FILM STUDIES
FILM DIRECTOR GROUP PROJECT - 150 Points
The power point presentation below will give you an example of what your director project should look like. You will also show film clips from 3 different movies by the same director to explain the director's filming techniques. Remember to cover the director's life, work, influences, career, philosophy, and film artistry. Decide as a group which one of the director's 3 films is the best and prove why by providing your classmates with all of the facts. Remember, since film is a visual medium, it's better to show your classmates the evidence instead of just telling them about it.
Alfred Hitchcock: Director Links
http://alfredhitchcock.wordpress.com/about/
http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tours/hitch/tour1.html
http://www.borgus.com/think/hitch.htm
Alfred Hitchcock – Master of Paradox
http://archive.sensesofcinema.com/contents/directors/05/hitchcock.html
The Shower Scene
http://www-as.phy.ohiou.edu/~rouzie/569A/body/Shower.htm
Just One Hitch
http://themave.com/Hitch/
Master of Suspense
http://hitchcock.tv/
100 Movies to See Before You Die: The Modern Classics
It's easy for classic movie lovers to be nostalgic for Hollywood's "Golden Age" of the 1930s and '40s. And many cineastes will tell you that film as an art reached its peak in the late '60s and early '70s. But the truth is there have been remarkable movies made in the 1990s and 2000s. From big budget blockbusters, to breakout independent films, to discoveries from around the world, we have seen exciting and groundbreaking cinematic work created in the last two decades.
Movies have been selected chose based on their artistry, originality,
and pure cinematic entertainment.
While big stars like George Clooney, Tom Hanks, and Morgan Freeman are well-represented on the list with three films each, it's acclaimed actress Catherine Keener who appears in the most movies. By working in both independent films like "Being John Malkovich" and studio productions like "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," she personifies the best of the era.
Look through the list below to see the top movies made in the last twenty years.
1990 *Goodfellas
Directed by: Martin Scorsese Starring: Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci Misery Directed by: Rob Reiner Starring: James Caan, Kathy Bates 1991 Beauty and the Beast Directed by: Kirk Wise, Gary Trousdale Starring: Paige O'Hara, Robbie Benson The Silence of the Lambs Directed by: Jonathan Demme Starring: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins Terminator 2: Judgment Day Directed by: James Cameron Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Robert Patrick Thelma & Louise Directed by: Ridley Scott Starring: Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis 1992 Hard Boiled (Lat sau san taam) Directed by: John Woo Starring: Chow Yun-Fat, Tony Leung Chiu-wai Malcolm X Directed by: Spike Lee Starring: Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett The Player Directed by: Robert Altman Starring: Tim Robbins, Greta Scacchi Raise the Red Lantern (Da hong deng long gao gao gua) Directed by: Zhang Yimou Starring: Gong Li, Ma Jingwu Unforgiven Directed by: Clint Eastwood Starring: Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Gene Hackman 1993 Groundhog Day Directed by: Harold Ramis Starring: Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Stephen Tobolowsky Schindler's List Directed by: Steven Spielberg Starring: Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes 1994 Chungking Express (Chung Hing sam lam) Directed by: Wong Kar-Wai Starring: Brigitte Lin, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Faye Wong Ed Wood Directed by: Tim Burton Starring: Johnny Depp, Martin Landau, Sarah Jessica Parker Forrest Gump Directed by: Robert Zemeckis Starring: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise Pulp Fiction Directed by: Quentin Tarantino Starring: John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis The Shawshank Redemption Directed by: Frank Darabont Starring: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman Red (Trois couleurs: Rouge) Directed by: Krzysztof Kieslowski Starring: Irene Jacob, Jean-Louis Trintignant 1995 Before Sunrise Directed by: Richard Linklater Starring: Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy Toy Story Directed by: John Lasseter Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen The Usual Suspects Directed by: Bryan Singer Starring: Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri 1996 Fargo Directed by: Joel Coen Starring: Frances McDormand, William