Writing About Film Article

1. What are the 5 kinds of film writings described in the article and what are the key details of each?

This movie promoted certain values

The first kind of film writing is called formal analysis. Basically this type of paper consists of the viewer needs to break down the film into small categories such as lighting, sound, cinematography, or other components. Then the viewer would talk about how each category contributes the film as a whole. To be able to do this, one must be familiar with certain terms. The next type of film writing is called film history. Films have their own histories such as how and why they were made, all films are released to different audiences, and films sometimes can reflect historical trends. Most important key detail is that it reflects the values and ideas of the culture that inspired it. The third film writing is called ideological papers. Basically the key detail in this section is that each film promotes a set of beliefs that are based on politics or propaganda. A film's purpose is to entertain but at the same time it can promote or manipulate the audience's feelings about a set of values or beliefs. The next type of film writing is cultural studies/ national cinemas. So, the most important thing in this section is that films reflect the cultures and nations in which they were produced. A different film made in a different country other than the USA might seem very different to Americans. The last kind of film writings is called discussion of the auteur. Auteur criticism looks at one person, which is the director and how the film came out because of that person. This style helps the people to understand common themes and decisions by the director.

2. What does "Annotating a Film Sequence" involve and what are its's benefits?
This is different than taking notes to write an essay. As you watch the film take notes or list all the different shots in the sequence. For example, the scene starts with an establish shot, then there is a close up on the boy's face, then a dolly to the sky as the boy looks up. When you label the shots on paper it will help you notice a pattern in the shots of the sequence. Also it will help you understand how the director created his film or understand his common style.

3. What does the author imply when she says to "Think Beyond the Frame?"
This term implies that instead of just focusing on the narrative of the film and the cinematography, consider thinking about the people who created the film, film reviews, genre, cultural phenomenon. Try to research the director's previous works and try to find his creative interest. Try to find out the production of the film and if there is anything interesting that makes the film unique.