Film Response Paper

Here is how the assignment is to be completed:

•  First, pick a film from the supplemental list that interests you.  All the films on this list in some way relate to this class, so make sure that you find one that is interesting and/or enjoyable.  The supplemental film list is divided into four lists that correspond to dates during the semester and the three units of the class.  Make sure that the movie that you pick comes from the list that is appropriate for that date in which you signed up to write your response paper.

•  Second, watch the movie and takes notes on it while you watch.

•  Third, figure out the plot and the overall messages this film makes about Indians even if Indians are minor characters. Why is this film is interesting and how does it relates to what we have been studying in the class?  The film does not necessarily have to be precisely relevant to the topic or reading of the week at the time of your write your paper—you can reference topic from weeks previous or the larger themes of the class.

•  Fourth, think about the ways in which this film meets and/or contradicts the genre conventions we have been discussing?  And think about how it might meet or contradict expectations of Indianness?

•  Lastly, taking all of these things into consideration write your paper, figure out a thesis that allows you to say one thing interesting about this movie.

o  Here’s how to write you paper: The body of your paper needs to include at least one example of shot selection, one example of editing, and one example of sound that proves the main point (your thesis) that your are trying to make about the movie.

o  Don’t summarize: I expect analysis not a summary of plot, so only discuss the plot as you are explaining the importance of and as it relates to the examples of shot selection, editing and sound that you are discussing.

o  Remember:

§  Plot/Narrative is the events of what happens in the movie, what and who the movie is about, and who the main characters are.

§  Shot Selection is all of the visual elements the director is puts in the scene, how these elements spatially relate to each other and perspective from which the camera is set-up.

§  Editing is the order of and relationship between shots, what shots are put next to each other, and what shots are put in what parts of the movie.

§  Sound is the sounds effect and music that are paired with a specific scenes/shots.

( two pages)

Chose one of those film to watch and write this assignment about it.

The Paleface (1922)

The Vanishing American (1925)

Northwest Passage (1940)

They Died with their Boots On (1941)

Fort Apache (1948)

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949)

Apache (1954)

The Indian Fighter (1955)

Run of the Arrow (1957)

Tell them Willie Boy is Here (1969)

The Mission (1986)

Little Big Man (1970)

A Man Called Horse (1970)

Running Brave (1983)

The Last of His Tribe (1992)

Black Robe (1991)

Geronimo: An American Legend (1993/4)

Burry my Heart at Wounded Knee (2007)