The Cinematic Auteur
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 Chapter 9 from the text.
- Review the grading rubric for this discussion.
Reflect
Auteur theory in film suggests not only that a director is the primary author of a film, but also that the film must be analyzed within the context of the director's other films. Directors create certain expectations with their films much in the same way authors create certain expectations with their writing. Are there directors whose work you always recognize when you see it? What qualities bind their works together?
Write (due Thursday, Day 3)
As you construct your initial post, focus on the importance of auteur theory in film analysis and interpretation.
- Name a director who you would consider an auteur and explain your reasoning.
- Discuss the arguments against auteur theory and provide examples to support your points.
- Examine how the auteur theory influences audiences and critics, using examples from film criticism, film marketing campaigns, and your own personal experience.
Include the name of the director you identified in the "Subject" line of your discussion. 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.
Respond to Peers (due Monday, Day 7)
Respond to at least two of your classmates who named a different director than you. In each response, discuss whether or not you agree with your classmate's assertion that the director being considered is an auteur, and be sure to provide examples to support your position. Your responses should be 125 to 150 words each.Acting and Acting Style
Prepare
As we have been discussing, the mise en scène of a film is the use of a variety of design elements to create the visual theme. As you prepare to write this discussion, take a few moments to do the following:
- Read any required and recommended reading materials for this week, especially Chapter 5 (Mise en Scene and Actors).
- Review the grading rubric for this discussion.
- Select a full-length film from the AFI 10 Top 10 list.
Reflect
Mise en scène refers to different technical elements used in making a film such as lighting and sound, both of which you have already analyzed in this course. The term also encompasses the role of actors in a film, their physical positioning and movements within the frame, as well as the different styles and types of acting.
You can classify an acting category using only one film as reference, but these categories are subject to change. Each new role helps to clarify or shift an actor's designation. Do some actors always fall into the same category? How can actors change from category to category? Does genre have any effect on the acting styles present in a given film?
Write
Please view the video Adding Pictures and Video to Discussions and Introductions for guidance on how to integrate multimedia with your response.
Using specific examples from your chosen film, write an initial post of at least 200 words which should
- Identify three actors from your film and classify each according to the acting category listed in your text.
- Explain your reasons for classifying the actors as you do. Use specific references to the film and pay special attention to how these decisions impacted characterization. Also, consider the impact of any realistic or stylized portrayals within the film.
- Focus on one of the actors you've discussed. Based on other films the actor has been in, would this actor always be placed in the same category? If so, what does this say about the category or actor? If not, what can you infer about the flexibility of these categories?
Provide evidence (references from other films, including film clips and stills) to support your argument.
You must use at least two outside sources, in any combination of embedded video clips, still photos, or scholarly sources. All sources should be documented in APA style as outlined by the Ashford Writing Center.
Respond to Peers
Respond to at least two classmates who chose different actors or different categories than you did. In your responses, reference your initial post and show how your ideas relate to those of your peers. Your responses should be 150 to 175 words each.