screening report format
This page gives some ideas about how to structure your screening report. But first,
some general questions and answers. (At the bottom is a TL;DNR summary.)
Why am I writing a screening report?
Being able to identify, describe, and connect patterns of technique to broader
aspects of the film or program, such as theme or character emotion or character
psychology, is the central learning outcome or goal of this course. Consider the
screening report practice for attaining this goal.
How do I begin?
Watch the film more than once. Collect evidence—that is, note patterns in
mise-en-scene, cinematography, editing, or sound, according to the assignment.
Take notes on what you see. Within the pages of notes, there is a consistent and
interesting pattern in the use of a technique that helps us understand something
about the film. Start with that.
Okay, but how do I begin writing?
Everyone goes about it their own way, but I begin by talking. I imagine that I am
trying to persuade someone of the existence and significance of this pattern for
understanding the film. I talk it out and jot down notes as I do. I get it wrong, start
with something else, etc. It’s a process. Once I kind of know where I’m going, I write
in full paragraphs. I always rewrite as I go along—especially the introduction once
I’ve completed the essay and know exactly what I am trying to say.
Here’s what it might look like:
Introduction
One paragraph that does several things. It provides a road map for the reader about
what follows. It is NOT a general statement about the wonderfulness of this movie or
how great the director is or how important cinematography (or whatever) has been to
the history of film. Instead, it
● names the specific elements under examination
● suggests the connection to the theme, characters, or narrative of the film
● indicates what scenes or parts the essay will examine
Not necessarily in that order.
Here’s a weak introduction:
Consistently throughout A Hard Day’s Night, the director uses editing not only to
create memorable images for the audience, but also to convey essential elements of
the film. In particular, the use of editing is central to the understanding of plot,
themes, and characters.
Why is this weak? Because it doesn’t say anything. It does not tell us what to expect
in the rest of the essay. It could apply to any film.
Here’s a strong introduction:
Through the use of cinematography and the alternation of contrasting shots or
scenes, A Hard Day’s Night emphasizes the difference between an energetic,
creative, even rebellious younger generation and the conventional, uptight, and dull
older generation. We can see this most clearly in the opening sequence and the
sequence when the boys and Grandfather sneak out for the night.
Why is this strong? Because it tells us the techniques (alternating shots or scenes),
the theme (young vs old), and which scenes are under examination in the essay. It is
specific to the film and to this essay. 50-100 words is about normal for an
introduction.
Body
I. What comes next? The presentation of evidence. How do you start? With a topic
sentence that tells the reader the main idea of the paragraph. This is a version or
sub-version of the claim you made in the introduction. If your theme is "young vs old"
and if the evidence is alternation of shots or scenes, then this paragraph will
describe the alternation of shots in a scene and connect that pattern to the theme.
So, describe what you have seen. This will take most of your words. Then after doing
that (or while you are doing that, it could work either way), explain why this technique
relates to this theme. What is it about the alternation of, say, quick takes (short
duration ) and long takes (long duration) that expresses young and old? What is the
logical or imaginative connection between quickness or slowness and youth and old
age? If you are presenting two scenes, then this first paragraph should focus on one
scene and run around 150-200 words. (But it can also be organized by technique or
character or theme--just depends on your claim.)
II. Open with another topic sentence that also acts as a transition from the previous
paragraph. Then describe your pattern and connect it to the theme, same as above.
150-200 words.
Conclusion
To be safe, you can restate your claim and summarize your main points. That's
easiest. You could also point to similar moments in the film that display this pattern
and theme. But most important is (re)stating the pattern and how it helps us
understand the film or character. 50-100 words.
TL;DNR
Introduction (50-100 words)
● names the specific elements under examination
● suggests the connection to the theme, characters, or narrative of the film
● indicates what scenes or parts the essay will examine
Body (300-400 words)
● Topic sentence for each body paragraph states the claim and
scene/technique/character that the paragraph will explore
● Each paragraph will present the evidence--the pattern that you found--by
describing in detail what you saw and where you saw it
● Each paragraph will also explain how this pattern relates to the theme or
character(s): what is the logical or imaginative connection between the
technique and the theme/character(s)?
Conclusion (50-100 words)
The conclusion can do any or all of the following:
● restate the claim and summarize your main points
● point to similar moments in the film that the essay does not explore
● restate the pattern and how it helps us understand the film
