Introduction to Film

Mr. Russell’s
Introduction to Film
2008-2009

About this class - This class is designed to familiarize students with the various movie genres and see how some of the classic films have impacted current cinematic offerings. Many movies we watch will have an R rating, containing scenes that may be considered offensive. Some will be violent, such as Goodfellas or Seven, some will contain nudity such as Primal Fear or The Shining and there will be horror movies like Psycho and Night of the Living Dead. In addition, many classics, like Deliverance, The Color Purple and Jacob’s Ladder contain material that some may find objectionable. This class is not for students who find older films “boring” or for students whose parents do not wish them to see films such as those listed above. There’s a prospective film list on the back, but it is by no means complete and I frequently add or delete films from my playlist.

Quizzes/Tests – There will be short-answer quiz (20 pts.) at the end of each movie. In addition, we’ll have a test or two (100 pts.) per term on the films we’ve watched and the lectures I’ve delivered on the movie business. Students will be able to use notes taken from the film lecture and during the film on the quizzes. Students will be penalized 10 pts. for not having their notes out during class. Any student sleeping, doing work for another class, reading a book/magazine, or not paying attention will receive a zero on the quiz and may be sent to ISS.

Notebooks – (50 pts.) Each student is required to take notes on each film and about twice a term I’ll collect them. They will be collected without warning. They must be kept in three-ring, two-pocket binder.

Makeup Work – Each student’s lowest quiz grade will be dropped. If a student is absent and gets a zero, that will be the quiz dropped, regardless of whether the absence was excused or not. After that, students will be assigned films from hulu.com to watch and be quizzed on to makeup whatever they missed. To do this makeup, the absence must be excused.

Behavior – It is very important that silence be maintain while films are being viewed. Students who talk or otherwise disrupt class are subject to detentions, referrals and possibly removal from the class.

Mr. Russell's email jerry.russell@ocps.net Web Page teachers.ocps.net/russelj2/frameset.htm

Westerns
High Noon
Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid
Unforgiven
Science Fiction
Planet of the Apes
Blade Runner
Aliens
War
Platoon
We Were Soldiers
Musicals
Singin In the The Rain
Suspense/Drama
Seven
Primal Fear
Drama
Color Purple
Crime
The Godfather
Goodfellas
Donnie Brasco
Family
It’s a Wonderful Life
Princess Bride
Silent
The Gold Rush
Coaching
Hoosiers
Film Noir
Maltese Falcon
Just Plain Weird
Jacob's Ladder
Mystery
Usual Suspects
LA Confidential
Prison Movies
Cool Hand Luke
Shawshank Redemption
Comedy
Some Like It Hot
Young Frankenstein
As Good As It Gets
Stripes
Good Morning Vietnam
Horror
Psycho
Night of the Living Dead
The Shining
Alien
Rural
Deliverance
Simple Plan
Hitchcock
North By Northwest
Romance
Casablanca
Gone With The Wind
Action/Adventure
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Jaws
Face/Off
True Lies
Movies I Might Show
True Grit
Quick and the Dead
Tombstone
Apocalypse Now Redux
Patton
Braveheart
Citizen Kane
Big Sleep
Green Mile
Longest Yard
Liar Liar
The Thing
Resident Evil
Strangers On A Train
Presumed Innocent
Primal Fear
Sense and Sensebility
Lawrence of Arabia
Rocky
A Few Good Men

I give permission for my son/daughter _________________________ to take Mr. Russell’s Introduction to Film Class. I understand there will be films that are rated R. I give permission for my child to see all the films listed above and other films that may not be on the list.

I understand all the classroom policies listed on the other side and I have taken an extra copy of this syllabus for my records.

Parent Name Printed __________________ Parent Signature _________________________
Date __________