Blog 5 - Last Film Blog Ever!

As I'm sure you all know by now, I will no longer be teaching Film Analysis in the Brick School District. While my class is being handed over to very capable English teachers in each building, what advice can you offer to whomever the new Film teacher is?

Be as specific as you like. This will also act as your way of telling me what you enjoyed most (or least) about the class over the past year.

Your comments are due by 7:15 A.M. on Friday, June 5, 2009.

* Reminder, your final projects will begin on Monday, June 8, 2009. *

Blog 4 - Directors Style

Directors Style

Each class is currently studying a different director and his style. Who is your favorite director and why?

What does he/she do better than anyone in the business?

All Students:

Your comments are due by

Friday, May 22, 2009 at 7:15 A.M.

Blog 3 - Adaptations

O' Brother, Where Art Thou? - (2000)

This film is a lose adaptation of Homer's Odyssey. Though the film is not told in the same manner as the book, does the film accurately translate the essence of the story to the big screen?

All Students:
Your comments are due by
Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 7:15 A.M.

Calculating your Final Grade

If you are looking to calculate your final grade for the year, here is the formula:

1st Quarter Grade x .2125 = ____
2nd Quarter Grade x .2125 = ____
3rd Quarter Grade x .2125 = ____
4th Quarter Grade x .2125 = ____
Final Exam Grade x .15 = ____

Add all these numbers together, and if they total more than 69.5, you will pass for the year.
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For Example:
1st Quarter Grade 85 x .2125 = 18.063
2nd Quarter Grade 75 x .2125 = 15.938
3rd Quarter Grade 80 x .2125 = 17.000
4th Quarter Grade 70 x .2125 = 14.875
Final Exam Grade 80 x .15 = 12.000
Sum of all numbers = 77.87 <--- Congratulations, you pass.

BUT: 1st Quarter Grade 65 x .2225 = 13.813
2nd Quarter Grade 60 x .2125 = 12.75
3rd Quarter Grade 60 x .2125 = 12.75
4th Quarter Grade 70 x .2125 = 14.875
Final Exam Grade 95 x .15 = 14.25
Sum of all numbers = 68.438 <---- Sorry, you did not pass.

Blog 2 - CGI

Toy Story (1995)

Explain the impact that Toy Story had on the film industry.

Have animated films as we know them been changed forever?

All Students:

Your comments are due by

Friday, April 24, 2009 at 7:15 A.M.

Blog 1 - 4th Quarter - Animated Films

Alice In Wonderland (1951)

Of all the "Adult Content" in this film, what was the most surprising to you?

After our discussion about all of the "Adult content," has your opinion on Animated Films changed in anyway? Would you still be comfortable showing this film to young children?

All Students:
Your comments are due by
Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at 7:15 A.M.

Blog 3 - Foreign Language Films

Aside from the languages, are Foreign Films

really that different from American Films? How?

All Students:

Your comments are due by

Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 7:15 A.M.

Blog 2 - Ensemble Cast

Does each member of this cast perform at the same level, or do certain actors seem to steal the scenes in which they appear?

Be as specific as possible.

- Brick Township Students - Your comments are due by:

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 7:15 A.M.

- Brick Memorial Students - Your comments are due by:

Monday, March 2, 2009 at 7:15 A.M.

1st Blog of 3rd Quarter - Musicals (2 Questions)

Musicals!

1) Was this the first Musical you have ever seen?

2) If not, how does this musical measure up to others you have seen? If so, based on your experience with the musical we saw in class; do you think you will ever watch another?



- Brick Township Students - Your comments are due by: Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 7:15 A.M.

- Brick Memorial Students - Your comments are due by: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 7:15 A.M.

Blog 4 - Sound Effects and Dialogue

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Can you imagine this film being made without Red's narration? What would change?

- Brick Township Students - Your comments are due by:
Tuesday January 20, 2009 at 7:15 A.M.
- Brick Memorial Students - Your comments are due by:
Monday, January 26, 2009 at 7:15 A.M.

Blog 3 - Remakes

The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

Baring in mind that this film was released six years before Sputnik, 18 years before the moon landing, and 52 years before the Mars Rover...

Imagine that you were living in 1951, what kind of effect do you think this film would have had on you?

- Brick Township Students - Your comments are due by:

Thursday January 8, 2009 at 7:15 A.M.

- Brick Memorial Students - Your comments are due by:

Thursday January 15, 2009 at 7:15 A.M.

Blog 2 - Editing

Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982)

Comedic genuis?

Or same old boring Black and White?

Your comments are due by:

7:00 A.M. Monday December 15, 2008

Blog 1 of the 2nd Quarter - Cinematography

The Graduate (1967) -
A Celebration of Awkwardness

How did the director succeed in making you feel uncomfortable while watching this film?














Your Blogs are due on Wednesday November 26 at 2:00 P.M.

Blog 6 - Visual Design

Casablanca (1942) -

The greatest love story ever told? Why or why not?
Would you have liked to see Ilsa end up with Rick?

Your posts are due Monday November 3 at 3:30 P.M.

Blog 5 - Fictional and Dramatic Elements

"Made it Ma! Top of the world!"

What are your overall impressions of the 1949 classic White Heat?

Your comments are due October 20, 2008 at 7:15 A.M.

4th Blog - Theme and Focus

Depending on your class period, you have watched one of these films (not both).

What are your thoughts on the film you are watching?

Is it a film you would see again?

Your posts are due by Monday, October 6, 2008 at 7:15 A.M.

3rd Blog - Birth of a Nation

- Keeping in mind the fact that this film was made in 1915.

- And that it was the first film in history to make over $1 Million.

- And that is was the first film to extend over 45 minutes in length (3 hrs. 11 min.)

- And of course, using complete sentences and no inappropriate language...


What do you really think about Birth of a Nation?

** Remeber to include your name and period number**

Your comments are due Monday, September 22, by 7:00 A.M.

2nd Blog - A Trip to the Moon (2 Questions)

Watch each video and answer the question (in bold print) that follows.

A Trip to the Moon was created in 1902 by Georges Melies, a french filmmaker who was the first to experiment with the technique of double exposure, which lead to what we now know as super-imposing. What Melies would do, is layer two or more strips of film on top of one another and run them past the lens at the same time, giving the illusion of a disappearing/reappearing object.

Video 1 -

- How has this film influenced filmmakers over the past 106 years?

This is the music video for the song Tonight, Tonight by the Smashing Pumpkins. The song was released over 90 years after Melies' film A Trip to the Moon and was intended to be an homage (or tribute) to Melies.

Video 2 -

- Comment on the similarities between the two clips.

Your Comments to this post are due by Friday, September 12, at 7:00 P.M.

*Remember to include your first and last name as well as your class period.*

1st blog of the year - Welcome to Film Analysis

Why are you taking Film Analysis and what are your expectations for this year?

Comments are Due Monday, September 8; 7:15 A.M.

*Be sure to include your first and last name AND your period number*