James Bond Project

ENH277: Stuff Blows Up, Action GenreSummer 2010, Nottingham England

Submission Format

You will submit all of your work for the James Bond Project in the EHH277 Summer 2010 Group at the Britain Study Abroad Ning Site. You need to start your own Discussion Forum titled “Movie Title (First Name I.)”

Set Up Submission Site (Due: 7/19)

• Set up your discussion forum in the course group at the Ning Site.

• Be sure to title/label the discussion forum correctly.

In the “post” area, describe what you are doing (see mine), discuss why you picked this film (even if it is just “it was laying there”). Be sure to also link out to the film’s IMDB page.Embed a clip or film trailer for the film (I’m confident they all have something at YouTube).

Likes/Dislikes Reply (Due 7/19)

I really don’t care whether or not you like the film…I know, mean isn’t it? However, I have found everyone wants/needs the space to vent what they loved and hated about the film. Here is your chance, list at least five likes & five dislikes…oh, yeah, this also proves whether or not you actually watched the film. Find a image of a poster from the film and incorporate it into the post as well.

Narrative & Action Arc/Mapping (Due. 7/20)

You know what to do! At minimum, you need to include the following:•Status Quo•Trigger/Problem•Crisis•Crisis•Climax•ResolutionYou need to also list at least three action sequences within the map as well. For each description of narrative sections and action sequences be sure to include WWWWWH. Consider doing this as a PP, uploading it to SlideShare, and embedding it as your post.

Action Sequences (Due 7/21)

Conduct a detailed analysis of three action sequences within the film (you may want to do these as three separate posts). Not only describe the WWWWWH, but also describe shots, camera angles, editing, etc.

•Analyze how the setting impacts the action. •Analyze the scene in terms of how it is supporting the narrative arc/map/story. •Compare and contrast the three scenes. Discuss the similarities and differences.

Context (Due 7/21)

Be sure to pay attention to both US and UK histories as well as major events in the world at large. Consider using the following sites to help:– http://www.historyworld.net/– http://www.worldhistory.com/– http://www.america.gov/publicati

ons/books/history-outline.html

Do some research about what was happening in the world the year or two before the film was released (as well as a decade or so before).

Compare & Contrast (Due 7/26)

Read at least three of your classmate’s posts. At least one must be of a different actor playing James Bond.

In a post, compare and contrast your narrative arcs, action sequences, and historical contexts. Discuss the similarities and differences. Within your post link to the specific projects you are discussing.

Extra Extra (Due. 7/26)

Watch the second DVD with all the movie extras and read the little extra booklet as well. What did you learn? What surprised you? What materials connects with ideas we’ve talked about in terms of “Action Genre”?

Characters (Due 7/27)

Pay attention to issues of gender & sexuality, race & ethnicity, class, and nationality. List all the “major” and “supporting” characters (good & bad) and discuss them in terms of the issues above. Add a discussion of how the above issues (discuss each one) either “stand out” and/or are “invisible” in your film.

Formal Features

(Due: 7/28)

Discuss the following and how/why you think what you are seeing/hearing generally aligns with what “belongs” in an Action Narrative:•Shot Composition (Angles, Distance to the Camera, etc.)•Editing (when & how specific shots are edited together)•Wardrobe & Tools•Settings•Dialogue & Sound Track

Conclusions (Due: 8/2)

Action Genre Hypothesis: The popularity of this genre emerges in a time when the audience, generally working and middle classes, feel that their lives and the world is out of control and that action genres allow the audience to identify with the protagonist who is able to control himself (his thinking like Sherlock Holmes and his body like Dr. Jekyll and all the muscle men of 1980's--> action films), control his setting (fight scenes), control his world (as in saving it!), and get the girl (aka, control her too!). In other words, we all have a Hyde that wants to come out when we are angry or fearful; action narratives provide a short term cathartic release that allows us to go wild; but, still remain in control and then allows us to return to our day-to-day Jekyll worlds (because if we remained as Hyde...we'd have to be put down in the name of safety for all).

Do you think your film fits the hypothesis below, why or why not? Address all aspects of the hypothesis.