English homework help

Instructions.docx

Final Assignment

Word limit: 3 pages single space.

This assignment tasks you with selecting a woman filmmaker, defined as you see fit, whose work you intend to analyze from a critical-theoretical perspective informed by our course material. Ensure that you can reasonably source at least two of their films or other works for analysis, representing their creative persona, style, themes, and influence. In an effort to enhance the inclusion of more women filmmakers in the canon, you are encouraged (though not required) to explore someone not already covered in the course. If opting for a filmmaker already extensively studied, demonstrate how your analysis builds upon, rather than repeats, previous discussions. Additionally, choose at least one film beyond those discussed in class, ensuring availability for sourcing. Plan ahead to secure access to your selected film(s).

Once you've chosen your figure/filmmaker and film(s), conduct research to develop an argument-based analysis. This analysis should draw from at least one of our class readings, supplemented by your own research from academic or reputable journalistic sources relevant to your chosen figure/filmmaker and analysis.

Tips：

1. Interpretation over Description: Ensure your analysis is interpretive rather than merely descriptive. Formulate a cohesive argument by tying observations together, addressing both audiovisual and narrative aspects of the work. Support your argument with clearly articulated descriptive examples and thoughtful debate.

2. Concise Synopsis: When analyzing a work of screen media, provide a succinct description of its premise or plot, as well as its main characters or features. However, keep story synopsis to a minimum, focusing on clarity in making your points.

3. Consider Audiovisual Medium: Remember that you're analyzing an audiovisual medium. Discuss the work's style, its relation to content, and its significance for both the work's meaning and your viewing experience.

4. Maintain Neutral Tone: While it's acceptable to express enthusiasm or disinclination, ensure your overall tone remains neutral. Academic writing differs from film criticism, so be cautious in maintaining objectivity.

5. Selective Use of References: While references to selected readings are expected, avoid letting your sources do your arguing for you. Be selective in quoting directly, integrating quotations fluidly and constructively into your discussion. Explain their meaning and significance to your argument.

6. Proper Citation: Properly cite any references to others' ideas or words, using any bibliographic citation style. Even if you choose the video essay option, cite your sources using text graphics.

7. Creative Title: Give your project a creative, informative title, avoiding generic terms like "Final Project."

Your final project will be graded according to the following criteria:

A (Excellent):

Displays excellence in content and presentation.

Demonstrates a depth of theoretical understanding and analysis, supporting an insightful original argument.

Exhibits a polished style, whether written, spoken, or audiovisual.

B (Effective):

Effective in content and presentation.

Demonstrates solid research and analysis.

Presents a thoughtful argument.

Displays a coherent and effective style.

C (Adequate):

Adequate in content and presentation.

Utilizes some research and analysis.

Shows basic skill and attention to style.

D (Inadequate):

Inadequate in content and presentation.

Poorly researched and analyzed.

Shows little skill and attention to style.

WomanFilmmakerProposal2.docx

Abstract

I aim to do a deep analysis of the films made by Greta Gerwig, focusing on her 2023 film Barbie alongside her famous 2019 work Little Women. Through comparative analysis, I will dive into their treatment of relationships with family and the social environment, and how the women in the films see themselves and what they believe in as the story unfolds. Through these discussions, I want to dig into the complexities of womanhood and how society's expectations influence who we are as individuals. Through this case study, the contributions of women filmmakers to cinema and the significance of their work within academic discourse will be highlighted. Furthermore, this essay explores the portrayal of women in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie (2023) and Little Women (2019) films and the influential role of female directors in reshaping cultural narratives and challenging the dominant ideologies. Meanwhile, I will explore Greta Gerwig's unique filmmaking style and how it influences broader conversations about the impact of women directors on cinema and the significance of gender in our society. This will lead to the understanding of the significance of women in filmmaking and their significance within academic discourse, leading to a broader understanding of gender representation in film and society. This analysis involves closely studying Gerwig's films in relation to feminist theory and cultural analysis.

My preliminary thesis is: Greta Gerwig's films, Little Women and Barbie, serve as pivotal examples of her unique filmmaking style and narrative approach, challenging traditional gender roles through nonlinear storytelling and distinctive pictorial techniques. Through a detailed analysis of Gerwig's directorial choices in these films, this study aims to illuminate how her work not only redefines traditional female narratives but also contributes to broader conversations about the influence of women directors on cinema and the evolving significance of gender in contemporary society. By exploring themes of gender, identity, and power within Gerwig's films, this research seeks to deepen our understanding of the cultural impact of female directors, ultimately reshaping the landscape of the film industry by amplifying the voices and perspectives of women.

Annotation

In Lori Marso's article "Feeling Like a Barbie: On Greta Gerwig and Chantal Akerman," the author explains how an object like Barbie and a film can be interconnected and, in particular, compares the artificiality of Barbie dolls with the aesthetics of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie released in 2023. It explores how both elements can produce different reactions from the audiences and critics. The author argues that the film “Barbie: and the Barbie doll are connected cultural objects, whereby Gerwig’s film highlights the artificiality in Barbie, the evaluation of the role of Gerwig's cinematic influences in her work, and compares the work of Gerwig with Chantal Akerman, demonstrating the opposition of shallow feelings and hidden, often unpleasant emotions both in the Barbie culture and in Gerwig's film. Marso explores Gerwig’s cinematic impact and compares her depiction of the hidden emotions with the shallow emotions in Akerman’s exploration, which shows the difference between the two works. I will use this analysis to contextualize Gerwig’s exploration of “Barbie” and compare it to her other works within a more comprehensive backdrop of films directed by women.

Marso, L. (2023, August 16). Feeling like a Barbie: On Greta Gerwig and Chantal Akerman. Los Angeles Review of Books. https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/feeling-like-a-barbie-on-greta-gerwig-and-chantal-akerman/?mc_cid=8fc932dd69&mc_eid=7150e931ff