In regard to our study of Lyden’s article and the film, The Truman Show, please respond to the following prompts in their entirety. I am not asking you to conduct any research. I want you to simply respond to the best of your ability to the prompts found below using what you’ve learned in class and the text of the reading and the film as applicable. Your response should be thorough in that you should provide specific and relevant examples to support your claims. Use the labels provided to identify each of your responses. (1, 2, 3 etc.) You should always try to limit direct quotes because quotes do not demonstrate understanding. Try to paraphrase and cite the page number from the article. You should only quote those statements that you are unable to effectively paraphrase. When you use quotes, you should always explain them. They are not self explanatory. Cite properly and according to MLA.
John C. Lyden wrote the article, “To Commend or Critique?: The Question of Religion and Film Studies” within which he discusses the history of studying film from a Religious Studies perspective. He outlines what is meant by studying film from an ideological perspective and from a film as myth approach. He does so because he thinks that scholars feel forced to choose between the two approaches. Lyden argues that no one should have to choose between the two approaches. Both approaches are valid means to study film. In consideration of his ideas, please respond to the following prompts:
1) Explain what he means to study film as myth according to John Lyden. Cite properly. Do not forget to name the author and the title of the article the first time that you discus his/her/their ideas.
2) Explain what it means to study film as ideology according to John Lyden. Cite properly.
3) Choose an approach to studying film (either myth or ideology).
4) Apply the approach to the film scene in order to demonstrate your understanding of the approach.
A) Choose, name, and describe a scene from The Truman Show (1998). Include a link to the clip of that scene. Use at least one film term in your description of the scene. Do not forget to name the title of the film and the director before you discuss the scene..
B) Then explain how this scene offers a moment to study film as myth OR film as ideology (whichever you chose). It is okay if you are unsure of your answers because you are likely now beginning to study film in this way. Do the best that you can. Try.
Challenge Question (optional):
5) Lyden says that “there are times when popular film critiques itself” (15). Here he means that sometimes the filmmakers make fun of themselves and the fictitious (mythical) nature of film. But, when they do this, they usually return to or resume the myth by the end of the film (15). Are there any moments when the film makers of The Truman Show seem to be poking fun at the fictitious world they created? What do you make of this?
Always write in full sentences because your ideas are only as complete as your sentences.
Include a works cited entry for the film and for the reading