AS FILM PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS

AS students have been set the performance analysis task. If you're struggling for actors to study, here are some suggestions:
Sam Rockwell in the film Moon (Jones, 2009)

Paddy Considine in Dead Man's Shoes or A Room for Romeo Brass (both Meadows films)

Toby Kebbell in Dead Man's Shoes is another superb performance example.
Sticking with Meadows, Vicky McClure is a very enigmatic actress worth analysing. This is England would be a good film to use. Have a look at her here in this very short film The Stairwell shot on a mobile phone by Shane Meadows.
Jim Carrey in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Mark Ruffalo in this, or Zodiac.

Robert Downey Junior in Tropic Thunder.
Samuel L Jackson in Pulp Fiction
Carey Mulligan in An Education
Whoever you select, remember to ANALYSE the performance, don't just describe it, examine what is so effective about it. Think about the main areas we have discussed in class.

A2 Film: How To Start My Research Project

Copy of Planning a research investigation on Prezi

Introducing A2 Small Scale Film Research Project

Introducing the A2 FIlm Studies Research Project on Prezi

Introducing A2 Film Studies 2010

Up until the summer holidays Film Studies lessons will act as a "whistle-stop" tour of cinematic movements and moments in order to build up your knowledge and appreciation of cinematic styles.
We will be looking at auteurs and genre developments with the focus on David Lynch

and his postmodern, artfully styled films.
We will examine German Expressionism and Film Noir before looking at how these styles are still used in cinema today.


Finally we will aim to dip into realism in cinema and consider the techniques used in the film The Hurtlocker.  Lots to get through - but should be interesting!

A2 Film Research Areas

It's about time to start deciding what to pick for your research project at A2.

You have to select a critical approach from one of the following:
. star/performer
• genre
• auteur (in its broadest sense)
• social, political and cultural studies
• gender issues
• ethnicity
• institution
• technology

You then pick one film as your focus film to base your study on.

Finally you need to select at least 2 other films to relate it to.

You then devise a title that you will then investigate by conducting your own research.

You will produce a presentation script and powerpoint slides based on what you have found out.

You will also produce a catalogue of all the sources you have used with descriptions of their usefulness and relevance and include a few sources which you looked at but chose not to use with reasons.

So, what can you study?

Interesting past titles:
GENRE Romance for Men: using Knocked Up, Sin City, In Search of a Midnight Kiss this investigation studied how the romance genre is traditionally intended for female audiences. The investigation examined how many films for males have romantic narratives but cover them by creating hybrid films.


GENRE Vampires New Prey: using The Lost Boys, Twilight, Near Dark, Let the Right One In this investigation looked at how the vampire sub-genre manages to reinvent itself to maintain popularity and seek to find new audiences.

AUTEUR John Hughes Babyboomer Ideals in 80s Teen Comedies: using Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Pretty in Pink and The Breakfast Club this investigation looked at what recognisable elements were used in Hughes' films to suggest he s an auteur.

ETHNICITY Tackling racism in US cinema: using American History X, Do the Right Thing and Crash this investigation looked at issues of racism and whether cinema tackles or incites racism.

GENDER ISSUES: Breaking through the Glass Ceiling: using The Hurtlocker, American Psycho and Lost in Translation this investigation involved looking at gender inequalities in mainstream cinema and explored female directors who have surprised and succeeded in a male dominated industry.

Spike Jonze I'm Here

I'm here Made in association with Absolut Vodka, Jonze has directed a beautifully moving 30 minute love story.  The film documents the relationship between 2 robots and features gigs, loss of limbs and altruism.  The whole website experience is one to enjoy and shows how the Internet can be an excellent venue for film viewing.  You can enter the cinema, sit back and enjoy as the curtains open and the film begins. As expected with Jonze the soundtrack is superb. If you want a bigger experience you can use social networking sites to spread the word and  encourage all of your friends to watch it with you. You are required to be over 18 when entering the site, purely because of the alcohol association.  All that is required is a date of birth. Enjoy the trailer.