H. Macy Ghost in the Shell (Kokaku kidotai) Directed by: Mamoru Oshii Starring: Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka Lone Star Directed by: John Sayles Starring: Chris Cooper, Elizabeth Pena, Kris Kristofferson, Matthew McConaughey, Sling Blade Directed by: Billy Bob Thornton Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam, Lucas Black Trainspotting Directed by: Danny Boyle Starring: Ewan McGregor, Jonny Lee Miller, Robert Carlyle 1997 Boogie Nights Directed by: Paul Thomas Anderson Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore L.A. Confidential Directed by: Curtis Hanson Starring: Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kevin Spacey Titanic Directed by: James Cameron Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet 1998 The Big Lebowski Directed by: Joel Coen Starring: Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore Saving Private Ryan Directed by: Steven Spielberg Starring: Tom Hanks, Tom Sizemore There's Something About Mary Directed by: Peter Farrelly, Bobby Farrelly Starring: Cameron Diaz, Matt Dillon, Ben Stiller |
1999 *Sleepy Hollow
Directed by: Tim Burton Starring: Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, Miranda Richardson All About My Mother (Todo sobre mi madre) Directed by: Pedro Almodovar Starring: Cecilia Roth, Marisa Paredes, Penelope Cruz American Beauty Directed by: Sam Mendes Starring: Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch Being John Malkovich Directed by: Spike Jonze Starring: John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, John Malkovich Fight Club Directed by: David Fincher Starring: Brad Pitt, Edward Norton The Matrix Directed by: Larry Wachowski, Andy Wachowski Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne Princess Mononoke (Mononoke-hime) Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki Starring: Yoji Matsuda, Yuriko Ishida Run Lola Run (Lola rennt) Directed by: Tom Tykwer Starring: Franka Potente, Moritz Bleibtreu The Sixth Sense Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan Starring: Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette 2000 Gladiator Directed by: Ridley Scott Starring: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Richard Harris Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Wo hu cang long) Directed by: Ang Lee Starring: Chow Yun-Fat, Michelle Yeoh, Ziyi Zhang Memento Directed by: Christopher Nolan Starring: Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano 2001 Amelie (Le fabuleux destin d'Amelie Poulain) Directed by: Jean-Pierre Jeunet Starring: Audrey Tautou, Mathieu Kassovitz Donnie Darko Directed by: Richard Kelly Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore, Patrick Swayze The Lord of the Rings Directed by: Peter Jackson Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen 2002 The Pianist Directed by: Roman Polanski Starring: Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Emilia Fox Y Tu Mama Tambien Directed by: Alfonso Cuaron Starring: Maribel Verdu, Gael Garcia Bernal, Diego Luna 2003 City of God (Cidade de Deus) Directed by: Fernando Meirelles Starring: Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino De Hora Phellipe, Seu Jorge 2004 Shaun of the Dead Directed by: Edgar Wright Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield Sideways Directed by: Alexander Payne Starring: Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen 2005 The 40-Year-Old Virgin Directed by: Judd Apatow Starring: Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Seth Rogen Oldboy Directed by: Park Chan-wook Starring: Choi Min-shik, Kang Hye-jeong 2006 Pan's Labyrinth (El laberinto del fauno) Directed by: Guillermo del Toro Starring: Maribel Verdu, Ivana Baquero, Doug Jones 2007 No Country for Old Men Directed by: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin There Will Be Blood Directed by: Paul Thomas Anderson Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano 2008 The Dark Knight Directed by: Christopher Nolan Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart Slumdog Millionaire Directed by: Danny Boyle Starring: Dev Patel, Anil Kapoor, Freida Pinto 2009 Avatar Directed by: James Cameron Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver The Hurt Locker Directed by: Kathryn Bigelow Starring: Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty Inglourious Basterds Directed by: Quentin Tarantino Starring: Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, Melanie Laurent |
Group Project #1 - FORM, STRUCTURE & MEANING OF FILM
See directions on handout for details
1) Choose your group (4-6 members).
