How to prepare for the exam (Thurs March 6)

Some hints to help you study...


The exam will ask you to write short notes on a series (perhaps ten) terms dealing with the course content. There will be choices. You don't need to know everything.

Be prepared to write at least two statements about each concept or name you select. For example, how many things can you say about Bowling for Columbine? That it was produced by Michael Moore. That it is documentary, in the contemporary style. It is characterized by the filmmaker appearing in person. That it is often "staged". That is uses humour to get its effect across. That it has moved a long way from the contemporary tradition. That is more than enough!

Be prepared to cite McLuhan's four laws and to demonstrate how they work. For example, what does a digital camera enhance? immediate photographic results. What might it make obsolete? Film. Also wait time to get pictures developed. What might it retrieve that we used to have? the picture album that we used to carry around, only now it is on FaceBook. Or Flickr. What does the digital camera reverse into? Spying.

For A35 only: Why is film music significant? Answer: It is a technology itself. It enhances the film story. It provides an important intersection between cinema and music. Cinema is popular culture. Music is something learned in school. Cinema makes music more approachable because of its popular appeal.

For all sections: Be prepared to write a short essay (expect to spend about 30 minutes) In the first paragraph re-state the question and explain how you are going to answer it. Summarize you response briefly in a final paragraph.

There may (or may not) be a short section of true/false questions.