Analysis of “The Broken Circle Breakdown”

FMS46 First Paper Assignment Fall 2015

Your paper should be three pages in length. It should be typed and double spaced.
Due: Wed. of week 3 (Aug.19) in class, at the beginning. Papers will notbe accepted after the first five minutes.

? ALL PAPERS will be checked for plagiarism. THE FILM AND MEDIA DEPARTMENT TAKES ANY INSTANCE OF ACADEMIC DISHONESTY VERY SERIOUSLY.   IF FOUND GUILTY OF CHEATING OR PLAGIARISM (PASSING SOMEBODY ELSE’S IDEAS AS YOUR OWN) YOU WILL FAIL THE CLASS AND BE SUBJECTED TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION.

Essay Question – Discuss the narrative structure of either  Some Like It Hot (Wilder,1959 ),  or The Broken Circle Breakdown((Van Groeningen 2012).
You must focus on one film.  You may approach the analysis of the film as follows:
•    You could start by comparing opening and closing of the film. Notice what themes are introduced from the very beginning. How are they elaborated upon? Can you discern a narrative “rhythm” (what events are allowed to unfold? Which ones are part of the story but are not presented in the plot?) How do the endings resolve or leave open the central conflicts?
•    You could choose to elaborate on the dynamics created by the play between restricted and unrestricted narration (whose point-of-view do we share? How much do we know? Which characters know more? What are the results of the manipulation of the characters/spectators’ knowledge?).
•    You could also focus on time (in what order are events presented? Where does the film start? Are some events presented more than once? From whose point of view?)
•    You could consider the central characters in the film and elaborate on their traits and on the way in which their professions work to organize/justify the narrative.  Who are the surrogate narrators in the film? Whose perspective do we share and does it change?)
•    You should point to some of the most relevant narrative/formal motifs and discuss their significance. For ex. Are there flashbacks? Narrative motifs?

IMPORTANT:
Do not recount the plot. Assume the reader is familiar with the films.
Do use the names of the characters, not the names of the actors (in The Matrix, Neo can move at bullet speed, not Keanu Reeves).   If you don’t remember names, check IMDB.com.
Doitalicize film titles. If you do not, your paper will be returned to you and marked late.
Do write in the present tense about the action in a film. SherlockJrdreams of being a detective…and the character will continue to do so in the eternally present tense of the film.
Do organize your argument around a thesis statement, then support it with a few, well-chosen examples.
Grammar, syntax, spelling, and punctuation do matter…to quote Lynne Truss, which is the most likely behavior for a panda bear?  “Eats, shoots, and leaves” or “eats shoots and leaves”?
Other tips:
Do think of an interesting title for your paper!
Do not use a cover sheet, keep it simple!
Do keep a copy of your paper and any notes you have taken while writing it. They could be useful should you need to re-trace your sources.
Do, always, Czech yore spilling, do not rely only on your computer. Your spellchecker does not have a problem with a “stagecoach crossing the dessert”. We do.

FMS46 First Paper Assignment Fall 2015

Your paper should be three pages in length. It should be typed and double spaced.
Due: Wed. of week 3 (Aug.19) in class, at the beginning. Papers will notbe accepted after the first five minutes.

? ALL PAPERS will be checked for plagiarism. THE FILM AND MEDIA DEPARTMENT TAKES ANY INSTANCE OF ACADEMIC DISHONESTY VERY SERIOUSLY.   IF FOUND GUILTY OF CHEATING OR PLAGIARISM (PASSING SOMEBODY ELSE’S IDEAS AS YOUR OWN) YOU WILL FAIL THE CLASS AND BE SUBJECTED TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION.

