Blog Topic #1 - DUE SUNDAY, 3/23 @ 9:00 p.m.

Jesus Camp & the Style Spectrum for Documentaries

Note: You cannot post to this blog from school; you must access it from home. 

Write a well-developed paragraph arguing where you place Jesus Camp on the Style Spectrum for Documentaries. Give Jesus Camp a number from 1-10 and at least 3 specific examples as to why you place the film where you do.

Respond by leaving your paragraph as a COMMENT on this posting by clicking on the "No comments" link below. Once you submit your comment you will be unable to see it until I publish it after the due date.

(I highly recommend writing and saving your paragraph in a word processor and then copying and pasting it into the comment field on this blog page.)

For full credit on this home work assignment, your comment must be a minimum of 1 well-written, well-developed paragraph (5-7 sentences) that follows the criteria above. Comments that are not proofread will receive a zero.

MAKE SURE YOU "SIGN" YOUR COMMENT BY WRITING YOUR FIRST NAME AND LAST INITIAL!

Blog Topic #1 - COMMENT by 9:00 p.m. on Wed., 2/13

Comment by creating an annotated list of 5 movies with a theme: 5 all-time favorites, 5 funniest comedies, 5 worst sci-fi movies ever, 5 great movies of 2012, etc. Be creative!

NOTE: You cannot post to this blog from school; you must access it from home. 

Be sure to

• Give your list a TITLE that identifies its theme.
• NUMBER the movies in your list and give their titles.
• Follow each movie with a completely original 2-3 SENTENCE ANNOTATION explaining why it made your list.
• PROOFREAD your comment before you submit it! Comments that are not proofread will not count as having completed the assignment.
• SIGN your comment by ending with your FIRST NAME & LAST INITIAL.

Use my list below as a model:

Daszenski's 5 All-time Favorite Hitchcock Films

1. The Birds (1963) - Even though the special effects are no longer so special, this is still one of the best 'When Nature Goes Nuts' films. Night of the Living Dead owes a lot to Hitchcock: people trapped in a house during an unnatural apocalypse, no real closure, and enough claustrophobia to fill 3 movies.
2. North By Northwest (1959) - Madison Ave. executive or CIA assassin? Cary Grant plays Roger Thornhill who is chased across North America by the good guys and the bad guys for a crime he didn't commit. With his good looks and fancy suits, Thornhill was licensed to kill before James Bond ever hit the silver screen. 
3. Rear Window (1954) - Maybe the most intense ending of any Hitchcock film, this will teach you not to spy on your neighbors, no matter how bored you are.
4. Lifeboat (1944) - It's WWII and survivors from a ship torpedoed by the Nazis struggle to stay alive on the high seas. But what happens when one of the "survivors" is actually a Nazi? Oh, those Hitchcockian twists...
5. Notorious (1946) - Unforgettable war-time spy thriller set in South America with Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, and Claude Rains.

- Jim D.

Blog Topic #2 - Comment by 9 p.m. on Monday, 11/19

Does Night of the Living Dead Follow The Classical Paradigm?

Considering the film's story structure, is there a brief period of exposition leading to the inciting incident that sparks the rising action building to a late climax ending with a resolution and closure?

Write a well-developed paragraph or two that demonstrates a knowledge of the terms in red above and give a specific example for each from the film in support if you agree. If you disagree, argue why the film fails to follow the classical paradigm using specific examples.

Respond by leaving a COMMENT on this posting by clicking on the "No comments" link below. Once you submit your comment you will be unable to see it until I publish it after the due date.

For full credit on this home work assignment, your comment must be a minimum of 1 well-written, well-developed paragraph (5-7 sentences) that follows the criteria above. Comments that are not proofread will receive a zero.

MAKE SURE YOU END YOUR COMMENT BY WRITING YOUR FIRST NAME AND LAST INITIAL!

Blog Topic #1 - Comment by 9 p.m. on Friday, 9/28

Groundhog Day as Comedy

As we've learned in class, the key element of comedy as a genre is harmony. It has been noted that comedy moves from "confusion to order; from ignorance to understanding; from law to liberty; from unhappiness to satisfaction; from separation to union; from barrenness to fertility; from singleness to marriage; from two to one."

