Overview
Following the introductory unit on the language of cinema, this unit introduces the concept of different modes of cinema by examining Hollywood production and independent and foreign cinema forms. The purpose of this unit is to understand the construction and modes of production of each type, while further introducing some important works in film history. You will be able to compare and contrast the genres in a culminating essay.
Essential Questions
- What are the different approaches to cinema in and out of the Hollywood system?
- How do directors adapt genre forms to say something new?
- What is the power of cinema?
- Why write?
Mon 10/14 – Fri 10/18
In class watching of Anatomy of a Hitchcock Scene
- What did the viewing of your peers’ analyses make you consider more deeply about Hitchock’s ideas about cinema and filmmaking techniques?
- What about the way your peers’ structured their pieces did you enjoy? What did it make you consider in regards to the structure of your own video essay?
HW: Notes on The Musical and Chapter 12 for Monday’s class
Mon 10/21
Unit Overview
Introduction to Hollywood form and content
Reviewing presentation on google classroom
Tues 10/22
Start Singin’ in the Rain
- What do you notice about its construction?
- What aspects do you enjoy? What aspects do you not enjoy?
- How does this film contribute add to the concept of Hollywood cinema?
- How does it advance the concept of Hollywood cinema?
HW: Google classroom response. What did you notice about the construction of the film so far?
Wed 10/23
cont. Singin’
- What do you notice about its construction?
- What aspects do you enjoy? What aspects do you not enjoy?
- How does this film contribute add to the concept of Hollywood cinema?
- How does it advance the concept of Hollywood cinema?
Thurs 10/24
continuing Singin’ in the Rain
HW: Google classroom response: In our first unit, we looked at Vertov’s theory that the language of cinema is separate from the language of literature and the theater. Does Singin’ in the Rain adhere to that idea or is its purpose separate from that idea about what cinema is? Does the film use the language of the cinema or the theater? What is its aim? Explore your thinking in the response. In your response, discuss specific scenes and other film traits
finishing Singin’ in the Rain (1.28)
Reading and annotating “Singin’ in the Rain: Winking at the Audience”
HW: finish reading and annotating “Singin’ in the Rain: Winking at the Audience”
Mon 10/28
Breaking down the structure of “Winking to the Audience”
- What is the purpose of the essay?
- What does the author do in the introduction?
- How does the writer use details from the film and other evidence to support her ideas?
- What does the author do in the conclusion?
Start Dancer in the Dark
- Where do you see the influences from Dogme 95?
- Where do you see the influences from the Hollywood musical?
- How is this film a reaction against or an advancement of the musical genre?
- What might this film suggest about Hollywood film universality?
HW: Initial impressions response on classroom
Tues 10/29
cont. Dancer in the Dark
Wed 10/30
Drop
Thurs 10/31
cont. Dancer in the Dark
Fri 11/1
finish Dancer in the Dark
Overview of assignment
reading and annotating interviews with LvT
- What are some of the main ideas to LvT’s concept of cinema?
- What are his aims?
- What’s your sense of him as a director?
preparing for Socratic Seminar on Monday
Mon 11/4
Socratic Seminar
HW: Learning Reflection for Q1
Wed 11/6 – Fri 11/8
Q1 Conferences
Essay proposal and drafting the essay
Mon 11/11
Finish Q1 Conferences
Submit proposal by end of class if you haven’t already
Tues 11/12
Drop
Wed 11/13
Drafting & conferencing day
Thurs 11/14
Drafting and conferencing day
Fri 11/15
Peer review. Should have a 90% written draft at this stage
Mon 11/18 & Tues 11/19
Revision day
By end of class Tuesday, submit printed copy of draft to Ms. Weeks
Arri Weeks 