Film Art: An Amalgamation of the Aesthetic by Mr. Patrick J Butler

Introduction:

As we have learned, film’s “Aesthetic” refers to how a particular shot, scene, sequence, or a film's overall synthesis of form and content moves us both psychologically and emotionally (Happy, Sad, Depressed, Enlightened, Confused, Anxious, Hopeful, Scared).

A film’s aesthetic is rooted in how a filmmaker makes effective use of the cinematic means (photography, motion, and sound) to construct (tell) the film’s story/narrative in a way that will cause us to identify with the film’s protagonist (feel pity and fear for him/her, as well as joy and happiness) and to become cathartically (to live through the experiences of the character as if we are that character) involved in the protagonist’s journey and invested in his/her well-being.

Project:

--Students will work on their own in selecting a scene from a film that has previously “moved” them.

--Students will search for a video clip of the scene (YouTube is the best bet—simply copy and paste the URL from the “share” section under the YouTube video) and post it to the Padlet page:

https://padlet.com/pjbenglish/FilmArt1

--If you download the Padlet app, all of this can be performed from your mobile device / smartphone.

--Remember: If you do not register, your name will appear as “anonymous”, so please include your name in the section “Title.” Your best registering and subscribing to my homepage: https://padlet.com/pjbenglish

--Above the embedded video, the student will write only one word (font and style is up to the student—creativity is what matters). This word will identify or capture what the student (there are no right or wrong answers) believes the filmmaker intends to comment on concerning life experiences and how these experiences speak to the universality of mankind (i.e. LOVE, HATE, DIVISION, UNITY, HEARTACHE, GROWTH, UNDERSTANDING, AMUSeMENT, and so forth).

--Students can choose any genre of film from any year. Please refrain from unnecessary gratuity (cursing or nudity). Think deeply, but have fun and choose a sequence that you enjoy, that personally speaks to you, and that has stayed with you since you first viewed the film.

--When complete, the class will have created a Padlet Montage that serves as a testament to film’s function to move us and unite us through shared experiences.

Due Date: 30 January

Points: 30

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