Home School Film Studies:  Report Types July 2, 2001 After viewing a film, the viewing status must updated "Saw" means we viewed the film and do not want "credit" toward home schooling. If a date is entered, then the Genre and Theme Codes (1-9) MUST be entered. At least one-half (grrr, one-third) of all films viewed should be followed up with a report. The report should be stored in the 'zhs' folder and must be manually linked to a standard home school writing page and manually added to the 'filmgen' spreadsheet. There are three types of reports: 1. Biggest Compare and Contrast or Major Theme: This would be a major paper, exceeding two full typewritten pages, either comparing two movies for similarities and differences or expounding upon the characters or theme of a single movie. (Not simply a detail recounting of the movie scenes). Since we are not doing classical 'film study', it should not include critique of the cinematic techniques. It should only address the underlying story, in the same manner of a book report or biography. It should not rate the movie ("3-stars") or discuss the goal of the movie's director and if it was achieved. It should be written in third person, but as if the characters and events were real. 2. Medium Detail Review of Movie with significant details. The description should completely fill out the attached information table. Descriptions of the plot should be of significant detail, summarizing the essential characters and events and relating them to the movie's overall story. It should not be a point by point chronological listing of events. Major characters should be listed, and described in terms of their situation at the beginning of the movie and how it changed by the end. No discussion of cinematic or technical techniques should be included. 3. Easiest Lesson Learned: Personal application of movie or character theme. The attached information table should be filled out completely. No effort should be spent to describe the movie cinematically or technically. The ONLY purpose of this report is to synthesize and describe a personal 'life lesson' from the report. It may be directly related to the movie's primary theme or plot, or simply be a sidebar impression from a minor scene or minor character. All descriptions must be made ONLY in terms of "I learned...", "...meant to me...", or "...made me think about..."

Major Theme Paper: (Requires your own Title) Date Due Comparing "Movie-1" and "Movie-2" Regarding "Movie Title" Introductory Paragraph. Detail Paragrahs. Summary Paragraph. Standard Web Page Footer

Movie Title Detail Review: Date Due Title Movie Title Genre Adjective/Noun: War Drama, Family Comedy Year Made 19xx Cast Name1   as Character 1 Name2   as Character 2 Producer / Studio if well known or significant Director Name Writers / Others if well known Awards 19xx Oscars Won Best xxx Nominated Best xxx Setting blah Special Info if applicable. (special efforts, special source, unique paring, first or last film for somebody, any web-based anecdote of note). Plot Summary: Extended plot summary, not a chronological list of scenes or events. Third Person. Describe the entire film, at a high level, in one or two sentences. Describe the theme or purpose in one or two sentences. Summarize the story in significant detail for in five to ten sentences. Include the characters, by role not necessarily by name (and actors) and the major events and turning points between the initial opening situation and the final resolution. DO NOT "Rate" the film or insert personal opinion or judgements. Personal Recommendation: State if you did or did not enjoy viewing the film with one or two sentences stating why. Do not include "Stars" or recomendation to 'see' or 'skip' the film. Standard Web Page Footer

Movie Title Personal Lessons and Insights Date Due 1. Brief Plot Summary blah 2. Interest Character blah blah 3. Interesting Scene blah 4. Something this film made me think about. blah blah blah Standard Web Page Footer

Original Web Upload July 2001 Last Update: July 2, 2001