Choose any three (3) aspects of that definition, and apply it to Groundhog Day using a specific example from the film for each. For instance, briefly discuss how the film moves "from confusion to disorder," "from barreness to fertility," and "from two to one" by giving a specific example for each.

Respond by leaving a COMMENT on this posting by clicking on the "No comments" link below. Once you submit your comment you will be unable to see it until I publish it after the due date.

For full credit on this home work assignment, your comment must be a minimum of 1 well-written, well-developed paragraph (5-7 sentences) that follows the criteria above. Comments that are not proofread will receive a zero.

MAKE SURE YOU END YOUR COMMENT BY WRITING YOUR FIRST NAME & LAST INITIAL!

Blog Topic #3 - COMMENT by 9:00 p.m. on Thurs., 5/24

Tell Us about Your Final Exam Project: Creating an Original Short Film

1. What's the name of your production company and how is it appropriate for your group?
2. What role will you play in the film's creation and why? (Screenwriter, editor, actor, etc.) Why is that the right role for you?
3. Give a brief description of your film. What's the general plot? To what genre does your film belong? What will be the film's style? What will be the establishing shot and what theme will it it establish?

Respond by leaving a COMMENT on this posting.

For full credit on this home work assignment, your comment must be a minimum of 1 well-developed paragraph (5-7 sentences) that follows the criteria above. Comments that are not proofread will receive a zero.

Blog Topic #2 - COMMENT by 9:00 p.m. on Friday, 3/2

For our second Blog Comment Home Work, watch the short documentary Hilary's Straws on Vimeo.com, and leave your response to the questions below by clicking on the link "0 comments on this topic" below. Once you submit your comment you will be unable to see it until I publish it after the due date.

THE ASSIGNMENT:

Watch the short documentary Hilary's Straws and leave a comment that responds to the following questions:

1. We've defined documentaries as nonfiction films that are usually shot on location, use actual persons, rather than actors, and focus thematically on historical, scientific, social, or environmental subjects. Their principal purpose is to enlighten, inform, educate, persuade, and provide insight into the world in which we live. How has this film enlightened, informed, educated or persuaded you about?
2. How does the filmmaker want you to feel about Hilary? Explain.
3. In terms of the VISUAL TRACK (images) or the AUDIO TRACK (voices, music, sound effects, etc.), what's one element that significantly contributes to create that "feeling." Explain.

For full credit on this home work assignment, your "comment" must be written in complete sentences with accurate responses to all three questions. Comments that are not proofread will receive a zero.


BE SURE TO SIGN YOUR COMMENT WITH YOUR FIRST NAME & LAST INITIAL!

Blog Topic #2 - COMMENT by 11:00 p.m. on Friday, 10/28

Your Final Thoughts about Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times

The film begins by defining itself as "A story of industry, of individual enterprise--humanity crusading in the pursuit of happiness." Leave a comment below addressing this. How is the film about industry, enterprise, and the pursuit of happiness? Is it about anything else as well?

Be as specific as possible in discussing the film by giving concrete examples to back up what you say. Comments should be well-written, insightful, original, and at least a full paragraph (5-7 sentences) in length. Be sure to proofread.

Also, at the end of your comment WRITE YOUR FIRST NAME AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME. Thanks.

Blog Topic #1 - COMMENT by 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 9/20

For our first Blog Comment Home Work, watch Ted Chung's short film A Thousand Words on Vimeo.com, and leave your response to the questions below by clicking on the link "0 comments on this topic" below. Once you submit your comment you will be unable to see it until I publish it after the due date.

THE ASSIGNMENT:

Watch Ted Chung's short film A Thousand Words and leave a comment that responds to the following questions:

1. Define the term LITERARY ASPECT and give one (1) specific example from this short film. What do you see and what makes it a literary aspect?
2. Define the term DRAMATIC ASPECT and give one (1) specific example from this short film. What do you see and what makes it a dramatic aspect? 
3. Define the term CINEMATIC ASPECT and give one (1) specific example from this short film. What do you see and what's the EFFECT created by this cinematic aspect?

