Structure of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Go to this link. Read the discussion about structure in the film. What did you think of the structure? Did it add to the story, theme or characters? Do you think the story would have worked better told chronologically? Compare/contrast the structure of this film with some of other nonlinear films we've seen.

Groundhog Day Reflection Groundhog Day Reflection

How was the non-linear structure used in the film? Compare/contrast Groundhog Day with any of the other non-linear stories we've seen (Citizen Kane, Memento, Run Lola Run).

Psycho Reflection

What can you learn from the screenplay of Psycho? What is creative about the story structure? How unique are the characters? How does the writer use humor and symbolism in his writing?

Pilot Critique #1

Go to this link

Click on the Pilot Script for your period. Read it. Rate them for these categories in your blog.

Format 1 2 2

Unique/Interesting Characters 1 2 3

Entertaining story/conflict 1 2 3

Comments: What suggestions do you have for improvement?

Top 10 Horror Movies

What are the top 10 horror movies for you? Put some pictures of the horror movies you like. What makes a great horror story? What are some of the techniques that writers and directors use to scare the audience?

Lost Pilot Script

Go to this link.

Click on Lost Pilot. Read the first part of the script. How do the writer's reveal character by dialogue and action for Jack, Kate, Hurley, Boone and Shannon? Compare the way Hurley talks to the way Jack talks. What does this reveal about them? What is Shannon's relationship with her brother like?

Desperate Housewives Pilot

Read the first 20 pages of the Pilot Script on my website

Answer these questions in your blog.

1. Who are three of the main characters? How are they introduced in a unique way?

2. What is the conflict?

3. What is the writing like? Does each character talk differently? How does the write use dialogue to advance the story?

Pilot Reflection

What makes your characters unique? How can you introduce them in a unique way?

What is the problem for your character or characters? What are the obstacles? How is the problem resolved?

My So Called Life

What are some ideas from the show you can use for your own show? Which ideas don't appeal to you? Explain why.

Concept 20

Read Concept 20. Choose one of the three questions to answer.

Gunderson's High School Television Show

What are the cliches that you don't want to see in Gunderson's television show?

Think of a premise for the show. For example, the premise of Freaks and Geeks is a high school show that will focus on the nerds and misfits of the school.

Who will your characters be? Describe them. (Remember, we only have about 10 actors in the Acting Class)

Think of some possible episodes.

Concept 14 for Citizen Kane

Write what you think Beats 1-7 are for Citizen Kane.

Citizen Kane- Non-Linear Movies

What did you think of the non-linear structure of Citizen Kane? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this structure?

Do you agree with the assessment that Citizen Kane is the greatest movie of all time? Why or why not?

Charles Foster Kane

Type everything you know about Charles Foster Kane so far.

Freaks and Geeks Reflection

What has been your favorite episode so far? Explain why.

Dialogue Practice from Freaks and Geeks

Read the first few pages of "Kim Kelly is My Friend." What does the writer do to make each character sound unique?

After we read John August's information on dialogue, take a character from your episode and post a passage of dialogue. Try to make your character sound unique.

Read your passage out loud without saying the character's name. Have a partner guess the character. If they don't guess it, maybe your dialogue isn't unique enough.

Exposition Revision

Copy and paste some exposition from your short script. After reading the information in the Harry Potter packet, how would you revise it? Put a revision below the original.

Concept 8

Do question numbers 1 and 3 from Concept 8.

Continuation of Freaks and Geeks Scene

Choose one of the scenes from the script for the Pilot of Freaks and Geeks. Write a short extension to the scene in the correct screenplay format.

High School Television Shows

Put three pictures of your favorite high school television shows. Why are they your favorites?

Concept 7

Read Concept 7 as a class. Answer #1 and #2.

Short Script Reflection

What was your best scene? Explain why it was the best. What was your worst scene? Explain why? What could you do to improve your script?

Short Films

Watch some short films. Answer three questions in Concept 6.

Gangster Films and the Hays Code

Review the rules for censorship in Hollywood from this link.

Does Angels With Dirty Faces follow or break the rules?

Gangster Movies

Put some pictures of your favorite Gangster Movies. What characteristics do they have?

Genre Podcast Reflection

Listen to each Genre Podcast.

What are the characteristics of the genre? Do any of the movies violate the rules? Try to guess the Massacre Theatre.

Put all of the reflections in one post.

The Musical

Put some pictures of some musicals you've seen or heard about. What do Musicals have in common?

Female Characters in Hawks

Watch the montage of female characters in Hawks movies. What are the common elements?

Stagecoach Reflection

How does Stagecoach follow the conventions of the Western?

The Western

What Westerns have you seen? Put some pictures of Westerns you've seen or heard about. What are some of the characteristics of the Western?

Cross-Pollination Between Hollywood and the World

What has Hollywood given World Cinema and Vice-Versa? Think back on all the films we've seen this year.

Hong Kong Action Cinema

Go to this link. Write down five facts about Hong Kong Action Cinema.

Rashomon vs. Citizen Kane

Review pages 89-92 about Citizen Kane in your book. Compare/contrast the use of multiple perspectives in both films.

The Rashomon Effect

Put some pictures of movies you've seen that play with time or multiple perspectives. What do these movies have in common? What are some of the differences?

San Jose Film Festival

Look at this link.

Choose your favorite five features and your favorite five shorts.

You might look at SCHEDULE first and pick some that are on the same day. We don't want to go on Saturday, but any other days are up for grabs.

Favorite Directors

Put some pictures of your favorite directors. Do they have a unique style? What makes them unique? Do you think they're influenced by any of the directors we've studied?

Film Magazines

Visit a Website for one of these journals, and select an article written about a movie you have seen recently or an actor or film style (or genre) that interests you. Read the article, and produce a summary of what the author has to say about their subject. As well, comment on how the writing in the article differs from the usual film reviews or film commentaries you might read in your local newspaper or see on television. For instance, does your chosen article provide more and/or different information about the film or artist than you're used to reading? Is the writing style different than you are used to, and if so, how is it different? Did you like the article, and if so , why, if not, why not?

Websites

Sight and Sound

American Cinematographer

Cineaste

Film Comment

Cinema of Iran

Look at this website about Iran.

Write down three facts about Iran. What surprised you? What do you think the cinema of Iran will be like?

Italian Neorealism

What is Italian Neorealism?

How do the films we've seen demonstrate its characteristics?