Art and History of the Cinema

Monty Helm Spring 2005

Critical Essays and Research Paper

 

Important: You should not retell the story of the film in your critique. This aspect of your paper should be generalized. Only be specific in this when you are comparing, contrasting, and analyzing.

Factors to consider when critiquing a film:

1. Focus on particular scenes and how they look. How are particular scenes presented? How do they support the story? Look for key scenes, introduction; climax; and resolution.
2. The films place in the history of film.
3. The director's success or failure in communicating the vision.
4. The look of the film including sets and settings, art direction, costumes, and effects.
5. The actors portrayal of the role.
6. The type of story (fiction or nonfiction) and the script (narrative, dialogue, conflict, and conclusion).
7. Cinematography, lighting, and sound.
8. Editing (sequence of time, rhythm, pace, transitions, and continuity).
9. Musical score.
10. Iconography and Symbolism.

Due: Jan 21. Outside Assignment, Critique I: Select a film that was made between 1915 and 1930. Use the film list as a guide, you may also utilize your text as a source.
The critique should be 2 pages, typed (12 point font), and double space. In addition create a title page that includes Your name, the title, director, and date.

Due: Feb 4. Outside Assignment, Critique II: Select a film that was made between 1930 and 1959. Use the film list as a guide, you may also utilize your text as a source.
The critique should be 2 pages, typed (12 point font), and double space. In addition create a title page that includes Your name, the title, director, and date.

Due: Feb 18. Outside Assignment, Critique III. Select a film that was made between 1960 and 1980. Use the film list as a guide, you may also utilize your text as a source.
The critique should be 2 pages, typed (12 point font), and double space. In addition create a title page that includes your name, title, director, and date.

Due: March 4. Research Paper on a Director: Select a director from the film list or the text as your topic of research. You should view at least two films by your director. Your paper should include approximately one page of biographical and background information on the director and two pages that critically examine the films you viewed by this director. Use the criteria listed above in critiquing these films.
5 pages, typed, 12-point font, and double-spaced. In addition create a title page that includes Director, Titles of films critiqued and the dates. Include a bibliography and site your sources in the text of your paper.

*Note*In Owensboro, the best film selection is located at the Daviess County Public Library, and Hollywood Videos.