Your final feature story and sidebar hard copies are
due by noon Thursday Dec. 15. DO NOT slide your stories under my office
door. You
can leave your assignments in my mailbox located in DBH-105. It's your
responsibility to make sure the story is given to a person in the office
who will time stamp the story and put it in my box. You will not get
credit for the assignment if you turn it in later than noon Thursday
Dec. 15.
This is a list of what's due along with the final feature story:Theater 40 Nichols
Thursday, December 1, 2016
Final feature story/sidebar deadline
Monday, November 28, 2016
New extra credit
Thousands of fictional movie characters have entertained
movie audiences for more than 100 years. From the Little Tramp to Sherlock
Holmes, Tarzan, Mr. Tibbs, Spiderman, Frankenstein, Forest Gump to Hans Solo
audiences have laughed and cried and been entertained for years. For extra
credit tell me which fictional movie character is the most compelling,
interesting and entertaining in your opinion. I only want one. Obviously, you
can only choose characters based on movies you’ve seen so your options may be
limited. Do this for fun and extra credit. Write a few sentences explaining the
reasons for your choice.
Sunday, October 30, 2016
New extra credit
"Crash,"
the Academy Award winner for best picture of 2004, explored racial
tensions in our society, particularly those involving the police. As you
know there have been a number of racially-charged incidents involving
the police this summer. For extra credit, watch "Crash" and
explain in a few paragraphs if the movie accurately captures the
"real-life" tensions that are going on today involving the police and
race or if you think the movie does not do a good job depicting this
very controversial issue.
More extra credit
WEEKLY EXTRA CREDIT:
Every Friday new movies are released and the theaters are full of
moviegoers. Most of the time the new big-budget movie is the big
moneymaker for the week. For example, Jurasic World was released on a
Friday and by Monday it had made more than $200 million in domestic box
office. I want you to pick the winner each Friday, the movie you think
will be the biggest moneymaker. Send me an email by Friday at 6 p.m.
telling me in one or two paragraphs which movie will make the most
money. Estimate how much money you think the movie will make for the
weekend and why you think so. Make a copy of the email and put it in
your journal. You can do this each and every week if you want to.
EXTRA CREDIT: Best CGI Award goes to: Since you belong to the CGI generation of moviegoers I want you to choose your favorite CGI movie. I'm sure you've seen plenty of them. Anything with a man in it: Iron Man, Batman, Superman, etc.... Which movie blew you away with its use of CGI and why? Cite specific scenes that were memorable. Include this extra credit in your film journal.
Extra Credit: It seems that many of you grew up watching Pixar movies including Toy Story, Finding Nemo, A Bug's Life, The Incredibles and others. I would like you to pick your all-time favorite Pixar movie and explain why it's your favorite in a few paragraphs. Include this very short paper in your film journal. If you're not sure if it's a Pixar movie, look it up.
Extra Credit: Watch the movie Chaplin about silent film comedian Charlie Chaplin and write a few paragraphs about what you thought of the movie.
Extra Credit: Filmmaker and comedian Chris Rock wrote an insightful essay for Hollywood Reporter magazine on racism in the movie industry. He makes some good points from an insider's perspective. Read Chris Rock's essay for extra credit and write a few paragraphs for your film journal about your reaction to what he wrote. Do you agree or disagree with his perspective? Any surprises?
The link to the essay is below:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/top-five-filmmaker-chris-rock-753223
EXTRA CREDIT: Best CGI Award goes to: Since you belong to the CGI generation of moviegoers I want you to choose your favorite CGI movie. I'm sure you've seen plenty of them. Anything with a man in it: Iron Man, Batman, Superman, etc.... Which movie blew you away with its use of CGI and why? Cite specific scenes that were memorable. Include this extra credit in your film journal.
