Lecture 1
Course Introduction
The Big Sleep (1946)
Directed by Howard Hawks
Professor Michael Green
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Professor Michael Green
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Lecturer in FMS at ASU
Holds MFA, Creative
Writing, MA in Film
Studies
Teaches courses in Film
Studies; Screenwriting;
Media and Cultural Theory
Writes articles,
screenplays.
Star Trek article
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In This Lesson
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What kind of distance
learning course is this?
How can you succeed
in this course?
What do we study in
this course?
Representation of Los
Angeles in cinema and
media
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What Kind of Distance
Learning Course is This?
The Glass Shield (1994)
Directed by Charles Burnett
Lesson 1: Part I
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The Distance Learning Experience
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This is not an automated
course.
This is not a self-paced
course.
This course emphasizes
asynchronous
interactivity.
Participation is key to
your success!
Clueless (1995)
Directed by Amy
Heckerling
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The Advantages of this Course
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Flexibility – not limited by space or
distance
Study materials available 24/7
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Lectures (streaming audio w/ PowerPoint)
Films
Websites & other resources
Clips
Structured like a traditional course
Complements multiple learning styles
Interactivity
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The Disadvantages
• Students that learn best in a classroom can
struggle in this environment
• It can be hard to stay organized/disciplined
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Arrange for real-time meetings with classmates
Keep in touch with the professor
Set up a calendar so that you can meet all
deadlines
Study the PowerPoint on Critical Writing linked to
the course
Set aside time to work each day
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How to Succeed in This Course
Blade Runner (1982)
Directed by Ridley Scott
Lesson 1: Part II
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How do We Define Success?
• Becoming more
knowledgeable in the
subject of film studies
• Becoming more
skilled critical thinkers
and writers
• Enjoying ourselves
• Getting a high grade:
A or B
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Course Organization
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Each lesson contains:
Lecture
PowerPoint
Screening
Reading
Website(s)
eBoard questions
Film clips
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Forms of Interactivity
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Threaded discussions
on the eBoard
between classmates
Communication with
Professor:
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E-mail
Office Hours (if
possible)
Online Chats
Phone calls or Skype
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Participation (100 points)
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Participation is worth 25% of your final
grade. Your grade is based on:
• Contributing two posts per lesson to the
forum.
• Keeping up with posts – meeting deadlines.
• Quality of posts. They should be
substantive.
• See the syllabus.
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Critical Paper #1 (100 points)
• You will write a 6-7 page critical paper on
the specific topic mandated by the
instructions for Critical Review #1 under
Assignments.
• Your paper must use at least four scholarly
sources, only two of which may come from
the reading.
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Critical Paper #2 (100 points)
• You will write a 9-10 page critical paper on
the specific topic mandated by the
instructions for Critical Review #2.
• Your paper must use at least six scholarly
sources, only three of which may come
from the reading.
OR…
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Presentation Project (100 points)
• Create a digital paper presentation of 12-20
minutes in length that includes the elements
of a critical paper, including a bibliography.
• This presentation should not just be a
recording of you reading your paper. It
should include slides, narration, clips,
graphics, charts, links, sound effects, etc.
• As long as you remain scholarly, be as
creative as you want!
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Final Exam (100 points)
• The final exam is cumulative. It will consist
of true/false, multiple-choice, identification,
fill-in-the-blank, short-answer, and essay
questions. The short-answer and essay
questions will be higher in value, so take
care to think through the various concepts
outlined in the readings, screenings, and
lectures.
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One Last Important Point
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To study writing and film we must debate.
However this does not require being
disrespectful or insensitive.
I expect us to discuss writing and film with
passion and perspective.
I expect us to challenge each other’s
conceptions of writing and film with rigor
and respect.
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Representation of L.A.
Chinatown (1974)
Directed by Roman Polanski
Lesson 1: Part III
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Course Topics
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Representation
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Race, Ethnicity,
Gender, Sexuality,
Class, the city itself
The L.A. film industry
Some social/cultural
history of L.A. and
Hollywood
Genre
The Player (1991)
Directed by Robert Altman
The Cinematic Geography of
Los Angeles
• In this short film, the filmmaker uses
maps and graphics to show many real
L.A. locations where movies were shot.
• The film conveys an idea of the sheer
number and variety of films staged and
shot in and around Los Angeles.
– The Cinematic Geography of Los Angeles
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Los Angeles Plays Itself
• Here are two sections from filmmaker Thom
Andersen’s celebrated filmic essay, Los
Angeles Plays Itself.
• In the movie Andersen uses his deep
knowledge of both L.A. and Hollywood
cinema to riff on a number of things related
to the representation of the city on film.
– Los Angeles Plays Itself Part 1
– Los Angeles Plays Itself Part 2
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Alternate Views of the City
• Movies and media have conditioned us to
a certain vision of Los Angeles – usually
one of movie stars, famous landmarks,
palm trees and rich white people.
• But L.A. is one of the most ethnically and
culturally diverse cities in the world. These
three shorts provide an alternate view.
– Life and Death on L.A.'s Skid Row
– Hood Tours
– Welcome to Koreatown
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Remember, this is 400 level course so…
Be ready to work!
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Directed by James Cameron
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