Group Movie Analysis Presentation (100 points: 20 for the outline; 80 for the presentation)
Group Assignment
Due: Thursday, February 21st
Purpose: The purpose of this project is two-fold. You will:
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Gain experience interacting in a group, making you more aware of group processes and dynamics.
Gain a greater understanding of specific aspects of “how groups work” by applying classroom lectures
and discussions to media examples and sharing your examples.
Assignment: Your group will choose a movie (see attached list) that you feel demonstrates aspects of small group
interaction and communication as discussed in the textbook, class lectures, outside research, and from personal
experience and create a 25-30 minute presentation about the group interactions in the movie.
Class time will be provided to watch the movie together (this is a requirement as it will help you spot more types
of group activities). Your group is responsible for bringing a copy of the movie to watch. While watching it, take
notes about the group and their interactions and communication. If the film features multiple groups, focus on
only one. This is NOT a review of the movie, so you don’t need to give a plot summary at all. Instead, tell us
about the group and its interactions in the movie. On the next page is a list of questions you might answer in your
presentation. You are not bound by these questions; simply use them as a guide. The presentation can be in any
format you want. The only requirements are:
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There is some form of structure
Everyone must speak and contribute something substantive
A minimum of one clip from the movie is used to illustrate a point; the total amount of time from all clips
should not exceed 7 minutes (keep in mind that it can be difficult to find multiple clips so either limit
your clips to one or if you compile clips, test your media out before presentation day)
On the day you speak you will hand in a consistently formatted group outline (no cutting and pasting
outlines of various formatting). If you use outside sources, include a works cited page and cite them
orally in the speech. You do not need to cite the movie, textbook or lectures.
Regardless of which aspects of group dynamics you discuss, provide suggestions for improving the
dynamics of the group from the movie
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You will be graded on the content and presentation of the project, including the outline. I will be looking for
unity and cohesion in this presentation. Make sure it is a group effort and not just everyone creating an individual
speech and presenting them together.
Suggestions for Greater Success on This Presentation:
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Even though this is a group project and all members are expected to contribute, if you use PPT
or other visual aids, a leader should be responsible for compiling and editing all contributions
into one cohesive visual
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This is an analysis of group dynamics and how communication helps or hinders the success of
the group. It is not a plot summary or movie review. Though you may describe a few key plot
points to better explain your points, assume that I (Kristine) know the overall plot of the movie.
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Focus on quality rather than quantity. I would prefer you discuss a few ideas thoroughly and in
depth rather than try and cover every possible concept. Which concepts are most critical to the
group’s success or failure? These are the concepts to include in your paper.
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When drawing conclusions, be sure to explain why that conclusion was drawn.
Possible Guiding Questions:
Don’t try to answer all of these questions! Depth is better than breadth for this assignment. You can also address
other relevant small group interaction and communication principles not listed below.
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Group Background & Development: What type of group is this? Why did they form? What is the
purpose or goal of the group? What makes these characters a small group? How did they develop?
Discuss the stages of group formation as applicable to this group. Does the group break up? If so, why?
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Leadership & Power: What types of leadership exists in this group and how was leadership acquired? Is
the leadership effective or ineffective? How do you know? Does the leadership change? If so, how does
this affect the group members? How was power distributed among group members? How did this affect
the group?
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Roles: How would you describe the roles in this group? How do these roles affect group communication?
Is anyone working with a hidden agenda? If so how do their goals differ from the group goals?
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Norms: What are the norms of this group? How are these norms established & communicated?
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Climate & Conflict: What conflicts does the group face? How does the group resolve these challenges
or conflict? Were these strategies effective and appropriate? Why or why not? How would you describe
the group climate and how was that climate created? How does cohesiveness develop in this group?
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Problem-Solving: With what major problems does the group have to contend? What decsions does the
group have to make? What techniques or processes did the group use for decision making or problem
solving? Were they effective and appropriate? Why or why not?
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Culture & Gender: How did culture play a part in the group? How did culture affect the group’s
behaviors? How did gender differences affect the group? Were there gender power struggles? How did
the group react to the different sexes within the group?
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Overall Communication: How effective or ineffective were the group’s communication
skills and why? How do the variables you discussed in your presentation contribute to the success or
failure and overall effectiveness of the group?
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Suggestions for Improving Group Dynamics: Remember to provide suggestions for improving the
group’s dynamics as applicable.
Possible movies:
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12 Angry Men (1957 version)
A League of their Own
Armageddon
The Avengers
The Breakfast Club
The Commitments
Fantastic Four
Finding Nemo
Good Fellas
The Goonies
Any of the Harry Potter movies
Hoosiers
The Incredibles
Lord of the Flies
Any of the Lord of the Rings movies
Madagascar
Major League
Mighty Ducks
Miracle
Ocean’s Eleven
Outbreak
The Perfect Storm
Remember the Titans
Road Trip
The Sandlot
Saving Private Ryan
School Ties
Sneakers
Stand By Me
Star Trek (2009 remake)
Any of the Star Wars movies
Suicide Kings
The Untouchables
Toy Soldiers
Any of the Toy Story movies
Wizard of Oz
Any of the X-Men movies