Film and Media Studies Commons^™

The Stars Of David, Eric B. Millman

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The Stars of David is based on the true story of a woman whose love of baseball stood above all. Set in the midst of the Great Depression, Jackie Austin, disgusted by the chauvinistic expectations of her impoverished father, sets off on her own to play for whatever team that will have her. That team proves to be the barnstorming House of David Baseball Club, an ascetic religious commune struggling to regain past glory after a decade of tragedy and shame. Outsiders and freaks to the rest of the world, these new "Stars" of David must learn to work together …

For Want Of: A Punk Rock Short Film, Jonathan P. Kieran

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

In light of the specific challenges of assessing a thesis film—a project which contains artistic and academic components—the author examines his own short film For Want Of as a prototype for future work in film and as an opportunity for introspective investigation into the nature of filmmaking and personal artistic process. Reference is made to specific episodes during the film’s conception and production, as well as higher-level insight gained from following the film through an 18-month production cycle.

The Horse And The Castle, Angela D. Roe

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This paper examines the production of my thesis film, “The Horse and The Castle.” I will explore the choices taken in each step of the production, from the writing process to post-production and finishing. Each area — writing, directing, production design, cinematography, editing, and sound — contained a multitude of decisions that helped to achieve my final vision for the film.

Entrepreneurs, John A. Patton

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

In this paper, I will cover the process of making my thesis film, Entrepreneurs. Specific facets of this process include writing, directing, production design, cinematography, editing, sound, and technology. I will detail the goals initially set for each facet, the approach taken during production, and the results that led to the finished product. I will then evaluate the overall success of the project.

Confirmation Of Prophecy By Proxy: Audience Anticipation And Reception Of The 2014 Movie Left Behind And Its Relevance To The Dispensational Premillennialist Worldview, Andrew R. Burns

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Media has the potential to legitimize or spread a belief system to the general public. The 2014 movie Left Behind is an example of a deliberate attempt at promoting the belief system referred to as dispensational premillennialism (DPM), or belief in the imminent rapture of Christians. Producers of Left Behind (2014) sought to promote DPM to the general public, hoping for a mass conversion. Online discussion and interviews were gathered and interpreted qualitatively. Content analysis of audience anticipation and reception show believers were as concerned with the conversion of the general public via this movie than the movie itself. Differences …

From A “Lazy Boy” To The Open Sea. The Journey Of Making “Call Me Cappy”, Maja M. Holzinger

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

In this paper I will describe and analyze the process of creating my thesis film, Call Me Cappy. I will start with stating the theme and discuss each aspect of this process in relation to the theme that originated this project. I will detail my biggest challenges and struggles. I will also try to show how the knowledge I absorbed through attending the graduate film program, and the literature I have read, has served my journey as a filmmaker. In the end, I will attempt to evaluate whether my theme found its full expression through this film. The final …

In Service, Spencer R. Kancher

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Alien On A Savage Planet, Shena Mullins

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This paper details the process of creating the UNO Graduate thesis film Alien on a Savage Planet. Each major step in the filmmaking process is covered: screenwriting, producing, directing, cinematography, sound, production design, costumes, hair and makeup, workflow, editing, color correction, music and post- sound. A comprehensive assessment of the filmmaking process and the successes and failures of the project are discussed in length.

Invincible: Legacy And Propaganda In Superhero Comics, Natalie R. Sheppard

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Captain America and Iron Man are both iconic American heroes, representing different American values. Captain America was created during the Golden Age of comics and represents a longing for the past, while Iron Man was created at the height of the Cold War and looks forward to a new America. This paper will first establish the historical and cultural relationship between comic books and propaganda, beginning with the first appearance of Superman. It will pay special attention to the similarities and differences of Captain America and Iron Man, focusing on their representation of American values over time, and discuss how …

