Close Textual Analysis of the first opening scene (2 Minuit) of the movie Gone Girl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIATwdLaoS412/24/2019 Assignment 2: Close textual analysis https://swinburneonline.instructure.com/courses/1303/assignments/14357 1/6 Teaching Period 3, 2019 MDA10003: Screen Studies: Movies, Television and Ourselves Assignment 2: Close textual analysis Word limit: 1000 words (+/- 10%) Weighting: 30% Due date: 5pm AEDT Monday 30 December 2019 (Week 7) After you have read this information, head over to the Assignment 2 Q&A discussion board to ask any questions and see what your peers are saying about this assignment. Assignment overview This assignment requires you to prepare a close textual analysis of a scene (or scenes) from a film or television show of your choosing. This assignment supports unit learning outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4. Assignment details Prepare a close textual analysis of a scene (or scenes) from a film or television show of your choosing. Scrutinise the scene shot by shot. After watching the sequence multiple times, identify and explain how the formal elements (e.g. mise-en-scène, editing, cinematography, sound) are used. Interrogate why and how these elements have been used to achieve a certain effect. Apply the terminology and concepts used in this unit so far. It is essential that your analysis is supported with evidence from the film and relevant scholarly references. The following list offers some tips when writing a textual analysis: Provide an introduction, body of the analysis, conclusion and reference list. Cross-reference where possible i.e. do not compartmentalise topics (such as aspects of form) into discrete paragraphs. Break down your paragraphs thematically, which will allow for a more elegant structure. Support every argument. Make sure you have sufficient evidence to make your points and arguments persuasive. Place further information in a footnote, if necessary. https://swinburneonline.instructure.com/courses/1303/discussion_topics/216940 12/24/2019 Assignment 2: Close textual analysis https://swinburneonline.instructure.com/courses/1303/assignments/14357 2/6 Ensure that each paragraph covers a particular point and argument (i.e. make sure that each paragraph has a focus without trying to cover too much). Include one point or argument in each paragraph. Do not leave sentences in isolation, but combine them into paragraphs that cover one point or topic. You do not need to provide a plot synopsis—only discuss the plot where relevant. Avoid evaluative phrasing and personalisation to maintain critical distance. Discuss the 'spectator' or the 'audience' rather than 'I' or 'you'. Aim for an academic tone; avoid colloquialisms or loose informal phrasing. For instance, it is 'film' not 'movie'. Proofread thoroughly to avoid stylistic, grammatical and spelling errors. Additional resources Have a look at the following example of past student work, Assignment 2 Exemplar (PDF 221 KB), as a guide when approaching this assignment. Submission details overview This assignment will be submitted via Turnitin. You will find the relevant submission point below. Please allow a 24-hour turnaround for an originality report to be generated. See the Turnitin originality report (https://portal.swinburneonline.edu.au/study-resources/turnitin-originality-report-0) area of Study Resources for several guides to assist with the submission process. Assignment support Don't forget that in addition to your eLAs who provide discipline-specific content advice, you can access the 24/7 draft writing service from Studiosity. If you need assistance with academic feedback on a draft of your assignment task see Assignment support: Studiosity. Assignment criteria 1. Content of textual analysis demonstrates understanding of the chosen screening and relevant film concepts. 2. Analysis is presented in a clear, coherent and engaging manner. Your work will be assessed using the following marking guide: Assignment 2 marking guide https://swinburneonline.instructure.com/courses/1303/files/1076885/download?wrap=1 https://swinburneonline.instructure.com/courses/1303/files/1076885/download?wrap=1 https://portal.swinburneonline.edu.au/study-resources/turnitin-originality-report-0 https://swinburneonline.instructure.com/courses/1303/pages/assignment-support-studiosity 12/24/2019 Assignment 2: Close textual analysis https://swinburneonline.instructure.com/courses/1303/assignments/14357 3/6 Criteria No Pass Pass 50-59% Credit 60-69% Distinction 70-79% High Distinction 80-100% Criteria No Pass Pass 50-59% Credit 60-69% Distinction 70-79% High Distinction 80-100% Content of textual analysis demonstrates understanding of the chosen screening and relevant film concepts (70%) Did not meet criterion. Basic identification of the formal aspects used in a scene (e.g. cinematography, editing, mise- en-scène, sound). Identification of the formal aspects used in a scene (e.g. cinematography, editing, mise- en-scène, sound). Explanation of how the filmmaker has used these formal aspects to achieve a particular effect. Identification of the formal aspects used in a scene (e.g. cinematography, editing, mise- en-scène, sound), using correct terminology. Clear explanation of how and why the filmmaker has used these formal aspects to achieve a particular effect. Thorough identification of the formal aspects used in a scene (e.g. cinematography, editing, mise- en-scène, sound), using correct terminology. Clear and concise explanation of how and why the filmmaker has used these formal aspects to achieve a particular effect. No extraneous information. 