Ashford University | ENG225 WEEK 05 The week 5 written assignment is your final film critique. This is the culmination of the work you have been doing in this class-- your chance to focus all the techniques and elements we've been studying on the thorough analysis of one feature-length film. Additionally, you'll be asked to reflect on your own development-- what you've learned and how you've learned it-- while looking ahead to see how the skills you've mastered here will apply to your continuing studies and possible career fields. Make sure to read through the guidelines carefully, noting all the different required elements, and take a look ahead at the rubric so you know exactly how your work will be assessed. Here are a few key points to keep in mind as you work on your paper. Stage 1 of the paper asks you to choose a film to analyze from AFI's 10 Top 10 list. Stick to those lists and pick a film you are familiar with or have easy access to, as you will probably need to watch it several times to hone your points. Remember the lessons you've learned throughout this course. For example, you'll be called upon to explain the difference between story and plot in the particular film you've chosen. You'll also look at specific aesthetic choices. While we've discussed those throughout the class, you'll have to explain them and apply them to the film you've chosen. Don't forget to get specific. Whether you're talking about lighting, or editing, or any other cinematic techniques, be sure to drill down and reference specific scenes or shots to help make your point. Here are a few more tips to remember. Stage 1 asks you to consider the social or personal impact of a specific film. The guidelines scaffold some different ways to think about this, but be sure to think broadly. This is an important part of the paper, one where outside resources might be especially helpful. Stage 2 is all about reflection. And this is different from talking about the personal impact of the specific film you've chosen for this paper. The guidelines provide some questions for you to think about, so be sure to provide specific examples as you formulate your response. This grounds the reflection with a practical understanding. See the sample paper we've uploaded in the assignment prompt. This is a model of good student work-- what your professors are looking for and the type of comments we will make. Also, keep in mind that the titles of films should be italicized. Click into the Ashford Library English 225 study guide. It's a portal dedicated to the kinds of articles, essays, and books that will be most helpful resources as you work on your written assignment. Try to budget your time so that you can take advantage of the various resources offered by the Ashford Writing Center to ensure that your paper is written and polished. Remember, the week 5 written assignment is a chance to really apply your understanding of the concepts and skills we've be.

1. Ashford University | ENG225 WEEK 05
The week 5 written assignment is your final film critique. This
is the culmination of the work you have been doing
in this class-- your chance to focus all the techniques and
elements we've been studying on the thorough analysis
of one feature-length film. Additionally, you'll be asked to
reflect on your own development-- what you've learned
and how you've learned it-- while looking ahead to see how the
skills you've mastered here will apply to your
continuing studies and possible career fields.
Make sure to read through the guidelines carefully, noting all
the different required elements, and take a look
ahead at the rubric so you know exactly how your work will be
assessed. Here are a few key points to keep in
mind as you work on your paper.
Stage 1 of the paper asks you to choose a film to analyze from
AFI's 10 Top 10 list. Stick to those lists and pick a
film you are familiar with or have easy access to, as you will
probably need to watch it several times to hone your
points. Remember the lessons you've learned throughout this
course. For example, you'll be called upon to

2. explain the difference between story and plot in the particular
film you've chosen.
You'll also look at specific aesthetic choices. While we've
discussed those throughout the class, you'll have to
explain them and apply them to the film you've chosen. Don't
forget to get specific. Whether you're talking about
lighting, or editing, or any other cinematic techniques, be sure
to drill down and reference specific scenes or shots
to help make your point.
Here are a few more tips to remember. Stage 1 asks you to
consider the social or personal impact of a specific
film. The guidelines scaffold some different ways to think about
this, but be sure to think broadly. This is an
important part of the paper, one where outside resources might
be especially helpful.
Stage 2 is all about reflection. And this is different from talking
about the personal impact of the specific film you've
chosen for this paper. The guidelines provide some questions
for you to think about, so be sure to provide specific
examples as you formulate your response. This grounds the
reflection with a practical understanding.
See the sample paper we've uploaded in the assignment prompt.
This is a model of good student work-- what