Going In Circles, Mark C. Raymond

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Weeb-Con, Rachel Williams

Senior Honors Theses

One of the most important parts in the development stage of filmmaking is writing a screenplay. Weeb‐Con is a thirty‐two‐page action comedy screenplay. After an anime convention in Galveston, Texas, is forcefully taken over by armed robbers in creepy, badlymade fursuits, it is up to Dolores “Dolly” Lopez, a Lolita who must lead the convention attendees ‐ including her family and her fat pitbull Butterball ‐ and make them band together. Dolly is something of a perfectionist loner; but, with the help of her new friends Seymour, a cowardly nerd, and Boyd, a stoner who is smarter than he looks, …

Orenda, Lauren Reeks

Senior Honors Theses

The following work is a feature length screenplay about Anna Morris, an 18-year-old girl who finds herself faced with a moral dilemma when her estranged father, Robert, contacts her on her 18th birthday. When she learns about Robert’s past involvement in an online child pornography ring Anna must decide if she can forgive him, or -- more importantly -- if he is worthy of forgiveness. However, as the story unfolds we find that it is not just Anna who needs to forgive. This story approaches issues of repentance, growth, and the journey into adulthood as Anna takes on each new …

Rachel's Madcap Theater, Joseph Laura

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This paper will cover the making of my thesis film Rachel’s Madcap Theater. I will break down all of the interdisciplinary aspects and collaborations with other artists that formed the final film: screenwriting, production design, directing, cinematography, sound, music, and special effects. For each of these categories, when appropriate, I will compare and contrast the changes made during the main stages of filmmaking: pre-production (all decisions made before shooting begins), production (all decisions made while shooting the movie), and post-production (all decisions made after shooting ends). I will then provide self-analysis of my process in order to judge both …

The Adversity Pop Culture Has Posed, Darel Joseph

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

I am a collage artist working with multiple mediums such as paint, photography, video, audio, and performance. As a New Orleans’ native, I have a unique history that is unflattering, for my history echoes that of America’s historical misdeeds. I make sociopolitical art because I am of a historically oppressed people. I make art that celebrates my diverse culture that is a collage of Native American, African, and New Orleans’ French Creole.

Tango In Solitude, Maria Hinterkoerner

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Screenplay

The Release: A Thesis, Jonathan Frey

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Possessing elements of both dark comedy and dramatic suspense, The Release is the story of Sean Coleman, a young, idealistic documentary filmmaker, who, in fighting for his film's release, discovers that his beliefs may not be as strong as his desire to get what he wants. This paper will examine the total production process that went into the development, creation and finalization of this film.

Turtle Beach, Weizhong Huang, Weizhong Huang

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This paper thoroughly examines the production of the thesis film, Turtle Beach. Each area of the film’s production is carefully dissected, including the writing, production design, cinematography, directing, editing, sound, technology, workflow and visual effect. Specific attention has been paid to writing and cinematography, and how they affect editing.

The Veil, Gwendolyn S. Granger

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This paper details the process of creating the UNO Graduate thesis film The Veil. Each major step in the filmmaking process is covered: screenwriting, producing, directing, cinematography, sound, production design, costumes, hair and makeup, workflow, editing, color correction, music and post-sound. An evaluation of the filmmaking decisions and the success of the project follows the discussions of the process.

La Gioconda, Nikkole R. Jones

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Set in 16th century Florence, Italy, "La Gioconda" takes you on the journey of Lisa del Gioconda, the woman behind one of the most recognized paintings in the world, The Mona Lisa. Married off at a young age, Lisa finds comfort in her secret love affair with Art. Her secret world crosses paths with an Art apprentice, Leonardo da Vinci, who takes her on as his student. Lisa tells her husband that she is at church praying while spending her afternoons with Da Vinci, mastering her craft and technique. A love affair begins to blossom and Lisa is forced …

Am800, James Madison Roe

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

In this paper, I will detail the film making techniques that my crew and I employed while making AM800, my thesis film at the University of New Orleans. I will detail the creative and technical steps we took, from the earliest stages of idea conceptualization to the final phases of post-production and screening. During my recounting of this process, I will discuss our creative goals, the challenges that we faced while achieving these goals, and the resulting product's effectiveness as a narrative short film. The quality of the final product will be gauged through the results of test screenings …

