Assignment 1

---

Assignment No 1: Close viewing exercise.

Deadline: 24 August (Tuesday, 4 pm)

Word Limit:  1,500 ( Max).

Marks: 25%

ASSIGNMENT No. 1:  Close viewing; Birth of a Nation & Last of the Mohicans

AIMS:

This assignment is designed;

·      to develop your ability to closely ‘read’ a film text.

·      To develop your use and understanding of technical film language

·      to increase your appreciation of early film

·      To develop your ability to write concise observations of both the technical aspects and the aesthetic values of filmmaking.

·      To demonstrate your ability to write in concise, well structured English prose.

INSTRUCTIONS:

·      The assignment comprises of a Compulsory storyboard in SECTION A and TWO topics from SECTION B.

·      Each section must be written in fluent, well constructed English prose.  Note form is not acceptable.

·      It is not a formal essay as such so DO NOT write an introduction or a conclusion although your answer must be concise and well structured.

·      Section B MUST be submitted to turnitin.com. on or before the due date and time (check course syllabus for details).  You do NOT need to submit Section A; the storyboard.  However, both sections must be handed in via hardcopy in the usual way.

RESOURCES

·      Base this assignment on your own observations and the technical material contained in the following texts:    Bordwell & Thompson  Film History & Film Art. Kolker: Film, Form and Culture  (Text & CD ROM)

·      For film terms use the glossary at the rear of your set text and also refer to the handout on filmic codes provided on FTVMS 101 web site.

·      Your tutors will have examples of storyboards to discuss in tutorials.

·      ONLY use the extract provided on the tapes in the AV Library, any other variations will not be marked.

·      Further research is not required for this assignment.

AV LIBRARY

·         The exam tape for this assignment will be available in the AV library for viewing, labelled: FTVMS 101, EXAM EXTRACT No 1, Semester 2 , 2004

·         Both extracts are on one tape and tapes are available at short loan.

·         Tapes may NOT be taken home on overnight loan or dubbed.

Library hours:              Mon - Thurs     9am  - 8pm

Friday              9 am – 5pm

SECTION A  -  Single shot analysis                                               7 marks

Storyboard ONE SHOT from the sequence from EITHER Birth of a Nation or Last of the Mohicans.

Instructions:

·      Select ONE complete shot from EITHER extract that you feel has noteworthy composition and/or filmic techniques.

·      Divide your page into two columns, running the storyboard shot/s down the left hand side and the shot description down the right.

The Storyboard column:

Draw FIVE storyboard frames (max) to demonstrate;

1) initial shot composition – camera angle, shot size, content, action

2) changes in shot composition – tracking/tilting/zooming

3) significant visual features and/or action within the frame

(Use arrows to indicate direction of movement of characters or the camera).

Description column:

In sync with your storyboard frames list the following in order;

1) Technical aspects;   Shot Size,

Cam.(era) angles,

Cam. movement,

Depth of Field (DOF)

Lighting

2) AND THEN describe the narrative content of the shot.

NB:  The object of this section is to be as accurate and as concise in your technical and descriptive language as possible.

SECTION B - Close Reading & Comparative Analysis      (18 Marks)

Instructions;

Under two heading selected from the list below, compare and contrast the way in which technical elements are employed by the filmmaker to construct a dramatic sequence of storytelling.

NB:  Be mindful of the socio-cultural, technical and industry context of each film with the history of film making.

Choose TWO of the following:                                  (Each question worth 9 marks)

a) Cinematography and lighting

- camera and lighting techniques

- shot composition of noteworthy shots (eg. Camera angle and movement, DOF, masks, tinting, lighting design, lighting effects).

b) Editing

- how the edit structures the narrative

- are the rules of continuity of time, space and movement obeyed or broken?

- the narrative and/or stylistic motivation for the cut.

(ensure you discuss the order and duration of the shots as well as the manipulation of rhythm and pace in the edit).

c)  Mise-en-scene

Include discussion of some of the following aspects:

Location/setting

Use of props

Costume

Character movement

Gesture and body language

lighting

d) Soundtrack

- Assess the musical accompaniment of the excerpt from the ‘silent’ film, Birth of a Nation.

- Identify the various elements that are layered on the soundtrack in Last of the Mohicans.