mid term

 
Dropbox Assignment 1: Genre Analysis

Read the section “Six Major American Genres” in Chapter 3 (pp. 90-117). Watch the tutorial videos, and complete the Interactive Exercise. You might also find this site helpful: filmsite.org’s genre descriptions.

Watch one of the movies listed below. Even if you saw it in the past, you will need to re-watch it to provide the level of analysis and specificity this assignment requires.

Write a two-page essay (roughly 750 words) describing how the movie does AND does not fit the criteria for BOTH genres, and possibly additional genres.The essay should not exceed four pages. If the essay is more than a few lines under two pages, it probably does not adequately develop ideas.

Blade Runner (Scott, 1982): sci-fi, film noir
Children of Men (Cuaron, 2006): sci-fi, drama
The Godfather (Coppola, 1972): gangster, drama
Star Wars (Lucas, 1977): sci-fi, Western
Singing in the Rain (Donen, 1952): musical, romantic comedy
The Shining (Kubrick, 1980): horror, drama
Unforgiven, (Eastwood, 1992): classic Western, revisionist Western
Review these documents
-Guidelines for Writing about Movies
-Dropbox Assignment Grading Rubric
Essay structure

Introduction
A. name the movie you chose and provides basic background (year, director, and any other
noteworthy facts)
B. provide a clear, arguable thesis about how well (or poorly) the film fits the genres

I. first genre (one or two body paragraphs)
A. briefly describe the genre
B. discuss ways in which the movie is typical of the genre
C. discuss ways in which the movie ignores or overturns genre traits

II. second genre (one or two body paragraphs)
A. briefly describe the genre
B. discuss ways in which the movie is typical of the genre
C. discuss ways in which the movie ignores or overturns genre traits

III. optional: third genre (or more)

Conclusion
A. sum up your findings (without adding new ideas)
B. give the reader a sense of closure

Essay elements
– specific examples from the movie (e.g. descriptions of scenes, actions, or dialogue) to illustrate genre-conformity and genre-bending
– discussion of relationship or connection between the genres: do they work well together? do they produce any surprising effects?
– observations and insights that go beyond the obvious
– application of concepts studied in the course so far
– clear writing and careful proofreading
also . . . you can strengthen your essay by referring to other films in the selected genres
Format
– put your name at the top (recommended but not required: MLA-style header and page numbering;
– double-space
– use 1-inch margins all around (top, botttom, sides)
– use 12-point Times New Roman or Calibri font