Film
Festival - The Truman Show
Tuesday
- May 20, 2008
Performing Arts Center - 3:30 pm
- 6:00 PM
College Now Courses - COM
11, ENG BW, ESL BW, SD
Hosted by: Dr. Robert Singer, Professor of English, College Now English Course
Coordinator
Professor Sam Taitt - College Now Communications Course Coordinator
About the Movie: The Truman Show
Director, Peter Weir - Rating PG
The
Truman Show chronicles the life of a man who does not know that his entire
life is a constructed reality soap opera, televised 24-hours-a-day to millioins
across the globe.
About the Presenter:
Professor Sam
Taitt is a communications specialist who is a faculty member in
the Communications and Performing Arts Department at Kingsborough Community
Colege and also serves as the Course Coordinator for the College Now Communications
course. He has worked as a consultant in several political campaigns in the
Caribbean and here in New York advising candidates on TV and radio advertising
and its impact, as well as having run for elected office himself. He believes
it is important for students to be informed about their country and how the
media impacts the world around them.
Extra
Credit Assignment
Standard College Essay
Many issues
arise from the analysis and discussion of the film, The Truman Show.
Some of these issues involve: reality based television productions; who/what
controls the media; consumerism and the individual; and, philosophicallly
speaking, what do we mean when we say that something (or, someone) is real?
In a full-length essay (approximately 400-500 words), later to be revised
for content and correctness, discuss any of the issues raised in the film,
The Truman Show that you consider to be of special interest either
for yourself or for society. Explain why and how these issues are significant
not only in the film but also in relationship to your own life, society, or
even both. You may refer to this film or any other, past or recent historical
events as presented in any form of media coverage, and other people's opinions.
Sample ACT Essay
The Truman
Show (1998) is a film about the medium of television and other big businesses,
and the controlling relationship this medium has over the individual. In this
film, the medium of television is powerful and seems to be manipulating the
flow of information as it shows moments and images in the life of Truman.
This is a reality-based show, a live broadcast. Truman lives his scripted
life, but then learns about his real life. Truman then selects his own direction
in search of himself. One message that the film suggests is the media, especially
television is a very powerful and controlling source of information for society
and that we cannot accept or believe all that we see.
You have been asked to write a letter to your local congressperson in which
you will express your views concerning the funding of a high school project
to experiment with a live broadcast in a media production class. This project
will follow the life of a selected volunteer from the senior class, either
male or female, to serve as a model "Truman" and be videotaped live
for a two week project. This project is a class based assignment and money
to support the rental of professional and expensive equipment comes from the
congressperson's office. Do you believe that either the school or the local
government should be involved in supporting research and development of this
project? What important personal and professional issues can you see arising
from creating such a project? Should this project be produced?
Fully discuss your view; you may refer to past or recent historical or media
events, discussions, and other films, including The Truman Show.
Mini-Research Project
(NOTE: This
is NOT a research paper - it is a research-oriented, library experience
in which students gather and categorize information. They can prepare outlines,
note-cards, bibliography, cite references, or practice any combination of
these skills associated with preparing a research paper. The use of the Internet
is also encouraged.)
Prepare an investigative project that focuses on any one of the following
topics associated with or suggested by the film, The Truman Show.
a)
Reality based television
b) Parody in film
c) career of Jim Carrey
d) History of cable television