With reference to the main topics covered this term (cinematography, mise-en-scene, editing, sound design, etc.), explore an idea that was raised in one of the films we watched this term. In other words, explain how the film uses the language of cinema to generate meaning.

This is where you’ll bring together insights from the shot breakdown and frame analysis.
Logistics
Due: Thursday April 14th 2022, 11:59pm (submit through BB. As you’ll be writing this essay instead of a final exam, I cannot grant any extensions!)
Format: Research essay
Length: 8 pages, double spaced, plus a works cited page, 12pt font (MS Word doc or pdf – no Apple files please!)
Grading criteria: depth of analysis, demonstrated understanding of language of cinema, language use, quality of secondary sources
Choose only ONE of the following two options:
Option 1: The Language of Cinema and the Making of Meaning
Overview
With reference to the main topics covered this term (cinematography, mise-en-scene, editing, sound design, etc.), explore an idea that was raised in one of the films we watched this term. In other words, explain how the film uses the language of cinema to generate meaning.
Details
Your Essay should include the following:
basic details about the film (name of director and lead actors, genre, year of production, etc.)
a very brief plot summary (a couple of sentences describing what happens in the film)
discussion of the big idea(s) you are exploring (a more substantial section on what the film is about)
assessment of cinematic elements, and how they work to generate meaning and enucleate the larger ideas being explored in the film.
Works cited page detailing your primary source (the film), and your secondary sources
Ideas
Here are some ideas to help get you started. This list is not exhaustive, so don’t feel compelled to choose one of these topics. These are just suggestions. Each film on the course explores a number of big ideas, and does so via the language of cinema.
Run Lola Run encourages us to think deeply about causality and agency…
Eraserhead is ultimately a film that explores parenthood and (ir)responsibility via surrealist imagery…
The Third Man explores such things as moral ambiguity, the limits of friendship, the nature of bureaucracy, the idea of justice…
Option 2: The Glorious Incompetence of the “good-bad” Movie
Overview
With reference to the main topics covered this term (cinematography, mise-en-scene, editing, sound design, visual effects, etc.), explore how a “good-bad” movie fails at using the language of cinema to generate meaning.
Suggested “good-bad” movies
Tommy Wiseau’s The Room
Any of Ed Wood’s movies (Plan 9 from Outer Space, Night of the Ghouls, etc.)
Any of Neil Breen’s movies (Double Down, Fateful Findings, I am Here Now…)
Claudio Fragasso’s Troll 2
Amir Shervan’s Samurai Cop or Hollywood Cop
Dan Prior’s Deadly Prey
Dave Wascavage’s Suburban Sasquatch or Fungicide
Details
Your Essay should include the following:
basic details about the film (name of director and lead actors, genre, year of production, etc.)
if possible, a very brief plot summary (the plots of some “good-bad” movies are nearly incomprehensible)
assessment of cinematic elements (cinematography, mise-en-scene, editing, sound design, visual effects, etc.), and how they fail to generate meaning. In other words, explain the nature of the incompetence.
Works cited page detailing your primary source (the film), and your secondary sources

Note on Secondary Sources
A primary source is your object of study. For our purposes, your primary source will be the film you decide to analyze. Secondary sources are works that you can bring to bear on your exploration of the primary source.
You’ll need to find at least 4 secondary sources.
MLA or APA conventions (your choice). You can find information on citing sources here: http://seneca.libguides.com/mla
Your secondary sources may explore the film itself, the big ideas, or a specific cinematic technique. For example, if one was to write about the significance of spirals in Darren Aronofsky’s film PI, secondary sources could include critical essays on the film itself; essays or book chapters dealing with cinematic techniques (transitions, film stock, misé-en-scene, etc.); essays/books exploring the golden ratio or the Fibonacci sequence.
Be sure to choose sources that are scholarly. In other words, wikipedia, film reviews, etc., are not suitable sources.
Overview
With reference to the main topics covered this term (cinematography, mise-en-scene, editing, sound design, visual effects, etc.), explore how a “good-bad” movie fails at using the language of cinema to generate meaning.
Suggested “good-bad” movies
Tommy Wiseau’s The Room
Any of Ed Wood’s movies (Plan 9 from Outer Space, Night of the Ghouls, etc.)
Any of Neil Breen’s movies (Double Down, Fateful Findings, I am Here Now…)
Claudio Fragasso’s Troll 2
Amir Shervan’s Samurai Cop or Hollywood Cop
Dan Prior’s Deadly Prey
Dave Wascavage’s Suburban Sasquatch or Fungicide
Details
Your Essay should include the following:
basic details about the film (name of director and lead actors, genre, year of production, etc.)
if possible, a very brief plot summary (the plots of some “good-bad” movies are nearly incomprehensible)
assessment of cinematic elements (cinematography, mise-en-scene, editing, sound design, visual effects, etc.), and how they fail to generate meaning. In other words, explain the nature of the incompetence.
Works cited page detailing your primary source (the film), and your secondary sources

Note on Secondary Sources
A primary source is your object of study. For our purposes, your primary source will be the film you decide to analyze. Secondary sources are works that you can bring to bear on your exploration of the primary source.
You’ll need to find at least 4 secondary sources.
MLA or APA conventions (your choice). You can find information on citing sources here: http://seneca.libguides.com/mla
Your secondary sources may explore the film itself, the big ideas, or a specific cinematic technique. For example, if one was to write about the significance of spirals in Darren Aronofsky’s film PI, secondary sources could include critical essays on the film itself; essays or book chapters dealing with cinematic techniques (transitions, film stock, misé-en-scene, etc.); essays/books exploring the golden ratio or the Fibonacci sequence.
Be sure to choose sources that are scholarly. In other words, wikipedia, film reviews, etc., are not suitable sources.

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