MidtermExam

=Midterm Exam 1= Tuesday, 9/27/11 Bring paper

Format of the Exam

 * Analyze stills and short clips from movies we have screened in class (applying concepts, analyzing details)
 * matching (identifying details from movies we have screened in class)
 * multiple choice (film terms)
 * short answer (definitions)
 * short answer (provide examples to illustrate film concepts)

What You Should Know

 * From the textbook**, review the "Learning Objectives" at the beginning of Chapters 1 ("Looking at Movies"), 2 ("Principles of Film Form"), and 5 ("Mise-en-Scene"). For Chapter 4 ("Elements of Narrative"), I expect you to know the following:
 * know the difference between surprise and suspense.
 * understand the difference between narration and narrator, as well as how they complement one another.
 * understand the difference between restricted and unrestricted narration, and how they affect the experience of narrative.
 * explain the difference between three-act and four-part plot structure.
 * understand the significance of character goals and turning points to plot structure and development.
 * explain alternatives to conventional narrative.


 * From the DVD**, the concept of //familiar image// is not covered in great detail in the book. In other cases, concepts discussed on the DVD are a useful supplement to what is in the book or what was covered in class.


 * FYI**, the //[|Looking at Movies]// textbook website has online quizzes, a glossary, and flashcards for each chapter and for the DVD (starting with Ch. 5). You may find these helpful for studying.

Looking at Movies

 * shot
 * cut
 * editing

Form

 * form and content
 * visual pattern
 * aural pattern

Narrative

 * 3-act structure
 * 4-part structure
 * exposition/setup
 * complicating action
 * development
 * turning point
 * climax
 * resolution
 * character goal
 * narrative vs. narration vs. narrator
 * unrestricted vs. restricted narration
 * suspense vs. surprise
 * familiar image (textbook)

Mise en Scene

 * **mise-en-scene**
 * **design**
 * setting
 * lighting
 * costume
 * sound
 * **composition**
 * framing
 * point of view (pov)
 * offscreen vs. onscreen space
 * open vs. closed frame
 * kinesis
 * static vs. moving frame
 * rule of thirds
 * balance and symmetry
 * foreground vs. background
 * familiar image (DVD)

How to Answer an Essay Question

 * 1) Answer all parts of the question
 * 2) Show that you understand the question and the concepts/terms it addresses
 * 3) Use topic sentences
 * 4) Support your point with evidence
 * 5) Explain the significance of details

For example, here is a sample question. "Analyze the mise-en-scene in this shot in terms of both design and content."

Applying the tips above:
 * 1) Your answer must address both design and content, not just one or the other.
 * 2) You must demonstrate that you understand what mise-en-scene means and how design and content contribute to it. Use these terms in your answer.
 * 3) Don't just jump in with a bunch of detail. Think of a one or two sentence answer to the question, and then support your answer with detail.
 * 4) Make sure you include details that relate to and support your topic sentence.
 * 5) Explain the meaning of what you notice. For example, if you say the image has dark tones and a blue color scheme, then explain why this is important. Does the color help create character, establish mood, etc.?