1. ****EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY*****
1 paper = erase 1 missed blog post from your record
2 papers = erase 1 absence from your record
Assignment: Select a film Western to watch. It can be from any time period or country. Then write a 2-page paper in which discuss the following:
Who is the Western hero in this film? How does s/he conform to the traits of the Western hero we discussed in class?
How does this film portray the conflict between civilization and savagery? How is this conflict resolved?
Finally, what myth is told by this film? What do we learn about the story of the beginning of the US in this particular Western?

3. Bell hooks
bell hooks

4. bell hooks

5. bell hooks

6. bell hooks
bell hooks

9. John Grierson defined the documentary in 1966 as “the creative treatment of actuality”
In 1991 Bill Nichols argues that documentaries have “a common, self-chosen mandate to represent the historical world rather than imaginary ones”
BUT…how do we define terms like “actuality” and “historical world”????

11. Can a picture “lie”?

12. Framing: a term used by sociolinguists to describe the process of applying a metatextual label or interpretative framework to a discourse

14. RAW FOOTAGE
raw footage is the record of an event that has been minimally influenced by the process of filming or editing
brings the viewer as close to the primary experience recorded by the filmmaker as possible
BUT THIS IS STILL NOT “REALITY”

15. Mediation
the documentarian is the mediator between the viewer and the event represented by raw footage
the degree and type of this mediation by the filmmaker varies from film to film
the techniques of mediation that the filmmaker chooses affects how we perceive the raw footage

16. Observational
these filmmakers attempt to not interfere with the event happening before the camera
they do not impose more than a minimal structure on the raw footage when they edit it
emphasizes pure description over analysis
Includes: ethnography and “direct cinema”

17. “The Philosophy of Non-Interference”
the integrity of the event being filmed must be maintained
there is an inherent meaning in the event being filmed
the camera can record and reveal this meaning to the viewer without mediation by the filmmaker

18. What do observational docs look like?
long takes
camera is often hand held
camera is rarely static
On location sound
Available light
Occasionally out of focus
“Imperfect” look

19. Analytical
-the filmmaker analyzes the subject matter rather than simply recording and presenting it to the audience -these filmmakers also acknowledge their own mediation in the filmmaking process -THIS IS THE KEY DIFFERENCE FROM OBSERVATIONAL -includes: compilation films and cinema verite

20. What do analytical docs look like?
long takes
camera is often hand held
camera is rarely static
On location sound
Available light
Occasionally out of focus
“Imperfect” look

21. “Talking Heads”

22. Persuasive
a persuasive documentary attempts make a pitch, sell or promote an idea, change a point of view, or incite the viewer to political or social action
persuasive films do not have any particular style since they basically use any means possible to get their point across in the most effective way
the one element they all share is that they are dependent on the editing process for their power
includes: expose and propaganda

23. See it Now (1951)

24. Propaganda
propaganda is a persuasive film that attempts to stir the viewer’s emotions in order to persuade the viewer to agree with the position of the filmmaker
emotional manipulation, at the expense of truthfulness or full disclosure, is the key factor

25. Aesthetic creative treatment of actuality
these filmmakers apply the techniques of poetry and drama to documentary material

26. Given that it often costs money to dress up for them and so many of the individuals who participate are struggling financially, why are Balls so important to this community? Why do they spend money on them? What role do they serve in the community?
Given the different documentary categories we discussed in class, can you identify what kind of doc this is: observational, analytic, persuasive or aesthetic? Or is it a combination? Explain your answer citing specific moments from the film to back your claims.
One Ball participant who is interviewed at length, Dorian Corey, is filmed in various states—without make up, applying make-up and jewelry, and in full Ball attire. Why did the director choose to film her in these various states?
This film has been praised for illuminating the hidden lives and artistic ventures of LGBT African Americans and Latinos. However, there has also been criticism of the film. Specifically, some critics argue that the director portrayed the LGBT Ball community as thieves, prostitutes and drug users. What do you think about this critique? Is it valid?
Where do we feel the filmmaker’s presence in the film, affecting what the subject says and does? Where does she interject, what role does she have in shaping the way we see the Balls? And which parts of the film feel the most “unmediated”? Cite specific moments from the film to back your claims.
The filmmaker interviews both very young people (i.e., the children) and old-timers (i.e., the mothers). What do we learn about the differences between Balls of the past and the contemporary scene? How have the outfits changed? How have beauty standards and criteria changed?

27. Chronicle of a Summer (1961)
Reagan vs. Mondale in 1984 (reelection)
 Man with Movie Camera
Bush vs. Dukakis in 1988
 Aesthetic
Direct Cinema—4:40
See it now
Nightline
Blair Witch
Gimme Shelter (6 minutes)
Earth