Frame analysis “Chinese Connection”,Film homework help
Frame analysis “Chinese Connection”,Film homework help
For this assignment, you will analyze a frame from The Chinese Connection, describing it and making an argument about how selected visual elements contribute to understanding the film. (I will send you a movie link later.)
– Choose one of the three frames in the group assigned to your section (from 2a~2c. You may wish to review the relevant sequences in the film as well.
– Describe the structure of the frame and explain the importance of visual elements for the situation portrayed in the specific frame. To fully develop your argument, compare the frame with one or both of the other frames in the same image group(2a-2c).
– Structure your essay in several paragraphs, in which you will present and analyze specific evidence from the frame to support your position. Pay attention to how the director uses frame structure to convey meaning. Some of the features of the frame that you might consider are: shooting angle, focus, geometrical patterns, coloring, lighting, balance, and other aspects of the mise-en-scène. Avoid description and plot summary, unless directly related to your argument (assume that your reader has seen the film). Be sure to present an argument about the significance of the frame for the scene in which it appears and/or the film as a whole.
The key to the frame analysis assignment is a focused argument. A successful essay will pose a clear, substantiated argument regarding the meaning created through only a few of the frame’s visual elements. Do not try to discuss all the elements in the frame. Rather than offering a catalogue of your observations, develop your argument by demonstrating how these various elements interact to create meaning.
Remember that you are writing to an audience who has viewed the film. Therefore, you do not need to summarize the film’s plot, nor do you need to define film terms. Each reference to the frame should support your argument.
When describing a plot element, use the name of the fictional character; when describing a visual element, use the present tense — for example, “Chen Zhen is wearing a hat.”
The essay should be 850-1,000 words long (include the final word count at the top of the essay). The format should be in Times New Roman font, 12 point size, justified to the left.
Grading criteria:
First draft submitted on time: 5 points. Drafts submitted late are worth 0 points; instructors will provide comments on late drafts only as time allows.
Final drafts will be accepted up to one week after the due date, but will be docked 7 points for each day they are late.
The essay will be evaluated for (1) cogent presentation, (2) application and synthesis of terms used in the course, and (3) analysis and originality.
Presentation (30/30)
Does the essay accord with the stated requirements for length and formatting?
Is the text in clear and accurate English? (Use spell check and grammar check!)
Application and synthesis of terms used in the course (30/30)
Does the essay provide a cogent formal analysis of the frame?
Does the analysis use the appropriate terms, as introduced in lectures and in the readings?
Does the report use these terms correctly and in ways relevant to the film?
Analysis and originality (35/35)
Is there a point being argued in the essay (the thesis)? Is it presented clearly?
Does the essay convincingly support the thesis?
Does the essay offer an analysis informed by the discussions in class?
Is the comparison relevant to the analysis?
Does the essay provide an analysis that is not self-obvious — some ideas to which your classmates will say, “Oh, I haven’t though of that!”?
