The Film Assignments

• At the top of the first page of your assignment, put the name which appears on your class nametag, a page number, and these words: “I have watched all of ____________,” substituting the name of the film you saw for the blank line. (Remember that film titles must appear IN CAPITAL LETTERS. Don't put quotations marks around the titles of films, but type the title of the film ALL IN CAPITAL LETTERS.) Taking the time to watch the movie and beginning with the “I watched” statement will earn you 5 points. (I am trusting you not to submit this sentence unless you have in fact watched the entire film.)

• You may then write a reaction to the movie you saw, which can earn you up to an additional 15 points, for a total of 20 points possible per film. Anything you write which summarizes or quotes from the movie will earn no credit. The assignment is to react to the films, not to summarize them.

• These assignments are reaction papers, not research papers. You should do absolutely no research whatsoever before viewing your film or films and writing your paper. (If, however, there's a reading assignment from the textbook due the same day as the film assignment, then I recommend that you do read the assigned textbook pages before viewing and writing about the film or films.) Any evidence that you have done research will result in your paper receiving a grade of zero. I'm interested in what you have to say about the films, not in what others have said.

• The specific parameters of the various assignments can be found here. In every case, you should also feel free to comment on such things as: Did you like the movie? If so, why? If not, why not? Whether or not you liked it, was it a “good” movie? Why, or why not? What did you think about such elements as the acting, the script, the cinematography, the editing, the directing? Remember, don’t tell me what the movie is about — you should assume that I’ve already seen it. Tell me what you think about the movie and be sure to justify and explain your opinions. Don’t hesitate to use the word “I.” You’re not required to like the films you see — although you’re certainly welcome to! (Sometimes, though, it’s easier to write about why you didn’t like something than to write about why you did.)

• For each assignment, there will be additional requirements beyond the questions presented in the previous paragraph. Be sure to read and respond to the entire assignment each time, not just the initial requirement described above. If you have questions about an assignment's parameters, please feel not only free but encouraged to ask them — either in class or by email.

• In a grade-school course, you would perhaps be asked to write about what you saw on the screen. In a high-school course, you would be asked to say what you think about what you saw. In this college course, I expect you to explain why you think the way you do about the film, and to justify your explanation (using references to subjects discussed during our class sessions, things you read in your textbook, and other films you've seen, both in class and outside of class).

• Your film assignments are to be typed or wordprocessed. Handwritten assignments will not be accepted. Use a 12-point font. Double space, and leave 1" margins at the left, right, top and bottom of every page. Do not justify your right margins. Put the name you've asked me to call you by and a page number at the top of every page. IMPORTANT NOTE: I will discard unread any page submitted without your preferred name and a page number at the top of the page, and such pages will earn you no credit. If you want to earn credit for your work, be sure to put the correct name and page number at the top of every page you submit!