checklist

structure

language

January 2005: Film Structure / Film Language

Schedule of Classes / Films

JAN-067 Meets: M-Tu-Th-Fri from 2:45-5:15

Dante 204

There will be spot quizzes at the start of most classes
Students are expected to view each assigned movie at least once and preferably twice.

Sample quiz questions (question refers to the movie, Road to Perdition, which we will NOT be studying): How old is Michael Jr. at the time of the main story?; Right after Connor kills Michael Sr.’s wife and the younger son, does he see Michael watching him from outside the house?; When John Rooney learns his son, Connor, has killed Michael’s wife and younger son, he flies into a rage. What does he do to Connor who cowers before him? (three parts, 5 points each – possible 15 points here)

Students will work with a Checklist to help them deconstruct each film.

Note that students should screen on DVD. VHS copies are not an option as they are almost all vastly inferior as to quality and content. Most students will probably want to rent or purchase a copy of each film, although a reserved copy will also be available to screen at the Library. Note that students will NOT be purchasing any text books for this class. The movies themselves are our text books.

Descriptions of class subjects are only approximate and will be expanded or contracted as time allows. Although not likely, actual assigned films may change to adjust to class needs. Any changes will be posted. Please always check for updates.
(page last updated: 01/23/2006)

Write a two-page essay about a film you particularly love or hate.  You are trying to persuade the reader to go and see this film or else to NEVER see it. Argue your case well. Both content and writing style count.

• Due at start of class: two-page essay
• How grading works
• opportunity to rewrite today's essay
• History Cont: Battleship Potemkin
• Basic concepts cont.: Film Structure, Film Language

• screen Citizen Kane, Orson Welles
• Fill out Checklist for Citizen Kane -- bring 2 copies to next class, one to turn in, one to keep

• First essays returned
• due at start of class: Checklist for Citizen Kane
• Quiz on Citizen Kane
• discuss writing assignment #1 including common errors
• review film  Structure & Language
• begin discussion Citizen Kane, Orson Welles, using checklist.

• Write 3-page Obit for Charles Foster Kane

• due at start of class: 3-page obit for Charles Foster Kane
• due at start of class: rewrite of first essay (optional)
• using checklists, continue discussion Citizen Kane, Orson Welles
• opening shot from A Touch Of Evil

• screen  Throne of Blood, Akira Kurosowa -- set DVD to view subtitles by Linda Hoagland, NOT by Donald Richie -- so we are all using the same terms.
• Fill out Checklist

• due at start of class: Checklist for Throne of Blood.
• Obits returned
• using Checklists, discuss Throne of Blood, Akira Kurosowa
• compare to silent version of Floating Weeds by Jasujiro Ozu
• or: Macbeth as filmed by Roman Polanski

• screen  The Seventh Seal, Ingmar Bergman
• Fill out Checklist

• due at start of class: Checklist for The Seventh Seal.
• using Checklists, discuss  The Seventh Seal Ingmar Bergman
• screen parts of Wild Strawberries by Bergman
• questions re Mid Terms

• screen Breathless, Jean-Luc Godard
• Fill out Checklist

• due at start of class: Checklist for Breathless.
• using Checklists, discuss Breathless, Jean-Luc Godard
• screen part of In Praise of Love, 2000 film by Godard

• Part 1: Detailed questions about early Film History, Film Language, and Film Structure;
• Part 2: Pick 3 out of 5 questions and write short essay answers.

• screen Chinatown, Roman Polanski
• Fill out Checklist
• For your Final Essay: prepare a 3x5 card with the title of the film and the name of the director. Turn in your card at our next class.

• due at start of class: Checklist for Chinatown.
• using Checklists, discuss Chinatown, Roman Polanski

due at start of class: 3x5 cards with Final Essay name of film and director

• screen either Tax Driver, Martin Scorsese (film choice tbd)
• Fill out Checklist

Jan 19 - #10

• due at start of class: Checklist for Taxi Driver.
• using Checklists, discuss  Tax Driver, Martin Scorsese (film choice tbd)

• screen Thelma and Louise, Ridley Scott
• Fill out Checklist

• due at start of class: Checklist for Thelma and Louise.
• using Checklists, discuss Thelma and Louise, Ridley Scott

• screen Pulp Fiction, Quentin Tarantino;
• Fill out Checklist

• due at start of class: Checklist for Pulp Fiction.
• using Checklists, discuss Pulp Fiction, Quentin Tarantino

At the same time, the Professor will go over each paper with each student one-on-one

• Screen Requiem for a Dream, Darren Aronofsky
• Fill out Checklist

• due at start of class: Checklist for Requiem for a Dream.
• using Checklists, discuss Requiem for a Dream, Darren Aronofsky

• screen City of God, Fernando Meirelles
• fill out Checklist

• due at start of class: Checklist for City of God.
• using Checklists, discuss City of God, Fernando Meirelles

final rewrites of essay