5 Minute Film Analysis5 Minute Film Analysis

Bringing together all of the Bringing together all of the film analysis skills you have film analysis skills you have

so farso far

The TaskThe Task

By the next time we meet as a class, By the next time we meet as a class, you need to create a 5 minute you need to create a 5 minute presentation that analyzes the film; presentation that analyzes the film; North by NorthwestNorth by Northwest..

The TaskThe Task

This is NOT a film review (“I liked it.” This is NOT a film review (“I liked it.” or “It is good.”). It is a or “It is good.”). It is a thoughtful thoughtful analysis of a filmanalysis of a film USING FILM USING FILM LANGUGE AND SPECIFIC FILM LANGUGE AND SPECIFIC FILM CONTENTCONTENT..

The TaskThe Task

The film analysis should be The film analysis should be comprehensive, covering the entire comprehensive, covering the entire film in a coherent way.film in a coherent way.

One scene in particularOne scene in particular should be should be emphasized to illustrate a key point emphasized to illustrate a key point you are trying to make in your you are trying to make in your presentation.presentation.

You cannot present everything about You cannot present everything about the film! Be selective and original in the film! Be selective and original in your analysis.your analysis.

The TaskThe Task

Your presentation must have a visual Your presentation must have a visual component! (Powerpoint or film clips component! (Powerpoint or film clips preferred). preferred).

It will be timed! So, reaching a 5 minute It will be timed! So, reaching a 5 minute minimum (Without going over time by minimum (Without going over time by more than 30 seconds) is critical.more than 30 seconds) is critical.

No simple plot summary. Some brief plot No simple plot summary. Some brief plot description may be necessary, but it description may be necessary, but it should be brief and only to make a point.should be brief and only to make a point.

The TaskThe Task

As with your IB Presentations and As with your IB Presentations and Independent Study projects, you Independent Study projects, you should do some research (When was should do some research (When was the film made, who were important the film made, who were important contributers, what did critics have to contributers, what did critics have to say, etc.). This will be one of the say, etc.). This will be one of the grading criteria as well.grading criteria as well.

The TaskThe Task

Several electronic sources such as Several electronic sources such as IMDB.com or AMC Filmsite are good IMDB.com or AMC Filmsite are good starting points, but may lack depth of starting points, but may lack depth of analysis. analysis.

Do not use questionable or Do not use questionable or reference-oriented sites such as reference-oriented sites such as Rotten Tomatoes or Wikipedia. Rotten Tomatoes or Wikipedia. Starting points: Maybe. Primary Starting points: Maybe. Primary sources: Never!sources: Never!

Possible Topics Possible Topics

GenreGenreThemeThemeDirectionDirectionUse of soundUse of soundEditingEditingLightingLighting

Possible TopicsPossible Topics

Social / Historical context of filmSocial / Historical context of filmFilm Theories that might best apply Film Theories that might best apply

to this filmto this film Industry standards and influences on Industry standards and influences on

the filmthe filmActingActing

Possible TopicsPossible Topics

Hitchcock related notes including:Hitchcock related notes including: Voyeuristic roles of both the audience and the actor

Innocent people caught up in complex, often uncontrollable situations

Montages and German Expressionist influences in his editing and camera work

Symbolic value in objects

Women (typically blonde) who are trapped / imprisoned and who act as victims or unpredictably

Possible TopicsPossible Topics

Auteur TheoryAuteur TheorySuspenseSuspenseMcGuffinsMcGuffinsThe Wrong Man archetypeThe Wrong Man archetype

Academic HonestyAcademic Honesty

AS ALWAYS, you are expected to do AS ALWAYS, you are expected to do your own work!your own work!1) Not doing so violates the IB Organizations 1) Not doing so violates the IB Organizations

expectations of academic honesty.expectations of academic honesty.2) By not doing your own work, you learn 2) By not doing your own work, you learn

nothing and miss a chance to prepare for nothing and miss a chance to prepare for the more high-stakes presentation that will the more high-stakes presentation that will follow.follow.

This is good practice! Show your ability This is good practice! Show your ability and your knowledge!and your knowledge!

How This Ties In to Your IB How This Ties In to Your IB Assessment…Assessment…

IB expects the following regarding film analysis:IB expects the following regarding film analysis: ““There is a coherent, incisive, insightful and detailed There is a coherent, incisive, insightful and detailed

evaluative interpretation of the extract, displaying an evaluative interpretation of the extract, displaying an excellent understanding of how meaning is constructed excellent understanding of how meaning is constructed through the use of film language, with an excellent through the use of film language, with an excellent awareness of the extract’s relationship to the film as a awareness of the extract’s relationship to the film as a whole. There is a persuasive explanation for the whole. There is a persuasive explanation for the selection of the extract. The critique shows an excellent selection of the extract. The critique shows an excellent awareness of the film’s genre and/or its place in a awareness of the film’s genre and/or its place in a broader sociocultural context. There is an insightful broader sociocultural context. There is an insightful analysis of the director’s intention. Simple description is analysis of the director’s intention. Simple description is negligible and analysis is clear and thorough.”negligible and analysis is clear and thorough.”