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COMM 515T - Film, Theory and AestheticsFall, 2005Dr. Paul Martin Lester, Professor (dr. les)California State University, FullertonOffice CP650-19; 278-4604

Email: lester@fullerton.eduOffice Hours: Monday & Thursday 1:00-3:00HOMEPAGE: homeboyCLASS MEETINGS: Thursday 4:00 - 6:45; CP460-11

Motion pictures began as simple films of everyday activities, capturing ordinary eventsto show the capabilities of this new medium. Soon, however, visionaries discovered thatmotion pictures could be much more than static camera shots of workers leaving afactory. Early in the history of the movies, filmmakers exploited the aesthetic, political,and economic advantages of the film medium. This triptych of functions probablyexplains why so many different terms--motion picture, cinema, documentary, film, and

movie--have been used to describe the presentation of single-framed, sequentialimages that move through a machine so rapidly that they create the illusion ofmovement on a screen.Movie theaters are magical places. Nowhere else is the screen as large, the sound asclear, the seats as plush, and the popcorn as fresh. People go to the movies becausethere is nothing else like that feeling when the lights suddenly start to dim, voices quietto a whisper, and the screen glows from the projector. The huge horizontal frame hasthe power to take us to another country, another planet, or another person's point ofview. With stars, scenery, and situations, movies are dramatic and riveting. And yet thescreen is simply a mirror that reveals all the best and worst qualities of everyone sittingin the theater. That is why the stories and the characters are so familiar.

During this seminar we will learn to critically analyze the motion picture art form.

Required Readings:From books, handouts and websites. See the Seminar Schedule below.

Grading:Movie Reviews: 25 Percent (Five at 5% Each)In-Class Presentation: 10 PercentMid-Term Exam: 10 PercentTerm Paper: 55 Percent (15 Percent for Title and Annotated Literature Search, 20Percent for Lead and Outline, and 20 Percent for Paper)

To learn your grade at any time go to my.fullerton.edu, log on, click on theBlackboard tab at the top right, then click on the COMM 515T course. Once you're in,click the "Tools" button to check your grade.

Cheating and/or plagiarism will not be tolerated and may be subject to severedisciplinary action. For more information on these issues see plagiarism.

mailto:lester@fullerton.eduhttp://commfaculty.fullerton.edu/lester/homeboy.htmlhttp://my.fullerton.edu/http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/wts/plagiarism.htmlhttp://commfaculty.fullerton.edu/lester/homeboy.htmlhttp://my.fullerton.edu/http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/wts/plagiarism.htmlmailto:lester@fullerton.edu

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Movie Reviews:During the course of the semester, you will write five 3-page motion picture reviews.You will select the five from the list given to you during the first evening. Avoid using anyfilm shown in class. Each review will concentrate upon each of the five perspectives ofanalysis: personal (due 9/8), historical (due 9/29), technical (due 10/20), ethical (due

11/10), and cultural (due 11/17). Except for the first review based on your personalopinions, all other papers should be academic in nature with appropriate refereedsources.

Mid-Term Exam:You will be given a take-home mid-term exam based on the material and discussions upto the date of the exam. You will be given the mid-term questions on October 6 and willturn in the exam on October 20.

In-Class Presentation:Choose at least three films (use the movie analysis handout as a helpful guide). You will

be divided into four groups and work together to present to the rest of us your insightsabout the motion pictures you selected (Groups 1 and 2 on 12/1 and Groups 3 and 4 on12/8). Look for connections between them. Each group will have one hour for yourpresentation so edit your video selections. Be sure and leave a lot of time fordiscussion. You must include a 3-page paper detailing your points.

Term Paper:You will write a 15-page term paper analyzing one or more motion pictures using theperspectives of personal, historical, technical, ethical, and cultural, or any otheranalytical categories you feel appropriate. The paper is divided into three parts: The titleand an annotated literature search are due 9/15, the lead paragraph and an outline are

due 11/3, and the paper is due 12/15.

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Seminar Schedule

Aug. 25A Philosophical Approach and a Personal PerspectiveClass Film:

Blade Runner(1982): 1:57Readings:How to Read a Film, James Monaco, Chapter 5Movie Analysis List, Paul LesterDo Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, Philip K. Dick (Optional)Blade Runner Analysis 1Blade Runner Analysis 2

Sep. 1Historical PerspectiveClass Films:

A Trip to the Moon (1902): 9 minThe Great Train Robbery(1903): 12 minThe Birth of a Nation (1915): 2:05Readings:Film: Historical Perspective, Paul LesterBirth of a Nation Analysis

Sept. 8Historical PerspectiveClass Film:Citizen Kane (1941): 1:59

Readings:Film: Citizen Kane Analysis, Paul LesterCitizen Kane Analysis 1Citizen Kane Analysis 2Movie Review 1 (Personal Perspective) Due

Sept. 15Technical Perspective: Sound & ColorClass Film:Singin' in the Rain (1952): 1:43Readings:Film: Technical Perspective, Paul LesterSingin' in the Rain AnalysisTerm Paper Title and Literature Search Due

