TITLE: 1984 Then and Now: Orwell, Anderson, and Radford Totalitarian Comparison and Warnings
MEDIA: Research Essay
PAGES: 13 
CLASS: COM 261 World Cinema
PROFESSOR: Lowell Harris
INSTITUTION: The University of Tampa
SEMESTER/TERM: Fall 2022
DESCRIPTION: For this research paper, I explored and compared the filming techniques used by two English directors, Michael Anderson and Michael Radford in their adaptation of the Orwell’s fictional, dystopian novel, 1984. In my paper, I provide summaries of the novel, the 1956 film version (Anderson), and the 1984 film version (Radford). Then I compare how each director applied color, lighting, sound, and presentation in their film adaptations to emphasize the dystopian nature of totalitarianism. I conclude with my evaluation of each director’s adaptation of Orwell’s novel, 1984. I feel, Radford demonstrated a stronger depiction of a dystopian or totalitarian society in his 1984 film adaptation. I enjoyed the opportunity to watch two different film adaptations of Orwell’s novel, 1984 from two different decades. I learned the culture from each decade had influence on each director’s adaptation.

TITLE: The French Revolution of Sound: Le Million
MEDIA: Critical Essay
PAGES: 8
CLASS: COM 261 World Cinema
PROFESSOR: Lowell Harris
INSTITUTION: The University of Tampa
SEMESTER/TERM: Fall 2022
DESCRIPTION: For this assignment, I was required to examine one film I watched in class and write a critical essay on the film. I chose the film Le Million by French artist and filmmaker, René Clair. Clair experimented with sound and created a whimsical, musical comedy with Le Million. I argued that Clair’s triumphant blending of sound and music within Le Million demonstrated a revolutionary implementation of synchronized sound where sound and music enhanced and articulated the narrative, creating an entertaining artistic masterpiece. Le Million is the story about a flat-broke artist bombarded by creditors and learns he has the winning lottery ticket. Clair unfolds the story by cleverly constructing a series of unbelievable coincidences enhanced by sound and music generating humor and suspense. Clair utilized non-diegetic and diegetic singing to represent a character’s inner thoughts and intentions. I really enjoyed the film, Le Million as it was entertaining and fun. I enjoyed the opportunity to share how I felt the use of sound enhanced the narrative and created an artistic masterpiece.