Extra Credit: It seems that many of you grew up watching Pixar movies including Toy Story, Finding Nemo, A Bug's Life, The Incredibles and others. I would like you to pick your all-time favorite Pixar movie and explain why it's your favorite in a few paragraphs. Include this very short paper in your film journal. If you're not sure if it's a Pixar movie, look it up.
Extra Credit: Watch the movie Chaplin about silent film comedian Charlie Chaplin and write a few paragraphs about what you thought of the movie.
Extra Credit: Filmmaker and comedian Chris Rock wrote an insightful essay for Hollywood Reporter magazine on racism in the movie industry. He makes some good points from an insider's perspective. Read Chris Rock's essay for extra credit and write a few paragraphs for your film journal about your reaction to what he wrote. Do you agree or disagree with his perspective? Any surprises?
The link to the essay is below:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/top-five-filmmaker-chris-rock-753223
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
New extra credit
Movies are made up of
memorable moments, scenes, that we remember long after we leave the theater. I
would like to know your favorite movie scene. You probably have many but just
pick one for this extra credit assignment. Send me the link to the scene in an
email and tell me in one or two paragraphs why you chose this scene as your
favorite. Maybe it's for personal reasons or maybe the scene simply has your
favorite actor/actress. Tell me why.
To get you started I
have included the link to one of my favorite scenes. It's hard to narrow it
down because I have about 5,000 favorite scenes but this is definitely one of
them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_vqnySNhQ0
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Fall 16 syllabus
Course Syllabus: Theater
Arts 40 Fall 2016
Instructor: Ralph Nichols
Instructor email:
ralphnichols58@gmail.com
Instructor phone: (408) 274-7900, ext. 6506
Instructor Office:
VPA-108
Office Hours:TTH 7:30-9:15 a.m./Tuesday 10:30-12
Class website:
www.theater40.blogspot.com
Course Description:
THEAT-040
-Introduction to Film Units: 3
This is an introductory course in film studies in which
students view classic and recent films to learn the technical and artistic
disciplines of filmmaking. Emphasis is placed on the movie industry, its
history and business side.
Lecture
Hours: 2.5 Lab Hours: 1.5 Repeatable: No Grading: O
CAN: None Advisory Level: Read: 3 Write: 3 Math: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC Degree
Applicable: AA/AS
CSU GE: C1 District GE: C1
IGETC: None
WHY SHOULD I TAKE THIS
COURSE?
Students who have taken this class have said they watch movies in
a different way, with a greater appreciation for technique and direction. The
ultimate goal of this class is to improve students’ understanding of how films
are made and to provide students with a greater appreciation of the medium at a
more sophisticated level.
WHAT IS THIS COURSE ABOUT?
Students in this class will learn
that there is a lot more to “movies” than meets the eye. By studying the movie
industry from a business, historical and social viewpoint, students will enrich
their moviegoing experience and develop a more sophisticated appreciation of
movies and the process of movie-making.
WHAT WILL BE EXPECTED OF
ME?
Students are expected to
demonstrate a willingness to:
1.
Attend class on time and stay until the end of class.
2.
Participate in class discussions.
3.
Put together a film journal and turn it in on time.
WHAT LEARNING METHODS WILL
WE USE?
Reading: Some assigned
readings will seem challenging: they will require you to concentrate on new
concepts and sort out the arguments. You will be better prepared for class
discussions and tests if you complete your reading on your own before we
discuss it in class. While there is no textbook for this class you will still
be expected to do outside reading on the movie industry.
Writing: You will have
several assignments related to your film journal that require you to write
outside of class. All of these assignments must be typed and included in your
film journal.
Discussion: Your
participation in this class is encouraged and important in helping you learn
the material. It has been proven in studies that students learn more by
thinking and talking about the subject rather that sitting and not
participating. Your class participation grade will be based on how much you
contribute to discussions.
WHAT ARE THE GROUND RULES?
1. Punctuality and attendance: You have a responsibility to be at all
class meetings on time and to remain until the end of class. If you find that
you must miss a class, be late, or leave early (and this should only happen
under exceptional circumstances) you must call arrange to:
1.
