ARTS1062: Hollywood Film 2023 Assessment 3
Assessment 3: Research Essay (60% of the total mark)
Due: Friday November 24, 11.55PM (Week 11)
Student Learning Outcomes Assessed: 1, 2 & 3
Length: 1500 words, not including footnotes and bibliography but inclusive of in-text
references (10% over and under rule applies, 1350-1650 words)
Feedback: Students receive written feedback and numerical grade.
Turnitin setting: This assignment is submitted through Turnitin and students do not
see Turnitin similarity reports. Only ONE submission allowed.
Note: You cannot write an essay on the topics as your tutorial facilitation or the core
films from Weeks 1, 2 and 3. If you want to write an essay that is tangentially related
to your tutorial facilitation topic please consult with your tutor before beginning your
research.
Assessment Criteria:
* Argument / Thesis
* Logic and Argumentation
* Research & Use of Sources
* Film Analysis, with attention to film as a specific medium
* Presentation / Written expression
For the descriptors see the Assessment 3 Rubric below.
Brief and questions: Starts next page
ARTS1062: Hollywood Film 2023 Assessment 3
Brief
The final assessment task for this course is an essay. There are 5 essay questions to
choose from. Answer only ONE of them.
To complete this task successfully you must consult and follow the instructions
provided in the essay writing and style guide (please see Moodle). You are expected
to undertake independent research by locating, reading, and referring to academic
source material (journal articles, specialist texts and general textbooks on film).
All questions expect students to undertake close formal analysis of the film. This
means interpreting key aspects of film form in relation to the story (narrative) to
determine film meaning. Tutorial exercises from Weeks 7 to 10 will be devoted to a)
developing skills in the analysis of film form and its relation to meaning and b) essay
writing for university.
There is no definitive answer to the question of how many sources you should consult
and cite in your essay, but I would expect a credit essay to cite at least 8-10 different
sources. Less than six sources will attract extra scrutiny and you are less likely to
perform well for the research criterion.
For Assessment 3 you cannot discuss Hail, Caesar! (2016), Scarface (1932 or 1983)
or The Wizard of Oz (1939) and your film choices need to be a Hollywood or
American production made after 1940. If you have any concerns about your film
choice, please contact your tutor at least a week before the due date.
Question 1
Compare and contrast the sexual and/or racial dynamics of two films (see below),
while considering the ways the films, and their marketing, speak to their historical
moment. A discussion of the film’s distribution and marketing is required for this
question.
For this question choose TWO Hollywood or American films. The two films should
be of the same genre, either:
a) Two American horror films, or
b) Two American film noirs, or
c) Two American musicals.
ARTS1062: Hollywood Film 2023 Assessment 3
One of the films should have been originally exhibited in the USA from between
1940 and 1959. The other film should have been originally exhibited in the USA from
between 1960 and 2023. At least ONE of your films should be a required or
recommended film cited on Moodle for Week 3 (not The Wizard of Oz), Week 4,
Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, or Week 10. Your choice of appropriate films for
comparison is a big part of this task, so please consult your tutor if you have any
concerns.
Mulholland Drive (2001) can be used for this question if it was not discussed in
Assessment 1. A 1940s female gothic can be used as one of two horror films, or one
of two film noirs. Hybrid genre films can be used; for example, Blues in the Night
(1941) could be used for film noir or the musical.
Question 2
The films of the Hollywood Renaissance achieved both box office success and critical
acclaim and were celebrated as a rebirth or renewal of Hollywood cinema. In what
ways did the films of the Hollywood Renaissance renew Hollywood cinema and what
was their relationship to the Hollywood cinema of the previous decades?
Either support your answer through close analysis of one classical Hollywood film
from the 1940s, 1950s or 1960s, and one film from the Hollywood Renaissance. Both
films should be of the same genre. At least ONE of your films should be a required or
recommended film cited on Moodle for Week 4, Week 5, Week 7, or Week 8.
Question 3
In his book High Concept: Movies and Marketing in Hollywood, Justin Wyatt
describes the high concept film as “a form of differentiated product within the
mainstream film industry. This differentiation occurs in two major ways: through an
emphasis on style within the film, and through an integration with marketing and
advertising” (p.7). Using Wyatt’s work as your starting point analyse these two
aspects of the high concept film – an emphasis on style and the integration with
marketing and advertising – in relation to ONE high concept Hollywood film. In
ARTS1062: Hollywood Film 2023 Assessment 3
developing your analysis discuss some of the differences and/or similarities between
the high concept film and the classical Hollywood film, with a close discussion of one
classical Hollywood film.
The high concept film and the classical Hollywood film should be of the same, or
similar, genres, and at least ONE of your examples should be a required or
recommended film cited on Moodle for Week 4, Week 5, Week 9, or Week 10.
Question 4
Focusing on the work of ONE American indie filmmaker, discuss some of the
differences and/or similarities between the American indie film and either the
classical Hollywood film or the High Concept film. Support your answer through
close analysis of at least two films.
At least ONE of your examples should be a required or recommended film cited on
Moodle for Week 4, Week 5, Week 9, or Week 10.
