Film Composition and Literature

Course Expectations and Policies

Binder Assignment and Projects

AFI Film List

Basic Film Terms

Outside of Class Film Form

Book and Film Comparison Paper

The Artists Novels and Lost Horizon Assignment

Mrs. Paugh

Paly.net

1. Reading: Four novel units during the semester

A. First Quarter:
1. You will choose one novel from eight books that were adapted into Academy Award winning films. I will provide the books. (Choices: Rebecca; Bridge on the River Kwai; Ordinary People; Gone with the Wind; How Green was My Valley; In the Heat of the Night; One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest; African Queen)
2. You will also select a "classic" (a significant novel) that has been adapted to film. A list will be provided. (Refer to section "D" below.)

B. Second Quarter:
1. You will read one of the following: Lost Horizon by James Hilton; Girl with the Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier; Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland; or My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok.
2. For the last book unit, all students will read October Sky by Homer Hickam, Jr. There will be further information concerning assignments, quizzes and due dates related to these novels.

C. The Primary Texts: Throughout the semester there will be frequent assignments in your primary text: Flashback, A Brief History of Film and occasionally, the supplemental text, A Critical Eye, in addition to other supplemental readings and short stories. Stay focused and current.

2. PAPERS:
1. There are at least four papers assigned during the semester. I will provide specific assignment sheets for each of them.

a. Criteria Paper - Assigned early in first quarter
b. In Class Essay - During the first quarter all students will read one book from the Academy Award unit selections (see above) and write an in-class essay comparing the book to the film including some of the specifics mentioned in the following paragraph. You will view the film on your own time well before the "In class essay test" date. I have many copies of the films, but it is up to you to schedule a time to borrow a copy and screen the film.
c. Book/Film Comparison Paper - During the first quarter all students must read one book which has been adapted to the screen and submit a formal paper comparing it to its film adaptation. You will summarize the book's plot and compare it to the film's narration. In your paper you will critically analyze the "successes" and "failures" of the adaptation of the book to the screen. You will include the differences you see in the film compared to the book and make inferences as to why you think the screen adaptation was done this way. Finally you will include your observations and comments about the overall success of the film adaptation. Obviously this will require that you both read the book and see the film. (I will provide a specific assignment sheet at a later date.) To a degree, this book will be a " free choice" selection of a play or novel chosen from a long list of titles which are also worthwhile film adaptations. Many of these books are available in Paly's textbook room. Occasionally I will allow a selection which is not on my list. I am very familiar with the books taught in the English department at all levels and grades. Please do not try to duplicate something you have already read (Joy Luck Club, The Great Gatsby, etc.)
d. Lost Horizon/Artists and Film Unit - A formal paper with several options assigned during second quarter
e. Citizen Kane and October Sky papers assigned as part of the journal

3. Film Binder (This assignment is a MAJOR portion of your grade each quarter and is due near the end of each quarter)

Keep your film binders neat, orderly and up to date at all times! Comments from past students indicate that this assignment is not hard but can be very difficult if left until the last night. BEWARE and stay current.

A. Media Assignments Section: You should find five articles each quarter about various aspects of film which interest you and include them (paste them) in this section of your film binder. These articles should be long enough and substantive to merit your written comments.

Directions:

1. Select an article from a newspaper, magazine, etc. which discusses some aspect of film. These articles are not to be confused with reviews of a specific film (that will be included in a separate section of the journal.) The article could be about a specific director, cinematographer, editor, or star discussing some aspect of his/her work. It could be about new trends in film, a discussion of a film festival, the impact of critics on film, about controversial issues such as the rating system, about new legislation regarding film, the impact of such organizations as the American Film Institute, a review of a recent book about film, the demise of small independent theaters and the move to multiplexes, articles about film festivals, etc. The field is "wide open" here, but the objective is to get you to notice and read about current issues regarding just about anything to do with film! PLEASE NOTE: YOU MAY NOT USE FILM REVIEWS OR CLASS "HAND-OUTS" TO FULFILL THIS ASSIGNMENT.

2. Xerox or cut out the article in its entirety and paste it/affix it neatly into the "MEDIA SECTION" of your film binder.

"The three paragraphs:"

3. Summary: In a well written, thoughtfully planned and proofread paragraph, summarize the main points of the article.

4. Significance: In another paragraph, speculate as to why it was published. (In other words, why did someone decide this article merited publication? What is important enough about the issue to have an article written about it and then printed?

5. Reflection: In the third paragraph write up your reflections and comments about the article. You might include why you chose the article and whether or not you agree with its content.

B. Journal "Section" - This three hole spiral journal should be brought to class each day.

1. Prompt Questions:

Sometimes you will use it to respond to journal prompts or write reactions to various stories, essays or articles we read. Sometimes I will ask you to finish an in-class journal response as homework, but in all cases bring it to class each day and stay current even when you miss class. I expect all entries to be complete, neat and in order by the end of the quarter. Give each entry your BEST effort, thought, writing, editing skills and reflection. Most of these prompts should be at least a page in length of reflective writing.

