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Overview
The final unit of work in preparation for the exam. It is based on a comparison between two American films. You will be studying specific ways in which the films are similar and how they are different. There is very little time left on this unit so it is crucial that you engage with the work to the fullest of your ability.
Exam Questions
How do key sequences from your chosen American films reinforce their messages and values?
Films always reflect the times and places in which they are made. How far is this true of the American films you have studied for this topic? What is significant about setting and/or place in your chosen American films? In the American films you have studied for this topic, how far do the representations of either women or men reflect the time when they were made? With particular reference to the endings of your chosen American films, compare their messages and values.
Exam Questions
How useful have your wider contextual studies been in understanding similarities and differences in the American films you have studied for this topic?
Compare the ways in which narrative is used to create dramatic conflict in the American films you have studied for this topic.
How far do your chosen American films portray themes and ideas in similar ways? How far do the American films you have studied for this topic depend on well established narrative and/or genre conventions?
How far do the American films you have studied for this topic express similar messages and values to one another?
Focus Areas
Messages and Values Themes and Ideas Significance of Time and Place Representation of Gender Wider Context Narrative/Genre
You will need to have a thorough knowledge of each of these areas in regard to both of your focus films.
You will have a detailed knowledge of key scenes from both of the films. You will draw your detailed textual examples from these key scenes.
Key Texts
The War of the Worlds (Byron Haskin 1953) The War of the Worlds (Steven Spielberg 2005)
Social/Wider Context
The Cold War
The Cold War was the name given to the passive conflict between Russia and America between 1947 and 1991. It was so named because the two major powers never met in direct military combat. Each side possessed nuclear weapons and therefore threatened Mutual Assured Destruction. This was at its height in the 50s and the threat of communism was a major influence on American society particularly in the film industry. During the 1950s women were very much seen as domestic figures. Men were generally seen as the breadwinners and traditional gender roles were very much in evidence.
Gender Equality
Social/Wider Context
9/11
On September 11 2001, extremist Islamic terrorists hijacked several planes and flew two of them into the twin towers of the World Trade Centre.
Gender Equality
Women have a great deal more equality and are often just as if not more successful than men. There are many more instances of broken homes and failed marriages than in the 1950s.
Homework
Fill out the worksheet on gender representation in War of the Worlds. Fill out one of these for both versions of the film.
Specific Examples
What is meant by strong detailed examples? Examples from the text which illustrate the point you are making in detail. For example if you are talking about the way characters are represented in your key film you will achieve the highest marks by citing examples from specific scenes from the film and discussing relevant micro-elements using appropriate terminology.
Characters
The first step to comparing the two key texts is to look at the characters in them. Write down a list of main characters for each of the films with a short description of each of them.
War of the Worlds (1953) Sylvia Van Buren Dr. Clayton Forrester The Pastor Major General Mann Scientists
War of the Worlds (2005) Ray Robbie Rachel Mary Ann Harlan
Gender Representation
Always begin an essay on representation by defining what representation is. Write this down now. Also, consider how we analyse a representation. What areas specifically do we need to look at? Write this down too.
Essay Structure
The only way to achieve a high grade on either an exam response or a homework essay is to carefully plan it first. How would you plan the following essay? In the American films you have studied for this topic, how far do the representations of either women or men reflect the time when they were made?
Homework
In the American films you have studied for this topic, how far do the representations of either women or men reflect the time when they were made? 1500 words. Typed. Use the homework cover sheet.
Endings
Watch the endings to each of the films and take notes on specific ways the messages and values are communicated. Remember, you need to be able to discuss specific detailed examples in any exam response. Make sure you have these prepared.
How far do the American films you have studied for this topic express similar messages and values to one another?
Task
Pick one of the exam questions. Write out a detailed essay plan explaining exactly which points you will use in each section. Work quickly and productively. 10 minutes.
How far do the American films you have studied for this topic depend on well established narrative and/or genre conventions?
The narrative conforms to the traditional 3 act structure (Syd Fields Paradigm). The first act introduces us to the characters and their situation. Rays character and family situation is the focus. The second act shows us the aliens invading and Rays attempts to get away and keep his family safe. The third act shows humans fighting back with only minimal success Rays character is still the focus. Dramatic conflict is created through the increasingly grim situation as well as family issues. The ending again is a Deus Ex Machina though Rays journey is the real focus. The main drive of the narrative is made up of Ray trying to stay alive. Genre is evident through the subject matter, iconography and language. The genre is a mix of sci-fi and action film. It is typical of these genres in various obvious ways.
Key Scenes
WOTW (1953) The farmhouse scene. The A-Bomb. The final scene.
WOTW (2005) Rays children arrive. The first attack. The final scene.
Homework
Write the essay on Messages and Values that you planned in class. 1500 Words. Typed. Use the cover sheet.