Applied screen aesthetics presentation

Select a film to analyze.  Your task is to examine how the director used the elements below to create an effective screen production.  You must cover all of the 10 elements in a paper report to be handed in.  You must supply at least one, and no more than three, clips to show the class to illustrate some combination of these elements. Not all 10 should be covered in the presentation to the class. The group should decide on which elements are the most important to the film or video; which elements contribute best to the enhancement of the narrative.

1. Light & Shadow, inner and outer orientations, types of lighting used, significance.

2.  Color, color feelings, functions.

3.  Aspect ratio, framing, graphic mass distribution, closure.

4.  Screen forces, vectors.

5.  Screen Depth, lens length, volume duality, z-axis articulation and blocking.

6.  Deductive/inductive sequencing, fields of view, point of view, angles.

7.  Time of shots, sequence, tempo.

8.  Motion (primary, secondary, tertiary).

9.  Editing transitions for continuity or complexity, types of transitions used.

10. Sound, orientation, literal/non-literal, mood, energy, duration, type.

Note on the assignment

This is not an evaluation of whether this is a “good” film or a “bad” film.  The study of applied aesthetics is not concerned with the entertainment value of screen productions.  Do not comment on the entertainment value of a film, the box office, or any popular sentiments.  Many “bad” films and TV show have excellent aesthetics (“Joey”); some “good” shows have terrible applied aesthetics (“ South Park ”). You are making judgments about a different set of criteria altogether from the common meaning of “good” and “bad.”

Questions about the assignment

“How long should the report be?”

          There is no minimum or maximum number of words for the report.  Keep in mind that this is not a “paper,” in the usual sense.  It should be numbered according to the elements above with a description of how the director approached each element of applied aesthetics.  It may be single spaced with a blank line between paragraphs (like this document).  Neatness of the report, spelling, and the conventions of good English count.

“How long should the class presentation be?”

          Twenty minutes minimum to one hour maximum. 

“When is our presentation date?”

          All groups must be ready to present on any day starting on December 4.  At each class, a number will be drawn and that group or groups will present.  The only exception is that if a group volunteers to go first, I will let that group go on the 4^th.

“Do all group members have to participate in the presentation?”

          No, but all group members must be present.  Points are deducted for missing material or group members at the start of the presentation.