2. In Class Films:

Every time we watch a film in class or documentary about film, you need to write up your reflections/comments about that film. This should be at least a page in your in-class journal. It should be neat and legible and reflect careful THOUGHT. (If it looks and reads like hurried and careless work, a lower grade will be the result.)

Possible topics to include in your reflections:

a. What do you think the "intent" of the film is?
b. Why is or isn't it a "successful" film? How well does it fulfill its intent?
c. Make connections and comparisons to other films you have seen.
d. Comment on various technical aspects of the film which enhanced it in some way. (cinematography, sound effects, musical score, etc.)
e. Discuss its overall impact upon you. What "strikes" you about the film or what do you remember most about the film? Why?
f. Comment on any film notes/enrichment articles or questions that I give you after we screen this film. Usually I will require that you answer a specific question about the film or comment/reflect upon enrichment readings about the film. Listen to in-class directions.

C. Outside of Class Film Section: Written Reflections for your "Outside of Class" Film Selections:

1. View Five films each quarter: I KNOW you see at least five films outside of class each quarter. Obviously, the "big screen" is the best medium for the "real" film experience and this is a requirement for the course: View five films currently each quarter which are currently in movie theaters. Occasionally, I will provide screenings outside of class of significant films. These screenings can be used to satisfy your "outside of class" viewing requirement.

2. Additional Requirement: AT LEAST one of the ten films for the semester must be seen at the Stanford Theater and at least one must be a foreign film. I will keep a careful record each quarter and you MUST meet this requirement.

For these entries, include the following in your OUT OF CLASS Movie Section of your Film Binder (You may write directly on the form I provide or make a template on your computer and use that for your responses.)

3. Written Commentaries:

a. Be certain to thoroughly answer all the questions on the "Out of Class Films" form. A supply of these forms may always be found in period 2 and period 5 wire baskets on the back table in Room 219. You may wish to type up the questions or scan the template and use it to write your reflections on your computer.

b. For each film find at least one movie review or article about the film. Search the library, film books and Internet for additional information about the film or any aspect of it. Further information about the director, for example, or related works and copy of a movie review would all be acceptable. After reading the article, discuss/write why you agree or disagree with the reviewer's opinion.

3. Try to include a variety of genres or eras among your ten film selections. Suggestions: silent film, musicals, screwball/romantic comedies, western, film noir, combat films, documentary, foreign/international films, gangster films, fantasy, animation, science fiction, action/adventure. Don't panic! There are many choices, but don't limit yourself to one or two genres for all ten films.

D. Additional Formal Papers Section:

There will be several "out of class" formal papers written about various subjects (for example the Criteria/Standards paper assigned early in the semester and the book and film comparison papers would be placed in this section.) These should be included in this "Out of Class Papers" section of your film binder after I have returned the graded work. This is essentially a storage area for your "extra" papers.

E. Class Handouts/Resource Materials Section:

Please keep all class handouts, articles, assignment sheets, vocabulary lists, class expectations, chapter worksheets, etc. in this section of your binder. PLACE the AFI "check off" list as your FIRST entry in this section.

4. Final Project:
All students will complete a project for your semester exam. Begin now to think about an individual project you would like to complete for your " final exam."

For example:

• You could make a film based on your own short story or adapt a short story to film.
• You could research and write a report about a director's films and compare and contrast his/her work.
• You could research and write a report about the impact of a particular film on social history.
• You could research and write about how an historical event is portrayed in a film. (For example, The Battle of Gettysburg and the movie Gettysburg; the return of W.W.II veterans and The Best Years of Our Lives, etc.)
• You could research the life of a "real person" (for example, President Lincoln, Babe Ruth, Glen Miller, Thomas Edison, Mozart, Henry VIII, Malcolm X etc.) and then compare and contrast the film to the facts. (How accurate is the film biography of your chosen subject?)
• You could research and write a report about a particular genre and compare and contrast several different films in that genre.
• You could write and film a documentary (for example you could select a particular event in U.S. history and then reenact and film that event.)
• You could write and film a documentary illustrating some aspect of film history or technique (make a better "basic film terms" film!)
• You could write, film, edit and produce an advertising trailer (preview) for a film.
• You could write a screen play.
• You could write a screenplay adaptation from a short story or book.
• You could write a film treatment for a film you would like to produce.
• You could research a particular "movie star's" life, career and impact on film, illustrating through video the various changes and stages in his/her work.
• You could create the storyboards for scenes in a film you would like to produce or direct.
• You can compose the musical score for a film etc.

This is your chance to research, create and develop some particular interest YOU have with film. The list goes on and on. Obviously I may have " scared" some of you. This doesn't have to be a daunting, "earth shaking" project, nor represent thousands of hours of work. What it does have to reflect is your passion for some subject within Film Composition and Literature, your research and your quality effort and work, as well as, your thoughtful presentation of your "study" in both written and presentation format for all of us to enjoy. It will be SO fun! Really!

Question: Can you work together? Yes, all project proposals will be submitted to me for approval. If you want together and if the project "lends itself" to that format, you have that option, BUT no more than three people may work together on one project.