Question 5
Throughout the history of Hollywood female filmmakers have consistently faced
many obstacles. Discuss some of these obstacles through a focused analysis of the
work of ONE female director from the 1990s onwards. Consider how financing,
distribution, and marketing, as well as audience and/or critical reception is informed
by the filmmaker’s gender. Support your answer through close analysis of at least two
films, the film’s marketing material, and cite examples of the critical reception of
their films.
FAIL PASS CREDIT DISTINCTION HIGH DISTINCTION
Argument /
Thesis
Fails to address the question or
demonstrates a poor
understanding of the question and
no clear argument is put forward.
Essay demonstrates an adequate
understanding of the question;
however, the argument being
developed is unclear or only partly
relevant, or is based on a
misunderstanding of an aspect of
the question or topic.
Essay demonstrates a solid
understanding of the essay
question and the argument
developed in the answer is clear
but is lacking in originality or
insight.
Essay demonstrates an accurate
and informed understanding of the
essay question and the argument
developed in the answer is
identifiable but may be lacking in
one of the following: originality or
insight.
Essay demonstrates an accurate
and sophisticated understanding
of the essay question. The
argument being developed in the
answer is easily identifiable,
original, and insightful. For the
higher bands, an original
argument deeply informs the
author’s overall approach to the
question.
Logic and
argumentation
The essay's argumentation is very
poor. No or little effort is made to
construct a logical argument; no or
little/poor evidence is offered to
support claims. Relevant concepts
and debates are not address or are
poorly understood.
Argumentation is weak and
analysis is not fully developed.
Some minimal attempts at
supporting key claims have been
made. Superficial understanding of
relevant terms and concepts.
Argumentation displays a good
understanding of the topic.
Relevant arguments and concepts
are raised, and claims are
supported. Most relevant concepts
and terms are explained well.
Argumentation and analysis are
clear and displays some strong
insights and/or reflection. Most
key claims are well supported.
Incorporates some relevant
material. Relevant concepts and
terms are explained well.
Argumentation and analysis
display insight, clarity of thought,
and reflection. Arguments are
clearly identifiable and sound; key
claims are well supported.
Relevant concepts and terms are
clearly explained. For the higher
band, the logic of the argument is
solid and difficult to fault.
Research & Use
of Sources
No evidence of research. No
attempt is made to incorporate
information from relevant sources.
No or incorrect referencing of
source materials.
Some evidence of research but the
research undertaken either fails to
address key texts in the area or is
not adequately used. Inconsistent
referencing of source materials.
Moderate amount of research
undertaken, including some
quality engagement with key texts
in the area. Mostly correct
referencing of source material.
Good amount of research
undertaken, with key texts being
deployed well in the development
and support of claims and the
argument being made. Correct
referencing of course material.
Draws on research materials in
productive and illuminating ways
to develop key claims and
arguments. Source information is
well integrated into the essay.
Completely correct referencing of
source materials. For the higher
band, the research materials deeply
inform the author’s overall
approach to the question.
Film Analysis,
with attention to
film as a specific
medium
There is little or no evidence that a
relevant film has been viewed.
There is no close analysis of a
scene or scenes. There is no, or
limited, attention to applying film
analysis techniques.
There is some evidence that relevant
films have been viewed. There is
some analysis of a scene or scenes.
There is some attention to applying
film analysis techniques.
There is good evidence that
relevant films have been closely
viewed. Relevant scenes are
discussed where appropriate.
Attention is given to applying film
analysis techniques relevant for
the study of Hollywood film.
The essay includes a detailed
critical analysis of a scene or
scenes from relevant films that
have been closely viewed.
Attention is given to applying film
analysis techniques and the essay
offers some critical insights into
Hollywood film styles.
The essay includes detailed critical
analysis of scenes from relevant
films that have been closely
viewed, with examples
demonstrating unique insights into
the films discussed. The essay also
demonstrates a highly informed or
creative interpretation of
Hollywood film style relevant for
the question. For the higher band,
these original insights are deeply
connected the author’s overall
approach to the question.
Presentation /
Written
expression
Many sentences are incomplete
and/or the essay is difficult to
understand. Multiple spelling
errors. The presentation style
guide from Moodle has not been
followed.
Key concepts and theories are not
clearly explained. Several spelling
errors present. Often
demonstrates misunderstanding
of key terminology. The
presentation style guide from
Moodle has only been partially
followed.
Key concepts and theories are
somewhat explained. Some
spelling errors present. Occasional
misunderstanding, or misuse, of
key terminology. The
presentation style guide from
Moodle has been mostly
followed.
Key concepts and theories are
clearly explained. Essay has been
spell--‐checked and proofread. All
key terminology used correctly.
The presentation style guide
from Moodle has been followed
with only one or two minor
errors.
Uses elements of writing style
well. Key concepts and theories
are accurately explained. Essay has
been spell--‐checked and proofread
and has no errors. All key
terminology used correctly and
applied effectively. The
presentation style guide from
Moodle has been followed with
no errors. For the higher band,
the essay could be published as it
is.