Film Deconstruction Debate--Part 1 due Tuesday, February 2; Respond to Another Student--Part 2 due Tuesday, February 9

For Part 1, answer these questions: Why is it productive to write analytically about film? Why do universities devote entire courses (and film study programs/film study majors/film study minors) to writing analytically about film? Does deconstructing a film--rather than casually watching--increase or decrease the enjoyment of the film? Why? Having this debate here and in class will decidedly increase critical thinking levels. Write 300+ words to earn points. For Part 2, respond to another student, agreeing, disagreeing, and/or building on what s/he typed. Write 300+ scholarly words to generate critical thoughts. When you are done with Part 2, you will have two comments on this blog task. These are pictures of three of my all-time favorite films, Mean Girls, P.S. I Love You & Office Space.

Get Going on Your Film Deconstruction Essay--due Tuesday, January 26

Which film are you deconstructing in your essay? What features/aspects (camera work, lighting, soundtrack, pacing, sequencing, dialogue, etcetera) of this film are you analyzing deeply, carefully, deliberately? Further, answer some questions here from the handout I gave you entitled "Film Deconstruction Paper." Lastly, answer these questions, inserting various features/aspects into the blank: Why is _______________ like that? What effect does ________________ have/create for the viewer? If you answer these questions fully, you will be a Deconstructionist. Write 300+ scholarly words here to earn points--up to 40.

(No Country for Old Men painting from blakeloosli.com.)

Deconstruction Practice--Due Tuesday, March 17, at Midnight

Which film deconstruction that we performed in class most stimulated your critical thinking skills? Which film deconstruction that we performed in class relates most closely to your four page paper?

Refer to the right side of this screen for what earns you points. This is an image from Mean Girls, a highly "deconstructible" film.

Film Freewrite--due Tuesday, March 10, by Midnight

Freewrite (even ramble) about the film you're close viewing/deconstructing for 200+ words. Answer the questions I pose to you on the "Film Deconstruction Paper" handout.

It is not enough to merely state that a film is good or bad, or its aspect is good or bad. For example, it is not enough to say that The Shawshank Redemption is "powerfully written" or "expertly acted." What is real close viewing is noticing that we need the old, institutionalized prisoner named Brooks to be let out and sent to that apartment before Red goes there. That plot device creates tension for us and misleads us expertly.

You should also include the three required sources you plan on using: the online film review, the article found through our BVHS library database(s), and the printed physical book source. Refer to my sample paper and to the Kaleb Paulsen Stepbrothers example. Your grade will reflect your intelligent use of sources and your critical thinking level.

This exercise will help you generate ideas you did not know you even had for your paper which is due March 17, Tuesday. Show critical awareness to earn credit--up to 30 points.

See my sample paper about We Own the Night. See Eitreim's and Hanson's, too. Also, see my other site called Liticism for important samples and links.