I’m working on a communications writing question and need an explanation to help me understand better.
two eassy total?pick one from two prompt
Changes to the Industry (400-600 words, drawing connections)
Write an essay answering one of the following prompts about changes the film industry has undergone in the last several decades and drawing connections between readings/course materials.
Prompt A.Labor
Write a 400-600 word essay on recent labor shifts. What are some of the causes of that labor squeeze that has moved the US film industry toward more precarious, less rewarding working conditions? What sorts of labor problems do precarious working conditions or lack of union affiliation result in? In your answer, draw as many connections as you can to course material and discuss at least two of the cases we studied in which dangerous or unethical situations developed and explain how workplace precarity (long hours, inexperience, discrimination, lack of union, etc.) may have contributed to these problems.
Prompt B. Exhibition
In recent decades, our relationship to movie theaters has undergone a number of changes in response to emerging technologies. How have technological shifts affected film exhibition since the 1980s, how have studios, distributors, and exhibitors responded to these shifts, and how has this changed moviemaking for filmmakers and moviegoing for consumers? Write a 400-600 word essay encompassing as many causes and effects and drawing as many connections to course material as you can.
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS:
This essay is more interpretive than the first and should allow a little more creativity in terms of the connections drawn. There are lots of things you might include in your essay so before writing take a few minutes to brainstorm the connections and possibilities. Then write your essay highlighting as many as you can while still anchoring your discussion to specific readings and topics.
While there’s no set number of required readings, you are encouraged to draw connections to different readings as much as is necessary/possible.
Don’t forget to note which prompt you’re responding to and remember that you must write about ONE of the two prompts. You may not write about both.
You are not required to think up a plot, title, or anything else about your hypothetical film. Or you may invent these details if you think it will help you or the essay. Just remember, the essay should be about your understanding about how these processes of distribution/exhibition work, so don’t spend too much time, space or energy on that.
You may exceed the 600 word limit by 100 or so words but the minimum of 400 words must be met for full credit (and successful responses will likely take at least that many words)
No need to write full intro or conclusion paragraphs, buta single sentence explaining the essay’s focus, like an introductory sentence at the top and topic sentence setting up each paragraph, is encouraged
DO break up into paragraphs and use a topic sentence for structure and write in complete sentences
No need to include a full bibliographic citation for class readings. DO include author / page# for quotes
GRADING BASED ON:
Critical thinking – applying ideas, relating concepts, authors, films
Grasp, command of course material – demonstrated understanding/comprehension of not only lecture slides but the readings they are taken from
Evidence (level of specificity/detail)
Examples of films, companies, etc. when applicable (e.g. if you’re talking about old Hollywood-style blockbusters that flopped, give an example of one)
Films screened in class (only if relevant)
Grammar, Spelling, Punctuation (least important, but not unimportant as we have to at least be able to understand the writing enough to get the meaning)
second eassy?
prompt1?You’ve just produced an independent horror film with a $5 million dollar budget. Now what? Write a 300-600 word essay about the different obstacles you may face and strategies you will employ in getting the film in front of audiences and paying yourself/your investors so that you can fund your next project. Support your discussion with information from at least two required readings. NOTE: the higher the potential for profit, the more likely you are to profit enough to fund another film so be sure to thoroughly consider potential obstacles and strategies for overcoming them.
prompt2?You’ve just released a blockbuster film based on a popular comic book onto 3000 screens in the US. Now what? Write a 400-600 word essay discussing how you will use different ancillary markets to increase your film’s revenue. Support your discussion with information from at least two required readings. NOTE: the more effective and extensive the use of ancillaries, the higher the potential for profit, so be specific and thorough in your ancillary distribution plan.
Short Answer – Answers should be roughly 2-3 sentences or phrases. You may write a longer answer if you need another sentence or two to explain, but it will be difficult to answer in less than 2 sentences as all short answer questions are asking you to do at least two things.
1.Why does Chris Anderson describe the pattern a film or album follows in the era of digital sales as a “Long Tail”? Why does Jeffrey Ulin suggest it should actually be a “wide tail” instead? [2pts for defining and relating each term to the other]
2.What is day-and-date releasing? When and for what types of films is day-and-date releasing a good idea and for when and for which types of film is it not? [2pts each for defining term, 2pts for second question.]
3.Why are runaway productions more likely to be non-union productions than films shot in southern California? [be sure explain what runaway productions are before explaining why they’re more likely]
4.Would you rather attend a film festival run on the business model or the audience model? In your answer, distinguish between the two models [2pts] and give 2 specific reasons why you’d prefer the model you chose. [2 pts]
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