Tips for getting a good grade

1. Good attendance and good notes are key to succeeding in Theater 40. I will be happy to check your notes to see if you are capturing the main points.
2. Follow the study guides closely. Bring the study guide to class and be sure you are familiar with the topics on the study guide. The tests are closely aligned with the study guide.
3. Ask questions. Many students do not ask a single question the entire semester. Be curious about the topic and ask good questions. It will help you succeed in the class.
4. Form a study group. I know from experience that students who meet and study together before the tests earn better scores.
5. There is more to the class than tests. The overall grade is also based on class participation and some outside papers you do during the semester. Do a good job in those areas.
6. Do some extra credit. It always helps.

Professor’s Picks

I’ve already seen a few Cinequest movies this year, all comedies, and the best one was “A Beginner’s Guide to Snuff.” It’s a dark comedy that shows on Friday March 4 at (9:45 p.m.) (Hammer), on Sunday March 6 at 7 p.m. at (Hammer) and again on Friday March 11 at noon at Camera 12.

“A Beginner’s Guide to Snuff” was funny in a dark comedy sort of way. Another recommendation would be the comedy shorts. The good thing about seeing shorts is if one of them is not good then it’s over in 10 minutes and there is another one.

Cinequest runs from March 1-13 in downtown San Jose. See the website Cinequest.org for more information. Your paper is due at the first class meeting after the film festival ends March 13.

 Answer the following questions in your one-page paper:

What did you think about the movie?

If this movie was released in theaters to a nationwide audience do you think it would do well at the box office? Why or why not?

Describe your first Cinequest experience. Any surprises above and beyond the movie?

What it's like to work in Hollywood (Extra Credit)

Read this story from the New York Times about what it's like to work in the movie industry if you are NOT a straight white male. Read about the different experiences actors encounter when looking for jobs and the insults they face because of their gender or ethnicity. Pick the anecdote that surprises and/or shocks you the most and write a couple of paragraphs on it for extra credit. Explain why this story bothered you the most. This extra credit goes in your journal.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/02/24/arts/hollywood-diversity-inclusion.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

Extra credit Jesse Owens

"Race" is a new movie about Olympic athlete Jesse Owens who make Hitler look bad in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. Hitler's Olympics were all about showcasing Arian supremacy and then Jesse Owens came along and won four gold medals. Unfortunately, he had difficulty finding work in the U.S. despite his Olympic victories because of his race.
For extra credit, see the movie race and tell me what you thought about Owens and the way the movie depicted his life. Please use original writing and tell me your opinion. Nothing from the Internet. The movie comes out February 19. A few short paragraphs is plenty. Put the extra credit in your binder.

Cinequest 2016

Every student is required to see a movie at Cinequest (March 1-13)  next month and write about it. Film festivals are the lifeblood of the movie industry and Cinequest is considered on of the best in the nation. I want you to choose at least one movie and write a short paper on the movie answering the following questions: Do you think this movie would appeal to a wider audience if it was released in theaters? What was the movie about and how did you feel about the movie? Why did you choose this particular movie and was it better or worse than you expected?
Your paper needs to be one page typed using Times 12 pt. font and double spaced. Put a copy in your binder and turn in a copy to me on March 15.
Word of advice: Check the genre and language of the movie. Cinequest has a wide variety of movies in different languages. If you are looking for a movie in English check to be sure. Also, buy your tickets ahead of time because movies are often sold out ahead of time. I've had the best luck over the years with comedies but that's just me. 
http://cinequest.org/

Academy Award controversy

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-oscars-so-white-reaction-htmlstory.html

Check out the story from the L.A. Times with the link above, read the comments on the Academy Award controversy and for extra credit tell me which comment  you agree with the most and why. A few paragraphs are enough. Put the answer in your binder.

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. Which fictional movie character is the most imaginative and interesting character you have ever seen and why?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. Add this to your journal.