Prepare a 5 minute excerpt from a film to present in class. Write a 3-5 page paper, typed and double-spaced, that situates the film and its sound tactics within the context of class readings on sound theory and cinema. Your in-class presentation should be about 15 min. long, including the screening of the 5 min. film clip.

Please focus on analysis rather than reportage, and support your first-hand observations with additional research in historical and theoretical areas. The readings are a good place to start, and you are encouraged to also look at secondary sources. Ideas from class discussions can also be incorporated into your paper.

Your grade will be based on your understanding of the formal and theoretical aspects of how sound is used these films. Your ability to support your arguments and observations with research in historical facts and theoretical discussions, as well as your speaking, writing and analytical skills will also figure into my assessment. You are, of course, encouraged to incorporate your own opinions into the discussion. Explain how your views correspond to and differ from the ideas expressed in films and in the class readings.

Please turn the paper in on time, and please follow the format I outlined: papers that are too long or too short, late papers, hand-written papers, etc. will lower your grade.

Include a bibliography (required) and footnotes (if appropriate) as well as a filmography (required) for the films you cited in your paper.

Be specific: cite reading sources, use footnotes, and use actual references from the film to support your argument.

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