CRITIQUE Assignment Guidelines and Checklist a Preview of Next Week!

 CRITIQUE Assignment Guidelines and Checklist a Preview of Next Week!

Critique Guidelines:

Purpose:

Analyze the aesthetics of the filmmaking. Define the basic vocabulary of film production and film theory. Evaluate and explore the creation and effects of various types of film experience. Through a written critique students will apply the knowledge gained thus far to a film screened in class (Ikiru). In that the focus or topic of the critique is a matter of choice some, or all of these learning outcomes will be addressed.

Skills:

The purpose of this assignment is for you to utilize the following skills in an analysis of a film that are essential to your success in this course / and in life beyond school in that critical thinking is a skill key to success:

1.Analyze the film in question in regards to the criteria of your choice.

2.Examine how an audience understands the film based on that criteria.

3.Apply the appropriate vocabulary in your analysis.

4.You will apply the skills you have gained thus far through discussion posts to a longer piece.

Knowledge:

This assignment will allow you to examine one or more aspects of film form (cinematography, mise-en-scene, sound, editing, etc.) and how these elements function to create the meaning of a film.

Criteria for Success: Students will analyze, define and describe Ikiru in a two to three page critique. Examples from the film will be noted. Further, quotes from the text may be included. Each student will complete their own written analysis in essay form with proper citations. In order to verify you have completed a critique, and not a review, please note the descriptions below.

In writing about films there are several prevalent styles.

Review:

A review often summarizes the plot and makes some kind of statement this film is Bad or Good. It may give details concerning production - who acted, directed, etc. It assumes the reader has not seen the film in question.  It may be stylistically informal. YOU ARE NOT WRITING REVIEWS

 Checklist

Your topic:

Your critique is an analysis of the film screened in class - Ikiru.

Composition:

Both an introduction and conclusion are included.

Full paragraphs are utilized and each new paragraph furthers the topic you clearly stated in your introduction.

The title of a feature length film is italicized every time it appears in the analysis.

All quotes are correctly cited and placed within quotation marks.

Both grammar and spelling are correctly utilized.

Length:

The assignment is 2 to 3 pgs. typed at 1.5 spacing or 900 - 1350 words.

Screen shots are not included in the page count.

Note: There is no penalty for longer work.

On time:

Your critique must be submitted via CANVAS.

Examples and Quotes:

Examples from the film are used to strengthen a point or points.

The explanation notes how or why it is important to the film.

Quotes from the text clearly pertain to the topic.

Note: Examples and quotes from the text or outside sources permissible.

Filmic Vocabulary:

Cinematic vocabulary is used frequently and properly. 

Analysis:

When descriptions of the film are included they are used as examples – not to retell the story.

The film may be analyzed in regards to a topic with a thorough description of how and why a conclusion was reached. I.E. Ikiru is similar to or different from a film in the style of Hollywood Classicism because….

An analysis of both form and content is provided: often the analysis of form is in regards to content. How is a scene depicted and to what affect?

 Hints and tips/ Commonly Made Errors:

The introductory paragraph of a critical analysis must include a topic sentence.

A review is completed and not a critique - an analysis

Subjective opinion is not analysis  —  you do not have to like the shot, actors, or film to critique a film. Further, the use of the word “I” should be minimized.

Pointing out “goofs” for the sake of pointing it out is not an analysis.

Limit the use of the passive voice. For instance, “he made” should replace “he was making”.  The active voice is more concise — a single verb is utilized — where as the passive voice includes both a verb of action ending in the letters “ing” and a form of the verb “to be” like “is” or “was”. Work is more powerful if the active voice is used because it is more direct.

Avoid the phrase “dark lighting” for it does not exist. A scene may however be “dimly lit.”

Spell-check does not catch misspelled words that make real words. REREAD your paper aloud….camera angels are not camera angles. Role, starring and scene are three other film related words frequently misspelled. Don’t do it!

You will be writing critiques.

Critique:

A critique is not a retelling of the story of a film;
1) it summarizes the story as is necessary to make a point. 
  It assumes, I, your reader, have seen the film in question and dispenses with long, 
  descriptions of what happened. 
2)Often students will have an emotional response to a film.
  It is not enough to state that response or to merely state you like or dislike a film.
  Keep in mind subjective opinion is not a critique.
3)Think about and discuss HOW it is the film was able to elicit or produce a specific emotional response.  What filmic techniques/conventions were utilized? Then, illustrate your statement(s) with examples from the film.
4)The critique often evaluates the style, structure or content of a film in regards to other work (i.e. Hollywood Classicism/Realism/Anti-Realism). 
Is this work similar or different from other work we’ve studied? 
And, why is that important? 
It analyzes the form and how the form affect the content?
How is the story told? How is the film unique?
5)In the past students have asked, what do you want me to write? 
Critical thinking is not what I want, but your analysis of the film. 
Utilize the concepts you have learned thus far and
the VOCABULARY of filmmaking to write your analysis. If you’re stuck one thing you can easily discuss is the film in terms of the readings.

Citing info) The critiques for this class may include quotes from the text or other pertinent sources, but all sources whether paraphrased or quoted, must be cited.  Please see the CCSF citation guidelines (Links to an external site.) for details or if you have questions on how to cite sources. how-to-paraphrase (Links to an external site.) could be of further use.  Finally, the library’s webpage offers chatline help and other links. (Links to an external site.) Uncited work is considered plagiarism, or as CCSF policy states, “Plagiarism is defined as the unauthorized use of the language and thought of another author and representing them as your own.”  Such work will receive ZERO points.

Remember your work must be two to three pages in length, typed (either single, or one and one half spaced) on a topic of your choice. In regards to form, a critique includes an introductory paragraph with a topic sentence, the body which discusses at least three pertinent points, and a conclusion.

Preparation:

In order to prepare for this assignment students should study the text and powerpoint presentations in order to determine
1)what element(s) of film making you find most fascinating,
  is it mise-en-scéne, kinesthesia, editing, acting or a combination of a number of elements? 
2)Take notes.  Then, take notes during screening of Ikiru.
3) After class review your notes and narrow your focus or topic. Design a timeline for completion. Begin with an outline and then expand each point to a paragraph.

Most of what is noted above is a reiteration of what you have already been doing in writing the discussions. A critique is more formal and longer and on a topic of your choice in respect to Ikiru. 

Here is an example  Download an example of a critique from a book called
Writing about Movies.
This book suggests you focus on a single sequence which may, or may not be an appropriate approach based in the topic you choose. For instance if you decide to write about plot, or sound, or cinematography you may want to compare and contrast several scene. In other words, choose an approach that works for you.