Film and Meaning. Ian Douglas' discussion of meaning in film and how it is developed.

1. What is the purpose of Ian Douglas's book? Read through the introduction and discuss which chapters would be helpful to film students? Which chapters would be helpful to film scholars? What sorts of topics are discussed? How do they help contribute to your understanding of how films are made?

2. Why is it important to find meaning in film? What films have meaning to you? What in the film creates meaning for you? How could Ian Douglas's book help you to become a more educated film viewer? Why is this book helpful to you as a film student?

The production of meaning and spectator response in film.

1. On page five, the author asks you to think of two or three films you have recently seen and decide who is the narrator and whose point of view is being expressed. How would the meaning of the film change if the narrator was different? How would the films change if they were told from the antagonist's viewpoint? How important is point of view to a film's understanding?

2. In what ways is Hollywood narrative a genre? Page two of the article discusses this. Read through it and point out what the author's reasons are. Do you agree or disagree that it could be a genre? If it is a genre, what films fall into the genre? Which ones don't? What would be the deciding factor?

Professor Michael Goldbergs essay on ways to "read a film."

1. What are the basic ways to read a film? What will happen if we can learn the correct way to view a film? If we do not properly read a film, does it mean we will not be able to understand it?

2. What are some themes/ tropes found in The Wizard of Oz? What is the message of the film? What are some metaphors? How does knowing the themes or the message enhance your viewing experience? How does it help you to better understand the film?