FILM ANALYSIS INSTRUCTIONS

Intro to Film

There are two film analyses during the course.  The analyses should be about films you see during the semester.  Each analysis involves a certain type of film:

Film analysis 1 - a recently released theatrical feature film (18 months or less) of your choice - no children's films or animation.

Film analysis 2 - a foreign feature film - not in English unless it was dubbed.  Films from countries other than USA, England, or Austrailia/New Zealand.  Any time period as long as it has sound.

1. The format of the analysis should be typed, double-spaced, on 8.5 x 11 inch document. Use standard size font with standard 1inch margins. (2 to 3 pages max.)

2. Include your name, name of film, year of release, and name of film director at the top left before the body of your analysis.  Do not use extra blank lines at the top.

3. The analysis should begin with a short paragraph that summarizes the plot/story of the film. Keep this to one paragraph at most. (half a page max!)

4. Write a few sentences that describes the strengths and weaknesses of each of the following:

• leading actors - not characters, but the actors who played them - how was the acting?
• production design - what did the movie look like - sets, costumes, makeup, scenery - realism, fantasy, thematic?
• theme - overall message of the film

5. Write at least one or two full paragraphs discussing the religious/theological/philisophical/moral issues presented in the film. This is the most important aspect of the analysis, so make sure this section is well-thought out. Consider what the movie presents as good and evil - rewarded/punished.

6. Write about one overall strength of the film.

7. Write about one overall weakness of the film — it may be minor, but the one you think is valid.

8. Finish analysis by giving a recommendation (or not) to see the film. Who should see it? Is it appropriate for children twelve and under? How about teenagers? Will it appeal to adults? What was the MPAA rating?

9. Complete by deadline. Upload to the Canvas Dropbox.

10. The entire analysis should be written formerly in 3rd person writing. 
Do not use personal pronouns that refer to yourself or the reader.  Instead of writing, "I think the actors were a bit fake."  Write, "The actors were not believable."
When giving your opinion - just say it - don't refer to yourself. If you write I, my, myself, we, our, you, yourself, etc., you are probably not writing in 3rd person.  Find a way to say it without these pronouns.  You will have a more credible and authoritative analysis.

THE FILM CHOSEN FOR THE ANALYSIS MUST BE ONE YOU HAVE NOT SEEN PRIOR TO TAKING THIS COURSE.