Author: Professor Sean Scanlan (Page 2 of 3)

Hi Class,

Glad that everybody was “enthusiastic” about the Like Water for Chocolate movie!

1–Quiz 2 answer length: 150 words for each question–that’s a good goal.

2–Read to the end the August chapter. And please come prepared with either a question or a comment. We will again go around the room.

Best,

Prof. Scanlan

Hi Class,

Thank you for the good comments and questions throughout the class. I’m glad you enjoyed the film and glad we had time to rewatch the final 10 minutes.

1–Terms: last week we studied: Focal Point/Focalizer; Diegetic sound; MacGuffin; Lighting

And this week we reviewed: Camera Movement: pan, tracking, handheld, stationary, fast/slow motion.

2–Key Questions: Here are several questions from today’s class:

–How is tension built?

–How does the music influence our understanding of the film?

–What scenes in the film exhibit the idea of synchronicity?

–How does camera movement affect our understanding of the film?

–What is the role of humor in the film version?

–what brings Jefferies and Lisa together?

–Sam is split into two characters: Stella and Lisa. Is this more believable? Or less?

–What are the major symbols in the text and in the film?

–What kind of translation is this?

–Is Lisa the hero of the movie?

3–Homework:

Read to page 81 (up to chapter 5) in Like Water for Chocolate. Bring to class at least one question. Be prepared to discuss the 5-part film tool.

During class, I will give you Quiz 2 which will be over Rear Window and the film terms we have been studying. The quiz will be due on Friday by 5pm.

Best,

Prof. Scanlan

Hi Class,

Sorry about the technology glitch. Thanks for being patient. I’ll be ready with the new settings on October 1. Also, I like the chat function. Hope to have more side conversations next week.

We are up to minute 48, so I will start the movie right away on Thursday…please be on time! Once the movie is over, we will have time to discuss the translation issues.

Homework: review the text as needed–especially important in Woolrich’s story are: Jefferies’ idea of delayed action and synchronicity. Then write Coffeehouse post #3: 300 words in which you describe two major and two minor differences between the written story and the film (up to where we are). Since there are so many differences, this will not be hard. The point is to distinguish between the important and not-important differences.

Best,

Prof. Scanlan

Hi Class,

Great job with the discussion of the two films/texts. I haven’t read the quizzes yet, but I’m confident that it wasn’t too hard.

For Sept 24, please read the short story “It Had to Be Murder” by Cornell Woolrich. It’s in the Readings menu tab. This story will set us up to watch one of the most interesting adaptations ever: Hitchcock’s famous 1954 film Rear Window.

Then write Coffeehouse Post #2: 300 words on these two questions: First describe a place you know in great detail–riffing on the way the narrator describes the apartments in his view. Second, what questions to you still have after finishing the story. Remember, the Coffeehouse is a place to experiment and stretch your writing and critical thinking skills. Be inventive and courageous. Post you post to the new category: Coffeehouse #2.

Cheers,

Prof. Scanlan

Hi Class,

UPDATE: I posted office hours links on the right sidebar.

Thanks for staying a few minutes late today. I really wanted to get all those terms in, but the examples took longer than I thought. Great questions/comments and thanks for volunteering to read.

For next Thursday, we will have a regular class and then I will post the quiz and students will answer the questions and email their answers to me (rather than using OpenLab).

The Quiz will cover:

1—Franklin Bierce’s “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” (in Readings)

and the Twilight Zone film by the same name (in Film Clips)

2—Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper”

and two film versions: the stop motion paper version by Jess Sealey and the lego version by Rylinth Anderfel.

3—The terms we have covered so far: 5-part reading tool (Categories of Analysis), The Three Types of Translation, and the 5 film terms (color, mise en scene, shot/scene, sound, transition)

Best wishes,

Prof. Scanlan

Hi Class,

Here are a few things to consider before Thursday’s class:

1–Homework due Sept 10: Please read “The Yellow Wallpaper,” and then follow directions for posting to the Film-Lit Coffeehouse before class.  See my post in the Film-Lit Coffeehouse menu tab.

2–Remember we now have a set Zoom for Thursday classes…see the Sept. 3 post below for the link.

3–I’ve set up Zoom Office Hours for Mondays from 2-3 and Thursdays from 11-12.

**See sidebar to the right.

See you tomorrow!

Prof. Scanlan