FLM2503 Screen and World Essay Assignment Brief 2024/25 | Middlesex

FLM2503 Assignment Brief

A 2000-word written essay OR 7-minute video essay (+ script) discussing research related to ideas studied on the module in preparation for a short film production.

This is a Critical Praxis essay: “praxis” means the combination of theory and practice. You are being asked to research one of the areas of film theory studied on this module as part of the pre-production for a creative filmmaking project.

You are being asked to THINK CRITICALLY about your approach to film practice. In what ways would an idea explored in film theory help to shed light on the issues faced in making a film? This might relate to:

• Elements of storytelling and aesthetics, such as the film’s visual style or genre.

• Questions of ideology and representation, such as social or political themes in the film,or the representation of class, race and gender/sexuality.

• Ethical considerations around casting and working with actors, working with specific communities or locations, or your role as a filmmaker engaging with the world.

You should write an essay explaining how key decisions in your creative approach to making a film are informed by specific ideas from film theory. For example, ONE of the following:

cinematography and realism; or casting and gender theory; or production design and genre. All of the topics we study on the module speak to these areas in a variety of different ways that you would need to consider in detail during a film production. For the purposes of this assignment, you will need to narrow your focus to ONE key film theory topic and a limited number of aspects of the proposed film project.

You will be selecting a synopsis from a pool of pre-existing projects – so this assignment will be asking you to respond creatively to another filmmaker’s initial idea. This will involve bringing your own creative perspective to the project in terms of what the film will look and sound like, but it will also require you to bring your intellectual perspective as a critical thinker.

• What contexts and questions does the synopsis suggest?

• What problems might there be in the synopsis? How would you address them?

• What critical perspectives would you bring to the film that aren’t necessarily suggested on the page?

STEP 1: 

Access the selection of synopses for short film productions on the module page: https://mdx.mrooms.net/mod/folder/view.php?id=3150188

You should select ONE synopsis that you intend to work on (i.e. that you would be interested in preparing for production).

QUESTION: What academic research will you need to do to THINK CRITICALLY about your preparation for this film?

STEP 2:

Decide on your creative approach to making this film, including a title for the film.

N.B. This element accounts for only 25% of the overall essay (~500 words) so you should not spend significant time planning a film production. Only broad strokes regarding key elements of style, genre, and themes are required. What does the title say about the film you’re making?

STEP 3:

Consider the topics studied on this module (e.g. semiotics, masculinity, queer, postcolonialism, etc.) that could be used a lens to think about the production. Pick ONE topic that you would research in relation to style, genre or theme to prepare to make this film.

N.B. This element accounts for 75% of the overall essay (~1500 words) and should take up the majority of your time working on this assignment.

You should then carry out academic research on your topic in order find AT LEAST THREE good quality scholarly texts (i.e. monographs, edited collections or journal articles) and ONE reference film to be discussed in the essay.

You should demonstrate your research by including in your essay direct quotations, properly formatted and cited, from the texts you have read. You must not paraphrase sources.

The reference film can be ANY film of your choice. It should be relevant to your chosen film theory topic and the essay should include analysis of the reference film to demonstrate this.

You are encouraged to draw on your emerging specialisms to inform your approach to preparing and researching the film production, but this is not necessary. You might discuss another aspect of filmmaking, or a more general approach to the film.

Your essay should explain:

• Why you chose your research topic (e.g. what elements of the synopsis and/or your creative approach suggested this theme)
• How your reading would allow you to make key decisions about the film production
• How you would be inspired by your reference film in relation to the film theory topic (e.g. is it an example you would like to copy/adapt, or an example of what not to do?).

This is not a technical exercise (e.g., researching camera brands) or a screenwriter’s background research exercise (e.g. researching bank layouts for a heist movie). Instead, you are being asked to think deeply about your practice in a wider context, and how it can be informed by theoretical perspectives on cinema.

FLM2503 Essay Format:

You may present this assignment as a written text or as an audio-visual presentation (video essay).

In either case, you should structure this assignment as a normal essay. It should:

• Have an introduction (where you identify the chosen synopsis, set out your creative approach, and explain what features of theory you are going to focus on and why)
• Present an analysis of your approach to film production in relation to theory, including analysis of your reference film (this takes up the majority of the essay).
• Offer a conclusion (where you sum up and reiterate the main points of your discussion)

We are looking for:

• Logical and coherent analysis of aspects of film production in relation to key concepts from film theory
• Clear and well-structured argument
• Demonstration of research on the film and theory under consideration: direct quotations only, no paraphrasing (include a bibliography)
• Good written English (spelling, punctuation, grammar; sentences and paragraphs)

Visual Essay

The video should incorporate footage from your chosen film that illustrates your argument.

• You should record a voiceover through which you explain your discussion and perform the analysis of details highlighted through the video.
• You may incorporate a limited amount sound, image and text from other sources as relevant.
• Research quotations must be presented as on-screen text with citations.

Assessment Learning Outcomes of FLM2503:

LO1: Demonstrate understanding of the complex relationships between aesthetics, theory, and filmmaking;
LO2: Analyse the political, social, cultural and ideological contexts of film;
LO3: Relate a range of criteria on specific practical, ethical and philosophical issues (such as equality, diversity and inclusion) to film
LO4: Demonstrate research skills by comparing media, ideas and critical approaches;
LO5: Produce convincing arguments by surveying competing and contradictory information and ideas to develop points of view;
LO6: Apply interdisciplinary critical frameworks to the analysis of screen media.