Exploring Film Studies with Professor Michael Green

1. Lecture 1Course Introduction Professor Michael Green The Big Sleep (1946) Directed by Howard Hawks

2. Professor Michael Green • Lecturer in FMS at ASU • Holds MFA, Creative Writing, MA in Film Studies • Teaches courses in Film Studies; Screenwriting; Media and Cultural Theory • Writes articles, screenplays. • Star Trek article

3. In This Lesson • What kind of distance learning course is this? • How can you succeed in this course? • What do we study in this course? • Representation of Los Angeles in cinema and media

4. What Kind of Distance Learning Course is This? Lesson 1: Part I The Glass Shield (1994) Directed by Charles Burnett

5. The Distance Learning Experience • This is not an automated course. • This is not a self-paced course. • This course emphasizes asynchronous interactivity. • Participation is key to your success! Clueless (1995) Directed by Amy Heckerling

6. The Advantages of this Course • Flexibility – not limited by space or distance • Study materials available 24/7 • Lectures (streaming audio w/ PowerPoint) • Films • Websites & other resources • Clips • Structured like a traditional course • Complements multiple learning styles • Interactivity

7. The Disadvantages • Students that learn best in a classroom can struggle in this environment • It can be hard to stay organized/disciplined • Arrange for real-time meetings with classmates • Keep in touch with the professor • Set up a calendar so that you can meet all deadlines • Study the PowerPoint on Critical Writing linked to the course • Set aside time to work each day

8. How to Succeed in This Course Lesson 1: Part II Blade Runner (1982) Directed by Ridley Scott

9. How do We Define Success? • Becoming more knowledgeable in the subject of film studies • Becoming more skilled critical thinkers and writers • Enjoying ourselves • Getting a high grade: A or B

10. Course Organization • Each lesson contains: • Lecture • PowerPoint • Screening • Reading • Website(s) • eBoard questions • Film clips 10

11. Forms of Interactivity • Threaded discussions on the eBoard between classmates • Communication with Professor: • E-mail • Office Hours (if possible) • Online Chats • Phone calls or Skype

12. Participation (100 points) • Participation is worth 25% of your final grade. Your grade is based on: • Contributing two posts per lesson to the forum. • Keeping up with posts – meeting deadlines. • Quality of posts. They should be substantive. • See the syllabus.

13. Critical Paper #1 (100 points) • You will write a 6-7 page critical paper on the specific topic mandated by the instructions for Critical Review #1 under Assignments. • Your paper must use at least four scholarly sources, only two of which may come from the reading.

14. Critical Paper #2 (100 points) • You will write a 9-10 page critical paper on the specific topic mandated by the instructions for Critical Review #2. • Your paper must use at least six scholarly sources, only three of which may come from the reading. OR…

15. Presentation Project (100 points) • Create a digital paper presentation of 12-20 minutes in length that includes the elements of a critical paper, including a bibliography. • This presentation should not just be a recording of you reading your paper. It should include slides, narration, clips, graphics, charts, links, sound effects, etc. • As long as you remain scholarly, be as creative as you want!

16. Final Exam (100 points) • The final exam is cumulative. It will consist of true/false, multiple-choice, identification, fill-in-the-blank, short-answer, and essay questions. The short-answer and essay questions will be higher in value, so take care to think through the various concepts outlined in the readings, screenings, and lectures. 

17. One Last Important Point • To study writing and film we must debate. • However this does not require being disrespectful or insensitive. • I expect us to discuss writing and film with passion and perspective. • I expect us to challenge each other’s conceptions of writing and film with rigor and respect.

18. Representation of L.A. Chinatown (1974) Directed by Roman Polanski Lesson 1: Part III

19. Course Topics • Representation • Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Sexuality, Class, the city itself • The L.A. film industry • Some social/cultural history of L.A. and Hollywood • Genre The Player (1991) Directed by Robert Altman

20. The Cinematic Geography of Los Angeles • In this short film, the filmmaker uses maps and graphics to show many real L.A. locations where movies were shot. • The film conveys an idea of the sheer number and variety of films staged and shot in and around Los Angeles. • The Cinematic Geography of Los Angeles 20

21. Los Angeles Plays Itself • Here are two sections from filmmaker Thom Andersen’s celebrated filmic essay, Los Angeles Plays Itself. • In the movie Andersen uses his deep knowledge of both L.A. and Hollywood cinema to riff on a number of things related to the representation of the city on film. • Los Angeles Plays Itself Part 1 • Los Angeles Plays Itself Part 2 21

22. Alternate Views of the City • Movies and media have conditioned us to a certain vision of Los Angeles – usually one of movie stars, famous landmarks, palm trees and rich white people. • But L.A. is one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse cities in the world. These three shorts provide an alternate view. • Life and Death on L.A.'s Skid Row • Hood Tours • Welcome to Koreatown 22

23. Remember, this is 400 level course so… Be ready to work! Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) Directed by James Cameron