12th Grade Film Studies: React to Film
Syllabus 2012-13
Monday & Tuesday 2:22-3:10pm
Dennis Gereritz
Email: dgereritz@renaissancecharter.org (preferred method of contact)
Voicemail: 718-8030060 ext 705
Course description, Goals and Objectives
REACT to FILM started as a call-to-action series for press/influencers in New York, Miami, Los
Angeles and Washington that exposes the audience to an important social issue, engages them in
a conversation with the film’s director on the issue, inspires them to change the way that they
think and act, and in the form of a detailed handout calls upon them to be agents of change.
This course will prepare students for leadership roles in the community and in their professions.
The course will provide students with the knowledge, skills, and foundation in Leadership
necessary to be effective in a variety of settings. Students will develop an understanding of the
components that make leadership and call to action successful.
Students will gain both the theoretical and practical skills necessary for success in both their
personal and professional lives. It is intended for students who are interested in gaining a
foundation in leadership studies and extended coursework in applied aspects of Leadership.
React to Film does not have pre-requisites in terms of structuring the classes (days of week,
times, or how many times a week the class meets) aside from asking that it be a for-credit
elective, and that there is a Renaissance teacher assigned to the class, who is willing to
collaborate on the content.
The content is flexible depending on what the students and Renaissance teacher are interested in
exploring, but they come with a number of documentaries that can be used. They start with
picking the film, based on student input and teacher/teaching artist collaboration. From there the
classes cover:
Expectations and goals
How to view film as text
Understanding the issue (what's the bias?)
Show the film, pausing for discussion and deconstruction of the issues
A series of Reaction Activities are engaged in, that seek to show students how the issues
affect their lives, their communities, politics, etc.
Choose a project. The project is always staffed by the class with 5 major roles taken on by
students:
Illustrator
Researcher
Technolgy Organizer
Scribe
Presenter
We may or may not present the project to the school population, with the goal of educating
the population on the issues.
Grades:
Writing Assignments (Analysis/ Reflections / Critical Reviews/Homework) ~ 25%
Class Work ~ 25%
Tests/Class Projects Performances~ 25%
Participation ~ 25%
Required Materials:
ject notebook or composition book
pens
pencils
Highlighter
Class Rules and Expectations:
1.
Respect the class. Always try to communicate respectfully. Remember you are a critic
and need to view the films with a critical eye.
2.
Respect your classroom. Please, no food, gum, candy or drinks in the classroom. Food
attracts bugs; drinks spill and make floors/desks sticky; gum ruins books and desks.
3.
Respect your classmates. Be polite, always respect your peers. Listen to others during
conversations, raise your hands in class discussions, and do not talk over others or during films.
4.
Respect your teacher. Leave all electronics at home or in your locker. If you have an
issue with me please speak to me privately. If we cannot solve the issue together, please contact
the School Support Staff or have your parent/guardian contact me.
5.
Respect yourself. Come prepared for class every day. Be punctual (on time). Find out
about missed assignments from you classmates, teacher if you miss class.
Class topics:
 The Classic Hollywood Model (September/October)
Focusing question: What are the qualities of the classic Hollywood film?
Topics: Studio power, World War II, characterization and archetypes
Possible Movies: Casablanca, scenes from the Adventures of Robin Hood
Assignment: Write a 2-3 page paper explaining why Casablanca is classified as a classic
Hollywood film.
Class debate: What are the qualities of a classic leader?
 Film Noir (November/December)
Focusing questions: Why does Film Noir emerge in the late 1940’s and 50’s? What are its
defining characteristics?
Topics: Cold War, visual style, anti-hero and deviance.
Possible Movies: Kiss me Deadly, Devil in a Blue Dress, Bladerunner
Assignment: Present an original Noir scene. Include Noir style, characterization, and plot
motifs. Either perform the scene live, on film, or storyboard
Class debate: Are antagonists leaders? Are there different styles of leadership?
 Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Wells (January/February)
Focusing question: Why are Hitch and Wells considered such important directors?
Topics: Narrative, visual style and technology, characterization
Possible Movies: Psycho, Rope, scenes from the Birds, Notorious, Shadow of a Doubt, the
Magnificent Ambersons, Citizen Kane, and Touch of Evil
Assignment: Write a 2 page persuasive paper that argues for either Hitch or Wells as the more
significant filmmaker.
Class debate: What kind of leadership is more effective?
Autocratic. This leadership style is more direct and controlling. People tend to be more
orientated towards productivity and goals. Their strength is to get thing done and make quick
decisions. Autocratic leaders take authority and go headfirst in solving problems. They like
freedom to manage themselves and others. They tend to measure their success by the items of
task/activities they get done.
Participatory. This leadership style requires input form others. People tend to be more
concerned about the process of how the decisions are made and that everyone has a voice.
Participatory leaders tend to make decisions in a slow, thoughtful process. Generally, these
people are good listeners and cooperative.
Free Rein. This leadership style is more relaxed and supportive. People who are free rein tend to
be your regular old Joe. Details are not much of a concern, because things will get done. They
are comfortable with teamwork and group activities.
 Stanley Kubric and Alternative Narrative (March/April)
Focusing question: What is gained from an unconventional narrative?
Topics: Point of view, use of time, viewer psychology
Movies: the Killing, Momento, and scenes from the Usual Suspects and 2001 a Space Odyssey
Assignment: Watch Momento a second time. Write a 1-2 page paper expressing the story in
conventional narrative
Class debate: Leadership is also about self-inquiry. What is your actual leadership behavior?
How can you redistribute it to maximize your influence and achieve your goals.
 The 70’s War Film (May/June)
Focusing question: Why does the war film change so dramatically in the 1970’s?
Topics: Realism, political climate and patriotism, censorship
Readings: Selections from the War Film by Ian Butler
Possible Movies: M*A*S*H, Apocalypse Now, and selections from the Green Berets, and the
Deer Hunter
Assignment: Introduce final projectStudents select from the following filmmakers. Then they will research the director by watching
at least three of their films and reading criticism about their work. They will make a presentation
to the class discussing the life, innovations, and contributions of their filmmaker. This
presentation must include a film clip, prepared notes, and a works cited list.
Choices for Final Project:
Frank Capra-John Huston-John Ford-Howard Hawkes-Sidney Lumet-George Cukor-Arthur Penn
Brain De Palma-Melvin Van Peebles-Woody Allen-Spike Lee-Terry Giliam-Oliver Stone
Class debate: As a leader, what are your non-negotiables? What do we think about the patriot
act?
Leadership Chart
Behavior
Percentage of time
spent on each
behavior
Ideally the percentage of time you
would devote to each behavior
Informing
Reacting
Directing
Clarifying or
Justifying
Persuading
Collaborating
Brainstorming or
Envisioning
Reflecting (Quiet
Time for Thinking)
Observing
Disciplining
Resolving
interpersonal conflicts
Praising and/or
encouraging
Other possible leadership films.
Articulating a Vision
Pay it Forward
Building a team
A Bug's Life
1998
2000
Miracle
2004
Callous Leadership, bad leadership
Bamboozled
Devil Wears Prada, The
Gangs of New York, The
Gladiator
Kicking and Screaming
King Kong
Last Samurai, The
Reservoir Dogs
Schindler's List
Star Trek II
Superman
Swimming with Sharks
True Colors
Wall Street
Challenge the Process
Braveheart
Billy Elliot
A Few Good Men
1992
2000
2006
2002
2000
2005
2005
2003
1992
1993
1979
1978
1994
1991
1987
1995
2000