Review the class notes
you missed.
2.
Get the assignments due for the next class.
Arriving late or leaving early WILL result in
a loss of points beyond your class participation points.
Attendance is probably the most
important thing you must do in this class. Simply attending class does not
guarantee a student a passing grade but leaving early and/or arriving late will
ensure a student receives a bad grade in the class.
2. Preparation: The quality of our experience in the course depends on
each class member being prepared and being willing to discuss, ask questions,
and support one another. In addition, part of your grade will reflect your
preparedness and participation.
3. Late work: You are responsible for keeping up on all of the work
for the course and turning it in on time. Even
if you have been absent, the next assignments are still due on time. You
need to make a friend in class who you can share notes with in the event you
miss a class and need to know what we did while you were gone. Make-up tests
will only be given on the same day for everybody during the last week of the
semester.
4. Withdrawal: If you stop coming to class, it is important that you
drop yourself from the roll through admissions and records. Otherwise, you may
stay on the roll until the end of class and receive a grade of F.
5. Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is the unacknowledged use of another writer’s words or ideas.
Plagiarism is a serious offense. A student who plagiarizes is subject to
disciplinary probation and/or suspension as outlined in the college catalog in
accordance with district policy. You can also receive an F in the class. I have
been a newspaper reporter and teacher for more than 30 years and I am a good
judge of student writing. You will do a writing sample in class that I will use
to evaluate your writing level. This sample will be compared with writing you
do on your own and if there is a major difference in the quality then you may
be suspected of plagiarism.
6. Cell Phones/Media
Devices — Cell phones and media devices MUST be turned off during
class. Texting is not allowed during class. Running out of class to answer a
cell phone call is not allowed during class. There is a time and a place for
these devices and it’s not during class. Laptop computers must be closed during
movie presentations. You are NOT ALLOWED to cruise the Internet on your laptop
or play on your phone during class. Failure to follow these rules will result in
a lowering of your grade. Please follow this IMPORTANT rule and do not
be rude to your fellow students and especially the teacher.
7. Test make-up —
A student will be allowed to make up only one test during the semester. All
make-up tests will be taken on the same day during the last month of the
semester. The date will be announced in class. If you miss more than one test
during the semester you will only be allowed to make up one test. You cannot
redo a test for a better grade. You are only allowed to make up a test if you
missed the test when it was given in class.
General Education Learning Outcomes
General Education is a commitment on the part of a college
to provide students with a broad set of knowledge and skills that will help
each student in their process of becoming a well-rounded healthy person
equipped to participate wisely in the health of our community. It requires a carefully selected set of
courses and activities on the part of the college and active reflection on the
part of the student.
This course participates in the general education process by
including the following General Education Learning Outcome(s):
Learning Outcomes:
1
Describe the
objectives and themes of films
2
Identify
conflict in a film and demonstrate how the conflict arises from the plot
structure of the film
3
Analyze and
describe characterization and character interaction in films
4
Correlate
aspects of visual design and lighting with character and setting
5
Illustrate how
cinematography affects film content
6
Recognize how
editing is used to organize film content and compare various editing styles in
films
7
Assess the
impact of sound design on the content of a film
8
Evaluate and
compare acting and directing techniques in films
9
Make qualitative
judgments about the aesthetic, social, and cultural achievements of films
Summarize opinions of films in writing,
supporting statements with detailed observations from the films
This outcome contributes to the General Education areas of
emphasis stated in the accreditation standards and District General Education
Philosophy (pending)] checked below:
__x___ Aesthetic
sensitivity
__x___ Civic
responsibility (local, national, global)
__x___ Civility
__x___ Computer
literacy
__x___ Critical
analysis/logical thinking
__x___ Cultural
diversity
__x___ Ethical
principles
__x___ Historical
sensitivity
__x___ Information
competency
__x___ Integrated
organism including the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual
(local and CSU GE)
__x___ Interpersonal
Skills
__x___ Oral
communication including speaking and listening
__x___ Political
involvement (local, national, global)
__x___ Scientific and
quantitative reasoning
__x___ Social
responsibility (local, national, global)
__x___ Teamwork
(ability to work and solve problems as a team, recommended by Jim Potterton)
_x____ Written
communication
District Policies
Attendance Policy:
“Students are expected to maintain regular and prompt attendance in all
classes. Instructors shall maintain a
record of students’ attendance in class.” VI. Instruction Policies 6070.1
12/19/89
Withdrawal/Drop Policy:
It is the ultimate responsibility of the student to formally drop the
class. You should not rely on the
instructor to drop you from a class for non-attendance. You may drop by telephone using the STAR
system (223-0300) or by completing the proper forms in the Office of Admissions
and Records. To be eligible for a refund
of fees and/or prevent a recorded grade of “F: or “W”, you must drop the class
on or before posted date.
