Hell's Half Mile Film Fest Assignment

Hell's Half Mile Film Fest Assignment LIT227 / Hill Point Value: 25 Due: 10:00 AM, Wednesday, October 6, 2010

You are required to attend one feature-length film (not short films) during the Hell’s Half Mile Film Fest in Bay City (September 30 – October 3, 2010). There is no requirement as to what genre of film to attend; you may select a fictional film or a documentary. The choice is yours.

Write a 500-700 word, multi-paragraph summary, analysis, and response utilizing MLA format.

Proofread your papers carefully – errors and unclear writing do matter.

Your writing MUST include the following:

 A summary of the film (should be the shortest part of the writing and in your own words - do NOT copy the program film plot summary). Check out the Internet Movie Data Base (www.imdb.com) for examples of brief summary writing.

 An analytical critique of the film utilizing criteria and related terms/vocabulary you have learned thus far as a part of your film class experience: genre, form and expectation, patterns, realism and antirealism, elements of narrative, mise-en-scène, acting, etc.

 A personal response to the film as well as to the overall experience of attending an independent film festival. Use an academic tone in your writing; college writing is not like making comments on someone’s Facebook Wall. Whether you had a good or bad experience, be analytical in your comments – think carefully about the reasons why and how to phrase those for an audience of educated, adult readers.

For those who like clear formulas for your writing – write 1/4 Summary, 1/2 Analysis of Film, 1/4 Response to Experience. These parts need not be so separate - you can mix up a bit of each here and there in the writing - just try to keep in perspective the focus of the writing as your analysis and response to the film/event.

For guidance in writing and revising this paper, refer to your text Writing About Movies: “The Process of Writing About Movies” and "Developing Objectivity," "Analyzing Your Work," and "Proofreading and Editing."

Additional Comments Attending a film festival is meant to be a unique experience, different from seeing mainstream movies at the mall. Please approach this assignment with the open mind of a critical thinker, willing to participate as well as to observe.

This is an “adult content” venue, and one we cannot know in advance. We strongly recommend you read the film descriptions in advance to best prepare yourself for your selection(s). If you select a film that, once it has begun, you feel strongly against continuing to watch, please talk with the HHM staff about making a different film selection.

Full venue info can be found on: http://www.baycityhhmfest.com/