Elements that make up a film

Prompt #1 – Using formal analysis, you will be asked to analyze a film of your choice. The paper should talk about all of the elements that make up a film. You can isolate a particular scene or broaden your perspective to encompass the film as a whole. Strengthen your analysis by avoiding general observations about the aesthetics and dig deeper using concepts covered in class. What I don’t want is four pages explaining the plot of the film or a paragraph breaking down each part of the filmmaking process. Instead, make claims in your thesis and use the paragraphs that follow to go into detail about those claims.

Prompt #2 – We’ve spent the entire semester looking at the films of Steven Spielberg. In that time, we’ve looked at not only how he makes a movie, but the common themes, characters, and ideas that tie his works together. For this prompt, I’d like you to select the film that you think defines Spielberg’s career, the one that not only exemplifies his filmmaking ability but also brings together all the elements that we associate with his films. Explain why you feel that your chosen film is the apex of his career and why this film defines him more than any other.

Prompt #3 – Pick a film that Spielberg directed that we did not watch in class this semester and talk about why you feel it is an essential part of his filmography. Go into detail about what Spielbergian qualities it has, how it connects to his common themes and characters, and why it deserves to be considered as one of Spielberg’s masterpieces. Please cite the quotes and include a bibliography. Please include a works cited as well.