Project description
Purpose of Assignment – Write a formal analysis of The Glenn Miller Story by discussing how specific forms of “cinematic language” were used to communicate particular

social and cultural meanings in the film.

See p. 3 for a definition of “cinematic language”.
See pp. 14 -31 for two examples of film analyses written by our authors.
(https://blackboard.merrimack.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-254367-dt-content-rid-613121_1/courses/COM2401CA_SU2014S2/Film%20Analysis.pdf)
user name: qiuq
password:qiuqianchen2

This paper should focus on how the film was made and what the film might mean to audience members as well as the interaction of those two factors.
This paper should not be a critique of the film. This paper should not present your assessment of the film and whether you liked it or not.
Pick one or more of the following areas to focus on in your paper:
• The music of Glenn Miller
o The origins of jazz and big band music
o The Glenn Miller Orchestra
o Miller’s famous arrangements and his pursuit of “that sound”
• Sound design
o How the music was produced for film and portrayed in the movie
o Relationships to music videos that came much later
o What exactly made this film Oscar-worthy material?
o Use of diegetic sound and nondiegetic sound
• Cultural analysis
o Race and gender issues depicted in the film
o The culture of the jazz musician as down and out wayward soul
• Elements of Narrative
o Narrative structure presented in the script
o Storytelling
o Acting and directing
o Historical inaccuracies present in the film
o Motifs for this “band on the road” movie of the 1940s and 50s
o Motifs of the Universal Studios biopic
Length of paper – About 2 to 4 pages (no sources are required but feel free to use a source other than the textbook, my PowerPoint or the film itself – just be sure to

include it on a source list at end if you do).

Film Analysis

Order Description

Film Analysis
The arts can be powerful media through which we teach and learn. For this assignment, you will watch a film that features education, teaching and learning and analyse the film in relation to what you are learning/have learned in the course. In your 1,000-1,200 word assignment include:

– brief summary – main characters, plot – max. 2 paragraphs
– analysis
o How does the film portray adult learners and teachers of adult learners?
o What is the teacher trying to accomplish? What are her or his intentions?
o What are the teacher’s core beliefs about education, adult learners, teaching adults? Are these reflected in their intentions?
o What techniques does the teacher use? Are these consistent with their beliefs and intentions?
o Which teaching perspectives are evident in the teacher’s beliefs, intentions and actions?
o How does the context impact teaching and learning?

Choose from these 2 movies:
Mona Lisa Smile
The Karate Kid (either the one with Ralph Macchio and Noriyuki Morita or the more recent version with Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan)

If you choose The Karate Kid, then you will need to make explicit connections with adult education and learning as the movie is about an adult mentoring a child/teenager. For example, if the teacher were working with adults in university, college or community centre would the same approach apply? What would be similar and/or how might it be different?

You should also:
• Draw on at least two course readings
• Draw on at least two external sources (e.g., article, book, website, art work, poetry, podcast, video etc.) – one of these should be an academic source (journal article or book)
• Write clearly
• Cite sources accurately and use APA citation/referencing style

Evaluation Criteria
• All requirements met (as per the above)
• Accuracy of understanding and representation of content
• Depth of understanding and analysis of content
• Insight and appropriateness in application to teaching practice
• Attention to detail, organization and presentation

Please submit all assignments as Word files only – no PDF files, please!

The Film Analysis is worth 30% of your grade. In your Individual Learning Agreement, you will set a due date between Week 9 and 13.