College Honesty Policy:
Students
are expected to write their own papers and to not copy from another student or
author (plagiarism). Consequences of
such actions may lead to reduction of a grade, suspension form the class,
course failure, or expulsion from the college.
Violations of standards
include the following:
• Altering grades
• Altering or forging college documents, records, or identification
• Copying from someone’s test or allowing someone to copy your test
• Copying from an author’s work without giving credit (plagiarism)
• Altering grades
• Altering or forging college documents, records, or identification
• Copying from someone’s test or allowing someone to copy your test
• Copying from an author’s work without giving credit (plagiarism)
• Doing an assignment (e.g., a term paper or essay) for
another student or asking, paying, bribing, or blackmailing someone to do an
assignment for you
• Sitting in for someone in class or on a test or having someone sit in class for you if not authorized by the instructor
• Submitting work previously presented in another class if not authorized by the instructor
• During an exam, using or consulting other test or course material not authorized by the instructor
• Possession of an examination or materials not authorized by the instructor. Consequences may include one or more of the following actions by appropriate college officials as shown in parentheses:
• Sitting in for someone in class or on a test or having someone sit in class for you if not authorized by the instructor
• Submitting work previously presented in another class if not authorized by the instructor
• During an exam, using or consulting other test or course material not authorized by the instructor
• Possession of an examination or materials not authorized by the instructor. Consequences may include one or more of the following actions by appropriate college officials as shown in parentheses:
• Receiving a failing
grade on the test, paper, or exam
• Course grade lowered, possibly resulting in course failure
• Verbal or written reprimand/warning
• Suspension for a longer specified time
• Expulsion from college
• Course grade lowered, possibly resulting in course failure
• Verbal or written reprimand/warning
• Suspension for a longer specified time
• Expulsion from college
WHAT MATERIALS DO I NEED?
Notebook: A large, 3-ring
binder for all assignments and work, Scantron forms and a No. 2 pencil for
tests. Writing paper for in-class assignments.
HOW MUCH TIME WILL I SPEND ON THIS CLASS?
In college you are expected
to work two hours per week outside of class for every one hour you meet in
class. You will spend time outside of class reading, studying for tests and
watching videos for your final project. Start planning your schedule now so
that you can accommodate this work load.
HOW WILL I BE GRADED?
Your grade will be
calculated based on:
Five tests 600
points
Final paper (In-class) 100 points
Film Journal 150 points
Attendance, participation 150 points
The grading scale for
the course is:
A = 900 - 1,000 points
B = 800 - 899 points
C = 700 - 799 points
D = 600 - 699 points
F = Below 600 points
HOW WILL I KNOW MY GRADE?
