ENG 225 Week 1 Discussion 1

Prepare

As you prepare to write this discussion, take a few moments to do the following:

·         Review the Modeled Discussion.

·         Read any required and recommended reading materials for this week, especially Chapters 3 and 10 in your text.

·         Review the grading rubric for this discussion.

Then, watch the following movie clips, paying special attention to the cinematic elements under the discussion.

Editing – visual transitions between shots that work to move the story forward

·         Watch the following clips. Each demonstrates the effective use of editing.

o    The Baptism Murders – The Godfather (8/9) Movie Clip (1972) HD 

o    A Beautiful Mind (4/11) Movie Clip - Nash Cracks the Code (2011) HD 

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o    The Shower – Psycho (5/12) Movie Clip (1960) HD 

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Cinematography – camera angles, types of shots, framing, and color all working to set a particular mood

·         Watch the following clips. Each demonstrates the effective use of cinematography.

o    The Long Take: Goodfellas 

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o    Manhattan – The Bridge Scene

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o    Miriam’s Last Breath – Strangers on a Train (4/10) Movie Clip (1951) 

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Lighting – light and shadow used to affect the mood, the way we view characters, and set the overall tone of the film

·         Watch the following clips. Each demonstrates the effective use of lighting.

o    Jurassic Park (10/10) Movie Clip – Raptors in the Kitchen (1993) HD 

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o    Lost in Translation (7/10) Movie Clip – Bob and Charlotte Meet (2003) HD 

o    The Stuff that Dreams Are Made of – The Maltese Falcon (10/10) movie clip (1941) HD  

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Reflect

Think about how you watch film and how the aesthetic elements of editing, cinematography, and lighting work together to create meaning for the viewing audience.

Write (due Thurday, Day 3)

Analyze each of these aesthetic choices by following the instructions below. Your initial post should be at least 200 words in length. Support your claims with examples from the required material(s) and/or other scholarly sources, and properly cite any references.

·         Choose one of the clips from the “Editing” section and analyze the use of editing in one short paragraph. In your analysis, describe the transitions between specific shots and the overall effect this has on the scene.

·         Choose one of the clips from the “Cinematography” section and analyze the use of cinematography in one short paragraph. In your analysis, describe the way specific shots are composed, paying particular attention to the camera angles, types of shots, framing, color, and the overall effect this has on the scene.

·         Choose one of the clips from the “Lighting” section and analyze the use of lighting in one short paragraph. In your analysis, describe the way the light looks in specific shots, how it affects the mood and the way we view characters, and how it sets the overall tone of the film.

Respond to Peers 

Respond to at least two classmates who analyzed at least one different clip than you did in your initial post, focusing on the clip that you did not discuss. In your responses, reference your initial post and show how your ideas relate to those of your peers. Your responses should be 125 to 150 words each.