Assessment 1: Individual Research Assignment
Due Date: 9.00am Monday 29 April 2024 Week 8
Marks: 100
Weighting: 55%
Words: 1800 words (2000 words max) excluding references
Submission: Online via Canvas and Turnitin
Background:
You have been learning how to use the elements of the Language of the Moving Image – cinematography, mise-en-scene, editing and sound – to create meaning for animation and film. Directors use this visual and aural language to tell stories and create emotion to explore ideas and meanings.
This task will help you to understand how they do this so that you can use these tools to create your own animated stories for the screen.
TASK:
Write a research essay discussing how effectively the language of the moving image has been used by a director (or directors) to explore an idea on the screen.
Think about an idea you would like to research. Choose two long form screen works (one must be animated) to discuss and compare how the language of the moving image is used to tell a story and explore meanings around this idea in each of these works. To make your discussion concrete analyse a key scene from both of these works to show your understanding and evaluation of use of the language of the moving image. Choose 5 continuous shots from each of these two sequences and write a shot list for these shots.
For your research work you should develop an hypothesis which argues your point of view about what you think the director is saying and how well they have used the language of the moving image to do this. You will then use research skills including argument, citation of expert sources, and a reference list to communicate your ideas and come to a conclusion about how effectively they do this.
Notes:
At least one work must be animated.
The two works should explore the same idea, theme or representations in some way. Think about for example, how your two key screenings, Persepolis and Waltz with Bashir, compare coming of age stories in the Middle East.
The screen works must be long form. (Feature, documentary or TV series episode).
You may choose two works from one director or two works from different directors.
You may choose two works that are the same form (eg two feature films)
Your shot list description should labelled and included after your essay and before your reference list. Use the Blue Velvet Reading shot list as a template for this but do not include the timings please.
You may not use films that have been screened in class as the films you choose to discuss.
Tips
Choose work that you feel passionate about so you have something to say! For example, a director or films that intrigue or inspires you, or works that you think are important for contemporary audiences.
We have organised a special lecture from the research and referencing librarians at Griffith University library. They will start from the ground up showing you how to develop an hypothesis and use information from esteemed academic sources and peer reviewed articles, to create a strong argument as well as showing you how to make your argument concrete by the analysis of specific scenes from animated works that support your contentions.
You should choose quality reviews for the work of directors you know but even better push yourself to discover new works to enrich what you already know!
Research broadly in academic journals and books to create a deep and engaging argument.
Criteria (How the task will be judged)
Depth and insightful application of research and academic protocols and referencing including developing a clear hypothesis
Critical analysis of how story and meaning is created in screen-based works
Effective and creative application of the language of the moving image to illustrate your point of view
Clarity of expression, written communication, adherence to task requirements
