FILM GUIDES

Shot Analysis  |  Film Analysis  |  Critical Theory  |  Non-"Film" Papers

WRITING A FILM PAPER

- Organize your paper around in-depth, detailed ANALYSIS of film form, rather than INTERPRETATION.

- Do not analyze a film or sequence the same way you would a novel.  In other words, do not write about symbolism or themes.  Avoid the "metaphorical leap" for symbolic significance.  Do not try to describe what a shot scale, lighting set up, or aspect of mise-en-scene "means."

- Instead, describe HOW IT FUNCTIONS WITHIN THE LARGER CONTECT OF THE FILM.  Is it part of a larger pattern?  Does it mark certain characters or events as important, serve a narrative function, serve a stylistic function, reflect an industrial or historical trend or aesthetic movement?

- Examine how part/whole relationships in each film produce meaning that is explicit in the text and shapes our understanding of the story and our emotional responses.

- Organize your paper around a thesis which you defend, and explain by means of evidence that is EXPLICITLY in the film.

RESOURCES

- See the course writing tutors for help at any stage of the writing process.

- See the professor if you have any doubts or specific questions.

- Read through the film binders and sample papers in the Writing Workshop, Downey House (294 High Street), Room 104.