FINAL MULTIMEDIA PROJECT

Taking the place of the final exam in this course will be an individual multimedia project which will count for 20% of each student's final grade. The projects will be presented in class near the end of the term, at which time they will also be submitted to the professor to be graded.

SUBJECT AND FORMATS

Projects should treat in some manner the broad theme of the course: French cinema. A vast array of possibilities exist under that rubric, however, and the project, while necessarily encompassing both spoken text and visuals, can take a number of forms and be executed using a variety of technologies. Here are some suggestions which should serve as a point of departure to encourage students' creative planning:

  • Create a web site or Power Point presentation devoted to a French actor, director, or film. Include rich content incorporating both visuals and original text. Present your work to the class.
  • Create a «bande annonce» or preview to a French film, whether one studied in class or another, using Adobe Premiere Elements, video capture and voice-over. (See «Pour les technophiles,» p. 146)
  • Create a «journal de voyage», using digital still photos and a voice-over, of an object (teddy bear, stuffed animal, etc.) which «travels» as did the nain de jardin of Amélie's father. (See «Un journal de voyage,» p. 20). Photo Story software, available on all computers in the LRC (FH 226) makes this an easy assignment technologically. Digital camera equipment is available in the CCLC.
  • Produce a short film (4-5 mn) on digital video. The film can treat a theme already raised in one of the films we have seen in class, or can be a parody of one of our films or another well-known French film. Write the script, cast your friends or yourself, direct, shoot and edit it using digital video equipment and training available in the CCLC.

The Center for Collaborative Learning and Communication in the basement of Duke Library is fully staffed and equipped to enable students to undertake projects of this nature. You may visit their facilities or contact them for more information on how to get started. Your professors will naturally also be available to assist you in the use of those technologies with which they are familiar.

PRELIMINARY DRAFTS

You will hand in two separate drafts of the project as compositions in the second half of the term (compositions 7 and 9). The first draft, due on April 21, should describe in detail the project you intend to create. This draft should also include:

  • for a Photo Story, Adobe Premiere, or digital film, an outline of the script and a sample portion of the dialogue or voice-over which you will eventually use
  • for a web site, a site plan and some original prose OR
  • for a Power Point presentation, a list of slide subjects and some of your presentation text

Your professor will approve your project or suggest modifications after grading the first draft.

The second draft, due on May 5, should be a much more developed, though not necessarily final, version of the script, prose or presentation text.

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION

You will have 5-7 minutes to present your project to your class on May 19, 22 or 23. Your final project will be graded on the following criteria:

  • Organization, effective communication of themes and ideas
  • Accuracy of grammar and vocabulary use
  • Confidence, clarity and comprehensibility of French in the in-class presentation
  • Originality of conception and skill of execution

It is expected that these projects will bring together, although perhaps in widely divergent ways, the following elements:

  • A representative sample of your writing skills in French
  • A sample of your spoken French, showing appropriate mastery of phonology (accent and intonation)
  • A knowledge of some aspect of French cinema
  • A strong visual component

Do not hesitate to request a meeting with your professors at any time to discuss the elaboration of your project.