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In this paper you will present a detailed analysis of a scene in a film. Your essay should address how lighting, costuming, camera angles, etc. are used in the scene. You will also address the significance of this scene in relation to the themes of the film. Below are guidelines to assist you in identifying points that you can address in your essay. A copy of an “A” level essay is also available on iLearn (see top box).
All essays except City of God essay must reference the course reading that is assigned the week that the essay is due.
Your essay must identify the key themes of the film.
This is not the same as summarizing the plot. I have seen the film and do not need to read a summary of the narrative. Instead identify the major themes, main ideas, arguments, values, etc. that are being presented in this film. What questions does this film raise? What is the film encouraging the audience to think about?
Your essay must include five key terms from the Corrigan article and identify these through bold font.
Your essay must account for at least two of the four elements listed below.
You do not need to answer all of the questions listed below. These are simply being provided to assist you in thinking about how to engage in a detailed scene analysis.
1. Point of View
Are there moments when the camera presents the story, a particular place, a particular person, etc. from one character’s point of view?
• Describe how this is done. Through the editing sequence? Through camera angles?
• What is the significance of this to the overall narrative of the film?
• How does this relate to the major themes of the film?
2. Mise-en-scène
Don’t just describe the setting. Instead, explain its significance in relation to the major themes of the film.
• Do the objects and props in the setting, whether natural ones (like hills and rain puddles) or artificial ones (like posters and buildings), have a special significance that relates to the characters or story?
• What do costumes reveal abut a character?
• Is lighting used to highlight certain characters or places? What values are associated with this place or
person?
• Are shadows used to give a feeling of oppression, danger, etc.?
3. Composition and the Image
How is space used in the scene that you are analyzing?
o Does one character occupy more space than another character?
o What does this reveal about the characters?
o Is one character constantly surrounded by people or certain objects? What is his/her relationship to
his/her surroundings? How does this relate to the major themes of the film? What is the angle at which the camera frame represents the action?
o High angle? Low angle? Canted angle?
o What does this suggest about the character or object being filmed?
Is the camera creating a moving frame via reframing, crane shots, tilting, pans, and/or dolly shots?
o How does this relate to the major themes of the film?
• Is an establishing shot used? If so, why do you think this is used to begin the scene?
• If an establishing shot is not used – explain what effect this has on the audience.
o Do you think the director wanted the audience to feel disoriented?
o Does this make us relate to the state of mind of the character in the scene? Note the editing pace or rhythm.
o Does the director use mostly long takes or is the scene rapidly edited?
4. Sound
• Review Corrigan’s definitions of ambient sound, overlapping dialogue, voice-off, voice-over, and narrative
cueing.
• How does sound work together with the image?
• Does sound ever become more important than the image?
o What purpose might this serve?
• What role does silence play?
• Are there sound motifs that identify the character or actions?
o If so, is sound being used to underscore the major themes of the film?
Assignment Guidelines Length of essay: Three pages (this should equal about 1,500 – 2,000 words)
Choose two of the following films (see syllabus for due date):
A.) City of God (Katia Lund and Fernando Meirelles, 2002, 130 min.) B.) Bicycle Thieves (Vittorio De Sica, 1948, 89 min.)
C.) Blade Runner (Ridley Scott, 1982, 117 min.)
D.) Danzón (María Novarro, 1991, 120 min.)
Writing Assistance: Students are encouraged to use the resources of the Learning Assistance Center (LAC) , the Community Access and Retention Program (CARP), and/or the Ethnic Studies Student Resource and Empowerment Center. For more information visit: www.sfsu.edu/ethnicst/studentcenter
www.sfsu.edu/~lac www.sfsu.edu/~carp1
I will also review rough drafts and outlines if they are submitted at least three days before the due date.
Please send your essay/outline as a Word document and copy & paste your essay/outline as text in the body of your email to ensure that I am able to access it.
Essay Grading Rubric
I. Clearly demonstrated understanding of course materials
a. Referenced key technical terms presented by Corrigan and/or Ramirez Berg
b. Referenced the course reading that is assigned the week that the essay is due (this does not apply to City of God essay)
c. Presented readings in his/her own words
d. Presented thesis statement, developed clear argument and supported argument throughout essay
II. Writing Style
a. Clearly communicated thoughts and ideas
b. Did not simply summarize the plot of the film
c. Presented a detailed scene analysis
d. Proofread for spelling and grammar (incomplete sentences and fragments, etc.)
III. Uploaded essay on iLearn by the due date/time
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