If you’re new to this sort of writing, here are some things to consider when looking at work and writing an analysis that you may find useful. Please do not think of this as a checklist. Only discuss these aspects of the film if they are relevant. This is really just to help jog your brain if you are really stuck or trying to comprehend a more challenging piece of work.
Write in the first person. Start with an introduction to the film you’ve chosen. Give a brief description of what the work is about. This should be more thematic than about specific plot details (save those for later) and no more than a sentence or two. Don’t pad your writing by including awards the film’s won or anything like that – this should be about what you’re getting out of the film, not how well you can Google it.
- Start with the basics – What is happening? Who are the characters?
- What kind of imagery does the filmmaker use and how does it affect what they are trying to say? What is present and what is deliberately absent?
- Is there an underlying mood to the film? (Funny, tragic, manic, anxious, etc.)
- How is sound and/or music used? Is it merely “functional” sound effects, or different from the image on screen. Does it contrast or compliment the imagery?
- What do you think the filmmaker is trying to say – is it obvious, or open to varied interpretation?
- How does the filmmaker use color, light, or tone? What impact does it have?
- How does the technique support the aesthetic or theme of the work? (Imagine what it would look like animated in a different technique. Does it have the same impact?)
- Why did you choose this particular film to write about? This is where you can offer an opinion, but keep it to a minimum. (see – how to avoid padding)
How to avoid “padding” (also known as B.S.):
- Don’t just retell the whole film and not offer any insight of your own.
-If in doubt, it is always better to write something short and concise than something padded out for the sake of reaching the required number of words. But if you’re coming up really short you are probably missing something.
-Remember that even though your writing in the first person, that this is not a “review”. Avoid phrases such as “I liked” or “That was weird” Whether or not you liked it will reveal itself in the details you write about. - Avoid platitudes such as “The characters showed a lot of emotion.”, or worse, “The animators were very creative.” (I’m not making these up. I’ve really seen them in papers and they make me want to gouge my eyes out.) These are vague statements. The biggest problem with reaction papers in general is that they are often too vague. That said…
-Never, ever, describe something only as “interesting”. Flowers are interesting. So is a flaming train wreck. See what I mean? Be specific. Cite any details, plot turns or techniques that stood out and discuss them. - Don’t dismiss something by saying “I didn’t understand it”. This is not a free pass. Trust your ability to form an opinion even if you’re not 100% sure it’s “the right” answer. Sometimes there isn’t one.
-If appropriate, put the film in historical context. i.e., are there pop-culture references or historical events relevant to the film? Also, older films might be silent or black and white – so talking about this as if it’s an unfortunate mistake on the part of the animators is not good analysis.
-If you are unsure of something please run it by me and I will gladly give you feedback. (See my office hours) The goal is to make your writing better, as well as your understanding of the work.
-And most important! Write about something you liked, or something that really moved you, or a technique you might want to try. Or conversely, write about something you love to hate, but in either case always back up your opinion with a clear and reasoned answer based on what you viewed.
Teacher Pet Peeves that Everybody Does and Shouldn’t
It’s a film, not a “clip”.
Emailing your professor the night before the paper is due to ask what it is you’re supposed to be writing about. (See – everything above)
Don’t trust spell and grammar check – it doesn’t know the difference between “its” and it’s”. Grammar and spelling are taken into account when grading.