North Kitsap School District
PAL Program
Course Contract
Course Title:
Grade Level:
Length of Course:
Credit:
Film Study (ENN220)
10-12
1 semester
0.5
Student________________________________________Instructor____________________________
The student and parent/guardian agree that the student will finish the topics listed below in order to receive
credit. The completion date for the requirements below is____________________________.
The completion date may be amended after student progress has been assessed.
Amended completion date____________ Instructor_______________________ Date____________
Assessment: In order to earn a “B”, assignments must: include all criteria, be revised with no errors, be
clear and concise, be neatly presented, and be original. Assignments assessed at a “C” or below will be
returned for correction.
Date Complete
Grade
Assignment 1: Movie Knowledge Reflection
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Assignment 2: Vocabulary
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Assignment 3: “Visions of Light”
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Assignment 4: Key Websites
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Photography/Effects
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Story
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Screenwriting
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Acting
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Sound/Music
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Editing
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Journal Reflection
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Assignment 5: Elements of Film
Assignment 6: Watch Films
Choice
Date Complete
Grade
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Assignment 7: Film Rating Chart (See chart)
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Date Complete
Grade
Assignment 8 Film Study Synthesis: What Makes A Good Movie?
Outline
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Rough Draft
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Final Draft
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Assignment 9: Film Study Reflection
The goal of this course is to teach you to see movies in new ways. Through readings, discussion, research,
viewing and writing, you will delve into the question, “what makes a good movie?” By the end you‘ll have
new tools and a new language to answer that question in greater detail than ever before.
You will watch nine movies during this course. It is highly recommended that you plan to watch each film
twice—the first time for enjoyment, and the second for analysis. The films for this course were chosen for
their teachability. It is not necessary for you to like each film but rather, that you find out what it has to
demonstrate about filmmaking in general. It is also recommended that you complete assignments 1-5
before watching films from the list.
Assignment 1: Movie Reflection. Begin with what you know. In your journal, list at least ten qualities
which you feel go into creating a good movie. This will be the first entry in your journal, which should be
kept and added to throughout the quarter.
What would you like to know about the world of filmmaking? List at least five questions. Be aware of
these questions throughout the course and work with your advisor to answer them.
Assignment 2: Vocabulary. Begin a list of new words related to filmmaking on a Vocabulary page in
your journal. An excellent glossary can be found at: http://www.filmsite.org/filmterms1.html
Assignment 3: Visions of Light. Watch this documentary about the history of cinematography. On your
second viewing, write down at least ten quotes that describe new photographic or lighting concepts and
techniques. Identify the speaker and if appropriate, the film that he or she is talking about. For example,
“The 20’s were really a golden age for cinema because the camera was unencumbered by sound, and all the
devices that accompany verbal dialogue. It really was a visual medium.” (John Bailey). After writing
quotes, reflect on what you found in your journal. (DVD available from PAL).
Assignment 4: Key Websites. Browse the following websites. Become familiar with the vast array of
information about movies, and analyze what each particular website has to offer. Make detailed notes in
your journal about the most and least helpful aspects about movies from each site.
www.cinemaseekers.com/filmguide.html, www.teachwithmovies.org, www.imdb.com, www.filmsite.org,
http://idid.essortment.com/moviespecialef_rbcs.htm,
http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/historyonline/hollywood.cfm
Assignment 5: Elements of Filmmaking: You will read about several of the main elements of
filmmaking. Later you will use information from these studies to rate the films you watch. Make clear,
legible notes in your journal, and share them with your parent and advisor.
For Photography and Effects, go to http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/blue-screen3.htm, follow the
link to “How blue screens work” and “How mattes work”. Note in your journal at least five important
aspects of each.
For Sound/Music, go to http://www.filmsound.org/marshall/index.htm Read the
selection, then list the main points made in this article.
For Acting, go to www.whoosh.org/issue15/error.html,. List details about what the author sees as key
acting skills displayed by Lucy Lawless. Describe whether you agree or disagree, and elaborate.
For Editing, go to http://www.filmmakers.com/features/editing/index.htm, Browse this long article and list
at least five important things to know about editing films.
For Story, go to http://www.screenwriting.info/page02.shtml, and list at least five elements the author says
make a good story. Add any of your own that might be missing from his list.
For Screenplay, go to http://www.wordplayer.com/, or www.learner.org/exhibits/cinema, follow the links
for “Screenwriting”. Complete this assignment (write your own scene for “When Harry Met Sally”) and
share with your advisor.
For Clichés, go to www.moviecliches.com. After browsing this site, explain in three or four paragraphs
what clichés in movies are, which ones are familiar to you, and how an awareness of them affects you as a
movie viewer. If you think of any that are not on the website, list them.
Once you have read, written and talked about the elements of filmmaking, reflect in your journal on how
this new knowledge might influence the way you watch movies.
Assignment 6: Watch and Analyze Films
You will watch eight feature-length films for this course, and complete an assignment for each. These
assignments will help you look beneath the surface and find new meanings in what you see.
Below is a list of six different ways to respond to the films you watch. You will do each of these choices at
least once. You may choose to do any film with any assignment, in any order. (Note: Films listed in italics
correspond to Assignment E only).
Choice A: Shot by Shot Analysis. Watch the entire film. On the second viewing, choose a particular scene
that you’d like to study. The scene should be between 10 to 20 shots. Use the “Shot by Shot” form in the
Appendix to reflect on what is happening. After you have completed the form, answer the following
questions.
1. Plot. How does this scene relate to the ongoing story? Give a brief description of the film and tell
how your scene fits in.
2. Point of View. What is the point of view presented in this film? Objective, subjective? Explain.
3.
4.
How is the camera used to emphasize this perspective?
