Film 71Honors Final Essay Exam: Formal Strategies analysis in Moonlight by Barry Jenkins

Page length/word count: 8-10 pages double-spaced (2000 – 2500 words)

• Due Date/Time: Monday, December 16th by 11:59PM (no exceptions) through this Canvas module
• Point value: Essay: 300 Total Points Possible
• You Must Use Three Outside Sources: Your final paper should be supported by at least THREE scholarly sources (one of which must be a primary source – I recommend an interview with the filmmaker).
• Please utilize the IVC Library databases to find relevant sources.
• DO NOT PLAGIARIZE: This essay exam is “take-home” in format, which means that you have time to write it on your own time. Essays will be rigorously analyzed for plagiarism of all kinds (including a screening for AI-generated language). Any verified plagiarism will default the score to an F.

Throughout the semester you have studied the main aspects of formal film analysis: style and form (repetition/variation, motifs, functions, etc.), narrative form, mise-en-scene, cinematography, editing, sound, and genre types. These are the basic tools with which filmmakers tell stories. Each director highlights one or more formal categories to express the a given film’s thematic content.

For example, Darius Marder’s Sound of Metal utilizes film sound as the primary expressive technique while also making particularly great use of mise-en-scene and editing. Similarly, Julie Dash’s Daughters of the Dust communicated most of what we know about the multiple generations of the Pezant family through highly symbolic mise-en-scene. In each of these cases, specific formal properties are utilized to express the film’s major themes.

Write a critical formal analysis of a film of your choosing. The ultimate goal is to identify the film’s major themes and demonstrate how those themes are expressed through specific formal properties. Formal techniques are used creatively in all films; be sure to incorporate techniques from at least one of the requisite chapters (mise-en-scene, cinematography, editing, and/or sound) in your analysis. You may, of course write about the non-technical categories as well (formal patterns/motifs/parallelisms/ or narrative).

***I also welcome the incorporation of any film theory that we have covered this semester (feminist film theory, critical race theory, genre theory, etc.) Feel free to utilize any of the theoretical essays we have studied this semester as part of your research.

Here are some helpful suggestions to get you started and a guide to what I’ll be looking for as I grade these essays:

1. Explain the film’s main themes. What is it about or what is the “main point?”
2. Identify the formal techniques that express those meanings most effectively. Explain which categories are most prominently used to convey the film’s themes/meanings. Remember: at least one formal technique must be mise-en-scene, cinematography, editing, or sound.
3. Using specific examples/scenes from the film. Explain how your highlighted techniques are used in each instance to express the film’s meanings. In order to do this you will need to use terms (specific techniques) and demonstrate how they create meaning. This is essentially what we did in discussion each week; now you’re doing the same but with greater depth.
4. You must reference at least THREE (3) outside scholarly sources. (Use MLA in-text citations and include a Works Cited page!)
5. You must include at least two images from the film as visual support of your written analysis.
6. Utilize the standard essay format (introduction, thesis statement, supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion).
7. Proofread your work. As you’ve been given a few weeks to complete the work, presentation and polish expectations are higher than they were for the Midterm essay.

Formatting & Submission Guidelines

All essays must be formatted in MLA style. This means that your paper must meet the following guidelines:

1. Double-spaced

2. 12 point, Times New Roman font

3. 1 inch margins, on all sides

4. MLA style headers with page numbers

5. MLA (8th or 9th edition) style citations

Film 71 Honors_Critical Formal AnalysisFilm 71 Honors_Critical Formal AnalysisCriteriaRatingsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeContentUsing the theories and methods of analysis of film covered in class, the paper makes a thesis driven argument about the meaning of the film’s form. The paper explains and supports the argument by providing close analysis of several key scenes or sequences, with attention to editing, mise-en-scène, cinematography, and/or sound. The student work successfully integrates research sources.This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOrganization and CoherenceThe paragraphs and whole document have a clear and effective structure. Paragraphs include transitional elements and identify topics in topic sentences. Paragraphs build upon and refer to one another directly.This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeArgument and SupportThe document uses at least THREE credible sources to formulate an original argument about the film. All claims are sufficiently supported with specific evidence from the film.This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeStyleThe paper is clear, concise, and coherent. Formal tone, appropriate word choice, and active voice are suited to the audience, purpose, and document format. No 2nd person (“you form”).This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMechanicsThe paper displays proper MLA format and style, including 12-point font size, Times New Roman style, double space, 1” margins on ALL sides. The writing features correct grammar. The essay was submitted on time through the Canvas module.