Summary
Film Analysis
| Film Title | Do The Right Thing |
| Year | 1989 |
| Director | Spike Lee |
| Country | United States |
| Genre | comedy/drama |
| If you could work on this film (change it), what would you change and why? | I would not change anything |
Film information can be found at imdb.com
As you view films, consider how the cuts, camera angles, shots, and movement work to create particular meanings. Think about how they establish space, privilege certain characters, suggest relationships, and emphasize themes. In addition to shot distances, angles, editing, and camera movement, note details of the narrative, setting, characters, lighting, props, costume, tone, and sound.
Ask yourself the following questions:
| TOPIC | YOUR NOTES |
| 1. Who is the protagonist? | Mookie |
| 2. Who is the antagonist? | Stevie |
| 3. What is the conflict? | |
| 4. What is the theme or central, unifying concept? (summarize in one or two words) | |
| 5. How is the story told (linear, non-linear, with flashbacks, flash-forwards, at regular intervals) | |
| 6. What “happens” in the plot (Brief description)? | |
| 7. How does the film influence particular reactions on the part of viewers (sound, editing, characterization, camera movement, etc.)? Why does the film encourage such reactions? | |
| 8. Is the setting realistic or stylized? What atmosphere does the setting suggest? Do particular objects or settings serve symbolic functions? | |
| 9. How are the characters costumed and made-up? What does their clothing or makeup reveal about their social standing, ethnicity, nationality, gender, or age? How do costume and makeup convey character? | |
| 10. How does the lighting design shape our perception of character, space, or mood? | |
| 11. How do camera angles and camera movements shape our view of characters or spaces? What do you see cinematically? | |
| 12. What is the music’s purpose in the film? How does it direct our attention within the image? How does it shape our interpretation of the image? What stands out about the music? | |
| 13. How might industrial, social, and economic factors have influenced the film? Describe how this film influences or connects to a culture? | |
| 14. Give an example of what a film critic had to say about this film. Use credible sources and cite sources.Example: “The Shawshank Redemption Movie Review (1994) | Roger Ebert.” All Content. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 June 2015. | |
| 15. Select one scene no longer than 5 minutes that represents well the whole film and shows relevant cinematic elements. Write a one-sentence description of the scene and record the time of the scene.Example: from 1:05:00 to 1:10:00.Explain why you chose this scene. | PLACE THE TIME STAMP FROM THE SCENE HERE… Example: 00:00:00 – 00:05:00 |
| 16. In the selected scene: write a sentence for each of the elements below to justify why this scene best represents the film: | |
| a. Screenwriting: | Sal is extremely angry about his shop and attempts to keep the little pride he has left by rejecting the money he overpaid Mookie |
| b. Sound Design: | sounds of ruins(glass and garbage can) radio host narrates Mookie walking away with people playing basketball in the background |
| c. Camera Movements/Angles: | Shots of Mookie and Sal are separated until Sal throws the money at Mookie, Mookie and Sal are finally on the same level after sal lost his shop and is no longer his boss |
| d. Light Setup: | bright yet hazed over |
| e. Soundtrack/Score: | upbeat jazz juxtaposes the “day after” tone of the film |
| 18. What’s the socio-cultural context of this film? |