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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Mamet in Chapter 6, the "hope that God will intervene and save you" is what most people mean when they talk about what?

2. What was the reason for the beginning of Oedipus Rex?

3. What did Stanislavsky say is needed alone to support the text?

4. The purpose of rehearsal is to tell the actors, beat by beat, what?

5. The two essential elements of story, according to Aristotle, are surprise and what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What suggestions did the students give for the motivation of the protagonist in Chapter 5's scenario?

2. In the hypothetical film from Chapters 3 and 4, what would Mamet suggest as direction to the protagonist?

3. What did Mamet suggest directors should strive for in terms of film dialogue in movies, in Chapter 4?

4. How did Mamet describe dealing with dialogue in Chapter 4?

5. What animated film did Mamet laud as perfect in Chapter 5?

6. What was Mamet's response to "performance art" questions which arise in shooting?

7. What did Mamet suggest to the new director regarding animated films, in Chapter 5?

8. How does Aristotle's theory of tragedy relate to the hypothetical film in Chapter 5?

9. What example did Mamet give of Humphrey Bogart's simplicity, in Chapter 4?

10. What does Mamet say regarding subconscious response in Chapter 4?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why did Mamet believe that the steadicam was a contributor to the downfall of American cinema? What approach is common with the use of the steadicam?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the similarities between film and dreams. What writers did Mamet cite in his discussion of this topic?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the element of dialogue in film. What did Mamet suggest in directing scenes with dialogue? What should a director avoid in terms of dialogue?

(see the answer keys)

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