694 2p

Extra Credit Opportunity!

The movies industry has had a complicated relationship with television since the 1950s. Because of this, a number of films over the years have commented on television on some level, with some focusing on the production of TV and others examining the impact of TV watching. With this extra credit assignment, you have opportunity to earn some extra points by watching a feature film that is, on some level, about TV. The movie must come from the list below; after you watch the movie, answer the questions on the back of this sheet. Please use the questions as a form – although you might need to write more than size of the boxes here. Make sure to answer all of them, and be as specific as you can be. I will be posting this assignment on Blackboard, so you can use that document as a template where you can type up your answers. Keep in mind that your answers to most of the questions will involve analysis. I want to see that you are thinking about the movie and the questions on this form. This is not meant to be a research assignment; do NOT consult any sources for interpretations of the movie. (You can look at IMDB.com for basic production information, however.) This assignment is about YOUR interpretation. Keep your summary short. Don’t “review” the film; whether it was good or bad is not immediately relevant here. You might be able to get some of these movies through the library, while others can probably be watched online via Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon, or on DVD.

The extra credit assignment is due on Wednesday, May 15, but you can always turn it in earlier. Only hard copies will be accepted; emailed papers will not work for this assignment. The assignment is worth up to 40 points.

Films: Avalon (1990) The TV Set (2006) Network (1976) American Dreamz (2006) Anchorman (2004) Bamboozled (2000) The Front (1976) UHF (1989) Videodrome (1983) Quiz Show (1994) The Truman Show (1998)

The Cable Guy (1996)

Money Monster (2016) Morning Glory (2010) Being There (1979) EdTV (1999) The Running Man (1987) Broadcast News (1987) Real Life (1979) The Weather Man (2005) My Favorite Year (1982) Hairspray (2007) To Die For (1995) Good Night and Good Luck

(2005) The King of Comedy (1982)

Soapdish (1991)

Final Note: Some of these movies are rated “R.” If that is something that concerns you, then do some research about the movie’s content before watching.

Name: ________________________ Date: ________________________

Basic information: name of the film, director, year of release

Briefly summarize your film.

What role does TV play in the movie? Is it part of the setting, does it function as a challenge or tool for the main characters, or is it something that the characters are involved with as viewers? How does it contribute to the theme of the movie? (These are some examples; there are other possible “roles” beyond this.) Explain.

Based on your viewing of the movie, what were the filmmakers trying to say about TV in the movie? Are they offering a positive or negative view of TV (or of a certain aspect of TV)? Provide some details from the movie that would lead you to this conclusion.

What is the most important scene or piece of dialogue about TV? Explain its significance.