Film Jazz AssignmentFor this Film Jazz Assignment, you will choose any film/movie that you would love to watch (except a musical) and take notes.  It can be an action film, a drama, comedy, jazz presentation (old film like “I Love Lucy” with Ricky Ricardo’s Band, or more modern contemporary “Wynton Marsalis – Jazz At Lincoln Center” and answer the following questions:

What film did you choose and who was the film score composer? 

How was jazz music used in the film? 

Did it set the mood, the emotion, the place, the time? 

Did it define the characters? 

Reveal inner emotions? 

Tell the audience what was going to happen next? 

What was the most effective use of jazz music in the film? 

Was there a particular scene that was memorable in its use of music? 

What are the artisitic goals of the film?

How does the music help the filmmakers achieve those goals? 

What makes the music interesting?

Listen all the way through the credits.  How did the “credits” score summarize the movie? 

In some ways the “credits” music is like the overture to a musical or opera except that it happens at the end. 

What impression of the film does the “credits” score leave you with?

THIS ASSIGNMENT IS IN THE COURSE SYLLABUS

Jazz Film Assignment Rubric Below

Jazz Music Film Rubric    Excellent          Good Needs Improvement

Demonstrates Understanding of the  Assignment (60% of possible points) Explanation of how the jazz was used in the film (melody, harmony, dynamics, tempos, and timbre). Reveal inner emotions, how was the jazz used. Explanation of the credits (if applicable) Answering all questions designated in the jazz assignment. Explanation demonstrates an understanding of the jazz assignment.  Content is solid and addresses most of the question or is light in content for scope of questions that should be answered as designated in the assignment. Explanation does not demonstrate an understanding of the jazz assignment and/or does not connect response to questions answered.  Answers provides a limited content.

Thorough knowledge of jazz elements and listening skills.

(20% of possible points A substantial effort is made to answer all questions asked in the assignment.  Questions should be answered thoroughly though listening to jazz. A good effort is made to frame the jazz assignment in  in such a way as to encourage others to want to hear your group. Little or no effort is clear to frame the paper in such a way to encourage others to understand your choice of the jazz musicians.  A lack of clarity.

Distinct, Clear, Concise & Polish Jazz musical compositions communication about the jazz presentation

(20% of possible points) Explanation is highly polished and represents high quality work with thoroughness, thoughtfulness, and free from errors. Explanation is polished with a maximum of one grammar or spelling error and/or made late from the scheduled training deadlines. Inadequate explanation with multiple errors or a lack of distinct, clear, and concise understanding of the assignment.