How to Write the Film Report
Any of the films included on your class web page film list may be viewed for extra credit. Some may be available in Copley Library (check for the title in the SALLY computer card catalog) or may be rented at local video stores such as Kensington Video (4067 Adams in North Park, 284-2477). All extra credit reports must be at least 900 words and include citations. The word count excludes quotations or citations. These may be attached at the end of the report as extra words. Your report should include a summary (500 words or more) of the content, and an analysis (400 words or more) of the historical significance of the content. This analysis should explain why the film is historically accurate or inaccurate, what kind of interpretation the film applies to historical events and characters, and your evaluation of the historical meaning of the film to audiences today. If the film was mentioned in class, you should explain the relevance of the film to that class discussion or lecture. Do not discuss the artistry of the film (e.g., how good Madonna's hair looked in Evita) unless it directly relates to the historical content of the film.
You must read some books or journals or film reviews that will help you interpret the film. Check the New York Times Index in Copley Library for film reviews and read them on the microfilm edition in the Library (also available in Copley are the San Diego Union-Tribune, and the Los Angeles Times). Search the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) for online reviews and production information. Check the History on Film bibliography for books and articles, and Filmnotes for other notes and links. At the end of your report, list alphabetically the author and title and publication of the sources that you used for your report. The publication must include the place and date of a book or article published, or it must include the full Internet URL address if found online. The IMDB is not a source, although it may point to links of reviews that can be read and cited as a source. This list of citations does not count as part of the 900 words.
You should write your report on a computer, save it as ASCII text only on a disk or a network volume, then copy and paste it into the body of the e-mail message. Do not send it as an attachment. Send your report by e-mail to ses@sandiego.edu (don't forget to keep the original text as a backup copy on your disk or volume). You will receive credit for this report only when you get a reply by e-mail. If the reply asks you to add or change your report, you will not receive any credit until the changes are made and sent again by e-mail and are approved by reply e-mail.