ENGL 1320, Section 299 TR: College Writing II
Instructor: Kim Wells

Essay 1: Film Critique

Due Date Thursday February 1
Percentage of Final Grade: 10%
Minimum of 2 maximum of 4 pages.

For this assignment, you should refer to the handout from A Short Guide to Writing About Film-- I recommend that you also pay close attention to the sample essay I handed out as a guide to your own work; it is a good example of what I will be looking for on this assignment. To quote our syllabus: "The critique will need to be much, much more than mere plot synopsis" (in fact, avoid re-telling what happens as much as possible– tell me, instead, WHY and HOW things happen). You will choose the film that you will review from the approved list; sign up as soon as possible.

Assignment:
Choose one of the following options to analyze your chosen video, carefully referring to all handouts you have been given, as well as basic analytic techniques we learn in class. Answering any and all of the questions included with the option might be helpful. Your paper should be typed, double spaced, on good white paper with a 12 point standard font (Times New Roman preferred).

Choose one of the following options

• 1. Are any actions, scenes, events, foreshadowed? How? What clues do you get early on in the film that, had you been aware of what would happen, would have told you the outcome of those foreshadows? Does the director use shots, points of view, framing, closeups or the mis-en-scéne (or a combination of all) to develop these events?
• 2. Discuss one or more of the film's characters and how they are developed. Are the characters complex, or simple "type" characters (the bully, the hero, the princess, the geek).? What purpose does this kind of characterization serve? How are the characters defined? Through clothing? Action? Speech? What others say?
• 3. Compare and contrast the setting of two crucial scenes in the film. Where do they take place? What kinds of mis-en-scéne is there? Does the setting uplift, depress, or is it neutral? How do the characters react (if at all) to the setting? Take note that "no reaction" is actually a sort of reaction. What is the quality of light, sound, costuming, etc.? How does the director shoot the scenes (are there combinations of close ups, long shots, complex splicing and computer animation)? What effect does the director's "hidden hand" have on the story?