3. your professors are looking for and the type of comments we
will make. Also, keep in mind that the titles of films
should be italicized. Click into the Ashford Library English 225
study guide. It's a portal dedicated to the kinds of
articles, essays, and books that will be most helpful resources as
you work on your written assignment.
Try to budget your time so that you can take advantage of the
various resources offered by the Ashford Writing
Center to ensure that your paper is written and polished.
Remember, the week 5 written assignment is a chance
to really apply your understanding of the concepts and skills
we've been working so hard to master over the last
few weeks. Give yourself an opportunity to succeed by
preparing yourself thoroughly and working diligently to
complete the paper.
Notes from Instructor Feedback on Society and Class in The
Godfather – MUST MAKE CORRECTIONS IN FINAL PAPER.
Your paper should be organized around a thesis statement that
focuses on how your chosen feature-length film both aligns with
and expands upon your chosen theme. You will find
information about thesis statements in the Ashford Writing
Center.
The paper is 800 to 1200 words in length (excluding title and
reference pages), and formatted according to APA style as
outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

4. Great work using at least two scholarly sources other than the
textbook to support your claims.
Describe a major theme of the movie you have selected using
evidence from the movie itself as well as course resources and
other scholarly sources to support your position. Remember
that a theme is an overarching idea that recurs throughout the
plot of a film. It is the distilled essence of what the film is
about, the main design which the specific scenes and actions
lead a viewer to understand. While there can always be a more
unique theme in a film, the top 10 central themes in film are:
1. man versus nature
2. man versus himself
3. loss of innocence
4. revenge
5. death as a part of life
6. the battle
7. individual versus society
8. triumph over adversity
9. love conquers all
10. good versus evil
Superb work identifying at least three techniques
(cinematography, lighting, acting style, or direction) and/or
design elements (set design, costuming, or hair and makeup).
Now work to connect these back to the theme.
Reference particular scenes or sequences in your explanations.
State your opinion regarding how the elements work together,
how congruent the design elements are with the theme of the
movie and whether or not other techniques would be as effective
(Explain your reasoning).

5. Running head: SOCIETY AND CLASS 1
Society and Class in The Godfather
Reginald Whimbush
ENG225: Introduction to Film
Dr. RobertsonENG225: Introduction to Film
January 8, 2017
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SOCIETY AND CLASS 2
Society and Class in The Godfather
The film The Godfather (1972) produced by Albert Ruddy and
directed by Francis Ford
Coppola is a crime drama movie that was created based on a
similarly named best-selling novel
by Mario Puzo. The story in the film is centered on a fictional
crime mafia in New York City
between 1945 and 1955. One of the main themes in this movie
is the effects society and class as
depicted in the Corleone family whose head, Vito Corleone, is

6. initially the mafia’s leaders (The
Godfather). The theme of society and class is emphasized in the
film using various design
elements and techniques such as the cinematography, lighting,
direction, costuming, and set
design.
Social status and class have been emphasized from the
beginning of the film when
Amerigo Bonasera visits Vito Corleone in a bid to get some
help in attaining “justice” for his
daughter who had been assaulted by American men who were
reported but later released.
Bonasera felt that the men did not get the justice they deserved
hence he needed Don Corleone to
kill them. However, Don did not support his idea because his
daughter was not dead. In spite of
his wishes not being granted, Bonasera was not in any way
hostile towards Vito Corleone.
Instead of being angry, he shows a lot of respect and even
proceeds to bow and refer to Vito
Corleone as “The Godfather” as he had earlier requested. The
camera is specifically focused on
the man’s face to show his reaction to Mr. Corleone’s response
to his request. His expression

