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Philosophy in Literature – Film Project & Morals/Ethics: Scene Analysis
Due Friday, April 18: PPT with Script. (Presentations begin this day)
Assignment: Your group (FOUR students) will present your analysis of one scene from a film. Your
presentation will demonstrate your ability to analyze film technique and how it is purposefully used by
filmmakers to influence the audience in terms of understanding not only what we should or shouldn’t do but
how we should face certain moral/ethical dilemmas. You need to agree on ONE SCENE (1-3 minutes) from the
film that clearly communicates a moral/ethical message.
What is the underlying
moral/ethical message of the scene? What specific film techniques communicate
this underlying message? How?
In your presentation, you will answer the following question:
Presentation Overview: Your presentation should last between 8 and 12 minutes, including showing the
scene that you will be discussing. You will need to create a Power Point for the presentation that details six
SHOTS from the scene you are analyzing. You must also write a script for your presentation, put it on the
NOTES section of the Power Point and email me your presentation.
Selection of Film: Drama is the most appropriate film genre for this assignment. See the list of suggested films
for ideas. You may be able to use a film that is not on the list, but only if you clear it with your teacher. No
animated, horror, creepy psycho, fantasy or gratuitously violent films will be approved.
Choice of Scene: Select a scene from a film that captures an important moral/ethical dilemma dealt with
in the film. Look for a pivotal moral/ethic moment where a character faces or makes a moral/ethical
decision. The essential scenes for this specific assignment are NOT the action scenes and certainly not violent
scenes. ALL SCENES MUST BE APPROVED BY YOUR TEACHER, INCLUDING SCENES
FROM THE APPROVED LIST OF FILMS. NO LAST MINUTE CHANGES!!!
Film Project- Scene Analysis Script: Develop a script to help you prepare and rehearse your presentation.
Write your script in the notes section of the PowerPoint presentation and have it on a Google document too
so that all group members can access it and so that you can print it out for review. You may refer to these scripts
during your presentation, but you should be so familiar with your ideas that you do not read word-for-word from
them. Your presentation will be assessed using the scoring guide on the back of this page. Use the scoring guide
to make sure you have completed all parts of this assignment.
Working in a Group:
 You will have some class time to work on this project. Use your time wisely. Do not use it to watch
your film for the first time. That should happen outside of class time. If you do not watch your film by
the due date, you will fall behind in the project.
 You are receiving a group grade for this project. However, each member will be responsible for specific
parts of the project, specific sections of the presentation (both production and presentation).
 Get each others’ contact information (more than one type) immediately. Do all work on Googledocs so
that all students can access your work no matter who is present in class.
 Presentations: Be prepared to present when scheduled. Show up every day, on time, with your
PowerPoint AND film clip ready. NO EXCEPTIONS! If an individual doesn’t show up, the group
must go anyway. So be sure EVERYONE in the group has access to ALL the necessary materials.
There are no re-dos for the presentation.
Film Analysis Project Presentation Scoring Guide
Group Presentation
Advanced (all proficient criteria plus)
 Effective use of Hook to open/begin presentation
 Concise synopsis of plot and context for scene
 Scene is particularly well chosen for exploring
moral/ethical message
 Correctly identifies the key film techniques used
specifically to communicate the moral/ethical message.
 analyzes how the filmmaker uses technique to convey the
particular message (Effect/Purpose)
 Makes several specific, detailed, insightful connections to
our study of morals, ethics and justice
 Conclusion suggests why the message of this film is
important (why is this a film worth watching? Why is this
a message worth considering?)
 PPT is particularly effective/dynamic visually
Proficient
 Includes film title, director, year made, lead actor(s)
 Identifies the moral/ethical dilemma
 explains the moral/ethical dilemma
 Includes thesis statement that answers the prompt: What is
the underlying moral/ethical message of the scene?
 Correctly identifies several key film techniques used.
 Analyzes how the filmmaker uses technique
(Effect/Purpose)
 Makes clear/accurate connections to our study of morals,
ethics and justice
 Scene is appropriate for the assignment
 Minimum of text on slides
 Visuals help audience follow presentation/information
 PowerPoint is complete & clearly edited
 Timing within range (8-12 minutes)
Basic Meets (5-11 of proficient criteria)
Below Basic
 Meets (fewer than 5of proficient criteria)
Individual Performance
Advanced (all proficient criteria
plus)
 clearly prepared &
rehearsed
 Delivery is lively,
enthusiastic: varies volume
and tone to add emphasis
and interest
Proficient
 Presents equally
 Prepared and serious
 Volume
 Speed
 Pronunciation,
 Body language,
 Use of notes
Basic
 Meets (4-6 of proficient
criteria)
Below Basic
 Meets (fewer than 4 of
proficient criteria)
Work Habits
Advanced
 PPT is turned in on time
 Ready to present when
scheduled
Below Basic
 PPT is NOT turned in on
time
 NOT ready to present
when scheduled
Film Analysis Project Presentation Outline & Suggestions
Introduction
a. a hook the GRABS your viewer’s attention: an interesting fact about your film or about the
moral/ethical dilemma the character faces
b. film title, director, year made, lead actors, major awards/nominations
c. a concise synopsis of the plot of the whole film (don’t give away the ending) and identification of the
character you will analyze – 25-30 words
d. a brief synopsis of your scene, placing it in the context of the storyline
e. a clear, accurate explanation of the moral/ethical dilemma this character faces
f. an explanation of how the scene is essential in the development of the character
g. Thesis Statement that answers the prompt: What is the underlying moral/ethical message of the
scene?