2) Choose your film from the following list: Groundhog Day, Jaws,
Run Lola Run, Crash, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Usual Suspects, Memento.
3) View film on your own (consult “How to read a film” and your notes.)
4) View your film in class (you may work outside with your group on those days).
5) Written work, clips, visuals, terms, and oral presentation due after screening in class
(45 minutes max.)
1) Choose your group (4-6 members).
2) Choose your film from the following list: Groundhog Day, Jaws,
Run Lola Run, Crash, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Usual Suspects, Memento.
3) View film on your own (consult “How to read a film” and your notes.)
4) View your film in class (you may work outside with your group on those days).
5) Written work, clips, visuals, terms, and oral presentation due after screening in class
(45 minutes max.)
Group Project #2 - Film Genre Project / Presentation
I. Film Genre Introduction
• Frequently, people choose to go to the movies to see a certain type of film. Popular genres include: Comedy Western; Science-fiction; Horror; Musical, etc.
• Genres are used by industry officials in deciding what kinds of films to make and as a simple way to characterize film. There is usually a link between popular national cinemas and genre.
Understanding Genre Defining a Genre
• It is difficult to define a particular genre. Some genres are determined by their subject or theme
– Westerns: frontier conflict
– Science-fiction: technology beyond our current means
– Gangster: large-scale urban crime
• Other genres are determined by their manner of presentation
– Musicals: singing and dancing
• Still others depend upon a particular plot pattern
– Detective: investigation of a crime (murder)
• While others are determined by the emotion they evoke
– Horror: fear – Comedy: Laughter – Thriller: tension
• Many films do not fit into just one genre category because they contain elements of many
different genres.
Understanding Genre Analyzing a Genre
• Genre can be analyzed in terms of the genre conventions - some type of common identity
which, reappears in film after film. Genre conventions include:
– Plot elements (investigation - detective)
– Specific types of characters (hardball sergeant major - war)
– Themes (love will conquer all - romance)
– Techniques (rapid editing - action) Iconography
• Tommy gun - gangster
• Samurai sword - martial arts
• John Wayne - Westerns
As well as following conventions, films can revise or reject genre conventions.
Audiences expect something familiar from genre films but also demand fresh variations.
Understanding Genre History
• Genre conventions change over time. Their conventions change, and by mixing conventions from different genres, filmmakers create new possibilities from time to time. The mixing of genre conventions makes it possible for genres to borrow elements from one another. Though each genre is formulaic to a certain extent, they must constantly be evolving, as they generally don't remain successful for very long. Rather, they experience periods of popularity called cycles. Genre cycles usually begin with the purest examples of the genre and end with self-referential films.
Understanding Genre The Social functions of Genres
• Often, genres provide a basis for social analysis. By exploiting social values and attitudes, genre harmonizes with public attitudes.
– Heroism should be rewarded
– Romantic love is desirable
– Evil will be punished
This may serve to distract us from real social issues. Genres often reflect the attitudes and values of the society in which they are produced.
– 1950s sci-fi
Reflectionist approaches are sometimes rejected as over simplistic.
– 1990s film violence
Sometimes, they also rely on their conventions to make larger social commentary and challenge prevalent beliefs and assumptions.
– Brokeback Mountain
Three Genres
• The Western is categorized by the conflict between civilized order and the lawless frontier. Complete with stock characters and stock scenarios, Westerns emerged early in the history of cinema. The change in attitudes towards the ‘civilized settlers’ and ‘savage natives’ shows how genre conventions can change. Contemporary Westerns often deal more with emotional turmoil than with external conflict.
• Horror films are usually determined by the response they look to evoke. Because a horror film can create its emotional impact with make-up and other low-technology effects, the horror genre has long been favored by low-budget filmmakers. Horror films usually evoke their desired emotional action by providing an agent of fear that somehow perverts or defies the laws of nature. The changing elements of the horror genre reflect prevalent social attitudes and cultural fears and concerns.
