Short Scene Essay Analysis Assignment ESSAY

Short Scene Essay Analysis Assignment

Assignment: Write an approximately 2-page essay (double spaced, 12 point font; between approximately 600 and 900 words) that analyzes a key sequence or scene from a film from between 1900 and 1950. Please do not ask to write about films outside of this date range. I have suggested some films below. Though you may write about a film we have watched in class, I strongly encourage you to look at films we have not seen to expand your film knowledge.

For some help in writing your paper, look at The Film Experience chapter on “Writing About Film.” In addition, look in The Film Experience at the “Film in Focus” sections in the chapters we’ve read so far. (For example, there is one on Do the Right Thing in Chapter 3 that is really good.) These give nice examples of how one can analyze sequences or scenes or shots. (Obviously you should not write about any of the films in these “Film in Focus” sections.)

Topic: answer one of the following two questions:

1–How do one or two filmic elements or codes (mise-en-scène, cinematography, editing, sound) work or work together to underscore the themes or topic of the sequence and of the film as a whole? While I want this to be a close analysis of the scene, you must connect the scene to the film as a whole. (You can do this latter part in various ways. For example: How does the scene exemplify or relate to the stylistic attributes of the film as a whole? does it break with the rest of the film? How does the scene connect to a broader theme or topic of the film? These are just a few suggestions among many possibilities.)

or

2–How does this scene function narratively? That is, how does this scene narrate its events and how does it fit into the overall narrative of the film as a whole? Again, while this should be a close analysis of the scene, you must connect the scene to the film as a whole. (You can do this latter part in various ways: how does the scene fit into the overall narrative arc of the film? how does it exemplify the film’s overall narrative method or style? what does it “do” for “progressing” the narrative? Etc.)

Some Suggested Films:

Casablanca (1942, Michael Curtiz)

The General (1926, Clyde Bruckman, Buster Keaton)

Modern Times (1936, Charlie Chaplin)

Bringing up Baby (1938, Howard Hawks)

Stage Coach (1939, John Ford)

The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1933, Fritz Lang)–so good!

Rules of the Game (1939, Jean Renoir)

Within Our Gates (Oscar Micheaux, 1920)

Get Your Man (1927, Dorothy Arzner)

House of Cards ( 1917, Alice Guy Blaché)

Questions to ask while thinking about your essay: (Obviously you cannot deal with all of these in your essay.)

Mise-en-scène: How do props and costumes help convey characters and themes? Are particular colors dominant (or absent)? Is the setting significant? If so, how is it presented? How does the lighting help convey the setting and the action? How is character blocking and placement used? Is the mise-en-scène naturalistic or stylized or? How does it contribute to the scene’s meaning?

Cinematography: Where is the camera placed in relation to the action? Distance? Angle? How do particular compositions draw attention to elements of the settings, characters or themes? How does camera movement function in the sequence? Are different focal lengths or depths of field used? How does cinematography reinforce the mise-en-scène?

Editing: What kinds of transitions are there between shots? Are these always the same? Do they change? Does the editing have a particular rhythm, and is it consistent? Does it conform to rules of continuity, or does it seem disjunctive or discontinuous? What spatial and temporal relations are articulated through cutting? Graphic relations? Rhythmic relations? Associational connections?

Sound: What sounds are present? When does volume or pitch change? Is silence used? Are specific sounds linked to cuts or camera movement? When and how are onscreen and off-screen sound used? Are sounds diegetic or non-diegetic? 
These questions are just to get you started. You do not need to answer every question in your essay. Use the questions as a way to help select the techniques that will be the focus of your argument. This is only the beginning. There are many other questions you can ask as well. Look back through your lecture notes and your readings.

Narrative: What sort of narrative form does the film use and how does this scene function within that form? How does this scene fit into the overall story the film is telling? Are visual cues important to moving the narrative? Is dialogue? Is narrative important? If not, how does this affect the way the scene works, affects the spectator, etc?

Tips:

You do not need to read secondary literature or do research for this paper. You can do this assignment by simply watching the film you have chosen and using what you have learned in lecture, in tutorial, and from your textbook and readings to complete this task.

Do not hand in your first draft. Editing is more than spell-checking and looking for grammatical mistakes. Read and reread for not only style, but more importantly cogency and coherence of your argument. I suggest writing your essay and putting it down for a couple days before editing.

Avoid plot summary and extended visual description. Aim instead to analyze how specific cinematic techniques function to underscore the film’s themes and ideas. Organize your essay around key points in your argument, rather than a chronological examination of the sequence.

Avoid evaluative language. (“The costumes are beautiful.”) Aim instead to analyze the effects of the techniques used. (“Ada’s restrictive, layered clothing impedes her movement through the natural surroundings and symbolizes her oppression.”)

Use precise film terminology. (Is the camera movement a track, tilt, pan or zoom? Is it a high-angle shot or a low-angle shot?, etc.) When in doubt, consult Corrigan and White.

Avoid vague language. (“The use of lighting in this scene is very effective” or “Parallel editing helps to create suspense,” etc.) Aim instead to analyze the specific effect of individual techniques. (“Closed frame compositions emphasize Susan’s entrapment.”)

Make a strong argument about the sequence.

Ineffective thesis statement: In this essay I will analyze the use of sound in Fritz Lang’s Testament of Dr. Mabuse and connect it to the film’s message.

Effective thesis statement: The use of sound in the sequence from Fritz Lang’s Testament of Dr. Mabuse brings the film’s overall concern with our susceptibility to psychological manipulation to a peak while simultaneously manipulating the viewer’s psyche in the most terrifying of fashions.

You are not required to do any additional research for this paper. In fact, I don’t want any references to any research on the topics. Just use the film and your mind to write the paper.

Short Scene Essay Analysis Assignment ESSAY

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