HUM 3: FILM PRINCIPLES
GUIDE QUESTIONS FOR FILM ANALYSIS

Note:  This is only a guide for the two-page essay you will have to submit to the teacher every after the movie show.  Please organize your essay in the following format in coherent manner.  Grammar and organization will be checked.  You can either submit the paper in the class or through the internet.

ELEMENTS OF FILM ANALYSIS

Story:

1. Is it plot or character-oriented?
2. Are all the characters believable?
3. Does it have the element of surprise?  Is the ending predictable?

Character:

1. Do actors and actresses deserve to be commended?
2. Are all the other supporting actors credible?  Who is the most credible? Least credible?
3. What is your assessment of the lead actor or actress?  Is the role fitting to the personality/voice-projection of the actor or actress?

Theme:

1. What is the underlying message of the film?
2. Identify the symbolisms used in the film.  What do they mean?
3. How do these symbols contribute to the over all meaning of the film?
4. Can you identify the motif used in the film?  How does the motif relate to the director’s tendencies and choice of presenting his message?

Setting:

1. Is the location appropriate?
2. What location touched you most? Why?
3. Are there locations that seem to be irrelevant?  What are these and why?

Sex and Music:

1. Was there any sex scene in the film?  Was this necessary or not?  How did this contribute to the over all message of film?
2. How was the music used?  Was the music appropriate to the particular scene?  What feelings were evoked by the music with the particular image it accompanied?

 MIMETIC AND KINETIC ELEMENTS
 Did the film touch your emotions?  Which character affected you most?  Why?  Did you like the movie?  Were you able to identify any cinematic flaw? Did you think they were intended or not? Any other comment about the movie?