Hunger Games

Lit 135, Critical Approach to the Cinema
Spring 2012, Professor Jeffrey Middents

The Final Project

Due: Monday, April 9th by 3:00PM electronically through the Assignments folder on Blackboard. There will be no extensions for this paper.

For the film selected, please write a 8-10 page in-depth interpretive analysis. You may examine the film using any of the “approaches to cinema” that wehave discussed in class – i.e. by genre, by auteur, by star as a commentary on race/class/gender, the time period the film was made (i.e. contemporary) as compared to an earlier period evoked from film history, etc. You may also choose an original approach (for example, the film as propaganda for a certain political/social persuasion; the particular formalist aesthetics of the film; an ideologysupported/contested by the film; the verisimilitude of what the film is portraying; etc.). I will also expect your analysis to explore issues of narration as they relate to/interact with visual elements of the film.

Within this essay (and please remember that it is a formal essay this time and not a short assignment), you will be required to choose at least one sequence in the film to examine indetail with concern to both style and narrative. You must examine the sequence with reference to the technical elements you have previously written about – composition within the frame; camera angle, movement and distance; lighting; sound; editing; etc. – and explain how these elements work together to contribute to the film as a whole. Finally, be sure that your analysis actually provides aninterpretation of the film as a whole. (Throughout the short assignments, I have mainly asked for description: here is your opportunity to actually interpret the film.) Your dissection of the sequence should provide significant insight into your interpretation. (In other words, do not choose a sequence that has no relation to your analysis.) In developing the idea for your paper (not necessarily inthe structuring of your paper), you may choose to start with a sequence that you find interesting and build an interpretation around that – or you may find an idea about the movie as a whole you wish to discuss and then want to search for a sequence to support your argument.

Some advice on completing this project:
• Let me remind you once again that this is an essay and should be written assuch. Paragraphs should not be randomly jammed into your paper; note that your sequence dissection should fit naturally in the paper. Spell-check. Proofread. Ensure that you actually have a point, that you have something to say.
• Don’t use exceptionally large font sizes to make your paper longer (yes, I am well aware about what Courier does…), but don’t add filler just to fill up space. In asimilar manner, don’t run off at the mouth and turn in a 12-page, single-spaced tome. (Such a paper may be hazardous to your health.) Space-and-a-half, please.
• Don’t do this at the last minute! For one thing, if the film bombs, it might actually leave the theaters and then you’ll be completely screwed and it won’t be my fault. For another thing, papers are always better written if given some time.Write it, put it away for a while (even if only an hour), go do something else, then look at it again. Show it to roommates. Bring it to the Writing Center (2nd floor Battelle-Tompkins). Writing finesse is a good thing. Turn in a good paper and I will be very pleased. Naturally, you may also turn it in early.
• My guess is that you will have to view the film twice. Upon first viewing, take aminimum of notes and allow yourself to take in the movie as a whole. (Enjoy yourself, relax – forget that you have to watch it.) Your second viewing should be more critical: since you know what’s coming, look more closely at various technical or narrative elements. In between your viewings, think about what sequence you would like to focus on, then take very detailed notes at the second viewing....