Essay Question – Discuss the narrative structure of either  Some Like It Hot (Wilder,1959 ),  or The Broken Circle Breakdown((Van Groeningen 2012).
You must focus on one film.  You may approach the analysis of the film as follows:
•    You could start by comparing opening and closing of the film. Notice what themes are introduced from the very beginning. How are they elaborated upon? Can you discern a narrative “rhythm” (what events are allowed to unfold? Which ones are part of the story but are not presented in the plot?) How do the endings resolve or leave open the central conflicts?
•    You could choose to elaborate on the dynamics created by the play between restricted and unrestricted narration (whose point-of-view do we share? How much do we know? Which characters know more? What are the results of the manipulation of the characters/spectators’ knowledge?).
•    You could also focus on time (in what order are events presented? Where does the film start? Are some events presented more than once? From whose point of view?)
•    You could consider the central characters in the film and elaborate on their traits and on the way in which their professions work to organize/justify the narrative.  Who are the surrogate narrators in the film? Whose perspective do we share and does it change?)
•    You should point to some of the most relevant narrative/formal motifs and discuss their significance. For ex. Are there flashbacks? Narrative motifs?

IMPORTANT:
Do not recount the plot. Assume the reader is familiar with the films.
Do use the names of the characters, not the names of the actors (in The Matrix, Neo can move at bullet speed, not Keanu Reeves).   If you don’t remember names, check IMDB.com.
Doitalicize film titles. If you do not, your paper will be returned to you and marked late.
Do write in the present tense about the action in a film. SherlockJrdreams of being a detective…and the character will continue to do so in the eternally present tense of the film.
Do organize your argument around a thesis statement, then support it with a few, well-chosen examples.
Grammar, syntax, spelling, and punctuation do matter…to quote Lynne Truss, which is the most likely behavior for a panda bear?  “Eats, shoots, and leaves” or “eats shoots and leaves”?
Other tips:
Do think of an interesting title for your paper!
Do not use a cover sheet, keep it simple!
Do keep a copy of your paper and any notes you have taken while writing it. They could be useful should you need to re-trace your sources.
Do, always, Czech yore spilling, do not rely only on your computer. Your spellchecker does not have a problem with a “stagecoach crossing the dessert”. We do.

Analysis of “The Broken Circle Breakdown”

FMS46 First Paper Assignment Fall 2015

Your paper should be three pages in length. It should be typed and double spaced.
Due: Wed. of week 3 (Aug.19) in class, at the beginning. Papers will notbe accepted after the first five minutes.

? ALL PAPERS will be checked for plagiarism. THE FILM AND MEDIA DEPARTMENT TAKES ANY INSTANCE OF ACADEMIC DISHONESTY VERY SERIOUSLY.   IF FOUND GUILTY OF CHEATING OR PLAGIARISM (PASSING SOMEBODY ELSE’S IDEAS AS YOUR OWN) YOU WILL FAIL THE CLASS AND BE SUBJECTED TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION.

Essay Question – Discuss the narrative structure of either  Some Like It Hot (Wilder,1959 ),  or The Broken Circle Breakdown((Van Groeningen 2012).
You must focus on one film.  You may approach the analysis of the film as follows:
•    You could start by comparing opening and closing of the film. Notice what themes are introduced from the very beginning. How are they elaborated upon? Can you discern a narrative “rhythm” (what events are allowed to unfold? Which ones are part of the story but are not presented in the plot?) How do the endings resolve or leave open the central conflicts?
•    You could choose to elaborate on the dynamics created by the play between restricted and unrestricted narration (whose point-of-view do we share? How much do we know? Which characters know more? What are the results of the manipulation of the characters/spectators’ knowledge?).
•    You could also focus on time (in what order are events presented? Where does the film start? Are some events presented more than once? From whose point of view?)
•    You could consider the central characters in the film and elaborate on their traits and on the way in which their professions work to organize/justify the narrative.  Who are the surrogate narrators in the film? Whose perspective do we share and does it change?)
•    You should point to some of the most relevant narrative/formal motifs and discuss their significance. For ex. Are there flashbacks? Narrative motifs?