• Starting out as musical revues, the musical is categorized by its use of song and dance. Two early typical plot patterns were the backstage musical plot and the “let's put on a show!” plot, although straight musicals where people may sing and dance in everyday situations were also popular. The musical has often been associated with children's stories, such as The Wizard of Oz. The range of subject matter in musicals is so broad that is it hard to pin down specific iconography associated with its genre. Along with children's stories, musicals have also dealt with more serious, tragic stories.
II. Poster
The poster should represent everything you have learned about the genre you have chosen.
The display should include characteristics of the genre, a famous director of the genre, and an example of several films from the genre and the decade, which you will compare them to. (Example: Universal Classic Horror Films compared to Horror films made from the year 2000 to present)
III. Presentation
A. Questions
• Identify the prevalent characteristics of the following genres (consider settings, character types, plot devices, themes, cinematic techniques, iconography, etc.):
Comedy:_________________________________________________________________
Action: __________________________________________________________________
Science fiction:____________________________________________________________
Fantasy:_________________________________________________________________
Film Noir:________________________________________________________________
Thriller:__________________________________________________________________
Gangster:________________________________________________________________
Melodrama:______________________________________________________________
Romance:________________________________________________________________
War:_____________________________________________________________________
B. Questions • To what genre(s) do the following films belong and Why?
Lord of the Rings_____________________________________________________________
Casablanca_________________________________________________________________
Psycho_____________________________________________________________________
Halloween___________________________________________________________________
Donnie Darko________________________________________________________________
Jaws_______________________________________________________________________
Alien_______________________________________________________________________
Lawrence of Arabia____________________________________________________________
Pulp Fiction__________________________________________________________________
Star Wars___________________________________________________________________
Zoolander___________________________________________________________________
Easy Rider__________________________________________________________________
The Last of the Mohicans_______________________________________________________
Infernal Affairs________________________________________________________________
Sin City_____________________________________________________________________
West Side Story______________________________________________________________
Gone with the Wind___________________________________________________________
The Wrestler_________________________________________________________________
The Seven Samurai___________________________________________________________
C. Questions
• Identify major convention changes over the history of the following genres. What might be the reasons for these changes? (Consider social changes, technological advances, etc.)
Western____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Comedy____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Romance___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Horror______________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
War________________________________________________________________________
FILM GENRE GROUP PRESENTATION
• Frequently, people choose to go to the movies to see a certain type of film. Popular genres include: Comedy Western; Science-fiction; Horror; Musical, etc.
• Genres are used by industry officials in deciding what kinds of films to make and as a simple way to characterize film. There is usually a link between popular national cinemas and genre.
Understanding Genre Defining a Genre
• It is difficult to define a particular genre. Some genres are determined by their subject or theme
– Westerns: frontier conflict
– Science-fiction: technology beyond our current means
– Gangster: large-scale urban crime
• Other genres are determined by their manner of presentation
– Musicals: singing and dancing
• Still others depend upon a particular plot pattern
– Detective: investigation of a crime (murder)
• While others are determined by the emotion they evoke
– Horror: fear – Comedy: Laughter – Thriller: tension
• Many films do not fit into just one genre category because they contain elements of many
different genres.
Understanding Genre Analyzing a Genre
• Genre can be analyzed in terms of the genre conventions - some type of common identity
which, reappears in film after film. Genre conventions include:
– Plot elements (investigation - detective)
– Specific types of characters (hardball sergeant major - war)
– Themes (love will conquer all - romance)
– Techniques (rapid editing - action) Iconography
• Tommy gun - gangster
• Samurai sword - martial arts
• John Wayne - Westerns
As well as following conventions, films can revise or reject genre conventions.
Audiences expect something familiar from genre films but also demand fresh variations.
