Tuesday, January 20

Mr. Potratz returned the first outside viewing essay, and distributed the assignment sheets for the second. Students who wish to improve slightly their grades on the first paper may submit corrections and return the paper with them. The procedure is outlined at the bottom of the sheet of editing marks.

We returned to watching Murder, My Sweet, with students taking notes to accompany the handout of "Characteristics of Film Noir."

Friday, January 16

Students took out their "Classical Hollywood Style" packets from early in the term, and Mr. Potratz explained that they would be the basis for both the final paper and the final examination.

Students are to review the fundamental elements of film discussed in the packet, including Camera, Lighting, Mise en scene, Film editing, and Sound. The final paper will dicuss the use of one of these elements throughout the film which the student has chosen or been assigned. The final examination will require students to discuss the use of specific elements in specific scenes which will be projected.

We briefly reviewed the plot of Murder, My Sweet, then watched several more minutes of the film, ending with Marlowe's dope dream.

Thursday, January 15

Mr. Potratz passed out a hand out listing of "Characteristics of Film Noir." Students read the piece and were instructed to take notes on a separate sheet of how those characteristics are (or are not) displayed in Murder, My Sweet. We then watched the first half-hour of the film.

Mr. Potratz announced that the second outside viewing essay, over the films students borrowed Wednesday, will be due on January 29, and that there will also be a final examination.

Wednesday, January 14
We discussed the character of Rick Blaine, as portrayed by Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, then read Alistair Cooke's 1957 commentary on Bogart, "The only possible idealist" (handout).
This was followed by a very brief introduction to film noir.

Finally, students checked out outside viewing films for the second essay in film analysis.


Tuesday, January 13
We watched the final twenty minutes of Casablanca, then discussed the film, including the black and white cinematography and the Max Steiner soundtrack.

Monday, January 12

We sang the Marseillaise, reviewed the characters, and then continued watching Casablanca up to Rick and Ilsa's reconciliation.

Tuesday, January 6

We watched the first half of Casablanca.

Monday, January 5, 2009

As a preliminary to Casablanca, which we will begin watching tomorrow, Mr. Potratz reviewed the answers to most of the questions from the extra credit assignment (see below).