ENGL 2860 Homework #4 Module 5: Acting
Homework Instructions
Download each assignment’s guidelines. Open the assignment in Word and read the assignment thoroughly. This assignment requires an essay of a minimum of 4 paragraphs, 1.5 pages or more in length. Organize this homework in paragraph format. Create a three-line single-space heading in the right corner with your name, assignment, and date. Each paragraph must be a minimum length of 8 sentences. You will use Arial or Times New Roman font 12-point size and standard format between words with default 1-inch margins. The homework shall be double-spaced but with gaps deleted between paragraphs. All film titles shall be put in italics. PROOFREAD! Consult the rubric on PAWS for grading.
NOTE: THE INSTRUCTOR WILL APPLY POINT PENALTIES IF THE WRITING IS NOT SPELLCHECKED AND CONTAINS GRAMMAR & FORMAT ERRORS.
LENGTH: 1.5 PAGES TO 3 PAGES. No more than three pages!! Doubled-spaced!
Assignment parameters:
Watch the entire film. This film is available on multiple streaming services. It is your responsibility to rent this film to complete this homework. It is available on Netflix, Hulu and Vudu and other streaming services.
In this homework assignment, choose one of these great film. Pick one you have not seen before:
· Silence of the Lambs 1991 Dir: Jonathan Demme
· In the Heat of the Night 1967 Dir: Norman Jewison
FORMAT SHALL CONTAIN 2 PARAGRAPHS OF PLOT SUMMARY AND ALSO FILM ANALYSIS 2-3 PARAGRAPHS (or more!)
Briefly describe the story or narrative of this film in a paragraph or two. What are the two main characters of this film? Pick a scene with two primary characters interacting with each other. Watch this scene repetitively. How did they communicate with each other verbally and non-verbally? Describe the emotions and motivations of these characters. How did the director feature emotions and actions using camera positions and angles? Was one character more powerful than another? How did the director convey this? Discuss dialogue delivery.
]Which shots supported significant narrative beats (emotional high points of a scene)? Did lighting help this beat? How? Both films feature stellar acting performances; of the two actors discussed, which one do you feel was better and why? Think about excluding lighting and editing as a helper in your analysis. Make the judgment based on some of these ideas: line delivery, eye contact, actor movement, prop usage, and conveying emotion. (Big hint: try this pair: Starling & Lecter or Gillespie & Tibbs; there are also other significant scenes with supporting actors, too. )
Are there any ideological concepts you get from this film? REMEMBER TO DISCUSS THE MEANING OR MESSAGE OF THIS FILM! (There might be more than one!)