Introduction to Film Principles
Course Pack is available at the Reserve Section of the Ateneo de Davao University. Please find time to photocopy the readings and the assignments. Some articles can be downloaded from http://eliab.tripod.com/film for your reference at home, if you have internet connection.
Assignment:
- Elements of Film
- Movie Theather Etiquette
First Movie: JUANA LA LOCA
Write a movie review based on the following guidelines:
HUM 3: FILM PRINCIPLES
GUIDE QUESTIONS FOR FILM ANALYSIS
Note: This is only a guide for the two-page essay you will have to submit to the teacher every after the movie show. Please organize your essay in the following format in coherent manner. Grammar and organization will be checked. You can either submit the paper in the class or through the internet.
ELEMENTS OF FILM ANALYSIS
Story:
1. Is it plot or character-oriented?
2. Are all the characters believable?
3. Does it have the element of surprise? Is the ending predictable?
Character:
1. Do actors and actresses deserve to be commended?
2. Are all the other supporting actors credible?
Who is the most credible? Least credible?
3. What is your assessment of the lead actor or actress?
Is the role fitting to the personality/voice-projection
of the actor or actress?
Theme:
1. What is the underlying message of the film?
2. Identify the symbolisms used in the film. What do they mean?
3. How do these symbols contribute to the over all meaning of the film?
4. Can you identify the motif used in the film?
How does the motif relate to the director’s tendencies and
choice of presenting his message?
Setting:
1. Is the location appropriate?
2. What location touched you most? Why?
3. Are there locations that seem to be irrelevant?
What are these and why?
Sex and Music:
1. Was there any sex scene in the film?
Was this necessary or not?
How did this contribute to the over all message of film?
2. How was the music used?
Was the music appropriate to the particular scene?
What feelings were evoked by the music with the particular
image it accompanied?
MIMETIC AND KINETIC ELEMENTS
Did the film touch your emotions? Which character affected you most? Why? Did you like the movie? Were you able to identify any cinematic flaw? Did you think they were intended or not? Any other comment about the movie?
