Good day Film Crew,
I hope that you are all well this week. I continue to encourage you to reach out to me with questions and comments, and we’ll adapt as needed in this course. I appreciate all the engagement so far, and am looking forward to getting to know each of you (and your film perspectives) more as the semester progresses.
If you haven’t already, I encourage you to check out some film critics blogs, podcasts, websites or YouTube channels out there. You may discover something new about film interpretations, yourself, and even some films you’ve never considered viewing.
Over the next few weeks we’ll begin to break down cinema at its basics. This week we’ll dive into story, heroes, concepts of literary character development and take a closer look at “baggage.”
In the coming weeks we’ll explore scriptwriting, film history, genre-study story-telling techniques (all of which are foundational to understanding cinema). It begins with the idea or story, and builds from there. Without the knowledge of character conflicts, universal messages and themes, literary heroes, and story genre – we can’t fully appreciate film critique. That’s why we’re taking so much time on these topics.
For this week, I want you to engage in:
- What is “story” and why does it matter?
- Character, inciting incident and ambition.
- Character conflict, crisis, and resolution.
- Character vs. Characterization?
- Story arc and character arc… what is the difference?
- What is a hero?
- What is baggage?
- What is your film bias?
- Reviewing Films: Six First Steps
- You will also have filmmaker and film critic interviews to engage as well
Upcoming Assignments:
- After you explore those articles and watch any supported video content, you should address your Response Assignment. The response post is due by 11:59 PM on Jan. 25
- Your first film evaluation: – Creating a Film Review Platform (blog, podcast channel, YouTube Channel) and review your first film (400-500 word written (minimum) or four-minute minimum – six-minute max for a podcast or YouTube evaluation). **Select any film you want for this review. Additional Details to be provided. Due Jan. 26
- Coming up on Feb. 9, you will have your film interview due with someone 50+ years old. The details will be available in Module 3 or on the post:50+ Years-old Interview Assignment.
I have also updated a few items on the calendar/schedule. You can always see out any updates by checking out the schedule in Blackboard.
As always, if you have any questions, concerns or comments please email or call me (M-F/8AM -5PM). I will always work to respond to you within 24 hours.
That’s a wrap, Noel T. Manning II
The Film Critic 