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Film Analysis Worksheet
Name:
I. Pre-viewing Instructions
Prior to watching the film, read through the information and questions on this handout. If you do not
understand the social/cultural/or economic context of a question, do a bit of research in order to better prepare
for the film. Also, read through the Essay III instructions and make sure you understand the purpose of the
assignment. That way as you watch the film, you’ll have a better idea of the things you should be looking for
and thinking about.
Title of Film:
Date Released:
Director:
Producer:
Pre-Viewing Question: What do you think you will see in this film? List three concepts, ideas, or topics that
you might expect to see based on the title of the film and what we discussed in class. Comment on your interest
in the film and its topics.
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II. Viewing Instructions
You are viewing this film in order to eventually compose a critical analysis of it; therefore, as you watch it,
you’ll want to take notes about the physical qualities and the content/themes of the film. As you do this, think
about how you are judging the film in relation to these things. You’ll also want to take organized notes about
the structure/scenes/events in the film so that you are able to make accurate references to the film in your essay.
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Technical Elements/Form
As you view Craigslist Joe, describe the applicable physical qualities of the film. Often times it is important to
refer to these physical qualities in order to analyze specific examples and support your evaluation (the more
detailed, the better). You don’t need complete sentences, but you should be doing this while you watch the film.
Feel free to add anything not listed that you consider important so that you don’t forget it later.
Narration/voice over
Music/Background noise/Special effects
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Interviews and/or Conversations (whom/why?)
Graphs/Maps/Pictures/Graphics
Mood or tone/emotions evoked:
How camera angles, lighting, music, narration, and/or editing contribute to creating an atmosphere:
Content/Theme/Purpose
When we evaluate a social experiment documentary like Craigslist Joe, we often judge its quality by examining
how well the film does (or does not do) the following:
 fairly and thoroughly explore the topic
 fully and accurately devise a social experiment that yields valid, unbiased conclusions--an experiment
that is feasible/that mirrors real life
 shed light on something that is often overlooked
 creatively approach a problem/situation/phenomenon
 increase public awareness by bringing light to issues and stories that may have otherwise been unknown
or not often thought about (its educational value)
 connect with the rhetorical situation (the social, cultural, and economic conversations around us)
 encourage individual thought
 encourage public engagement
 reflect personal narratives in a way that connect with broader social movements, problems, and change
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Below is a list of questions that focus on 4 different topics developed in the film. While you watch the film,
comment on as many of these critical thinking brainstorming questions as you can. Add more feedback after
you view the film. It is by thinking about these questions (and about the ones that may emerge) that you will
begin to formulate a direction for your essay.
1. The film is interested in exploring the positive potential of social media as a vehicle for bringing people
together and fostering communication and connection. Does this reflect our current understanding of the issue?
How well and to what extent does the film explore this potential? Does Garner's film offer valid conclusions
about this "good" role of social media? What aspects of this issue does the film overlook? Can we make claims
about social media based on Craigslist?
2. Another direction would be to evaluate to what extent the film depicts a social experiment. Is Garner's
experiment as open-ended as it seems? Are his experiences universal? What factors may have skewed the
conclusions? Would there be other issues to explore if the test subject (Garner) was someone else? If his
experience wasn't universal, then what are we to make of the film's conclusions? Does Garner accurately
represent the type of person in need of charity? Does this representation even matter?
3. The film is also focused on exploring the generosity and goodwill of the American people. Does the film
adequately explore this topic? Would you say that the people Garner meets serve as a diverse enough sample of
America? Or can we not make a conclusion about American goodwill and generosity based on a sample of
Craigslist users? Do these people (active Craigslist users) represent the typical American?
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4. The film also touches on our growing reliance on the shared economy. You might choose to explore how or
to what extent the film does or does not explore such realities and experiences.
5. Based on the list of suggested evaluation guidelines (see the bottom of page 2) and your initial response to
the film, what other topics/ideas/issues does this film develop? How else might you evaluate this film?
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III. Post-viewing
1. What is the principal subject of this documentary? What is its principal purpose? Does it argue for a
position? Does it critique a position? Does it offer an evaluation of some sort? What kind of impact does it seek
to achieve with—and upon—its intended audience? Does it achieve this goal? Why or why not?
2. Does this documentary film make specific choices about what material is to be recorded in relation to the
direct observation by the camera operator/director? If so, what kinds of choices, of what should be included and
what not, and what kinds of images should be emphasized and what de-emphasized? What, in short, does the
documentary film maker look at, and encourage us to look at - and to see - as most important about the principal
subject of his or her film?
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3. Does this documentary film include directly solicited observation, information, reflection, or commentary by
witnesses, experts, and other participants in relation to the documentary subject? What kinds of witnesses,
experts, and/or other participants does the film maker find most useful, how does she or he use them to get the
film's chief points across, and what kind of response does the film maker seek to evoke by using these subjects
as she or he does?
4. What are the film’s strengths? Why are these strengths? Are there any specific scenes that stand out as
particularly significant and moving?
5. What are its weaknesses? Why are these weaknesses? What is left unanswered? What could be improved
upon? Identify specific scenes/examples/etc.
6. How would you evaluate the effectiveness of this documentary film? Describe possible directions for your
essay and for your evaluation thesis statement. What criteria do you think are most important in the evaluation
of this film?