English IV Final Exam June 2012
Examining Theory and Production Techniques in Film
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Assignment
Your assignment is to view the film The Last Samurai and write an essay in which you
analyze a critical theory and production techniques. You have explored film techniques
and theories that screen writers and directors use when creating films to communicate
their vision. Now that you have a sufficient background concerning the aesthetics of
filmmaking, closely analyze The Last Samurai. Apply ONE theory and identify
THREE production techniques in your essay and show how the filmmakers convey
their larger themes to an audience.
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Steps
1. While watching The Last Samurai, take notes on the production techniques
(camera angles, lighting, sound, etc.) that were used in the film and how they
were used.
2. Choose one critical theory (Historical Criticism, Feminist Criticism, Marxist
Criticism, or Cultural Criticism) and apply it to the film.
3. Write an analysis of the film focusing on one critical theory and identifying three
production techniques.
Essential Features of the
Film
What critical theory is
prevalent in the film (use
specific examples)?
Identify a filming
technique—why is it
important to the film?
Identify a filming
technique—why is it
important to the film?
Identify a filming
technique—why is it
important to the film?
Identify a filming
technique—why is it
important to the film?
Identify a filming
technique—why is it
important to the film?
Your Commentary
Critical Theories
Archetypal Criticism
 Universal symbols—images, characters, motifs, or patterns that recur in the
myths, dreams, oral traditions, songs literature, and other texts of peoples widely
separated by time and place.
 Certain images recur in texts from diverse cultures that share a common
interpretation.
 Certain characters recur.
 Certain motifs and patterns recur.
Historical Criticism
 Recognizes the significance of historical information when interpreting literature.
 A text cannot be separated from its historical context.
 An understanding of the text is enhanced by the study of beliefs and artifacts that
were in existence when the text was created.
Feminist Criticism
 Focuses on the relationship between genders.
 Examines patterns of thought, behavior, enfranchisement, and power in relations
between and within the sexes.
Marxist Criticism
 Asserts that economics provides the foundation for all social, political, and
ideological reality.
 All aspects of humanity are based on the struggle for economic power.
 The basic struggle in human society is between the haves and have-nots.
Cultural Criticism
 Examines how differing religious beliefs, ethnicities, class identifications,
political beliefs, and individual viewpoints affect how texts are created and
interpreted.
 Ethnicity, religious beliefs, and so on are crucial components in formulating
plausible interpretations of text.
Essay Outline
I.
Thesis Statement
A. Topic Sentence #1
B. Topic Sentence #2
C. Topic Sentence #3
II.
Topic Sentence #1
A. Support
B. Support
C. Commentary
D. Commentary
III.
Topic Sentence #2
A. Support
B. Support
C. Commentary
D. Commentary
IV.
Topic Sentence #3
A. Support
B. Support
C. Commentary
D. Commentary
V.
Thesis Statement
A. Topic Sentence #1
B. Topic Sentence #2
C. Topic Sentence #3
Examining Theory and Production Techniques in Film
Scoring
Criteria
Exceeds Expectations
6/5
Organization
The essay is skillfully
and
designed and contains a
Coherence
thoughtful introduction
with a sophisticated
thesis, coherent body
Raw Score
paragraphs with relevant
textual support, and an
______
insightful conclusion.
Analysis of
The essay contains a
the Film
perceptive analysis of the
theory and production
techniques utilized by the
Raw Score
director. The analysis
conveys an in-depth
______
understanding of the
director’s purpose and
choices, and provides a
shrewd discussion of the
film’s effectiveness.
Evidence of
There is extensive
the Writing
evidence that the writer
Process
has utilized the writing
process. The essay
demonstrates thoughtful
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planning, a great deal of
revision, and careful
______
editing in preparation of
producing a polished
finished product.
Demonstration The author demonstrates
of Technical
a solid command of
Command
language and uses
conventions to enhance
the style of the text. The
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author presents a wellpolished finished
______
product.
Meets Expectations
4/3
The essay is well structured
and contains a strong
introduction with a clear
thesis, detailed body
paragraphs with textual
support, and a satisfactory
conclusion.
Does Not Yet Meet
Expectations
2/1
This essay is poorly
organized and contains an
introduction with a limited
thesis, vague body
paragraphs with limited
textual support, and/or a
meager conclusion.
The essay contains a solid
analysis of the theory and
identifies the obvious
production techniques. The
analysis conveys a
reasonable interpretation of
the film, and provides some
convincing discussion
concerning the effectiveness
of the film.
The essay contains limited
analysis of the theory and
does not identify the
production techniques with
any depth or clarity. The
effectiveness of the film is
not addressed or is
addressed in an
unconvincing manner.
There is a good deal of
evidence that the writer has
utilized the writing process.
The essay demonstrates
planning, revision, and
editing.
There is minimal evidence
that the writer has utilized
the writing process. The
essay lacks evidence of
planning and displays
minimal revision and
editing.
A few errors in grammar
and/or conventions exist, but
they do not interfere with
meaning nor distract the
reader.
Several errors in grammar
and conventions appear in
the text and interfere with
meaning. The errors are
distracting to the reader.
Raw Score ______ X 4 = _____ + 4 = ______