (Lee, 2008)
· Mo'ne Davis: I Throw Like a Girl (Lee, 2014)
· My Mic Sounds Nice: A Truth About Women and Hip Hop (DuVernay, 2010)
· I Will Follow (DuVernay, 2010)
· Venus vs. (DuVernay, 2013)
· August 28th (DuVernay, 2016)
You will still be able to answer the questions successfully even if you cannot find one of the above. At this time, libraries remain open. Many of the films are also available online on various platforms. If you have trouble with IML or media access, let me know. (However, do remember that these are courtesy options; Prof. Bowdre’s expectation is that you watched the material in class unless you notified us of an excused absence.)
