Film Analysis

THE NUTS & BOLTS OF WRITING THE ANALYSIS

I want to buy a new cell phone.

What criteria do I consider when I decide what phone to buy?

Memory?User friendly?Camera???

Criteria My expectations Does the new phone meet my expectations / my criteria?

Memory Lots of memory + or -

User Friendly Easy to use + or -

Camera Great camera with flash + or -

Battery Battery life + or -

Durability Won’t break when dropped + or -

Would I buy this new phone?

Top 2 reasons to buy?

Top reason NOT to buy?

Feature that outweighs the NOT reason?

Cell Phone YOUR Film Analysis

Desire to buy a good cell phone MESSAGE

Top 2 reasons to buy? ARGUMENT

Top reason NOT to buy? COUNTERARGUMENT

Feature that outweighs the NOT reason? REBUTTAL

What do you expect to see in a film to prove that the director’s message is effective?

Criteria Elements to Consider(ARGUMENT)

Effective / Ineffective + -

(ANALYSIS)

What does the director do to demonstrate?

(EVIDENCE)

Plot engages Sequencing Plot developmentSpecial effectsMusic/sound/lighting

Audience impacted EthosPathosLogos

Circumstances accurate Historical/cultural/social contextSetting (where/when)

Characterization genuine BelievabilityAppropriate to settingStereotype v. realistic

The Help What does this director

do in this film to promote this message?

Consider…Rhetorical situationRhetorical appealsDesign of the filmCharacterization

What is the director’s

message?

What do you expect to see in The Help to prove that the director’s message is effective?

Criteria Elements to Consider (ARGUMENT)

Effective / Ineffective + -

(ANALYSIS)

What does the director do to demonstrate?

(EVIDENCE)

Plot engages Sequencing Plot developmentSpecial effectsMusic/sound/lighting

Audience impacted EthosPathosLogos

Circumstances accurate Historical/cultural/social contextSetting (where/when)

Characterization genuine BelievabilityAppropriate to settingStereotype v. realistic

“A Feel Good Movie That Feels Kind of Icky” by Dana Stevens

Read analysis in the Textbook – Pg. 775

While reading, think about the evaluation criteria we discussed.

Answer the following questions:

1. Is Steven’s analysis of The Help in a balanced? For example, does she consider both sides of the message? Does she have an argument and a counterargument? Rebuttal?

2. How does the title prepare the reader for Stevens’ evaluation? Is the title an accurate representation of the way she evaluates the film?

3. What is the thesis/claim of the analysis? What are Steven’s arguments to prove her claim?

4. Identify several examples of the evidence that Steven’s uses to support her arguments?

Your Film What does the director

do in this film to promote this message?

Consider…Rhetorical situationRhetorical appealsDesign of the filmCharacterization

What is the director’s

message?

What do you expect to see in YOUR film to prove that the director’s message is effective?

Criteria Elements to Consider (ARGUMENT)

Effective / Ineffective + -

(ANALYSIS)

What does the director do to demonstrate?

(EVIDENCE)

This is the information you will need before you can start drafting your film analysis.

Your Analysis – the Parts

Introduction

Hook BRIEF information about the plot

◦Only enough to familiarize us with the film◦NOT a summary

Director attribution / year of publication Credit to writer as necessary Thesis statement

Thesis StatementMessage

What is the director’s message?

Stance / claimYES, the director promotes his messageNO, the director does not promote his message

What criteria is being analyzed?

How well does the film meet the criteriaReasons / arguments – at least TWO in support of claim

Acknowledge the counterargumentWhat is the argument against your claim?

Body ParagraphsReasons / arguments – at least TWO in support of claim◦ Evidence from the film or other sources

Acknowledge the counterargument – the opinion of others

Rebuttal – point out the FLAWS in the counterargument◦ Evidence from the film or other sources

Conclusion

Restate your overall judgment Link back to your hook – wrap it all up 3-4 sentences

Title

Should PREPARE the reader for what your analysis is going to be about

◦The Help -- “A Feel-Good Movie That Feels Kind of Icky”◦Juno -- “Not Just Another Teen Movie”

Do these TITLES accurately represent the author’s analysis of the film?

Research Requirements – 2 sources and the film

Evidence to provide background information◦ About the historical situation◦ About the setting (time/place) ◦ About the director◦ About the writer

Evidence to support the arguments Evidence to support the rebuttal

Citing Evidence◦ Author attribution

◦ According to Foner and Garraty, editors of the Reader’s Companion to American History, “The civil rights movement of the 1960s transformed the political climate, and in 1963, black leaders began to plan a new March on Washington, designed specifically to advocate passage of the Civil Rights Act then stalled in Congress.”

◦ Embedded into sentence◦ In the 60s, “black leaders began to plan a new March on Washington, designed

specifically to advocate passage of the Civil Rights Act then stalled in Congress” as a result of the injustice experienced by Abileen, Minnie and other blacks (Foner and Garraty).

◦ Paraphrase or summary◦ The continued discrimination of blacks in the 60s lead their leaders to begin plans for a

March on Washington with the goal of forcing passage of the Civil Rights Act (Foner and Garraty).

Essay Requirements 1000 words minimum 3rd person only Present tense only MLA format Works Cited

Film2 Other sources