Topic: Narrative Conventions
Using one of the two films we’ve seen in class (la Jetee, Distant Voices, Still Lives) write a brief discussion of how the film both makes use of and subverts basic narrative conventions.
We have talked in class about some conventions common to all narratives, both visual and written: narrative structure (how events are ordered), closure, mode of address, hierarchy of characters and point of view. We’ve also spoken about some conventions unique to film: the use of incidental sound, music, and editing. You do not have to discuss every one of this elements in your paper---pick the ones you find more most important or interesting in the film you are analyzing.
The basic point of this paper is to descriptively observe these features and begin to think about their effects. Think about how the use of these conventions position the viewer: to see some things, and not others, to pay close attention to some things, and less attention to others, to sympathize with a character, or not, to accept or agree with a particular way of looking at the world, etc. In other words, devote some time to reflecting on your own practices as a film viewer/reader: how they have been formed and how the film you are writing about may challenge them.
In order to make your points you may wish to make reference to material from the course blog. For example, the panels from 99 Ways to Tell a Story (for "camera" angles, POV, or even genre), or the animated video, The Inner Life of a Cell (for how music cues viewer perception). You may also want to quickly describe a scene in a mainstream Hollywood film as a point of comparison and contrast, too. These are all fine. But remember, for this paper you don’t have to do any “extra” research. You should have enough to work with using materials from class.
This assignment should be very simple on one level and very challenging on another. Although you are just looking and describing, you’re also looking at things that may have previously been invisible to you and describing things in a way that may be unfamiliar. Think of this first paper as a trial run: a place to try out some of the ideas we’ve been talking about in class, a place to flex your “new” observational skills.
Don’t forget to title your essay. A title is one of the elements which distinguishes a piece of formal writing from an informal series of notes. Your title should reflect something pertinent to your discussion. "Paper One," "Essay," "Film Paper," and the like are not adequate essay titles. Neither is the title of the film you are writing about.
Length: 3 1/2 to 4 typewritten double-spaced pages.
All papers must be stapled or they will not be accepted.
Due: March 16th
I'm really nervous about this first paper. I know I want to do mine on Le Jetee, but I'm having a hard time drafting something that will be 3-4 pages long?
ReplyDeleteWell here is a place to start: First, think about common narrative conventions: character, narrative structure, closure, point of view, etc. Pick a few of those that seem interesting to talk about (for example, la Jetee handles character in a mostly conventional way, however, it does withhold names from the audience...). Then, take a look at film conventions: montage, editing, sound, etc. Pick a few from that list. I think you'll find you have a nice little discussion emerging about how this seemingly unconventional film is actually pretty conventional. Make sense?
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