7. depicted that the man was content with Mr. Corleone’s decision
even though it is not what he
wanted. The camera focus on Amerigo Bonasera’s reaction to
Vito Corleone emphasizes Mr.
Corleone’s authority and status in the society. His decision is
always considered to be right and
always obeyed (Benshoff, & Griffin, 2011, p. 26). However,
Vito Corleone later approved his
request and asked him to consider the “justice” a gift for his
daughter’s wedding.
- 2 -
1
2
3
4
1. society and class
These are topics of the film
rather than a theme. What
does the film say about
society and class? [Allison

8. Robertson]
2. cinematography, lighting,
direction, costuming, and
set design.
Great work pointing out the
elements of film you will
discuss in your essay.
[Allison Robertson]
3. Social status and class
What does the film say about
these topics? What details
can you add to help the
reader understand your
point? [Allison Robertson]
4. wedding.
This paragraph contains
multiple main ideas. Break it
up into smaller paragraphs

9. that each focus on one
central idea. For additional
information, please visit the
'Writing Center & Library' link
in your course where you will
find the Writing Resources
tab. Click on the "How to
Write a Good Paragraph" link.
[Allison Robertson]
SOCIETY AND CLASS 3
A similar cinematography technique is used when Luca Brasi
publicly shows how
grateful he is to have been invited to Vito Corleone’s daughter’s
wedding. Luca Brasi had no
home and was taken in by Vito Corleone. He does not believe
that a man such as him would be
invited to a wedding hosted by such a prestigious family. The
film’s sound is specifically focused
on the Luca Brasi’s chant about how grateful he is that he is one
of the guests at the wedding.

10. Although Brasi is chanting in the background as the other
guests proceed with their affairs at the
wedding, the film’s sound focuses on his voice as he repeats the
sentence, “I am honored and
grateful that you have invited me to your home on the wedding
day of your daughter.”
Additionally, Brasi is clearly shown sitting alone, away from all
the other guests. This scene
shows the clear difference between the social status of the rich
and the poor as the poor do not
expect to be in the same social gatherings as the rich (LoBrutto,
2004).
The society and class theme is also depicted in the costuming of
the characters. There is a
clear difference between the dressing style of those with money
and those without. Dark colored
suits have been used as a symbol of social status. During the
meetings of the mafia, the members
dress in expensive-looking dark colored suits. This dress code
among the people of higher status
is also seen during the wedding scene. All the men in this
wedding are dressed in dark colored
suits with ties because this was an event happening at the house
of a respectable family hence

11. they had to show up dressed in a manner that befits their social
status (Utami, 2010). The film’s
costume design is a clear depiction that the characters respect
social class.
In conclusion, The Godfather shows the viewers the extent to
which crime can go when
controlled by powerful people with political connections.
Throughout the film, one can clearly
see the theme of society and class as it has been depicted in
various scenes throughout the movie.
The film’s cinematography puts a lot of camera focus on the
character’s facial expressions to
- 3 -
1
1. “I am honored and
grateful that you have
invited me to your home on
the wedding day of your
daughter.”
Excellent supporting example,
Reginald! [Allison

12. Robertson]
SOCIETY AND CLASS 4
give the viewer the chance to understand their feelings towards
social status. This technique
helps the viewer to understand the level of respect that the
film’s characters have towards the
people of higher status. There is also special focus on the sound
to help the viewer hear the
remarks of the characters that depict the differences between
social statuses. The costumes of
the characters have also been used to show social and class
differences. The upper class people
are seen to dress in expensive suits and dresses. These examples
clearly show how the issue of
social status is important in the film.
- 4 -
[no notes on this page]
SOCIETY AND CLASS 5
References

