Prof. Frank

The movie is the Godfather

Acting and Acting Styles

Review the
General Instructions for your blog post before beginning.


Mise en scène refers to different technical elements used in making a film such as lighting and sound, both of which you have already analyzed in this course. The term also encompasses the role of actors in a film, their physical positioning and movements within the frame, as well as the different styles and types of acting.

You can classify an actor’s type using only one film as reference, but these categories are subject to change. Each new role helps to clarify or shift an actor’s designation. Using specific examples from your chosen film, in your blog:

1. Identify three actors from your film and classify each according to the types of actors listed in your text.
2. Explain your reasons for classifying the actors as you do. Use specific references to the film and pay special attention to how these decisions impacted characterization. Also, consider the impact of any realistic or stylized portrayals within the film.
3. Focus on one of the actors you’ve discussed. Based on other films the actor has been in, would this actor always be placed in the same category? If so, what does this say about the category or actor? If not, what can you infer about the flexibility of these categories? Provide evidence (references from other films, including film clips and stills) to support your argument.

You must use at least two outside sources, in any combination of embedded video clips, still photos, or scholarly sources. All sources should be documented in APA style, as outlined by the Ashford Writing Center. To submit this blog, you will be required to post a link to the specific blog entry in the discussion forum. You are encouraged to explore your classmates’ blogs, but no replies are required.

Please note that if you opt to write about the same film in your Final Film Critique, applicable entries from this blog can be used to write that assignment. Please also note that you should reflect on and revise this blog based on the instructor’s feedback before you incorporate it into the Final Film Critique.