Film study midterm:
Project instructions:
Choose any three of the following questions. Be sure to answer three questions, or you will be marked down significantly. Your answers should make ample and detailed references to either the films or the texts, reflecting specific and revelant examples from either to support your points. Mere plot summary is not acceptable. Only typed, hard copies of the test will be accepted. Please remember that any copying from another person’s test will mean no credit and an automatic “F” for the entire test. Research sources-books, internet sites, etc should be cited. Tests must be received by 3:00pm on October 13th. Finally, each answer should not be less than 625 words and a word count should follow each answer.
1. According to a short film history of the movies, how did Hollywood deal with morality in the films of the 20s, 30s, and 40s? your answer should include the issues surrounding the creation of the Hays office, production code, what its purpose was, etc. What were the variety of ways the code influenced a film such as Double Indemnity?
2. Discuss the central female characters in on the waterfront, casablanca, and Rear Window. What problems do they face in each film and how successful are they? how do they differ as characters? Which scenes in these movies demonstrate your opinions? which character do you like the least? Explain what happens in the film to support this.
3. What film innovations was D.W. Griffith responsible for and what are some examples of these innovations in a film such as casablanca directed by Michael Curtiz?
4. What film genre is Body Heat? Cite specific scenes, plotting examples, and characterizations in the film to support your contention. Identify numerous ways it is similar and different from Double Indemnity.