Dangerous Minds
Million Dollar Baby
Walter Mitty/Minority Report
Film Techniques
Characterization/Writing
100
What is one weird or questionable thing Ms. Johnson does in the book?
Open-ended, but here are some options
a) Pushes a male student up against the wall :/
b) Lies to a student's parents and takes Brian to a pool hall
c) Hangs out with her students + visits them at home
100
What nickname does Maggie Fitzgerald have and what does it mean?
Spelling doesn't count, as long as it's obvious what you're trying to say
Moi cuishle ==> means "my darling"/"my blood"
100
Explain the system of precrime.
Precogs predict crime; people are charged with crimes before they have the chance to commit them
100
What is the difference between diegetic and nondiegetic sound?
Diegetic sound = what you would hear in everyday life in that situation
Nondiegetic sound = you can't hear it in real life; it's clearly edited over/added in (like a soundtrack)
100
What type of characterization does the text in this card most closely represent?
Direct characterization
200
How does Ms. Johnson's opinion of Danny Morton differ from the opinion the school administration/teachers seem to have of him?
She thinks he's smart and has potential; the others think Danny's a burnout, a druggie, and generally worthless
200
Give one example of how either Maggie or Frankie is indirectly characterized. Answer must specify example of something the character specifically says, does, thinks, etc. Answer must also state what we learn about that character's personality.
Example Response:
Anderton thinks to himself that he is getting fat and bald (characterization by thought) ==> reveals he is insecure and worries about his appearance
200
At the end of "Walter Mitty" (short story), what is one reason why Walter Mitty might feel triumphant, even though he's faced with a firing squad?
Answers should touch upon at least one of the following
a) He gets to escape in another daydream
b) He feels like he's in control/is a boss/is a G
200
Explain the purpose of a mid/medium shot.
Student A has all of their classes in the same building (they never have to go outside). They have Drama 1st period, Sharing Unpopular Opinions 2nd period, and Java 3rd period. Which 3 types of conflict is Student A most likely to encounter?
Shows person from the waist up to show their interactions w/ other people
200
What is the correct formatting for citing a quote? You can make up the author last name and page number; the formatting just has to be exactly correct.
Something like
(Kershaw 22).
I will accept responses without a period. The key things to have are the parentheses, author last name, and page number.
300
In the movie, why does Ms. Johnson initially feel like she has to leave the school?
Jenna sighed. She didn't know how she was going to find a way to escape her current situation.
Five blocks away, at home, Earl snarled as he realized what Jenna had been keeping secret from him for the past six weeks. What type of PoV is this?
It's too sad for her after Emilio dies
300
Explain
(a) How Maggie ends up getting hurt
(b) How she further injures/impairs/limits herself after her first injury
(c) How she denies/disappoints her family when they come to visit her at the hospital
(a) Breaks her vertebrae/suffers a spinal injury when she crashes against the corner stool
(b) Tries to commit suicide by biting her tongue off so she can bleed to death ===> can't talk
(c) Tells her family what's up and "no, you can't have my money, get out + never contact me again" :O
300
Why does Anderton still kill General Kaplan?
Explain why Mildred could be considered a relatively flat and static character.
Answers should not have anything to do with test prep books.
---> Answer: Anderton thinks he needs to preserve the system of precrime at all costs
300
Pretend that you are the male student that Ms. Johnson pushes up against the wall (in Dangerous Minds). If the scene is being shot from Ms. Johnson's point of view, what film angle makes the most sense (and why)?
High angle (Ms. Johnson has the power; the student is more vulnerable)
300
Open-Ended: Explain one way in which the man (Ron) is being indirectly characterized.
Options include but are not limited to:
a) Characterization by action: swiveling away from woman
b) Characterization by effect on others: he is clearly enjoying causing the woman distress
c) Impress me with a solid explanation
400
You are Ms. Johnson and you are in the office talking to your coworker Bud. Based on the situation the book describes, what type of camera angle makes the most sense (and why)?
Eye level/neutral angle, since you're coworkers
If you put "high angle, because she hates him/views him as inferior/a worse teacher", I'd also give that to you
400
Give an example of how either Frankie or Maggie can be considered a dynamic character. Answer must clearly show a before/after contrast (to make it clear how the character has changed)
Answers might include
(a) Frankie: becomes less sexist, learns to care for Maggie, goes far out of his way for her
(b) Maggie: becomes less cocky/determined, gives up on life, becomes less focused on earning money for herself
400
What level of status and respect does Walter Mitty have from the people he interacts with in real life? Use at least one specific detail to explain your response.
He isn't well-respected/he's kind of a nobody
Evidence: Anyone ordering him around/his jobs running errands
400
You are filming a video of people rock climbing. Once they get to the top of the cliff, you want to film a perfect scene of two lovers holding hands and staring into each other's eyes.
a) What type of camera technique do you use for rock climbing?
b) What type of lighting will you use as the two lovers hold hands and get lost in each other's eyes?
In the movie "Searching", Mr. Kim is a father who is trying to search for his lost daughter. He finds difficulties in using social media/online platforms to look for her, and is disheartened by people on the Internet who insinuate that he caused her to run away from home. He also blames himself for having a rocky relationship with her. What type(s) of conflict are represented here?
a) Tilting (up & down, cliff side = vertical)
b) Soft lighting (romantic vibe)
400
What does the STEAL acronym stand for?
Speech, Thoughts, Effect(s) on Others, Actions, Looks
All or nothing (must get 5 for 5 to be correct)
500
Give one example of how
(a) Ms. Johnson can be indirectly characterized
(b) Hal, Raul, Leroy, or Emilio (film) can be indirectly characterized
Answers must clearly explain the example, the type of indirect characterization, and an explanation of what the characterization reveals about the character
Show me and I'll tell you.
500
How does Frankie's initial idea of "Boxing is counterintuitive; you can't run from the pain, you've got to step into it" hint at the way the story ends? Give one specific example of something that happens that reflects this idea.
Come up with an example of an allusion.
1) Maggie bites her own tongue off
2) Maggie/Frankie accept the idea of suicide
3) Maggie claps her family b/c it's the right thing to do, even though it hurts
500
Give one example of indirect characterization for
a) Walter Mitty
b) Anderton
Answer must specify type(s) of characterization and what the characterization reveals about their personality
I'll know it when I see it. Answer must look something like this (for format)
Steph Curry, characterization by action (when he refuses to gloat about beating LeBron in the NBA Finals) ===> shows he is humble & respectful
500
Give two different examples of diegetic sound AND two different examples of nondiegetic sound. You must use different types of examples (cannot use songs for both of your examples).
Open-Ended. Responses might look like
a) Diegetic: a car honking, people talking, doors slamming
b) Nondiegetic: music/soundtrack, an exaggerated heartbeat, a narrator's voiceover
500
Explain 1 thing that effective commentary will do (open-ended)
Options include
a) Explaining more about character thoughts/feelings/motivations/relationships
b) Analyze how language is being used in an unconventional or purposeful way
c) Uses plot details/info to support argument
d) Goes beyond summary