IMPORTANT:
Do not recount the plot. Assume the reader is familiar with the films.
Do use the names of the characters, not the names of the actors (in The Matrix, Neo can move at bullet speed, not Keanu Reeves).   If you don’t remember names, check IMDB.com.
Doitalicize film titles. If you do not, your paper will be returned to you and marked late.
Do write in the present tense about the action in a film. SherlockJrdreams of being a detective…and the character will continue to do so in the eternally present tense of the film.
Do organize your argument around a thesis statement, then support it with a few, well-chosen examples.
Grammar, syntax, spelling, and punctuation do matter…to quote Lynne Truss, which is the most likely behavior for a panda bear?  “Eats, shoots, and leaves” or “eats shoots and leaves”?
Other tips:
Do think of an interesting title for your paper!
Do not use a cover sheet, keep it simple!
Do keep a copy of your paper and any notes you have taken while writing it. They could be useful should you need to re-trace your sources.
Do, always, Czech yore spilling, do not rely only on your computer. Your spellchecker does not have a problem with a “stagecoach crossing the dessert”. We do.

FMS46 First Paper Assignment Fall 2015

Your paper should be three pages in length. It should be typed and double spaced.
Due: Wed. of week 3 (Aug.19) in class, at the beginning. Papers will notbe accepted after the first five minutes.

? ALL PAPERS will be checked for plagiarism. THE FILM AND MEDIA DEPARTMENT TAKES ANY INSTANCE OF ACADEMIC DISHONESTY VERY SERIOUSLY.   IF FOUND GUILTY OF CHEATING OR PLAGIARISM (PASSING SOMEBODY ELSE’S IDEAS AS YOUR OWN) YOU WILL FAIL THE CLASS AND BE SUBJECTED TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION.

Essay Question – Discuss the narrative structure of either  Some Like It Hot (Wilder,1959 ),  or The Broken Circle Breakdown((Van Groeningen 2012).
You must focus on one film.  You may approach the analysis of the film as follows:
•    You could start by comparing opening and closing of the film. Notice what themes are introduced from the very beginning. How are they elaborated upon? Can you discern a narrative “rhythm” (what events are allowed to unfold? Which ones are part of the story but are not presented in the plot?) How do the endings resolve or leave open the central conflicts?
•    You could choose to elaborate on the dynamics created by the play between restricted and unrestricted narration (whose point-of-view do we share? How much do we know? Which characters know more? What are the results of the manipulation of the characters/spectators’ knowledge?).
•    You could also focus on time (in what order are events presented? Where does the film start? Are some events presented more than once? From whose point of view?)
•    You could consider the central characters in the film and elaborate on their traits and on the way in which their professions work to organize/justify the narrative.  Who are the surrogate narrators in the film? Whose perspective do we share and does it change?)
•    You should point to some of the most relevant narrative/formal motifs and discuss their significance. For ex. Are there flashbacks? Narrative motifs?

IMPORTANT:
Do not recount the plot. Assume the reader is familiar with the films.
Do use the names of the characters, not the names of the actors (in The Matrix, Neo can move at bullet speed, not Keanu Reeves).   If you don’t remember names, check IMDB.com.
Doitalicize film titles. If you do not, your paper will be returned to you and marked late.
Do write in the present tense about the action in a film. SherlockJrdreams of being a detective…and the character will continue to do so in the eternally present tense of the film.
Do organize your argument around a thesis statement, then support it with a few, well-chosen examples.
Grammar, syntax, spelling, and punctuation do matter…to quote Lynne Truss, which is the most likely behavior for a panda bear?  “Eats, shoots, and leaves” or “eats shoots and leaves”?
Other tips:
Do think of an interesting title for your paper!
Do not use a cover sheet, keep it simple!
Do keep a copy of your paper and any notes you have taken while writing it. They could be useful should you need to re-trace your sources.
Do, always, Czech yore spilling, do not rely only on your computer. Your spellchecker does not have a problem with a “stagecoach crossing the dessert”. We do.