13. Benshoff, H. M., & Griffin, S. (2011). America on film:
Representing race, class, gender, and
sexuality at the movies. John Wiley & Sons.
Coppola, F. F. (1972). The godfather [film]. FF Coppola
(Producer). USA: Paramount Pictures.
Retrieved from: http://www.watchfree.to/watch-a9-The-
Godfather-movie-online-free-
putlocker.html
LoBrutto, V. (2004). Making Pictures: A Century of European
Cinematography.
Utami, D. (2010). Struggle for a better life in Mario Puzo’s the
godfather movie version: an
individual psychological approach (Doctoral dissertation,
Universitas Muhammadiyah
Surakarta).
- 5 -
[no notes on this page]
Helpful Information
Remember that when you make a claim in your paper, you have
to offer support. In talking about literature, you do that through
quoting passages of the text & you have to do something similar
here. The only way to offer real support or evidence is to make
specific reference to very particular instances in the film. Use

14. this chart to refresh your memory about these units - shots,
which make up scenes, which are presented in sequence:
Within the individual units that you want to discuss, you've got
to be very particular about the different elements & their
importance. Here's another handy reference to remind you
about the importance framing of different types of shots:
Week 3 - Instructor Guidance
The focus this week is sound design and the use of aesthetic
choices.
Begin your week reading Chapters 7 and 8 in your textbook.
Chapter 7 focuses on Editing while Chapter 8 encompasses
Sound and Music.
The Editor
The editor is the individual responsible for editing the film.
Many times, this job can encompass as much creative input as
the job of the director. A good editor can take mediocre footage
and, by artful cutting, intercutting and with the addition of a
moving soundtrack, can turn it into an exciting piece of film. It
is not uncommon, these days, for an editor and assistant editor
to begin work on a picture during pre-production and to begin
assembling dailies during production. If the picture is not
complicated, a rough cut can be completed within four to six
weeks after principal photography ends.
Editing is the process of selecting, arranging and assembling a
film and its sound track into a logical, rhythmic story
progression. The stages of editing are: rough cut (the first

15. logical assembly of the chosen footage), fine cut (a more
intricately worked version), final cut (the version to which the
negative will be conformed and from which release prints will
be struck). However, it should be noted that the editing process
evolves rather than being comprised of finite stages.
As you read about the Editor and begin to apply the information
to film, ask yourself:
Which types of shots did they use?
In what order do the shots appear?
How long are the shots on the screen?
This is a good way to begin your analysis.
Figure 7.1 Editing Transitions Chart is a wonderful, condensed
chart defining direct-cuts, fade-outs and fade-ins, dissolves,
wipes, irises and jump-cuts. These are terms you will want to
use in Discussion 1.
Discussion 1:
To successfully complete this week’s discussion
“Cinematography and Editing Options,” explore movie clips
from the Movieclips website or IMDB. Choose a clip that you
wish to analyze. The clip you choose must be from a film
(preferably from a film with which you are familiar) – not a
film trailer or a mash-up.
After you have chosen a clip, write a discussion post about the
following:
In your discussion, analyze at least three elements of
cinematography and editing by evaluating the dramatic impact
of the scene. Interpret the scene based on your analysis. In your
view, what mood, symbolism, or meaning results from the
scene’s creative editing and cinematography? Support your

16. claims with examples from the required material(s) and/or other
scholarly resources, and properly cite any references
After watching the movie clips reviewed by your classmates,
compare how the scenes would be different had the editors or
cinematographers chosen other options. Each response should
be a minimum of 125 words
Sound
There are three categories of sound:
1. Dialogue
Dialogue refers to the written, printed or spoken conversation
between two or more individuals; in a script, dialogue means
any one or more spoken lines, even by an actor appearing in a
scene alone.
If you’ve never looked at an actual film script, you will be
amazed at not only the detail regarding visual elements, but also
the limited amount of dialogue. Here is a link to the full movie
script for Django Unchained. Check out the use of dialogue!
2. Sound Effects
This includes all artificially-created or natural sounds (other
than music or dialogue). These sounds, such as a door
opening Creaky door, a bird chirping Robin chirping glass
breaking Glass breaking, are recorded separately (wild sound)
or transferred from a library of sound effects.
The foley artist is the individual who specializes in creating
ordinary, synchronized sound effects, such as footsteps, door
slamming, keys jingling, glasses clinking, etc., in a
soundproofed foley studio. The studio is equipped with various
types of sound-effects producing materials and a large screen
fro watching the necessary film tracks. These types of sound
effects, called foleys, are named after Jack Foley (1891-1967),

