FILM STUDY PROJECT
You are going to select a film from the list of films and write a paper answering the evaluation questions listed below. No one may choose the same film, and films are assigned on a first come, first served basis. There is some flexibility for you to add a film, but the goal of this assignment is twofold. First, you are to explore a film in a way you may not have done previously. Second, the films are chosen for their quality, so that you are opening your mind to look at films that are effective. There is no formal format to this essay, but you do need to answer each question and give evidence. You also need to include a cover page with information requested on the back of this page (you can get this info during the film's credits, or on www.imdb.com). We will also review in class.
EVALUATION CRITERIA:
1. How did the film make you feel? What did it make you think about? What kinds of lessons can you take from the film?
2. Which scenes engaged you the most? Which ones were the least engaging? Why?
3. What kept you interested throughout the film? Was it acting, plot, lighting, etc? How so?
4. What literary works did the film remind you of? (You cannot say none) Why?
5. What was the film's plot (please cover the five stages of plot: exposition, complication, climax, denouement, resolution)? Consider the conflict in this summary. What is it? Is it internal or external?
6. Describe the main characters (protagonist, antagonist, other important characters).
7. How did the main characters evolve throughout the story?
8. What is the film's setting (time, place, etc.)?
9. What was the theme of the film? Why do you think so?
10. What mood is created through the film, and how does the director do this?
11. What symbols exist in the film? (You cannot say none) How are they used?
12. What point of view is the film told in? How does this affect the story?
13. Is suspense created? How?
14. Was the acting believable? Were the performances understated or overstated?
15. What camera angles were most effective? What did you notice about the angles?
16. Is the set realistic? Does it make sense in the context of the film? How?
17. Does the set and art design create a feeling of a certain time and place?
18. How does lighting and use of color contribute to the mood of the film?
19. What music is used in the film? How does this affect the mood?
20. Are there are significant sound effects used? Why? Are they effective?
21. Is there an unseen narrator speaking at any point in the film? What does this add to the film? Does it detract in any way?
22. Were special effects used effectively? Did they need to be, or should they have been cut?
23. How was the film edited? How many scene changes existed?
24. Was the film based on anything? If the film is an adaptation, does it seem like parts were left out? What was missing?
25. Does the script leave anything unsaid? How could this have been fixed?