12/24/2019 Assignment 2: Close textual analysis https://swinburneonline.instructure.com/courses/1303/assignments/14357 4/6 Criteria No Pass Pass 50-59% Credit 60-69% Distinction 70-79% High Distinction 80-100% Analysis is presented in a clear, coherent and engaging manner (30%) Did not meet criterion. Acceptable standard of presentation with clear language. Good standard of presentation, with clear language. Accurate spelling, grammar and referencing. Reference list included at the end of the analysis. Very good standard of presentation, with clear language that maintains critical distance. Accurate spelling, grammar and referencing. Reference list included at the end of the analysis. Outstanding standard of presentation, with clear language that maintains critical distance, coherent flow and linkage of ideas and sections. Accurate spelling, grammar and referencing. Reference list included at the end of the analysis. Request for assignment extension We understand that at times your studies may be adversely affected by illness, misadventure or some other extraordinary cause or circumstance reasonably beyond your control. If you feel this is the case and you need an extension to support you in completing your assignments, please select the option that you feel is most appropriate for your situation. Please note: the request must be received prior to the submission date and time of the assignment. Assessment declaration I would like to request a 48-hour extension I would like to request longer than 48 hours 12/24/2019 Assignment 2: Close textual analysis https://swinburneonline.instructure.com/courses/1303/assignments/14357 5/6 All students must agree to the following declaration when submitting assignment items. Declaration and Statement of Authorship 1. I have not impersonated, or allowed myself to be impersonated by any person for the purposes of this assignment. 2. This assignment is my/our original work and no part of it has been copied from any other source except where due acknowledgement is made. 3. No part of this assignment has been written for me by any other person except where such collaboration has been authorised by the lecturer/teacher concerned. 4. I have not previously submitted this work for this or any other course/unit. 5. I give permission for my assignment response to be reproduced, communicated, compared and archived for plagiarism detection, benchmarking or educational purposes. I understand that: Plagiarism is the presentation of another person's work as though it is your own. It is a form of cheating and is a very serious academic offence that may lead to exclusion from the university. Plagiarised material may be drawn from published and unpublished written documents, interpretations, computer software, designs, music, sounds, images, photographs, and ideas or ideological frameworks gained through working with another person or in a group. Plagiarised material can be drawn from, and presented in, written, graphic and visual form, including electronic data and oral presentations. Plagiarism occurs when the origin of the material used is not appropriately cited. I agree and acknowledge that: 1. I have read and understood the Declaration and Statement of Authorship above. 2. I accept that use of my Swinburne account to electronically submit this assignment constitutes my agreement to the Declaration and Statement of Authorship. 3. If I do not agree to the Declaration and Statement of Authorship in this context, the assessment outcome may not be valid for assessment purposes and may not be included in my aggregate score for this unit. 4. I am aware that it is not acceptable to resubmit the same piece of work (in part or as whole) for multiple assignments without permission from the Unit Coordinator. Penalties for plagiarism (https://www.swinburne.edu.au/current-students/manage-course/exams-results- assessment/plagiarism-academic-integrity/plagiarism-misconduct/) range from a formal caution to expulsion from the university, and are detailed in the Student Academic Misconduct Regulations 2012. (https://www.swinburne.edu.au/about/leadership-governance/policies-regulations/statutes- regulations/student-academic-misconduct/) https://www.swinburne.edu.au/current-students/manage-course/exams-results-assessment/plagiarism-academic-integrity/plagiarism-misconduct/ https://www.swinburne.edu.au/about/leadership-governance/policies-regulations/statutes-regulations/student-academic-misconduct/ 12/24/2019 Assignment 2: Close textual analysis https://swinburneonline.instructure.com/courses/1303/assignments/14357 6/6 Explain the formal elements Setting up the synopsis scene · Explain in 1-2 sentences the sene How is mise-scene used to make a particular effect and why they have been used · Setting/location · Props / · Costume · Lighting · Sound - intense music How does the mise en scene, combined with cinematography and editing, introduce the audience to the world of the protagonist? The Hitchcock rule states, “The size of any object in your frame should be proportional to its importance to the story at that moment.” Analyse the way its used and what its achieving using academic concepts Primary purpose of the scene Theme to how this purpose is achieved (reach a climax, building tension, · Intense Intro http://tstephenson98.blogspot.com/2015/10/gone-girl-mise-en-scene-analysis.html https://prezi.com/9vacudck6vaa/textual-analysis-of-the-opening-of-gone-girl/ Introduction (100-150 words) · Introduce the film (title in italics, year cited in brackets) The film Gone Girl (2014) is a film adaption of the book by the same name. Directed by David Fincher the film is a psychological thriller which explores themes of betrayal, infidelity, and unhappiness in a marriage (ref). The opening scene suggests the troubling incidents that are about to evolve in a dark, sophisticatedly shaped crime thriller. The opening scene explores the disturbing idea that no matter how close you think you might be to someone, you don’t always truly know each other. The purpose of this opening scene is that is paints an idea that marriage may appear amazing and perfect on the outside but disturbing and nasty on the inside. The purpose of this analysis is to explain the technical elements the director has used in this film which includes, cinematography, mise-en-scene and editing to bring the audience in and introduce us to the two primary protagonist Nick and Amy (REF). Additionally, the analysis will also examine the formal aspects of this scene. Body paragraph 1 (150-200 words) – Introducing concepts and techniques · (Topic Sentence - introducing the world) Open with a topic sentence arguing the formal aspects used in the scene. The opening scene starts with a close up shot of a man stroking the back of a woman’s hair as she lay on his chest. An inner monologue commences with reference to how he would like to crack her skull. The directors close up of the female gives immediate reference that she, along with the male voice have a volatile and complicated relationship. The tone of his thoughts give an immediate unsettling tone for what might be coming in the film. An example The director uses key techniques to create