• In this area, you will provide some of the basic identifying information of the film. This includes:
  • Title
  • Director, cinematographer, major actors/actresses. Be sure to describe their roles in the overall design process.
  • Year of release
  • Type of film (blockbuster, indie, documentary, etc.)
  • Genre
• Story/Plot – In this area, you should offer a brief summary of the film, and then show how it was deployed in the narrative structure of the film. Explain the difference between the film’s story and its plot. This area can be addressed as a separate paragraph, or can be threaded throughout your analysis of the film.
• Aesthetic Choices– In this area, you will assess the efficacy of specific techniques and design elements employed in the film as they apply to the overarching narrative and theme of the film. These elements include:
  • Mise en scène (e.g., lighting, sound, composition of frame, costuming, etc.)
  • Editing (e.g., cuts and transitions, shots used, angles, etc.)
  • Technology (i.e., analyze the impact of any notable technological effects: film stock, targeted release venue, special effects, etc.)
• Social/Personal Impact– In this area, you will critically address the following questions:
  • What impact did this film have on society (i.e., politically or culturally, positive or negative)? The impact can be as major as inspiring political or social changes or as minor as inspiring the production of toys or lunchboxes.
  • How did society affect this film (i.e., what currents in society led to the creation of the film)?
  • If you are unable to find any information about the social impact of the film, explain the personal impact it has had on you.

Note: Not every bullet point under the four listed components will necessarily apply to your movie. However, you will still need to discuss each of the four main components thoroughly, which means that you may need to explain a concept even if it can’t be directly applied to your movie.

Your paper should be organized around a thesis statement that clarifies what you will attempt to accomplish in your paper, and how you will proceed. Additionally, you must conclude with a restatement of the thesis and a conclusion paragraph. Review the Final Film Critique sample, which provides an example of a well-developed analysis as well as insight on composition.