Compare and contrast two genres of cinema (Classical, Modern, or Postmodern), illustrating your answer by discussing one or more films.

ESSAY ASSIGNMENT

Use the ESSAY Answer Template for your answers.

Write a total of three essays, one essay for each section (A, B, and C). Each answer must be a minimum of 600 words ( no more than 750 words).

You may write about each film ONLY ONCE.  So each section will have different film.

You may write ONLY on films viewed in class. Films viewed outside of class are NOT eligible for analysis.

Indicate, by number, your answers.

It is very important that you support your analytical points with specific illustrations (cinematic evidence) from course films.

Eligible Films:

Casablanca

Double Indemnity

The Graduate

Goodfellas

The Silence of the Lambs

Ladybird

Wonder Woman

Moonlight

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

The Imitation Game

Ex Machina

Interstellar

SECTION A.  Answer one of the following prompts.

Choose one genre of cinema (as outlined in the lectures, not as presented in the textbook): Classical, Modern, or Postmodern. In your essay, show how one or more films characterize this genre. Be sure to define and discuss the fundamental elements of this genre as suggested in the course lectures.

Compare and contrast two genres of cinema (Classical, Modern, or Postmodern), illustrating your answer by discussing one or more films. Be sure to define and discuss the fundamental elements of these genres as suggested in the course lectures.

Choose at least one important element in film interpretation (issues that might be examined include cultural perspectives, cinematic time, narrative trajectory, and fore structure) and illustrate your answer by illustrating it in one or more films.

SECTION B: Select two or more terms/concepts and apply them to one or more films viewed in class.

diegetic sound / non-diegetic sound / ambient sound / crane shot / framing / reframing / establishing shot / master shot / extreme close-up / close-up / medium shot / long shot / extreme long shot / Steadicam / slow motion / fast motion / chiaroscuro / deep focus cinematography / high-key lighting / low-key lighting / continuity editing / cutting on action / freeze-frame / shot/reverse shot / fade-in / fade-out / wipe / dissolve / montage / long take / climax / realism / antirealism / verisimilitude / voiceover / characterization / flat character / round character / cinematic time / flashback / flash-forward / inciting moment / omniscient point-of-view / single character point-of-view / group point-of-view / parallel editing / jump cuts / split screens

SECTION C: Select TWO issues from the list below and apply them to one or more films viewed in class.

Cultural assumptions of society and audiences

Character Stereotyping

Relationships, including love

Issues of identity

Images of women

Issues of Technology, including AI and Robotics

Issues of gender

Journey motif(s)

Themes of nostalgia and loss

Comic irony/satire/parody

Racial and ethnic portraits

American myth

Degradation/corruption

Portraits of Romance

Strategic or critical moment in a film

Ethical issues

Terror, horror, fear

International representations

Uses of violence

Issues of obsession

Coming of age narrative

Representations of urban life

Representations of rural life

Compare and contrast two genres of cinema (Classical, Modern, or Postmodern), illustrating your answer by discussing one or more films.
Scroll to top