Character. What does this scene reveal about the main character or characters? Be specific
about the character’s movements, words, tone of voice, etc. as shown by the camera.
Tone. Describe the mood of this scene. Is it tense, happy, humorous? How do the lighting and
cinematography contribute to the mood?
This assignment has been adapted from Reading the Movies by William Costanzo.
Choice B: Radio Commentary. Listen to at least three radio commentaries by Bob Mondello.(Go to
www.npr.org, enter Bob Mondello in the search box, choose three movies from over 400 of his radio
reviews). Notice what information he includes in his film reviews, and how he expresses his facts and
opinions. Make notes in your journal about Mondello’s comments (What he said, how he said it, how much
was opinion, how much fact, etc.) For your movie, prepare a three minute commentary to present either on
tape, or to your advisor. Your comments should be informative, interesting, polished, and include whether
or not you recommend the film. It is recommended that you create and read from a script.
Choice C: Relate, Relate, Relate. Choose a movie that is related to any of your other current courses
(Example: “Seven Samurai” for World Geography, “Lust For Life” for Art, “Grapes of Wrath” for English,
US History, etc.) After viewing the film, describe at least _____ aspects of your course that this film
presents. What does this film teach about your subject? How does the experience of watching it add to your
appreciation of the subject?
Choice D: Read and Write Reviews: Choose another movie and view it twice. Then go to
www.imdb.com, type in the title of your film in the “search” box, follow links for “check for user
comments” and “comments index”. Choose two positive and two negative reviews. Now write a detailed
response to each of these reviews, stating your opinion of the film, and specific examples to back it up. Post
your review on the imdb website.
Choice E: “Teach With Movies”. This site features films that deal with ethical challenges and character
development. Choose one of the titles written in italics. These films are referenced on the website,
www.teachwithmovies.org. For password, ask your advisor. Before you view the film, look at the study
guide questions and discuss with your advisor which ones to consider. After viewing the film, complete the
assigned questions.
Choice F: Artistic Response. Make a collage, poster, song, poem, cartoon, photographic essay or other
artistic piece which expresses the film’s theme, characters, relevance to your life, etc
Assignment 7: Film Rating: Student will rate each of the twelve films on a 1-5 scale (1 being “poor”, 5
being “excellent”, for eight different qualities, and then average these for a final score.
Film…………………………………………………………
Story
Acting
Editing
Effects
Sound/Music
Photography
Clichés
Impact
Assignment 8: Synthesis: What makes a good movie? Write a 4 to 5 page essay which makes use of
all the understandings you have gained about what it takes to make a good movie. Include at least three
research references.
Assignment 9: Reflection. Write a one page evaluation of your opinion of this course.
Shot by Shot Table for __________________________________
(Film Title)
Rating
Shot
#
Description
(action,
setting
characters)
Framing
(close-up,
medium
shot, long
shot)
Camera
Angles
(low, high,
eye
level)
Camera
Movement
(tilt, crane,
zoom,
pan,
tracking,
etc.)
Lighting
(high
key,
low key,
back,
front,
normal)
Sound
(dialogue,
music, voice
over, sfx)
Transitions
(cut, dissolve,
wipe, others)
Shot by Shot Table for __________________________________
(Film Title)
Shot
#
Description
(action,
setting
characters)
Framing
(close-up,
medium
shot, long
shot)
Camera
Angles
(low, high,
eye
level)
Camera
Movement
(tilt, crane,
zoom,
pan,
tracking,
etc.)
Lighting
(high
key,
low key,
back,
front,
normal)
Sound
(dialogue,
music, voice
over, sfx)
Transitions
(cut, dissolve,
wipe, others)
Shot by Shot Table for __________________________________
(Film Title)
Shot
#
Description
(action,
setting
characters)
Framing
(close-up,
medium
shot, long
shot)
Suggested Films:
Camera
Angles
(low, high,
eye
level)
Camera
Movement
(tilt, crane,
zoom,
pan,
tracking,
etc.)
Lighting
(high
key,
low key,
back,
front,
normal)
Sound
(dialogue,
music, voice
over, sfx)
Transitions
(cut, dissolve,
wipe, others)
It is North Kitsap School District Policy that students obtain parental permission to watch
“R” rated films if they are under 18 years old.
Citizen Kane (1941)
Dead Poets Society (1989)
Awakenings (1990)
The Breakfast Club (1985)
The Graduate (1967)
JFK (1991)
In the Heat of the Night (1967)
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
Seven Samurai
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Willow (1988)
Casablanca
Il Postino (1996)
A Beautiful Mind (2002)
The Birth of a Nation (1915)
On the Waterfront (1954)
Psycho (1960)
Rear Window (1954)
Do the Right Thing
Singing in the Rain (1951)
Great Film Stunts: The Making
of Raiders of the Lost Ark
Cool Hand Luke
Milagro Beanfield War
Shawshank Redemption
A Thousand Clowns
City of Lost Children
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Fahrenheit 451
Beautiful Dreamers
Grapes of Wrath
Les Miserables (1978)
West Side Story
Lust for Life
Matewan
Stand and Deliver
Smoke Signals
The Turning Point
Blade Runner
Gattaca
Hoop Dreams
Chariots of Fire
Gandhi
Cyrano de Bergerac
The Truman Show
The Miracle Worker
Joy Luck Club
Amistad
To Kill a Mockingbird
October Sky
Inception
As it is in Heaven
The Lives of Others
Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Amelie
Matchstick Men
Aviator
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Chocolat
Slumdog Millionaire
The Pianist
Catch Me if You Can
Million Dollar Baby
Donnie Darko
Into the Wild
The Kite Runner
Ratatouille
The Prestige
Ray