17. inventor of this process of custom-designing sound effects in a
specially equipped sound studio.
3. Music
When we discuss the “music” of a film, we are referring to the
score and the soundtrack. The score refers to all the music
heard in a film, TV show or stage play. As a verb, to score the
film, means to compose or provide a score.
A little survey for film score fanatics. I wonder how many of
the following you would agree with, it makes interesting
reading!
In 2005, A jury of over 500 film artists, composers, musicians,
critics and historians selected John Williams’ iconic score from
the classic film STAR WARS as the most memorable film score
of all time. John Williams is additionally noteworthy as the
most represented composer on the list with three scores making
the top 25.
The full nominations of 100 film scores can be viewed 100
Years of Film Scores
An interesting top 25 was chosen, the most modern score being
from ‘The Mission’ (1986) Ennio Morricone. I wonder if the
same survey was done today if any more modern scores would
creep in to the top 25.
The top 25 scores voted for were:
#
FILM
YEAR
STUDIO
COMPOSER
1
STAR WARS

18. 1977
Twentieth Century Fox
John Williams
2
GONE WITH THE WIND
1939
MGM
Max Steiner
3
LAWRENCE OF ARABIA
1962
Columbia
Maurice Jarre
4
PSYCHO
1960
Paramount
Bernard Herrmann
5
THE GODFATHER
1972
Paramount
Nino Rota
6
JAWS
1975
Universal
John Williams
7
LAURA
1944
Twentieth Century Fox
David Raksin
8
THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN
1960

19. United Artists
Elmer Bernstein
9
CHINATOWN
1974
Paramount
Jerry Goldsmith
10
HIGH NOON
1952
United Artists
Dimitri Tiomkin
11
THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD
1938
Warner Bros.
Erich Wolfgang Korngold
12
VERTIGO
1958
Paramount
Bernard Herrmann
13
KING KONG
1933
RKO
Max Steiner
14
E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL
1982
Universal
John Williams
15
OUT OF AFRICA
1985
Universal

20. John Barry
16
SUNSET BLVD.
1950
Paramount
Franz Waxman
17
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
1962
Universal
Elmer Bernstein
18
PLANET OF THE APES
1968
Twentieth Century Fox
Jerry Goldsmith
19
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
1951
Warner Bros.
Alex North
20
THE PINK PANTHER
1964
United Artists
Henry Mancini
21
BEN-HUR
1959
MGM
Miklos Rozsa
22
ON THE WATERFRONT
1954
Columbia
Leonard Bernstein

21. 23
THE MISSION
1986
Warner Bros.
Ennio Morricone
24
ON GOLDEN POND
1981
Universal
Dave Grusin
25
HOW THE WEST WAS WON
1962
MGM, Cinerama Releasing
Alfred Newman
The soundtrack is the audio portion of a film divided into three
or four separate tracks or channels: dialogue, music, effects
and a spillover track for additional sounds. An optical sound
track is made from the mixed tracks before it is printed onto the
side of the film in the lab. It is not uncommon for many
separate units (there can be hundreds) to be individually edited
and then mixed, to produce the final sound track.
The soundtrack can also refer to the recorded version of a film’s
musical score, available to purchase.
Discussions:
The Impact of Cinematography and Editing Options
In your first discussion, begin by exploring movie clips from
the Movieclips website or IMDb.
Analyze at least three elements of cinematography and editing
(e.g., lighting, color, shots, focus, transitions, and types of cuts)
by evaluating the dramatic impact of the scene. Interpret the
scene based on your analysis. In your view, what mood,
symbolism, or meaning results from the scene’s creative editing

