Prompt

Write a 1,000-word formal analysis about one film we’ve studied in the first six modules of our course.

Shot Analysis

Select at least two sequences from your film and compose an abbreviated shot analysis chart, as discussed in class and in Writing About Movies, pages 28–30. Although you are not including a shot analysis chart in your assignment, you should prepare one to write your analysis.

Formal Analysis

For each of the two sequences should address at least two formal elements listed in the chapter “Doing Formal Analysis: A Screening Checklist” from the textbook, Writing About Movies, pages 39–50:

  1. narrative
  2. acting
  3. cinematography
  4. mise-en-scène
  5. editing
  6. sound

Your paper should include detailed descriptions of the sequences and describe, as best you can, what you observe in terms of these formal elements.

Structure

Your formal analysis should be written in essay form, beginning with an introduction

The following paragraphs should be devoted to formal analysis of the sequences you selected from the film:

Write a one-paragraph conclusion of why this film uses formal elements in an interesting way based on the two sequences you selected and analyzed in your report.