Introduction To Film Studies
How Films Communicate
HUM/150 Version 9
1
University of Phoenix Material
How Films Communicate
Instructions
Complete and submit Part I in your first week of class. In Week Two, complete Parts II & III after viewing a film of your choice from the University of Phoenix Material: How Films Communicate Film List located under your Week One materials. Submit your completed worksheet in Week Two.
Part I: Beginning to Analyze Film
To compete Part I, choose a movie you have viewed in the past (this does not have to be from the University of Phoenix: How Films Communicate Film List ). Review the following example in the table and then complete your information by inserting the title of your movie and completing the entries for time and place, costume, and set design, writing in complete sentences. For your final entry, describe the atmosphere created by the combination of film elements discussed in Ch. 1 of Film and how they contributed to your liking or disliking of the movie. Submit Part I in Week One.
Movie
Time and Place
Costume
Set Design
Describe the atmosphere created by the combination of film elements and how they contributed to your liking or disliking of the movie.
Example Movie
Alien, 1979
Example Entry
The movie is set in the far-off future. The movie takes place in space on board a spaceship and some action occurs on the surface of a planet.
Example Entry
The characters often appear in grubby, casual clothing and what appear to be worn-out uniforms. Also, they appear in space suits when they journey to the planet.
Example Entry
The sets looks very high-tech and run-down at the same time. In some areas there are very streamlined and modern-looking set pieces, and in other areas pipes or tubing can be seen running along the walls.
Example Entry
The overall atmosphere is gritty and realistic creating the sense that this is a lived-in world. The atmosphere of the planet they visit is creepy because the shapes of the set seems alive. The characters are all acting realistically, especially the character of Lambert who is terrified. The characters fit into this world well, looking sweaty and with no visible make-up. The elements combined contributed to my enjoyment by making the action feel like it was really happening. Also, the alien design was nightmarish.
Part II: The Technical Language of Film
Select a film from the University of Phoenix Material: How Films Communicate Film List and view it before completing Parts II & III. Complete the following entries in the space provided by answering each question as it pertains to the movie you selected from the University of Phoenix Material: How Films Communicate Film List. Each answer must be at least 50 words in length and written in complete sentences. Submit Parts I, II, & III in Week Two.
Question
Your Response
Identify aspects of cinematography in your selected film. Discuss them in terms of how they affected your viewing experience; in other words, did the art of cinematography add value to your experience? If so, how? If not, why not?
Identify aspects of sound in your selected film. Discuss them in terms of how they affected your viewing experience; in other words, did the art of sound effects add value to your experience?
If so, how? If not, why not?
Identify the type of music in your selected film. Discuss them in terms of how it affected your viewing experience; in other words, did the score or songs add value to your experience?
If so, how? If not, why not?
Identify the types of editing in your selected film. Discuss them in terms of how it affected your viewing experience; in other words, did the different types of shots and framing add value to your experience?
If so, how? If not, why not?
Part III: What is the Cultural Value of Film?
In completing Parts I & II, you have engaged your critical thinking skills by becoming aware of and assessing various elements of film. How do these exercises connect the study of film to real-world experience? Additionally, in what other ways do films have cultural value? Explain and defend your opinion. Your response should be at least 50 words in length and written in complete sentences.