Cinematic Analysis

Interdisciplinary Project 9/3/16

Objectives:
Develop an understanding of the role of cinema as a reflection of culture and
society for each of the periods studied
Promote critical thinking skills in analyzing character and plot development
Advance a multidisciplinary approach to learning
Master the appropriate use of Modern Language Association citations

Overview:
Each student will be responsible for viewing one movie from the attached list during
each quarter, and completing the assignment below. Students should integrate
responses into an original thesis that identifies the films theme and explores its
historical significance. Completed assignments must be typed and must follow the
CAP Style Manual.

Due Dates:

Due Date Deadline Turn In

Location
1st Quarter 10/10/16 10/13/16 Simel
2nd Quarter 11/28/16 12/1/16 Grossman
3rd Quarter 3/6/17 3/9/17 Jeral
4th Quarter 4/24/17 4/27/17 Bustillos

Assignment Details
Complete Part A, Part B, and ONE of the sections of Part C

Part A: Summarize the elements of a plot by discussing: the introduction (include

establishment of setting), rising action (include establishment of conflict), the
climax, the falling action, and the denouement, or resolution. The summary MUST
be centered around the films theme/s. Each part of the summary should help
further reveal the theme.

Part B: Describe the historical setting of the film and the significant aspects of
American society portrayed. This requires some research and the use of at least
two citations. Explore the films significance at the time it was produced and the
historiography (biases) presented in the film. Remember to include MLA based in-
text citations, from at least two outside sources, and a Works Cited Page.

Part C: Complete ONE of the following options (Be sure to include the writing
prompt you respond to in the paper:

1. Discuss how various cinematographic techniques are used to increase the

viewers awareness of the setting, characters or plot development.
 2. Evaluate the impact of the movie on American culture and society OR its
significance in the development of the film industry. Again, this will
require in-text citations.
3. Analyze the use of metaphor and imagery in the film, citing several
examples.

Grading Rubric
Excelle Good Weak Poor
nt ( 8- (7-8 ) (6-7) (5.5-6)
9)
Part A - Plot summary accurately discusses all
elements of a plot and is centered upon
the films theme. Analysis of theme is not
merely a restatement of the plot, but goes
beyond the obvious (what questions is the
director attempting to resolve).
Excelle Good Weak Poor
nt (5.5- (5.5-5) (4.5-5)
6.5)
(6.5-7)
Part B - Historical significance of film is
adequately explained and adequately
supported with at least two outside sources.
The historical accuracy and historiography
presented in the film help reveal films
significance.
Part C - Information and analysis are accurate
and supported with details from the film and
outside sources where appropriate.
Grammar and Style- The diction is
sophisticated and the syntax is varied.
Sentences are written in present tense (with
possible exception for the Historical
significance component) and are mostly free
of grammatical and syntactic errors.

Grade Conversions
Total Score______/30

27-30- A 24-26- B 21-23 -C 18-20- D 15-17- E

Turnitin.com The cinematic analysis must be submitted to Turnitin.com

by the due date to avoid penalty. If not submitted at all 50% will be
deducted from the grade.

MLA Format
You must include in-text citations and a works cited page with your analysis. The
Modern Language Association is responsible for developing the rules that govern
how to appropriate cite outside works. Go to http://cap.mbhs.edu/resources.html
or http://imc.mbhs.edu/resources/bib/mla.pdf for a basic overview of MLA
formatting. Parenthetical citations are used in the text of your paper to credit the
origins of the idea or thought used. If the author, page number or website is not
mentioned in the text of the paper it must be parenthetically cited as follows:

Ragtime, the 1981 film about life at the turn of the 20 th century director Milos
Forman creates characters with great clarity in the few narratives he explores
amidst the jumble of tales originally explored in E.L. Doctrows bestselling novel
(Ebert, rogerebert.com).

Plagiarism
In order to avoid all instances of plagiarism all cinematic analyses must be
submitted to Turnitin.com by noon on the Due Date.