Please use this film for this assignemnt: Top Hat (1935): 1:03 :18—1:06:06
Please analyze it in the time frame above.
This film is free on Tubi, but if you buy or rent this film from another platform, please tell me and I’ll tip the money you spent on this film.
This assignment (600 – 800 words, typewritten) will be an examination and analysis of a selected film clip, and the role of music—and more broadly, the role of sound—within that clip, as it interacts with the film’s visual track. Your paper provides an opportunity to apply the O.A.R.S model of examination (Observation, Analysis, Reflection, Synthesis). Here are some more tips about writing your paper: You can assume the reader has seen the film, but you still want to orient your reader with a brief introduction of your topic. Similarly, at the end of your paper, you want a conclusion that provides insight and synthesis–stating the sorts of things that come from reflecting on the observations and analysis that make up the “meat” of your paper.
Consider the following:
Observe whether there are any discernible temporal ellipses.
Count the number of shots, and mark the time of each new shot. Note if the join between two shots is anything other than a cut. (Since cuts between shots are so prevalent, any joins not so noted will be presumed to be cuts.)
Consider the art of the shot, and notable aspects of mise-en-scene and cinematography.
In between any temporal ellipses are the portions of the film conveying continuous time. (Narrative films consist mostly of these portions.) For each of these portions conveying continuous time:
Observe the various techniques of the continuity editing system used to convey continuous time between shots. These are the techniques that convey to the viewer both temporal continuity and spatial continuity.
Observe notable interactions between the audio and visual components of the film, particularly in relation to shots, diegetic sounds (including diegetic music), and the associated techniques of the continuity editing system.
Reflecting on your chosen segment, consider how all these details—and the various facets of the art of filmmaking—work together to create a meaningful artistic moment in the film.
Observe the presence or absence of music. Identify any music as either nondiegetic music or diegetic music. Identify cue-in and cue-out times for each instance of nondiegetic music. Identify the source of any diegetic music, and the time period during which we hear it.
Consider the various possible functions of the music within the clip, as well as the overall purpose of the music. Consider the effectiveness and contribution of the music to the scene.
Observe whether there are any discernible temporal ellipses. Is there any music serving to “bridge” across a temporal ellipsis? Does such music contribute to “filmic continuity” by “smoothing” over the “jumps” in time (which is to say, over the temporal ellipses)?
Count the number of shots, and mark the time of each new shot. Note if the join between two shots is anything other than a cut. (Since cuts between shots are so prevalent, any joins not so noted will be presumed to be cuts.)
Consider the art of the shot, and notable aspects of mise-en-scene and cinematography.
In between any temporal ellipses are the portions of the film conveying continuous time. (Narrative films consist mostly of these portions.) For each of these portions conveying continuous time:
Observe the various techniques of the continuity editing system used to convey continuous time between shots. These are the techniques that convey to the viewer both temporal continuity and spatial continuity.
Observe notable interactions between the music and other components of the sound track, such as diegetic sounds (including sound effects) and dialogue.
Observe notable interactions between the music and the visual components of the film, particularly in relation to shots and the associated techniques of the continuity editing system.
Reflecting on your chosen segment, consider how all these details—and the various facets of the art of filmmaking—work together to create a meaningful artistic moment in the film.