Understanding Genre History
• Genre conventions change over time. Their conventions change, and by mixing conventions from different genres, filmmakers create new possibilities from time to time. The mixing of genre conventions makes it possible for genres to borrow elements from one another. Though each genre is formulaic to a certain extent, they must constantly be evolving, as they generally don't remain successful for very long. Rather, they experience periods of popularity called cycles. Genre cycles usually begin with the purest examples of the genre and end with self-referential films.
Understanding Genre The Social functions of Genres
• Often, genres provide a basis for social analysis. By exploiting social values and attitudes, genre harmonizes with public attitudes.
– Heroism should be rewarded
– Romantic love is desirable
– Evil will be punished
This may serve to distract us from real social issues. Genres often reflect the attitudes and values of the society in which they are produced.
– 1950s sci-fi
Reflectionist approaches are sometimes rejected as over simplistic.
– 1990s film violence
Sometimes, they also rely on their conventions to make larger social commentary and challenge prevalent beliefs and assumptions.
– Brokeback Mountain
Three Genres
• The Western is categorized by the conflict between civilized order and the lawless frontier. Complete with stock characters and stock scenarios, Westerns emerged early in the history of cinema. The change in attitudes towards the ‘civilized settlers’ and ‘savage natives’ shows how genre conventions can change. Contemporary Westerns often deal more with emotional turmoil than with external conflict.
• Horror films are usually determined by the response they look to evoke. Because a horror film can create its emotional impact with make-up and other low-technology effects, the horror genre has long been favored by low-budget filmmakers. Horror films usually evoke their desired emotional action by providing an agent of fear that somehow perverts or defies the laws of nature. The changing elements of the horror genre reflect prevalent social attitudes and cultural fears and concerns.
• Starting out as musical revues, the musical is categorized by its use of song and dance. Two early typical plot patterns were the backstage musical plot and the “let's put on a show!” plot, although straight musicals where people may sing and dance in everyday situations were also popular. The musical has often been associated with children's stories, such as The Wizard of Oz. The range of subject matter in musicals is so broad that is it hard to pin down specific iconography associated with its genre. Along with children's stories, musicals have also dealt with more serious, tragic stories.
II. Poster
The poster should represent everything you have learned about the genre you have chosen.
The display should include characteristics of the genre, a famous director of the genre, and an example of several films from the genre and the decade, which you will compare them to. (Example: Universal Classic Horror Films compared to Horror films made from the year 2000 to present)
III. Presentation
A. Questions
• Identify the prevalent characteristics of the following genres (consider settings, character types, plot devices, themes, cinematic techniques, iconography, etc.):
Comedy:_________________________________________________________________
Action: __________________________________________________________________
Science fiction:____________________________________________________________
Fantasy:_________________________________________________________________
Film Noir:________________________________________________________________
Thriller:__________________________________________________________________
Gangster:________________________________________________________________
Melodrama:______________________________________________________________
Romance:________________________________________________________________
War:_____________________________________________________________________
B. Questions • To what genre(s) do the following films belong and Why?
Lord of the Rings_____________________________________________________________
Casablanca_________________________________________________________________
Psycho_____________________________________________________________________
Halloween___________________________________________________________________
Donnie Darko________________________________________________________________
Jaws_______________________________________________________________________
Alien_______________________________________________________________________
Lawrence of Arabia____________________________________________________________
Pulp Fiction__________________________________________________________________
Star Wars___________________________________________________________________
Zoolander___________________________________________________________________
Easy Rider__________________________________________________________________
The Last of the Mohicans_______________________________________________________
Infernal Affairs________________________________________________________________
Sin City_____________________________________________________________________
West Side Story______________________________________________________________
Gone with the Wind___________________________________________________________
The Wrestler_________________________________________________________________
The Seven Samurai___________________________________________________________
C. Questions
• Identify major convention changes over the history of the following genres. What might be the reasons for these changes? (Consider social changes, technological advances, etc.)
Western____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Comedy____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Romance___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Horror______________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
War________________________________________________________________________
FILM GENRE GROUP PRESENTATION
| genre_project.doc |
| film_genres.doc |