h. brief advice on key cinematic elements to watch for
SHOW CLIP
Scene Analysis
a. A shot-by-shot identification of the film techniques used in the scene using the six selected screen
captures, describing the effect of the techniques in each and explaining the relation of that effect to our
understanding of the development of the character
* choose only the outstanding techniques that help the director to communicate
his/her message
b. For the whole scene, make connections between your understanding of the scene and our study of
morals & ethics.
Conclusion
a. A restatement of what we now understand about the filmmaker’s intended message about morals &
ethics
b. A clincher that suggests why the message of this film is important—why this is a film worth watching
and why the message is worth considering
Developing your PPT
Directions: Create a Power Point for the presentation that:
1. Include a script for your presentation in the NOTES section of the Power Point.
2. Provide relevant, visually pleasing slides to show during your introduction (be creative!)
3. Includes your six screen captures from the scene you are analyzing (You can capture the shot by
pausing your film, right clicking, copying, then pasting the screen capture into Power Point. On the
school computers there is also a “snipping tool” in the applications)
NOTE: For each of the 6 shots you analyze for film technique, choose only the most outstanding
techniques that help the director to communicate his/her message. If possible, talk about how these
techniques work together to produce a particular effect. Be sure to use accurate terminology for talking
about the technique
4. Email me your PowerPoint (lisa.gallo@mvla.net).
Do NOT share googledocs with me!! Send the PowerPoint as an attachment. Be sure the notes are
included.
.
Acceptable Films for Group Film Project
You may choose from this list or use another film approved by your teacher. Violent films or films with inappropriate content are not
permitted. As a general rule, avoid action films. Anime or other animated films will also not be permitted. No repeats in a class will be
permitted. Suggestion: Host a movie night where you check out films that you have not yet seen.
13 Going on 30
127 Hours
All the King’s Men
American Beauty
Amistad
Babel
Beaches
Being John Malcovich
Bend It like Beckham
Big Fish
Black Swan
Blade Runner
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Breakfast Club, The
Breech
Bridges of Madison County
Casablanca
Charley Wilson’s War
Children of Men
China Syndrome, The
Chocolat
Civil Action, A
Company, The
Constant Gardner, The
Crash
Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The
Dead Man Walking
Do The Right Thing
Edward Scissorhands
Emma
English Patient, The
Erin Brockovich
Elephant Man, The
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The
Fighter, The
Firm, The
Forrest Gump
Freedom Writers
Friday Night Lights
Grapes of Wrath, The
Green Mile
Good Thief, The
Good Fellas
Good Night & Good Luck
Gandhi
Help, The
History of Violence, A
Hotel Rwanda
Hoax, The
Holes
Hugo
Hunger Games
Hurt Locker, The
Hustle & Flow
Hoop Dreams
Inside Job
Insider, The
Into the Wild
Jane Eyre
John Q
Joy Luck Club, The
Kids are All Right, The
To Kill a Mocking Bird
King’s Speech, The
Lesson Before Dying, A
Lions for Lambs
Lives of Others, The
Malcolm X
Matrix, The
Michael Clayton
Manchurian Candidate, The
Midnight in Paris
Milk
Million Dollar Baby
Mississippi Burning
Moneyball
Monsters Ball
Namesake, The
Network
Notebook, The
Of Mice and Men
Officer and a Gentlemen
Othello
Out of Africa
Painted Veil, The
Penelope
Pleasantville
Player, The
Poetic Justice
Prestige, The
Pride and Prejudice
Rabbit-Proof Fence
Rainmaker, The
Ringer, The
Romeo and Juliet - Zeffirelli
Saving Private Ryan
Shakespeare in Love
Sense and Sensibility
Shine
Schindler’s List
Social Network, The
Spider Man
Swimming with Sharks
Syriana
Thelma and Louise
Tree of Life, The
Truman Show, The
Twilight
Walk the Line
War Horse
West Side Story
Whale Rider