For full credit on this home work assignment, your "comment" must be written in complete sentences with accurate responses to all three questions. Comments that are not proofread will receive a zero.

Blog Topic #3 - COMMENT by 9:00 p.m. on Fri. 11/12

Spike Lee's Do The Right Thing chronicles the semi-fictional events of a sweltering hot day in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn. The climax of this controversial film depicts a race riot where a largely African-American mob destroys a pizzeria owned by Sal, a white Italian-American.

What precipitates the riot? Earlier in the day an African-American man (Buggin' Out) had insisted that Sal include some "Brothers" on the pizzeria's wall of fame, a kind of secular shrine reserved for famous Italian-Americans. When Sal refuses, tensions escalate eventually leading to fisticuffs between Sal and Radio Raheem, another African-American. With a baseball bat, Sal destroys Radio Raheem's giant boom box, and when the NYPD arrives they kill Radio Raheem with a chokehold while trying to restrain him. Mookie, an African-American and an employee of Sal's, is so incensed that he throws a garbage pail through the pizzeria's window, screaming "Hate!" and inciting the riot.

Please leave a comment on this post that responds to this question: Considering all of these events, is Mookie justified in starting the riot? Explain.

Remember that blog comments are at least 1 full paragraph (5-7 sentences). They should be well-written, entirely original, and highly specific (pointing to concrete examples in the film). Entries that are not proofread will not count! 

Blog Topic #2 - COMMENT by 9:00 p.m. on Fri. 10/15

Jesus Camp documents the attempt by some adults to indoctrinate children into their religious and political beliefs. Are these actions fair or unfair? Isn't it correct to say that most of us have "inherited" our religious and political views from our parents? Is Jesus Camp showing us this, or something else? Explain.

Remember that blog comments are at least 1 full paragraph (5-7 sentences). They should be well-written, entirely original, and highly specific (pointing to concrete examples in the film). Entries that are not proofread will not count!

And check this out too: it's "I Love You and Buddha Too" by Mason Jennings. Thanks for the link, Elana!

Blog Comment DUE Wed. 5/12 @ 9:00 p.m.

Develop one of the questions from last week's discussion of the film (see the back of Viewing Guide 6/6) into a full paragraph (5-7 sentences minimum) and leave it here as a COMMENT.

1. Thinking "Big Picture" or overall theme, complete this sentence: "North By Northwest is a film about..." Then, explain.
2. Describe the most vivid visual moment from the film. Why is it memorable?
3. Describe the most vivid aural moment from the film. Why is it memorable?
4. What's one question you still have about the film? (Attempt a possible answer to your question as part of your comment.)

Homework Topic #2 - DUE Wednesday, 3/10 @ 9 p.m.

Respond to the following prompt in the form of a COMMENT regarding our study of Chapter 2: Mise en Scene in Understanding Movies and Peter Weir's Witness. (To write your comment, click on the link below that says "0 COMMENTS ON THIS TOPIC.")

For full credit on this homework assignment, your COMMENT must be completely original and well-developed. Your COMMENT may be bullet points followed by a paragraph response. COMMENTs that are not proofread will receive a zero. (Remember that after you publish your comment it will not immediately appear, but I will be able to review it. After the deadline I will publish all comments simultaneously.)

HOMEWORK TOPIC #2: Do a mise en scene analysis of the above frame from Witness. Respond in bullet points to the following elements:

• What is the frame's dominant?
• What is the angle of this shot?
• Composition? (Parallel? Triadic? S or X shaped?)
• Form? Open or closed?
• Framing? Tight or loose?
• What are the staging positions of those in this frame?
• Character proxemics? How much space is there between the characters and how does this comment on their relationship?

Then, respond in a paragraph detailing how these elements work together to make the frame meaningful and to visually convey essential information about the film.

You can click on the image for a larger version of it. Check your handouts and Chapter 2 for help with the above terms.

