Assignment 1
Write a Review
Your assignment for this module is to watch a play or film of your choosing and write a review answering the four questions of good criticism, similar to those posed by Julius Novick, a critic with The Village Voice, in Chapter 14, pg. 469, of your textbook.
Each question should merit at least one paragraph in response.
1. What is the work trying to do? (This pertains to genre/style. Is it a comedy, drama, family oriented, thriller, etc.)
2. How well was it done? (Again, you will expand your knowledge of theatrical techniques as the course progresses. For now, look at basic colors of design. Were they appropriate for the genre? Was the script engaging? Were the actors believable? Did they manage to create a successful comedy/drama/etc?)
3. Was it worth doing? Use this question to consider your first, gut reaction to the production.
4. Why was it or wasn't it worth doing? (This question is tricky. Some pieces tackle a relevant and/or important theme or idea and, while the execution may not be top notch, it still offers a platform for discussion and reflection. It may offer no larger theme but was wildly entertaining, offering a lovely retreat from the "drama" we face in our lives. How do we balance entertainment and ideas? Are the equally important? This is for you to decide.) Make sure that you support your answers with details from the play or film.