It is the responsibility of
the students to keep track of their own grade. Hold on to your returned tests
and keep track of your scores. Evaluate your participation level periodically
throughout the semester. If you are not participating or participating very
little you will want to increase your level of participation (see below). Be
realistic about your grade. If you are getting C’s on your tests and not
participating you should not expect an A in the class. There are four parts of
your grade (see above). To have any realistic chance of getting an A in the
class you will need to do “A” quality work in at least three of the four
categories. Your final grade is final and it will not be changed after it is
submitted to admissions and records unless I made a mistake calculating your
grade. Your final grade should not be a surprise. Keep track of your progress
throughout the semester. Any questions or concerns about your grade
should be resolved before the end of the semester. Final grades are final.
THINGS NOT TO DO IN MY CLASS
(In no particular order)
1. Arrive late/leave early or both. Showing up late
for the final.
2. Refuse to participate, speak, make comments or ask
questions.
3. Watch media devices (cell phones, lap tops, etc.)
instead of watching the movie.
4. Rush out of the classroom to make or take cell
phone calls.
5. Don't make the assumption that this class is an
easy A or there is nothing to learn because it's film.
(Students who do any or all
of these things significantly lower their grade)
CLASS PARTICIPATION AND ATTENDANCE
One hundred and fifty points
of your grade is based on how active a role you take in this class and your
attendance. The more you participate in class discussions the more points you
receive in this category. If you do not participate or participate very little
you will lose points or get a zero in this category. Ask questions, make
comments, be attentive and take good notes and be in class on time and remain
until the class ends. All of these things will be considered in determining
your class participation/attendance grade. Being silent, not asking questions
and not participating will NOT help
your grade. Students often overlook this part of their grade and they
shouldn’t. It’s important to be an active participant and not a passive
observer. You don’t have to be an expert to make a comment. For example, “I
don’t like Jim Carrey because I’m not a big slapstick comedy fan.” I’m looking
for student input, not expert analysis.
Attendance is critical to
your success in this class. However, simply attending class will not guarantee
a student a passing grade. Nor does attendance alone guarantee you a high grade
in this category. Frequent participation is critical to getting a good grade in
this category.
• Arriving late and/or
leaving early can and will be considered an absence.
(IMPORTANT: Chronic
absences include arriving late and/or leaving early or not coming at all will
result in additional points being taken away from your final total).
UNDERSTANDING THE GRADING PROCESS
Your grade is made up of
four parts — tests, attendance/participation, film journal and final paper. You
will need to do well in at least three of the four areas to receive a high
grade in this class. Not participating during the semesters and doing poorly on
tests will make it difficult to receive a passing grade. Every semester
students receive D’s and F’s in this class. Usually these low grades are a
result of poor test scores, no class participation and not doing a class
presentation. If you are serious about succeeding in this class then you will
have to do the work or you will not pass the class.
FILM JOURNAL
Your final journal will be
put together throughout the semester and will be worth 150 points. There will
be journal deadlines throughout the semester but it will not be due until the
end of the semester. Missing one of the deadlines will cost you the points that
were available for that assignment. For example, if you have a movie memories
paper due and you don’t turn it in on time then you will not get the points for
that assignment.
The journal will be made up
of a combination of in-class assignments and papers you do outside of class.
Every paper done at home MUST be typed or it will not be accepted. All papers
need to be at least one full typed page unless otherwise specified. All
journals must be in a three-ring binder that can be purchased at the bookstore.
Typed papers in the journal need to be put in the three-rings and not slipped
in the plastic sleeve in the front or back. Not punching three holes in your
paper will result in a loss of 20 points. Your first journal deadline that will be
worth 15 points will be announced in class and it will be to bring in your
three-ring binder to class with the syllabus in the binder.
WHAT TO INCLUDE IN THE FILM JOURNAL: (The journal
is typed except for notes).
• Table of Contents – Include a table of contents in your film journal
listing the order of the assignments as they appear in your journal. This
should be the first page of your journal after the title page. Worth 15 points.
• In-class notes (these notes do not have to be retyped but should be turned in with the
journal as you take them during class).
• All extra credit assignments. Include a list of any extra credit
you did during the semester.