The Good Killing, Alex F. Aaron

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This paper will provide a far-ranging analysis of the relevant aspects of the filmmaking process as it pertains to the development and production of the thesis project, The Good Killing. This analysis will include both a detailed, biographic overview of the making of the film, as well as an in-depth critique of the creative decision-making and practical methodology that guided the production. In this regard, special attention will be first be given to how the project was initially conceived, and, broadly speaking, what was originally intended. Secondly, proceeding sections will examine key elements of the filmmaker’s technical planning, performance, …

Where Do We Go From Here? Multiliteracy And The Future Of Narrative, Dustin W. Mccrory

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Words on a page are insufficient vehicles for complex ideas. When images and words appear together on the page, as in comics, the process of meaning-making through narrative functions more efficiently. Building on this idea, we must establish a “graphic narratology” to understand the process whereby meaning is transmitted. Analysis of narratological conventions, as well as the conventions of mass-market comics, provides a framework for this new narratology.

The Gems Of Jazz, Virgile C. Beddok

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The Gems of Jazz is a prospective TV series that features local New Orleans Jazz musicians. The purpose of the show, created and hosted by Virgile Beddok, is to look into the lives of the people who make the New Orleans Jazz scene all that it is, and has been. This paper delves into each stage of the creative and production processes that enabled the completion of this pilot episode which features master drummer Herlin Riley as a guest.

Worlds Wide, Will H. Blanke Jr.

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Story of an alien who inhabits the body of middle-aged man George. Mission for Alien George is to convince a fertile, intelligent, attractive woman to move back with him to their planet to create a hybrid species. The major benefit for the woman is having the alien's elixir for her to live for thousands of years. George begins to feel human emotions for Connie, the young woman he initially picks. However, Connie is a lost drug addict who has no signs of a future. This does not appease George's alien guide. George must weigh his new human emotions with his …

Red Bean Monday, Craig S. Carter

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The process of filmmaking starts with an idea and is brought forth to reality through a collaborative effort.

This paper will include the process of producing a film through each step from the conception to completion of my thesis film “Red Bean Monday.”

I will thoroughly discuss the writing, producing, cinematography, directing, editing, sound, technology, and workflow. I will also discuss things I have learned as a filmmaker through the successes and failures that I determined based on surveys from audience participation.

The Lonely, Brent Steven Scott

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Grandpa Bandit, Jasmine D. Dunn

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Grandpa Bandit tells the story of elderly Virgil Wells, an upstanding citizen who is forced to partake in criminal activities in order to be able to provide for his ailing wife, Mary. As their funds decrease and their medicare is terminated, Virgil applies for work but is overlooked. His abilities are underestimated. He's viewed as a liability because of his age. When all attempts at making an honest living fails, Virgil decides that his only option is to rob a bank.

Throughline: The common misconception that the elderly are incapable of working hard during their golden years often leaves these …

Capshaw Ravens, Jennifer D. Grant

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This paper will examine the production of the thesis film, Capshaw Ravens. I will analyze the production process from development to post-production, and determine if I achieved my goal of creating a short film with concept, character, and conflict.

Dantalion, David R. Leblanc

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

In this paper, I will cover the step by step process of making my thesis film, Dantalion. These steps include writing, directing, production design, makeup, cinematography, editing, and sound. I will primarily focus on the pre-production work done for each one of these departments and how it affected the outcome of the finished film. I will then evaluate the outcome to determine the success of the project.

The Woodshed, Catherine R. Amond

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

In this paper, I will share in detail the entire process of creating my thesis film, The Woodshed. I will cover each step from writing and pre-visualization to producing, directing, production design, cinematography, editing, and sound. I will mainly focus on the style of directing I employed and the key decisions I made as an editor to best tell my story. I will then evaluate my decisions to determine the success of the project.