Kimmy's Garden

For the FS100 final, we have pretty much the same structure but 13 films. Now, a slightly different plan. And no other essays to write this week. Yeah!
And one thing I did learn from the mid-term: to review the class discussions & ppts as well!!! I figured I would remember all of the important points in the essay – but in my lighting essay I forgot the whole Myth of the West section of Malicks Days of Heaven (1978). Darn. But this time I am ready ready.
PRO: This week I have no extra essay to write – CON: Work + Christmas prep.

Plan:
1. (0.1h) Write out all films, summary of unit themes, organize text sections to re-scan.
2. (1.5h) Go over first 4 films from first half / midterm + ppts + discussion.
3. (2.0h) Watch next 4 films in 3x (30min max ea) with time code flow chart + journal feedback. Summarize.
4. (1.5h) Collect definitions in booklet.
5. (2.0h) Watch last 5 films in 4x (30min max ea) with time code flow chart + journal feedback. Summarize.
6. (1.0h) At gym, compare & contrast the films.
7. (1.0h) At gym, review definitions.
8. (2.0h) Go over main cinematic devices and discuss the effect in three movies from class.
ie. Long take (Breathless – Patricia’s hotel room v Shining – Danny’s triking around)
ie. Sound heirarchy (Man Escaped – well, everything v Graduate – conversation)
ie. Montage (Potemkin – Kuleshov Effect v Graduate – April sequence)
9. OOps, remember to review directors & main character’s names!
10. (0.5h) Review the improtance of the camera D camera H camera A.

Ask yourself, “What is being criticised by the work?”

For FS100 mid-term there will be a lot of studying to be ready for a lot of writing. Here is what is on the test: definitions, short answers, long answers. Fair.
Here is my plan for the week because I always put it off as long as possible:
1. Watch film for next week (Maltese Falcon) this weekend. Write essay.
2. Prepare definitions with text, internet in a little booklet.
3. Scan text sections again to refresh vocab.
4. Watch movies at 3x (30 min each) looking at chunks (props-costume-human figure-lighting-cine-edits).
Wait, NOT looking at editing.
5. Re-read essays c feedback.
6. Go to gym to review definitions.

OK, I have always wanted to take this course but have dreaded actually doing it, thinking that it would ruin every possible movie watching experience from here on. I was wrong: this course is only improving my ability to discuss films. Wrong again: to give up the dread as I realized
[... ... ... CLOSE UP on blue paper of course syllabus in my hand
[... ... ... Zoom in to XCU "essay every week, to be handed IN CLASS every Friday" (everything else s/b out of focus)
[dissolve to...
[... ... ... XCU to my open screaming mouth]

I was tricked. This is an English course disguised as a film studies course. OMG. We are talking 13 essays, plus a shot by shot, plus a close analysis. Whew. Oh well. I shall survice and expect my writing to be 10fold better after this semester. Well, ok maybe not 10 fold but definitely better. Everyone should take this course! I am not regretting it yet!