INTRODUCTION:
For this activity, you will construct an analysis of a sequence (scene) from a film and discuss what film elements and cinematic techniques are being used in this sequence to achieve meaning for its viewer. In other words, you will consider what content (narrative) is created by these elements and techniques (form).
there is no minimum research requirement for this module activity.
MATERIALS: Use Chapter 9 in your textbook, the Chapter 9 Required Online Exploration, and the Examples of Film Sequences link. You will also need to gain access to one of the films below. Be sure that you are getting the correct title by making sure it’s the matching year and director. I have included a link to the Internet Movie Database to assist. The titles are:
Claire’s Camera (2017) directed by Hong Sang-soo (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5989220/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1)
Mother (2009) directed by Bong Joon-ho (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1216496/?ref_=fn_al_tt_3)
Okja (2017) directed by Bong Joon-ho (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3967856/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0)
Parasite (2019) directed by Bong Joon-ho (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6751668/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0)
Poetry (2010) directed by Lee Chang-dong (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1287878/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0)
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring (2003) directed by Kim Ki-duk (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0374546/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0)
Note: Copyrights of these films change often, so you may find these films on various streaming services. For example, I’ve seen some titles available on YouTube for free in the past for a limited time before being available as a rental. I’ve also seen these titles pop up on Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, hulu, The Criterion Channel, MUBI, and other streaming services, so do a little digging because you may find one or more of these titles on services you already subscribe to. Worst case scenario is that you will need to put out some money to rent a title, but usually you can find at least one for under $5. It’s also worth noting that many streaming services offer free trials.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Before you can start working on the actual written assignment that you will submit to the Dropbox, you need to choose a sequence to work with. After choosing and gaining access to a film from the above options outlined in MATERIALS and watching it at least once, your first task when approaching this activity is to choose a sequence from the film to focus on for your sequence analysis. To help you choose a worthwhile sequence to work with, consider the following questions:
What is the narrative structure? How is the story being told?
What sequences from the film best represent its use of film language? Remember, a sequence in a film works like a chapter in a book; it has distinct beginning and ending points and usually ranges from about 4-7 minutes.
How are specific techniques within the film used to create ideas (in other words, how does form create content?) and what sequences fully showcase the director’s use of film language?
What is particularly interesting about this film in terms of its form and style?
What themes are explored in the film?
Keep in mind that these questions exist to help you identify a noteworthy sequence to work with. In some cases, I’ve had students answer these questions and submit it as their “analysis.” Needless to say, they didn’t cover the requirements of the assignment. The purpose of this assignment is to show me that you can apply and combine/synthesize the various elements, concepts, and techniques you have learned about in this module into a thoughtful sequence analysis, so this is just the starting point, since a good sequence analysis requires a good sequence to work with.
Now that you’ve chosen a sequence to work with, the following instructions outline the specifics of the written sequence analysis that you will submit to the Dropbox for grading purposes.
You should assume authority over the analysis of your chosen sequence and this analysis should not use any outside sources. This should be your interpretation of one sequence of a cinematic text and you should consider all of the various film elements that make this particular sequence important and noteworthy. I’ll be looking for the following in the analysis you submit to the Dropbox:
Provide the title of the film you chose.
Provide the beginning and end times for the sequence (or briefly describe the beginning and end points of the sequence if specific timestamps are not available).
Describe where the sequence takes place in the film. No more than two sentences should suffice.
Explain why you feel your chosen sequence best represents the director’s overall vision of the film.
Choose 2 of the following 4 film elements explored in this module that stand out in your chosen film sequence and describe how each functions within the sequence:
Production Design
Cinematography
Editing
Sound
The goal is to assert evaluative claims about your chosen film and to analyze both the film’s form (elements and techniques) and its content (narrative, themes, and ideology) to support your claims. Be sure to use specific film language when presenting your sequence analysis. For example, if you choose to focus on sound as 1 of your 2 chosen film elements, then I expect to see a discussion of diegetic vs. non-diegetic sound.
