Film Genres and Conventions 1. Film Crews Will Each Select a Genre

Meet and Subvert: Film Genres and Conventions

1. Film crews will each select a genre within which to work. (No two groups may select the same genre.) Students will conduct research into the genre in terms of history, conventions, and notable films from more than one culture.

2. Each group will use the research they have compiled to create a five to ten minute lesson for the entire class (using PowerPoint, Google Slides, Prezi, or similar software) which must include the following: 1) explanation of the conventions of the particular genre 2) explanation of the genre's place in film history 3) explanation of the genre’s different forms in different cultures 4) examples of at least two films from two different cultures to illustrate those points 5) at least one short clip 6) a works cited list on the final slide 7) each group member doing at least part of the presenting

3. Each group will create a two to three minute short film that not only meets some of the conventions of their genre, but, by the end subverts them, either in a humorous way or an ironic way or even in a genre- redefining way. (Remember: great films are not just the ones that meet the audience expectations of what a particular genre film should be, but also get them to think about that genre in new ways.) It is not necessary that the film tell a complete story; a piece of a story is sufficient, as long as there is clear evidence of genre conventions somewhere between the fade in and the fade out.

Due dates: Logline & rationale due Thurs, 11/14 Screenplay due Thurs, 11/21 Cast/crew list + shooting schedule/locations due Tues, 11/26 Genre presentations in class Thurs, 12/12 Film due 2:15 pm, Mon, 12/16 Post-project reflection due Tues, 12/17

Logline & rationale: hard copy, typed single-spaced in 12-point Courier; the logline should summarize the film (in present tense) in 50 words or less, and the rationale should explain what the film is going for, what the group’s intentions are, and how they plan to accomplish it (in one paragraph)

Screenplay: typed hard copy, correctly formatted, should include a cover page that lists the title of the film and all the members of the group

Cast & crew list and shooting schedule and locations: typed hard copy in 12-point Courier; should identify cast members and their roles and each group member’s primary role for which they are being assessed in addition to the shooting schedule and locations (do NOT keep equipment out for extra days after your scheduled time)

Film: should be rendered as an .mp4 and must be submitted directly to Mr. Chambers

In class on Tuesday, 12/17, students will need to turn in their journals which must include a post-project reflection answering the questions posted online and must include hard copies at least two pieces of evidence of planning and production (screenplay excerpts, production stills, storyboards, set diagrams, etc.) that demonstrate the work you personally did. (These pieces of evidence should be taped or glued directly into the production journal.)