• Movie Memories: We all have memories of our childhood. I’m interested in your movie
memories for this paper. Being young adults you should still have vivid
memories of the movies that were important to you growing up. I want you to
write a detailed paper about the movies that were important to you growing up.
Did you see movies that inspired you to do better or movies that helped you to
understand the world you lived in? Movies often offer escapism for an
unpleasant reality such as a troubled home life. Did movies represent that for
you? Do you remember your first movie date and how you felt. I want you to
reminisce in this essay on movies and the impact they had on you growing up. Be
specific in describing the movies you saw and where you saw them. Focus this
essay on when you were younger and first started seeing movies and take it up
to today. If movies did not play a big part in your life then talk about that
and explain why. Length: Two pages typed.
Point value 40 points. Deadline TBA
• You Be The Teacher – What three movies would you show the class if you
were teaching film studies? What three movies would be on your “must show”
list. Explain why you would choose these three movies. What would you expect
the class to learn from these movies? Twenty or 30 years from now would these
movies still be good choices to show the class? Important to remember – Do not
base your choices on sentimental reasons or because you really like the movie
yourself. There are lots of movies I like that I would not consider showing in
a film class. Focus on movies that would have some educational value and be
able to identify its educational value. Length:
One page typed. Point value 40 points.
Deadline TBA.
Favorite and Least Favorite: At the end of the
semester I’ll ask for your opinion on your favorite and least favorite movie
you saw in class. Which movie did you like the most and why and what was your
least favorite movie? Length: One page
typed. Point value 40 points. Deadline TBA.
IN-CLASS JOURNAL ASSIGNMENTS
We will do several short
papers in class that will go in your journal. These papers will be based on
movies we see during the semester. The point values and deadlines for these
papers will be announced during class. IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER: Journals will not be graded until the end
of the semester after all of the journal assignments are completed and the
journal is turned in.
EXTRA CREDIT
Extra credit is optional. I
do not give points for extra credit. I give a + (plus) to students who do
nearly all of the extra credit that is offered, a checkmark to those who do
some extra credit but not all of it and a zero to those who do not do any extra
credit. The most extra credit will help your grade is a half-grade or a total
of 50 points.
Theater 40 — Schedule of Events
Session #1
Class, syllabus
introduction; Explain Film Journal.
“State of the Industry (Why
do bad movies make so much money?)” Video: Boffo.
Session #2
“Bring on the empty horses.”
What does a director do?
Movie: Series of documentary
clips.
Session #3
Movie: A Bronx Tale.
Discussion: Looking at
movies from a director’s perspective.
Session #4
“From Chaplin to Seth
Rogan.” Movie Comedies.
Movie: The Kid.
Session #5
“You can’t say $%##”
Production Code to MPAA Ratings.
Session #6
The Studio System.
Movie: Rear Window.
Session #7
Sexism and Stereotyping.
Movie: In the Heat of the Night.
Session #8
McCarthyism and the
Blacklist.
Movie: Trumbo.
Session #9
Hollywood in the Fifties
Movie: Blackboard Jungle.
Session #10
The studios hit hard times.
Movie: L.A. Confidential
Session #11
Revenge of the
Counterculture: Hollywood in the Sixties—Hippies, civil rights and Woodstock.
Movie: The Graduate.
Session #12
Studios face bankruptcy;
James Bond gives birth to the franchise.
Movie: The Butler.
Session #13
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls:
The Film School Generation.
Movie: GoodFellas.
Session #14
The 1970s and beyond: The
CGI revolution saves Hollywood.
Movie: The Godfather or Catch Me if You Can.
Session #15
Film Journals Due (No late
journals accepted). Final Exam.
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Blackboard Jungle in-class question
In what ways was the 1955 movie Blackboard Jungle ahead of its time in its attitudes about race and stereotyping? Cite specific scenes or moments from the movie that showed or implied its attitudes about race and stereotyping.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)