Fri, Dec 18

 

DUE TODAY: Review of Tim Burton's "Big Fish"

 

Mon, Dec 14 - Wed, Dec 16

 

DUE TODAY: Nothing in writing

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Submit the "Big Fish" film review by Friday, end of day's classes

FOCUS TODAY:

 

Mon = Big Fish, part 2

Wed = Big Fish, part 3

 

To help you with your own reviews, I've dug up some interesting commentaries on "Big Fish"

• The "Tim Burton Collective" overview of the film
• Here is a good plot explanation (just in case you were confused)
• The New York Times review of the film
• The Rolling Stone review of the film
• A review of the film's soundtrack (composed by Danny Elfman, who scores most of Tim Burton's films)
• Tim Burton (director) interviewed by IGN Entertainment
• Tim Burton (director) interviewed by the B.B.C. (British Broadcasting Company)

 

 

 

Thu Dec 10 and Mon Dec 14

 

DUE TODAY: "Casablanca" review due Dec 14

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: "Big Fish" review due before break

FOCUS TODAY: Critical viewing

 

"Big Fish" film viewing

 

Fri Dec 4, Tue Dec 8

 

DUE TODAY: Review of "2001"

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Review of Casablanca due Dec 14

FOCUS TODAY: Critical viewing

 

"Casablanca" viewing and note-taking

 

Wed, Dec 2

 

DUE TODAY: Review of "It's a Wonderful Life" - be sure to follow the directions for writing film reviews ! 

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Review of "2001"

FOCUS TODAY: Themes in film

 

Finish viewing 2001

 

Talk about how the film approaches and presents technology

 

Mon, Nov 30

 

DUE  TODAY: Review of "It's a Wonderful Life"  if you want to - otherwise due @ start of next class

HOMEWORK  TONIGHT:

• "It's a Wonderful Life"  review
• Three mini-paragraphs on "2001"

FOCUS  TODAY:  2001 and its artistry

 

Viewing today:  2001:  A  Space Odyssey directed by Stanley Kubrick

 

Check out the 2001 Viewing Guide

 

Tues, Nov 24

 

DUE TODAY: Sections one and two on the film take-home exam

HOMEWORK TONIGHT:

• We do not meet again until Monday, Nov. 30. Between now and then you will write a film review of "It's a Wonderful Life." Click HERE for details.

FOCUS TODAY: Viewing film as a text, review writing

 

The conclusion of "It's a Wonderful Life"

 

Writing film reviews - approach strategies and a template

Check out "reel" reviews at rottentomatoes.com to get an idea of how the "pros" do it!

 

Fri, Nov 20 (Half-day)

 

DUE TODAY: A paragraph on one scene in a film - analyze how the camera work adds meaning to the story or a character in the scene.

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Complete secitons one and two on the take-home exam

FOCUS TODAY: "It's a Wonderful Life"  continued

 

Film viewing:  "It's a Wonderful Life"

 

Wed, Nov 18

 

DUE TODAY: Nothing written

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: One paragraph that explains how camera work in a scene adds meaning and depth to the story or a character. You choose the film or use one of the scenes we've watched in class.

FOCUS TODAY: Further camera work analysis

 

Warmup clips:

• "Do you feel lucky?" scene with Clint Eastwood
• "Go ahead - make my day." scene with Clint Eastwood
• Opening scene to "Goldeneye"

 

First full-film: "It's a Wonderful Life" directed by Frank Capra, starring James Stewart

 

Mon, Nov 16

 

DUE TODAY: Nothing written

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: None

FOCUS TODAY: Analyzing camera work

 

Today we focus on the different types of camera shots movie makers use to help add meaning and depth to their scenes.

 

A presentation on basic film terms related to camera work

 

Film clips:

• Opening scene from "Gladiator"
• Opening scene from "Men in Black"

 

Thu, Nov 12

 

DUE  TODAY:  Reading of pgs 240-252 in the text

HOMEWORK  TONIGHT:  Review the reading for discussion and quiz next class

FOCUS  TODAY:  Radio performances in theater!

 

LIVE  performances of the "old timey"  radio dramas today

 

 

Mon, Nov 9

 

DUE  TODAY:  Nothing

HOMEWORK  TONIGHT:  Read pages 240-252 in the text

FOCUS  TODAY:  Early developments in film - 1800s-1927

 

One powerpoint today:  Film from the 1800s to 1927

One short film:  "Four Troublesome Heads"  by George Melies

Two narrative films:  

• "A  Trip to the Moon" by Melies (this is only one video version of many online)
• "The Great Train Robbery" by Porter (again - just one version of many online)

 

Pay attention to the development of film as a mass medium. What were the characteristic elements of early films?  What developments caused the film industry to grow? Why did silent films speak to audiences across all cultures and social circles?