Reading Week 5: The Jazz Singer

The Jazz Singer

Assignment Week 4

Respond in a small paragraph to one of the following:

1-Which film(s) do you consider "national" American film(s)? What makes them so? Explain using narrative and formal examples as supporting arguments. 

2-Cortes' articles emphasize the power of images to change public opinion and mold the psyche of American audiences. Williams disregards this point of view and directs our attention towards the economic circumstances and historical events that have shaped the images we see. Where do you stand in this argument?

Week 4: Film and Nationalism Intro- Alan Williams

Intro to Film and Nationalism - Alan Williams

Homework Week 3

Choose one of the following set of questions and elaborate in 3-4 well thought out sentences. Respond by Monday at 11pm so we can discuss it for Tuesday's class.

1-Sembroff Golden and Cortes give us a catalog of the stereotypes Italians have been given throughout history. They point out the disclaimer at the beginning of the film. Does the disclaimer reinforce that stereotype or raise a conversation about representation? Do you think we are presently better prepared to tell the difference between a stereotype and a “true portrayal”? How do news and other print media influence us in forming these stereotypes?

2-In an interview with Francis Ford Coppola, he says of the main character of The Godfather II: “Michael is America.” What do you think he meant by this? 

Oral Presentation Guidelines

You should provide an introduction of the film with a brief historical context (period the film was made and/or period film is reenacting) and particular production information that would shine light on the topic of your presentation.

Formal aspects of the film: Take a look at the Reading a Film Sequence worksheet as a guide for questions you should ask yourself while thinking about the narrative. I don't expect you to analyze carefully a specific film sequence unless it is relevant to your presentation. The worksheet will simply be a guide for thinking about the message the film intends to convey and the techniques used to communicate that message. Interviews with the director, crew or actors of the film could be useful as supporting info.

And finally as part of your argument, you should also research the critical reception of the film, by going over reviews published in newspapers, magazines or websites. The point of this is to examine the discourse used by media to discuss topics presented in the film and how they might influence how audiences think about them. The website www.rottentomatoes.com is a good source for reviews of films.

The point of the presentation is to look closer at the discourses used to talk about the film and the topics presented in it. Context, formal aspects of the film and critical reception should be the defining structure of your project.

The oral presentation will be 30 minutes long for every group. Each member of the group is responsible for presenting 10 minutes of the presentation. As supporting material, you may create handouts for the class, use powerpoint to present your topics or show a short clip of the film if you will be talking about a specific sequence.

Optional Screening of The Godfather II

There will be an optional screening of the Godfather II on Friday at 3 in CFA 232. We will start where we left off Tuesday.

Week 3: Cinematic Asian Representation + The Family Dramas

Cinematic Asian Representation + The Family Dramas

Week 2

From Immigrants to Icons



The Fate of La Famiglia

Narrative Sequence guide

Narrative Sequence

Syllabus

Immigration and Film Syllabus - Fall 2010

Office hours have changed!

Hello everyone,

My office hours this semester have changed to Tuesdays from 1:20 to 2:20, CFA 287. If you need to speak with me this week send me an email to make an appointment anytime Friday from 3-5.

Also, remember that tomorrow's class will be in CFA 232. Please bring with you your top 3 choices of films for the oral presentation if have not already sent me an email with them.