Film Critiques Due; Publishing Project

Please turn in your homework on The Global Media Market.

Period 7: 

Task 1: Critique the film Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001). Your critique should include:

Film Critique Draft Guidelines

Paragraph 1: Offer your overall impression of the film while mentioning the movie's title, director, and key actors. [Note: this info can be found at https://www.imdb.com]

Paragraph 2: Briefly summarize the plot of the film.
Paragraph 3: Positive things you thought about the film (acting, setting, music, special effects, writing, story, theme, dialogue, costumes, etc.) what did you like? Why? Use descriptive words to discuss the plot, setting, techniques and effects used, costumes, acting, camera or cinematography, music, directing, etc.
Paragraph 4: Negative things you thought about the film, what didn’t you like? Why? Comment on the same type of things that you mentioned in paragraph 3.
Paragraph 5: Ending paragraph--your last opportunity to guide the reader. Summarize and strongly restate your opinions.

Some words and phrases that are commonly used in movie reviews: 

spectacular visual effects, excessive violence, breathtaking, evocative, mood, atmosphere, poorly, unsuccessful, detail, scenery, irresistible, perfect, moments, plot, this movie has been compared to ____ because, wonderful, hilarious, momentum, unexpected plot twists, unbelievable, phenomenal, hype, suspense, disappointing, confusion/confused, fake, imitation, genre, unoriginal, typical, thrilled, was a very moving portrayal, quality of the film, I was impressed by, credible, cliché, a mixture of, classic, captivating

The following questions should help you in writing your critique. Use your notes and use them when choosing what to write about in your critique.

BACKGROUND

• Who is the writer/director or cinematographer of the film? What other films has this person made/been in/shot/written, etc.?
• Has the screenplay been adapted from another work? Explain how the blockbuster best-selling novel was adapted effectively (or chosen as subject matter).
• When was the film made? Why might it have done well or poorly at the box-office. How much did the film make? Were there any sequels or spin-offs? Why might this be so?

STRUCTURE / FORM

• How are the opening credits presented? Do they relate to meaning?
• Why does the film start in the way that it does?
• Are there any motifs (scenes, images, dialogue) that are repeated? What purpose do they serve?
• What three or four sequences are most important in the film? Why?
• Is sound used in any vivid ways to enhance the film? (i.e. Enhance drama, heighten tension, disorient the viewer, etc.)
• How does the film use color or light/dark to suggest tone and mood in different scenes?
• Are there any striking uses of perspective (seeing through a character's eyes, camera angle, etc.) How does this relate to the meaning of the scene?
• How and when are scenes cut? Are there any patterns in the way the cuts function?
• What specific scene constitutes the film's climax? How does this scene resolve the central issue of the film?
• Does the film leave any disunities (loose ends) at the end? If so, what does it suggest?
• Why does the film conclude on this particular image?

Please make sure you proofread your work and correct any mistakes before you print out and turn in your critique. These are due by the end of class today.

PERIOD 8 or before: [if you were absent last class, please submit 3 copies of your literary submission--see acceptance letter for details!]

When you complete your film review, please work on the publishing project. 

• Acquisitions editor (Asia) should share copies of the submissions with the chief editor (Jesziah). 
• Chief editor will distribute copies to the editing staff: 
• The editing staff: Joshua, Akhiyar, Kemani, Britney, Isobel, Victoria, Jenna, Pahz, & Karina will proofread, correct grammar and send the proofread copy back to Asia to hand back to the authors for changes. Editors please fill out the handout sheet for credit.
• The chief editor (Jesziah) and acquisitions editor (Asia) should help/assist the editor team. If you have questions about a grammar rule, ask your editors!
• Grammar Help (The Chicago Manual of Style)
• More Grammar Help (The Purdue OWL)
• And more grammar help (The Grammar Blue Book)
• Meanwhile, the publishing editors (Ja'Miah & Kordae) will meet with the graphic design team (Turon, Javant, Raeona) and brainstorm ideas about the design of the literary magazine. What should it look like? How much might it cost? What can our company print this most effectively? Etc.
• After deciding on the "look" of the magazine, the graphic design team (under the direction of Ja'Miah and Kordae) will create/design the cover and back cover of the literary magazine.
• Divide up the following jobs between Ja'Miah, Kordae, Turon, Javant, Raeona: 

1. Design the cover. It should have a title and relevant information about the book, etc.; it should be eye-catching.
2. Design the back cover copy: this should include pictures perhaps, AND a short blurb about what is special about the collection. Why should a reader buy the magazine? Finally, it should have the publishing logo and ISBN# in the bottom corner of the book.
3. Design the copyright page information. See the standard copyright page form samples. Choose one (or copy and paste to create your own copyright page...)
4. Collect (black and white) some images/photos or graphics you would like to include in the edition. Note: that these may or may not be included in the final copy.
5. Create a title page for your magazine.
6. Start a table of contents for your magazine. Once you get the author submissions back, you will be able to complete the table of contents. 

If you have questions about layout/design, how to format something, etc. check with your editors!

That's it for now.

HOMEWORK: None. If you didn't complete assignments, please complete those and turn them in late.