http://www.readfilm.com/HTRBook/HTR5.pdfhttp://commfaculty.fullerton.edu/lester/courses/movie_analysis.dochttp://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0345404475/ref=qid=1088632155/sr=36-pd_sr_ec_ir_b/ref=sr_36_pd_sr_ec_ir_b_b/103-4810875-7947826?v=glance&s=books&st=*http://www.filmsite.org/blad.htmlhttp://www.brmovie.com/Analysis/index.htmhttp://commfaculty.fullerton.edu/lester/courses/film_historical.dochttp://www.filmsite.org/birt.htmlhttp://commfaculty.fullerton.edu/lester/courses/kane.dochttp://www.filmsite.org/citi.htmlhttp://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19980524/REVIEWS08/401010334/1023http://commfaculty.fullerton.edu/lester/courses/film_technical.dochttp://www.filmsite.org/sing.htmlhttp://www.readfilm.com/HTRBook/HTR5.pdfhttp://commfaculty.fullerton.edu/lester/courses/movie_analysis.dochttp://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0345404475/ref=qid=1088632155/sr=36-pd_sr_ec_ir_b/ref=sr_36_pd_sr_ec_ir_b_b/103-4810875-7947826?v=glance&s=books&st=*http://www.filmsite.org/blad.htmlhttp://www.brmovie.com/Analysis/index.htmhttp://commfaculty.fullerton.edu/lester/courses/film_historical.dochttp://www.filmsite.org/birt.htmlhttp://commfaculty.fullerton.edu/lester/courses/kane.dochttp://www.filmsite.org/citi.htmlhttp://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19980524/REVIEWS08/401010334/1023http://commfaculty.fullerton.edu/lester/courses/film_technical.dochttp://www.filmsite.org/sing.html

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Sept. 22Technical Perspective: The ShotClass Films:Koyaanisqatsi(1983): 1:27Timecode (2002): 1:37

Readings:Koyaanisqatsi AnalysisGodfrey Reggio BioTimecode Analysis

Sept. 29Ethical Perspective: Propagating Stereotypes?Class Film:The Siege (1998): 1:54Readings:Film: Ethical Perspective, Paul Lester

The Siege Analysis 1The Siege Analysis 2Is That a Story or a Stereotype on the Big Screen? Edward ZwickMovie Review 2 (Historical Perspective) Due

Oct. 6Ethical Perspective: Going Against TypeClass Film:Smoke Signals (1998): 1:28Readings:Smoke Signals Analysis 1

Smoke Signals Analysis 2Mid-Term Exam will be distributed.

Oct. 13No ClassWork on your writing assignments.

Oct. 20Cultural Perspective: Screwball ComedyClass Film:Some Like it Hot(1959): 2:00Readings:Film: Cultural Perspective, Paul LesterSome Like it Hot AnalysisMovie Review 3 (Technical Perspective) DueMid-Term Exam Due

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19830926/REVIEWS/309260301/1023http://imdb.com/name/nm0716585/biohttp://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20000428/REVIEWS/4280305/1023http://commfaculty.fullerton.edu/lester/courses/film_ethical.dochttp://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19981106/REVIEWS/811060302/1023http://wsws.org/arts/1998/nov1998/sie-n18.shtmlhttp://commfaculty.fullerton.edu/lester/courses/zwick_siege.dochttp://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19980703/REVIEWS/807030303/1023http://wsws.org/arts/1998/nov1998/smo-n20.shtmlhttp://commfaculty.fullerton.edu/lester/courses/film_cultural.dochttp://www.filmsite.org/some.htmlhttp://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19830926/REVIEWS/309260301/1023http://imdb.com/name/nm0716585/biohttp://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20000428/REVIEWS/4280305/1023http://commfaculty.fullerton.edu/lester/courses/film_ethical.dochttp://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19981106/REVIEWS/811060302/1023http://wsws.org/arts/1998/nov1998/sie-n18.shtmlhttp://commfaculty.fullerton.edu/lester/courses/zwick_siege.dochttp://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19980703/REVIEWS/807030303/1023http://wsws.org/arts/1998/nov1998/smo-n20.shtmlhttp://commfaculty.fullerton.edu/lester/courses/film_cultural.dochttp://www.filmsite.org/some.html

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Oct. 27Cultural Perspective: Documentary SatireClass Film:

Annie Hall(1977): 1:32Reading:

Annie Hall Analysis

Nov. 3The Auteur Approach: Jean-Pierre JeunetClass Films:The City of Lost Children (1995): 1:42

Amelie (2002): 2:02Readings:City of Lost Children Analysis 1City of Lost Children Analysis 2

Amelie Analysis 1

Amelie Analysis 2Lead Paragraph and Outline for Paper Due

Nov. 10Special Considerations: AnimationClass Film:Les Triplettes de Belleville (2003): 1:20Readings:Les Triplettes de Belleville Analysis 1Les Triplettes de Belleville Analysis 2Movie Review 4 (Ethical Perspective) Due

Nov. 17The Professional ApproachClass Film:Sweet Smell of Success (1957): 1:36Readings:Sweet Smell of Success AnalysisMovie Review 5 (Cultural Perspective) Due

Nov. 24: Fall Recess

Dec. 1Connections: In-Class Presentations Groups 1 & 2

Dec. 8Connections: In-Class Presentations Groups 3 & 4

Dec. 15Term Paper Due

http://www.filmsite.org/anni.htmlhttp://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19951215/REVIEWS/512150301/1023http://movie-reviews.colossus.net/movies/c/city_lost.htmlhttp://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20011109/REVIEWS/111090301/1023http://dir.salon.com/ent/movies/review/2001/11/02/amelie/index.html?CP=IMD&DN=110http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20031226/REVIEWS/312260303/1023http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0348/hoberman.phphttp://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19971021/REVIEWS08/401010361/1023http://www.filmsite.org/anni.htmlhttp://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19951215/REVIEWS/512150301/1023http://movie-reviews.colossus.net/movies/c/city_lost.htmlhttp://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20011109/REVIEWS/111090301/1023http://dir.salon.com/ent/movies/review/2001/11/02/amelie/index.html?CP=IMD&DN=110http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20031226/REVIEWS/312260303/1023http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0348/hoberman.phphttp://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19971021/REVIEWS08/401010361/1023