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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. What kind of camera has helped in injuring the cinema, according to Mamet?

2. In Chapter 2, Mamet says that it's impossible to make a character what?

3. What is the first way suggested by students in the class for shooting a scene of a bunch of people coming to class?

4. In what area did Mamet have greater experience in when writing the book?

5. Who did Mamet compare with Frank Capra in Chapter 3?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Mamet's discussion of understanding precipitation in architecture in Chapter 3.

2. What are ways that directors attempt to keep the audience's attention when the design of a film fails?

3. How did Mamet illustrate juxtaposition of shots in documentary film in Chapter 1?

4. How did Mamet explain the principle concern in choosing shots in Chapter 2?

5. How did Mamet describe film in terms of syllogism in Chapter 3?

6. What is a "MacGuffin", and who coined this phrase?

7. What are the different approaches Mamet discussed as methods of storytelling in film, in Chapter 1?

8. What did Mamet write about drama school and film school in Chapter 1?

9. What did Mamet write regarding dreams and film in Chapter 1?

10. What did Mamet write in Chapter 1 regarding character description and narration?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Mamet's opinion of actor training in the United States today. What level of training do film actors have versus stage actors?

Essay Topic 2

Compare the films of Frank Capra and Werner Herzog. How do these directors differ in their approach and storytelling? With whom do Mamet's theories most relate?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Mamet's take on exposition and narration in storytelling and specifically in film.

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