22. and cinematography?
Categories and Functions of Sound
This week's second discussion will consider different types of
sound at work in film and assess how they contribute to the
overall sense of meaning in a film.
There are many types of sound in a film. Some
are diegetic (sounds that are represented as coming from within
the world of the film); others are non-diegetic (sounds that
come from outside the world of the film). Using specific
examples from your chosen film, construct a blog post in which
you:
a. Describe each of the three basic categories of sound
(dialogue, sound effects, and music).
b. Explain how the different categories of sound are being used
in your chosen film.
c. Assess the impact of sound in establishing the theme.
d. Assess how the scene or sequence would play differently if
you changed or removed a key category of sound.
You must use at least two outside sources, in any combination
of embedded video clips, still photos, or scholarly sources. All
sources should be documented in APA style, as outlined by the
Ashford Writing Center.
Assignment
Establishing Theme
Select a movie from AFI's 10 Top 10 List and explain how three
cinematic techniques and/or design elements have helped
establish a major theme in that film.
In 800 to 1200 words:
Describe a major theme of the movie you have selected using

23. evidence from the movie itself as well as course resources and
other scholarly sources to support your position.
a. Identify at least three techniques (cinematography, lighting,
acting style, or direction) and/or design elements (set design,
costuming, or hair and makeup), and explain how these
techniques and/or design elements contribute to the
establishment of the theme. Reference particular scenes or
sequences in your explanations.
b. State your opinion regarding the mise-en-scène, including:
· How do the elements work together?
· How congruent the design elements are with the theme of the
movie?
· Whether or not other techniques would be as effective
(Explain your reasoning).
Self Check and Quiz
Don't forget these!
Have a productive week. I look forward to reading your posts!
References:
Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2011). Film: From Watching
to Seeing. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
Harmon, R. (1998). Film directing: Killer style & cutting edge
technique. Los Angeles, CA: Lone Eagle Publishing Company.
http://musicatthemovies.wordpress.com/category/music/page/2/
http://www.rcc.ryerson.ca/technology/foley.htm
Week 3 - Assignment
Establishing Theme
PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT A BID FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT
IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND EDUCATION TERMS AND
CONCEPTS. ALL DIRECTIONS MUST BE FOLLOWED AND
NO PLAGARIASM. MY SCHOOL USES SOFTWARE TO
DETECT COPIED MATERIAL.

24. Please click here to view the Week Three Assignment Video
transcript. NOTE: the transcript is attached as a separate
document.
Select a movie from AFI’s 10 Top 10 (
http://www.afi.com/10top10/ lists) and explain how three
cinematic techniques and/or design elements have helped
establish a major theme in that film. Note: While you are
allowed to choose a film that does not come from the AFI lists,
you are strongly encouraged to email your professor to receive
approval before doing so.
NOTE: The movie selected is The Godfather
In 800 words
· Describe a major theme of the movie you have selected using
evidence from the movie itself as well as course resources and
other scholarly sources to support your position.
· Identify at least three techniques (cinematography, lighting,
acting style, or direction) and/or design elements (set design,
costuming, or hair and makeup), and explain how these
techniques and/or design elements contribute to the
establishment of the theme. Reference particular scenes or
sequences in your explanations.
· State your opinion regarding the mise en scène, including
· How the elements work together.
· How congruent the design elements are with the theme of the
movie.
· Whether or not other techniques would be as effective
(Explain your reasoning).
Note: Remember that a theme is an overarching idea that recurs
throughout the plot of a film. It is the distilled essence of what
the film is about, the main design which the specific scenes and
actions lead a viewer to understand.
Your paper should be organized around a thesis statement that
focuses on how the elements of your chosen feature-length film
both establish and maintain one of its major themes. Review
the Week Three sample paper, which provides an example of a
well-developed analysis as well as insight on composition.

25. The paper must be 800 words in length and formatted according
to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. NOTE:
the style guide is attached as a separate document
You must use at least two scholarly sources other than the
textbook to support your claims. Cite your sources (including
the feature-length film) within the text of your paper and on the
reference page.