Writing Homework Help

Troy University Independent Animated Shorts Discussion Questions

Question A (Discussions):

Choose a short film from this list:

Then, you will thoroughly answer the following questions:

What was the story of this film? What was the film trying to say?
What style of animation did the film use to tell its story? Was it stop motion, computer generated, hand drawn, etc.? How did the film use color?
How did the film use music?
What was the most impactful moment in the film?
Did the film interest you? Why or why not? What did you take away from the film?

Question B (Journal) – Independent Films:

Answer questions about your chosen film for this Journal.

Donnie Darko (2001)

Ballast (2008)

Medicine for Melancholy (2009)

The Rider (2017)

An Oversimplification of Her Beauty (2013) Rocks (2019)

Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)

Lost in Translation (2003)

Roma (2018)

The Florida Project (2017)

Pariah (2011)

Starlet (2012)

Please answer the following questions about your chosen film:

What is the GENRE of the film? What is the story of the film? Who is the protagonist and what do they want?
Name ONE example of brilliant CINEMATOGRAPHY. (Camera shot – WHY is it brilliant? What do you learn from the way the camera moves to tell the story?)
Name TWO examples of brilliant MISE EN SCENE. (What SPECIFICALLY about the setting, costumes, sound, lights or props really made the film stand out? Why did you think so?)
What is the MAIN POINT of the film? What did you think the film was trying to say? How did it make you feel and/or think?
How does this film compare to big budget studio films? Do you think the film could have benefitted from a bigger budget or do you think the film succeeded? Was there anything that surprised you about the film and its production?