FILM 245 Final Exam (300 points total)

Short Essay Questions (2 questions at 150 points each)

Choose 2 of the 4 questions below and respond to each of these two questions in a short essay of 800-900 words (about four, detailed, informed paragraphs for each question). That’s two separate essays. Please label your answers accordingly. You are required to use course materials (readings, lectures, films, etc) to help compose your answers, but do not simply string together a series of quotations. You should write in your own words, developing a thesis and other aspects of advanced college-level writing, using direct quotes and in-text citations (including page numbers) from the course materials only – no outside sources of any kind should be used in minimize the possibility of plagiarism.

Submit your exam through Canvas just as you have with assignments all term. Please note, that I am obligated to run plagiarism software on all exams and your exam will be checked against material found online and both on-campus and ecampus FILM 245 classes from previous terms. I am grading your exam according to how well you explain or connect concepts contained and explained throughout this course; going online other than Canvas to look for information will only hurt your grade, trust me. Everything you need to answer these questions exists in the course itself.

Question 1) Francis Ford Coppola’s role in the history of American cinema is hard to overstate. The first half of this class was roughly bookended by two of his seminal films. Using what you learned about Coppola and auteur theory in this course, describe the importance of both The Godfather and Apocalypse Now in relation to the aesthetic and political development of the New American Cinema during and after the 1970s. What did these films—and Coppola as a filmmaker—change or impact in Hollywood studio filmmaking? Finally, what one film from the second half of the term most clearly highlights his influence on American Cinema and why?

Question 2) Much of this class was concerned with the emergence of a blockbuster model of American cinema. We’ve read about the historical conditions and important filmmakers that contributed to this shift, and we’ve also screened some of the seminal films in this development. First, explain what it means to speak of a “blockbuster model” of cinema. Then, write about some of the specifics of the emergence of this model and its development since the early 1970s. Who are the major filmmakers and what are the major films pertinent to this history? Please keep in mind that you if you also answered the question on Coppola to keep your discussion of his films out of this particular answer.

QUESTIONS 3 AND 4 ARE ON THE NEXT PAGE – KEEP READING

Question 3) American independent cinema went through its own renaissance in the late 80s and throughout the 90s. You read about how Steven Soderbergh’s sex, lies, and videotape helped launch this quality “indie blockbuster” movement. Begin by briefly explaining the major impact Soderbergh’s film had on the studios’ stance toward so-called independent movies. Then, in greater detail, use any two of the films assigned during this course as you analyze how the relationship between indie films and Hollywood evolved during and after the 1980s. Cite specific ramifications and developments. Please keep in mind that if you answered the question on Coppola that you need to avoid discussing the same film that you used in last part of that question.

Question 4) One crucial takeaway from this class is being able to explain how the language of film aesthetics and the techniques used by filmmakers both mask and unmask deeper historical and sociological issues in American culture – including violence, race, gender, and the environment. Choose any two films assigned during the second half of this course and explore in depth how the formal elements of the films you have chosen – including (but not limited to) cinematography, editing, mise-en-scene, and sound design – contribute to a greater understanding of ONE of these important historical and social issues. Please keep in mind that you must use different films for this answer than you use in you other answer. For example if you answered the question on Coppola you should not use The Godfather or Apocalypse Now in this answer.

Bonus question (up to 20 points possible) Write a detailed two-three paragraph letter to one of your classmates explaining how their weekly screening logs and scene analysis assignments contributed to your understanding of the topics and issues covered in this course. I will send your answer to that person by email after I’m done grading the exams. Please note that you must not chose the person you were already assigned for the scene analysis peer review.