Questions? Answers: mrd@barebodkin.net

Homework Topic #1 - DUE Thursday, 2/25 @ 9 p.m.

Respond to the following prompt in the form of a COMMENT regarding our current film, Peter Weir's Witness. (To write your comment, click on the link below that says "## COMMENTS ON THIS TOPIC.")

For full credit on this home work assignment, your COMMENT must be completely original and a minimum of 1 well-developed paragraph (5-7 sentences). COMMENTs that are not proofread will receive a zero. (Remember that after you publish your comment it will not immediately appear, but I will be able to review it. After the deadline I will publish all comments simultaneously.)

HOMEWORK TOPIC #1: Look back to Viewing Guide #3, Question #1. Witness is often considered a blend of genres including Thriller, Drama, and Romance.

• Take one of these genres and explain what expectations you have for a film of this type. 
• Give an example of another film in this genre and how it fits the expectations of the genre. Be specific.
• Make a prediction for Witness based on the expectations of one of these genre categories (Thriller/Drama/Romance). Be specific using appropriate character names, etc.

Blog Topic #7 - Comment by 9:00 p.m. on Wed., 12/23

Tell Us about Your Final Exam Project: Creating an Original Short Film

1. What's the name of your production company and how is it appropriate for your group?
2. What role will you play in the film's creation and why? (Screenwriter, editor, actor, etc.) Why is that the right role for you?
3. Give a brief description of your film. What's the general plot? To what genre does your film belong? What will be the film's style? What will be the establishing shot and what theme will it it establish?

Respond by leaving a COMMENT on this posting.

For full credit on this home work assignment, your COMMENT must be a minimum of 1 well-developed paragraph (5-7 sentences) that follows the criteria above. COMMENTs that are not proofread will receive a zero.

Blog Topic #6 - COMMENT by 9:00 p.m. on Tues., 12/15

CRITIQUING the STUDENT CHOICE FILM

Whether you saw Good Will Hunting or Three Kings, give your overall opinion of the film by leaving a COMMENT on this posting. In terms of literary, dramatic, and cinematic aspects, what were the film's specific strengths and weaknesses?

Remember to follow the conventions of a film review (actors' names in parentheses after characters' names, ***spoiler alerts***, etc.)

For full credit on this home work assignment, your COMMENT must be a minimum of 1 well-developed paragraph (5-7 sentences) that follows the criteria above. COMMENTs that are not proofread will receive a zero.

Blog Topic #3 - COMMENT by 9:00 p.m. on Wed., 10/28

In your opinion...

Compare Night of the Living Dead to other horror films you've seen (especially other zombie apocalypse films if possible). In terms of cinematic, dramatic, and literary aspects, how is this film like and/or unlike other horror films you're familiar with? Develop your connections with specific examples from all the films you choose to discuss.

Remember the severe limitations this indie film had (extremely limited budget, no professional actors, no special effects experts, no original music, outdated camera technology, and the fact that George A. Romero not only directed the film, but he was also the cinematographer, co-screenwriter, and editor!) By comparison, the 2007 film I Am Legend had a budget of $150,000,000.

Comments should be completely original, well-written, and 1-paragraph minimum (5-7 sentences). Be sure to address the topic thoroughly and honestly! Comments left after the deadline are fine, but do not receive credit as homework. 

First Blog Topic to COMMENT on...

Welcome! Once a week or so I'll ask you to comment on a topic related to what we're studying in class. It counts as a homework assignment and you'll have 2 days to leave your comment.

Comments should be completely original, well-written, and 1-paragraph minimum (5-7 sentences). Be sure to address the topic thoroughly and honestly! Comments left after the deadline are fine, but do not receive credit as homework.

RotMI BLOG TOPIC #1 -- DUE: Thursday, 10/15 at 9:00 p.m.

Read Elvis Mitchell's New York Times review of Elephant distributed in class. Choose an idea or opinion in the review, quote it directly, and comment on why you believe it is so insightful or why you disagree with it.

Be as specific as possible when discussing examples from the film.

Click on the comment link below to leave your comment.