It is time (she said) for students in the Film class to consider what they must do for their Final Project…

Here is the plan:

· You will choose a single director who has done multiple films

· You will watch at least three movies made by that director.

(not too difficult so far, right?)

· Using scenes from these films, you will craft a presentation to the class.

(Oh. My. God. Is she out of her pedagogical mind?)

· Research your director, discovering critical feedback on his or her style

1. Perhaps you might find DVD clips of the director speaking about his/her craft
2. Perhaps there are interviews with actors discussing working with him/her
3. Perhaps there are clips or web sites about his/her artistic vision

· Using the information you have found, select several key scenes or parts of scenes from each of the films you have selected. These will help form the visual elements of your presentation.

· Determine what specific stylistic elements you will be illustrating using each scene.

1. Do not try to create a “laundry list” of movie techniques we have covered: can you say “boring”?
2. Limit yourself to a few carefully chosen aspects of the director’s craft that you find particularly interesting: things that recur over more than one film.
3. Be creative. You need to make a presentation that keeps us interested, so write a strong script. Depending on your topic, you might even consider the possibility of using some humor as a selling point.

· You may use DVDs or videotapes or Powerpoint for your presentation.

1. Burning your own DVD using a program such as iMovie may be the best as it is the most flexible: advanced users can capture video, audio, and even add their own narrative within the recorded presentation, even over scenes. You can just press the start key and let it play.
2. The next best choice is undoubtedly Powerpoint. Its flexibility and ease of use is well known, and you can add video clips and audio to your presentation as well. (You can also record your voice here too.) One concern: Powerpoint is the single most abused technology in the universe. Do not create a presentation in which you end up reading to us what is on the screen.
3. Other less technical options involve you, a prepared and rehearsed speech, possible visual aids, and carefully selected clips from DVDs and VHS tapes. As DVDs require some awkwardness to find the scene, I recommend practicing your presentation with an in-class partner. (Perhaps you could return the favor for his or her project?) You might also consider copying all of the material sequentially onto a single cassette or DVD.

· The presentation must be informative. Much of your grade will be based on whether you indicate educated and specific understanding of the techniques and style of the director you have selected.

· An important word about biographical information: Be careful. (OK; that’s two words.) You may be tempted to give us your director’s life story: “Joe Camerahead was born in Brooklyn. The fifth son of a Norwegian immigrant, he married a Russian Jew in a hippie ceremony in Central Park after dropping out of high school in an anti-war protest and began running numbers for the mob. This led naturally into politics, which of course led to Hollywood.” Well, if Joe Camerahead’s life story has some relevance to his directorial vision, then fine: share it with us. Otherwise, ask yourself why you think it’s needed. And in any case, remember: a little goes a long way.

· The presentation must be interesting to the class. The remaining significant part of your grade will be whether the students who hear you are paying attention or have zoned out. Thus, a simple but dull “list” of stylistic elements in a scene will probably not be a good idea. Entertain us!

· Accompanying this presentation, I will need the written notes for your speech. These notes should be typed out, formatted any way you desire. They may be in bullet format, essay format, outline format, or anything else that is clear and makes sense. These must be turned in on the day you present your director.

This is a very significant part of your final grade. I cannot stress enough that you must put strong effort into it.

Presentations will be made in the final ten class days. Order will be determined by random drawing, though I will slot people into the early spaces in advance if requested.

Grading is 60% Content

30% Presentation

10% Discretionary

You may work in teams of two, comparing two directors, if desired.

TOPICS (AND GROUPINGS) DUE: FIRST FRIDAY IN MAY.

Once this year’s topics are set, you may find them here.

Once this year’s presentation calendar is set, you may find it here.