Ch. 12 from “The Film Experience” Writing a Film Essay Ch. 12 from “The Film Experience”

Personal Opinion and Objectivity “Writing about film usually involves a play between subject matter and meaning.” Useful and insightful writing always balances opinion and critical objectivity You need both!

Elements of the Analytical Film Essay Film reviews Describes the plot of the movie Provides useful background information Pronounces a clear evaluation of the film to guide its readers Analytical Essay Focuses on a particular feature or theme of a film Provides an interpretation of the material A careful analysis that proves or demonstrates that interpretation

Preparing to Write About a Film Asking questions What have you heard? What do you know? Taking notes Three general rules Take notes on the unusual – events or formal elements that stand out in the film Take notes on events or techniques that occur with regularity Take notes on oppositions that appear in the film

Popular Shorthand es: establishing shot ha: high angle ct: cut cu: close-up mcu: medium close-up la: low angle trs: tracking shot ls: long shot ds: diegetic sound ps: pan shot mls: medium long shot nds: nondiegetic sound vo: voiceover

Select a Topic Formal Topics Contextual Topics Character analysis Narrative analysis Stylistic analysis Contextual Topics Comparative analysis Cultural analysis

Elements of a Film Essay Interpretation, argument, and evidence What is your opinion? What is your claim? What is your evidence? Thesis statement Have a “working thesis” before you start writing Outline and Topic Sentences A blueprint is the secret to success Generate topic sentences that support your working thesis

Writer’s Checklist Review your notes, filling in details where you can. Ideally, view the film one more time. Try to summarize the most important themes or motifs in the film. Formulate a working thesis and an argument for the essay. Outline the argument. If possible, use full sentences for your headings because they can then become your topic sentences.

5. Develop the central idea of each paragraph using details from the film that support that paragraph’s topic sentence. 6. Rewrite your thesis to reflect any changes or refinements in your thinking that occurred while you were writing your first draft. 7. If you are writing a research essay, be sure to use the correct documentation format for in-text citations and the works cited list. 8. Revise your essay, checking for such problems as vague or illogical organization, and proofread for surface errors in spelling and grammar.

9. Select a title that reflects that reflects the main argument of your paper. 10. Print out the essay and correct any remaining typographical errors.

Researching the Movies Primary Research Actual Film, script, ect. Secondary Research Books, articles, web sites, ect. Internet Sources Databases, journals, ect.

Using and Documenting Sources Citations need to be accurate and enriching Direct quotations and paraphrasing Include citations on “Work Cited” page Modern Language Association (MLA) Use page 461 in your text to complete your work cited page