Analyzing a film of your choice

Establishing Theme

Week Three Assignment Video transcript. Ashford University | ENG225 WEEK 03 The week 3 written assignment is an important continuation in our analysis of film. In understanding a film’s theme, we are getting to the core of what that film is about. Analyzing a film of your choice, you’ll identify that film’s primary theme and the elements that work to establish it throughout the film. Make sure to read through the guidelines carefully, noting all the different required elements, and take a look ahead at the rubric so you’ll know exactly how your work will be assessed. Here are a few key points to keep in mind as you work on your paper. It is important to explain theme in your introduction using your own words and clearly state the film’s theme in your thesis statement. You will identify at least three techniques– cinematography, lighting, acting style or direction, and/or design elements, set design, costuming, or hair and makeup and explain how these techniques and/or design elements contribute to the establishment of theme. Be sure to reference particular scenes or sequences in your explanations and describe how these techniques are being used in those scenes and what they do to establish theme. In analyzing the film Mise En Scene, you’ll want to describe how the things that appear on screen work to establish theme and how those design elements are consistent with the theme. Note– remember that a theme is an overarching idea that recurs throughout the plot of the film. It is the distilled essence of what the film is about, the main design which the specific scenes and actions lead a viewer to understand. Students often confuse theme with genre. The theme is not the genre. For instance, a Western and a fantasy can both have a theme of good versus evil. Here are a few more tips to remember. See the sample paper we’ve uploaded in the assignment prompt. This is a model of good student work, what your professors are looking for and the type of comments we will make. Also, keep in mind that the titles of films should be italicized. Click into the Ashford library English 225 study guide. It’s a portal dedicated to the kinds of articles, essays, and books that will be the most helpful resources as you work on your written assignment. Try to budget your time so that you can take advantage of the various resources offered by the Ashford Writing Center to ensure that your paper is written and polished. The week 3 assignment is a chance to develop your analytical skills and your understanding of the concepts introduced during our first three weeks. Give yourself an opportunity to succeed by preparing yourself thoroughly and working diligently to complete the paper.

### Directions for the paper Select a movie from  You can use one of the following (Gangster) The Godfather, The Godfather II or (Fantasy) The Wizard of OZ and explain how three cinematic techniques and/or design elements have helped establish a major theme in that film.

In 800 to 1200 words

· Describe a major theme of the movie you have selected using evidence from the movie itself as well as course resources and other scholarly sources to support your position.

· Identify at least three techniques (cinematography, lighting, acting style, or direction) and/or design elements (set design, costuming, or hair and makeup), and explain how these techniques and/or design elements contribute to the establishment of the theme. Reference particular scenes or sequences in your explanations.

· State your opinion regarding the mise en scène, including

· How the elements work together.

· How congruent the design elements are with the theme of the movie.

· W

Establishing Theme

Week Three Assignment Video transcript. Ashford University | ENG225 WEEK 03 The week 3 written assignment is an important continuation in our analysis of film. In understanding a film’s theme, we are getting to the core of what that film is about. Analyzing a film of your choice, you’ll identify that film’s primary theme and the elements that work to establish it throughout the film. Make sure to read through the guidelines carefully, noting all the different required elements, and take a look ahead at the rubric so you’ll know exactly how your work will be assessed. Here are a few key points to keep in mind as you work on your paper. It is important to explain theme in your introduction using your own words and clearly state the film’s theme in your thesis statement. You will identify at least three techniques– cinematography, lighting, acting style or direction, and/or design elements, set design, costuming, or hair and makeup and explain how these techniques and/or design elements contribute to the establishment of theme. Be sure to reference particular scenes or sequences in your explanations and describe how these techniques are being used in those scenes and what they do to establish theme. In analyzing the film Mise En Scene, you’ll want to describe how the things that appear on screen work to establish theme and how those design elements are consistent with the theme. Note– remember that a theme is an overarching idea that recurs throughout the plot of the film. It is the distilled essence of what the film is about, the main design which the specific scenes and actions lead a viewer to understand. Students often confuse theme with genre. The theme is not the genre. For instance, a Western and a fantasy can both have a theme of good versus evil. Here are a few more tips to remember. See the sample paper we’ve uploaded in the assignment prompt. This is a model of good student work, what your professors are looking for and the type of comments we will make. Also, keep in mind that the titles of films should be italicized. Click into the Ashford library English 225 study guide. It’s a portal dedicated to the kinds of articles, essays, and books that will be the most helpful resources as you work on your written assignment. Try to budget your time so that you can take advantage of the various resources offered by the Ashford Writing Center to ensure that your paper is written and polished. The week 3 assignment is a chance to develop your analytical skills and your understanding of the concepts introduced during our first three weeks. Give yourself an opportunity to succeed by preparing yourself thoroughly and working diligently to complete the paper.

### Directions for the paper Select a movie from  You can use one of the following (Gangster) The Godfather, The Godfather II or (Fantasy) The Wizard of OZ and explain how three cinematic techniques and/or design elements have helped establish a major theme in that film.

In 800 to 1200 words

· Describe a major theme of the movie you have selected using evidence from the movie itself as well as course resources and other scholarly sources to support your position.

· Identify at least three techniques (cinematography, lighting, acting style, or direction) and/or design elements (set design, costuming, or hair and makeup), and explain how these techniques and/or design elements contribute to the establishment of the theme. Reference particular scenes or sequences in your explanations.

· State your opinion regarding the mise en scène, including

· How the elements work together.

· How congruent the design elements are with the theme of the movie.

· Whether or not other techniques would be as effective (Explain your reasoning).

Note: Remember that a theme is an overarching idea that recurs throughout the plot of a film. It is the distilled essence of what the film is about, the main design which the specific scenes and actions lead a viewer to understand.

Your paper should be organized around a thesis statement that focuses on how the elements of your chosen feature-length film both establish and maintain one of its major themes. Review the Week Three sample paper, which provides an example of a well-developed analysis as well as insight on composition.

The paper must be 800 to 1200 words in length and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

You must use at least two scholarly sources other than the textbook to support your claims. Refer to the ENG225 Research Guide  # SEE BELOW in the Ashford University Library for guidance and to locate your sources. Cite your sources (including the feature-length film) within the text of your paper and on the reference page. For information regarding APA, including samples and tutorials, visit the Ashford Writing Center.

hether or not other techniques would be as effective (Explain your reasoning).

Note: Remember that a theme is an overarching idea that recurs throughout the plot of a film. It is the distilled essence of what the film is about, the main design which the specific scenes and actions lead a viewer to understand.

Your paper should be organized around a thesis statement that focuses on how the elements of your chosen feature-length film both establish and maintain one of its major themes. Review the Week Three sample paper, which provides an example of a well-developed analysis as well as insight on composition.

The paper must be 800 to 1200 words in length and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

You must use at least two scholarly sources other than the textbook to support your claims. Refer to the ENG225 Research Guide  # SEE BELOW in the Ashford University Library for guidance and to locate your sources. Cite your sources (including the feature-length film) within the text of your paper and on the reference page. For information regarding APA, including samples and tutorials, visit the Ashford Writing Center.