FILM 101 - INTRODUCTION TO FILM
Drama (Art Production) Week Assignments -  Due Date Range: October 18 - October 24, 2009
 Updated 5 October 2009

Drama (Lesson 7).   The following assignments will help you learn more about the relationship between live and filmed productions, including the elements common to both live theater and film: art production and set design, and costume and make-up design (this is why Giannetti calls the chapter "drama"; he's not referring to the genre of drama as opposed to comedy when he uses the word "drama" for his chapter title). There are 6 learning activities for this week:

(1)  Read Giannetti Chapter Seven, "Drama," and part of Chapter Twelve on theatrical elements of art production, set design, costume and makeup design in "Synthesis: Citizen Kane."
(2) Read Weblecture 7 ("Drama: All the World's a Stage").
(3) Screen: Choose one from the list of Lesson Seven Films below.
(4) Regular Forum:  (a)  Participate fully in the Drama Discussion Forum (see the "Regular Forums" explanation below).  (b) Keep coming into the Drama Forum throughout this week and next to read what your classmates have written and discussed. Complete reading of classmates' previous Forum postings in the Unit. 
(5) Planning Forum #1: Complete your contributions to Stage-One planning for your final presentation; post draft no later than Wednesday or Thursday, and post your comments/replies no later than Saturday, when this forum closes.
(6) For up to 40 points, submit answers to the week's quiz  (Quiz 4: Acting and Drama) sometime by or before Saturday evening of the week. Click on the Quiz link and read the directions before opening the quiz.

LESSON SEVEN FILMS:  Choose ONE of the films below for the study of the relationship between live theatre and film and for the dramatic arts shares with the cinematic arts (art direction, set design, make-up and costume design). Enjoy the film you choose to screen, and pay attention to the ideas and feelings it arouses in you.  Observe instances of techniques related to art direction as the set design, the costume design, and/or the make-up design communicates those ideas or feelings. 

UNIT TWO FORUMS:  Total possible = 120 points.  There are two kinds of forums in Unit Two: regular forums (like the ones in Unit One) and planning forums (practice areas for your final presentation work).

REGULAR FORUMS (total possible=90 points): In addition to active and substantive participation in THREE of the six regular forums in Unit Two, you are expected to read all postings of your classmates in all six forums--1) acting, 2) drama: set/costume/makeup design, 3) story, 4) writing, 5) ideology 1, and 6) ideology2/critique. Active and substantive participation in each regular discussion forum is worth 30 points up to a maximum of 90 for the Unit, and includes (a) an initial posting answering all parts of each assignment (worth up to 20 points) and (b) two or more substantive postings responding to your classmates (worth up to 10 points).  Post your response to the forum assignment by or before the deadline, Wednesday (by 11:30 p.m.); then send at least two substantive replies to two or more classmates' postings by or before the deadline, Saturday (by 11:30 p.m.).  Postings submitted after those deadlines will not receive points and may be deleted.  Note 1: Questions on the quizzes in Unit Two as well as on the Unit Two Writing Quiz may be drawn from the postings in these Unit Two discussion forums.  Note 2: By participating in extra discussion forums that relate to the six lessons in Unit Two, you help ensure you can earn a very high score; if you end up with a performance better than the perfect 90 for Unit Two, excess points will be added to your Unit One Discussion score (and if that is also perfect, your X-factor will be enhanced).  Scores and comments for your work in the Unit Two Regular Forums will be reported at D3.

Writing reminders: (1) Use your own word processor to draft, edit, and save your forum postings; then copy and paste into the forum window.  (2) Read what has been posted already before submitting your work; if you see duplication, modify your writing so it provides new information and a fresh perspective.  (3) Use film terms to show you are learning the concepts and provide details and clear explanations in your postings and replies.  Test your writing so you are satisfied that it is informative, detailed, thoughtful, original, and creative as you can make it.  (4) Read your own posting before leaving the forum, and check the content first.  Then, edit where necessary.  (Delete unnecessary coding, punctuate film titles, check your format so it's easy to follow your discussion, and click on your links to be sure they will send your readers directly to your websites.)

PLANNING FORUMS (total possible=30 points): Planning forums are designed to help you learn that, for serious students and professionals in the field, major projects, papers, and presentations are completed in stages and in collaboration with others in a planning process where the creator is open to ideas and changes, and finds time to develop those ideas and changes in depth.  Top students start early on their projects and writings, draft many times; they add and subtract details and ideas and make corrections and improvements as they collaborate with others working on their own projects or papers.  By participating in the planning forums with highly motivated students like yourself, you give yourself opportunities to achieve at a higher level than you might otherwise.  You can earn up to 10 points for full participation in each of three planning forums in Unit Two.  What do you do if you have some of the topics covered but not all by the deadline for a planning forum?  Should you go ahead and post this incomplete draft?  Yes, you can post a partially complete plan and still get some credit; you can complete the topics either in a reply in this week's planning forum or at the beginning of your next planning forum (your next "draft"), before proceeding to the next topics, and you will get even more points.  Plan to contribute fully and remain on top of assignments; don't be afraid to post your plans even if you are still unsure of them because you will have time to make changes (and writing out plans magically helps you think more clearly).  Be willing to ask questions and to post early and help other students by example.  Feel free to send me a Moodle Message at any time, for consultation and advice and clarification, because I am here for you.

Gloria Floren, Film in the Letters Department, MiraCosta College
One Barnard Drive, Oceanside, California 92056. U.S.A.
Created December 2004. Revised 5 October 2009
Contents Copyright 2004-2009   Gloria L. Floren. All rights reserved.
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