San Carlos City Campus

San Carlos City, Pangasinan (2420)

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EGE18 – Teaching Music in Elementary Grades

2nd Semester, 2021-2022

NAME: Marilou Soriano Doria DATE: May 17, 2022

Year and Section: BEED-3B

FILM ANALYSIS

Film Review Guidelines:

Movie: The School of Rock

1. What issues does the film present?

The issues that the film presents are the biggest problem facing our youth today; a lack
of self-confidence.

2. What did you learn from this film?

As a future educator, I believe that being honest with children is the only way to truly
connect with them and establish relationships. If a teacher is all business all of the time,
students will perceive him or her as merely a classroom fixture rather than a person.
When you’re an idea rather than a person, commanding respect is difficult. For better or
worse, Dewey wears his heart on his sleeve, and the kids get to know him because of it.
He is unapproachable and apathetic when he initially enters the classroom, cutting
himself off from the students. He doesn’t start forming relationships with the youngsters
until he demonstrates and shares his enthusiasm for music and shares that with them.
When he presents an in-progress song to the class, he hesitates. His hesitation, his
stage fright, is something that just about any fourth-grader can relate to. So I learned in
this movie that interactions like this show kids that you know how they are feeling and
what they are going through. They create understanding between student and teacher
and help build bridges.

3. Did this film change your opinion about any of the issues it addressed?
Yes , The biggest problem facing our youth today is a lack of self-confidence. By
speaking to them positively and encouraging them to be their best selves, you can instill
a growth mindset in them. These kids often need someone to believe in them, because
they don’t always believe in themselves. Keep it positive, believe they can do it, and they
often will.

4. If so, what features of the film did you find most persuasive? If not, what features of the
film did you believe were not persuasive and why?
Taking up Dewey’s attitude — after his first apathy, of course — is not a panacea for
a classroom. There will still be days when you feel spent and exhausted. There will
always be children who test your boundaries. There isn’t always a straightforward
solution to the issues that arise in the classroom. But that doesn’t negate the importance
of the lessons presented.

5. The film uses different methods to convey messages. Give an example of each of the
following methods: dramatic, humorous, factual, and shocking. How/why were these
effective or not in your view?
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Tel. Fax/Tel. no.: (075) 632-4107
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6. Why was humor used in the movie?

This is a film, after all, not reality. Dewey does have problems with the class, but
they’re dealt with in a lighthearted manner rather than as a drama. That’s when he tells a
student to come see him after class for going too far in a class discussion. It does not
always end so quickly in a real classroom. However, this is a comedy/feel-good film, not
a film on teaching difficulties.

7. Give your overall impression of the film and write the movie's title, director, and key
actors.
School of Rock is a 2003 comedy film directed by Richard Linklater, produced by
Scott Rudin, and written by Mike White. Dewey Finn, played by Jack Black, is a failing
rock guitarist who is dismissed from his band and then pretends as a substitute teacher
at a prominent prep school. Dewey organizes a band of fourth-graders after hearing the
youngsters' musical talent and hopes to win the forthcoming Battle of the Bands and use
the money to pay his rent.

8. How did the actors/ actresses portray key character roles? Did they fulfill your
expectations?
John Dewey (Jack Black) played his role well, especially when he came in and
pretended to be a teacher. She used her talent to make a connection with the kids. I
want the part where he builds the confidence of the children and brings out their talents.
He creates a strong relationship with the students by relating himself to them. Dewey
really loves every single of those kids and he is willing to lead them to success.

9. Summarize the film including your overall impression.

If you haven’t seen it, School of Rock is about a washed-out musician named
Dewey Finn (Jack Black) who hasn’t given up on his dream of being a successful
musician. When his roommate Ned (Mike White, who also authored the screenplay) and
Ned’s girlfriend Patty (Sarah Silverman) demand that he pay them back for all of his rent,
Dewey impersonates Ned and secures a long-term substitute position at a prominent
private school. While there, he notices that some of the children have musical abilities
and forms a band with a fourth-grade class. When Dewey discovers that his children
have musical abilities, he utilizes them to his — and the children's — advantage. He
assigns instruments to children who have prior expertise or skill on a related instrument.
Dewey takes the time to identify activities that suit the requirements and interests of the
children who aren’t musically inclined (or simply don’t fit into the instrumentation
provided). When a student asks if he can be the band’s stylist instead, Dewey says yes
without hesitation. If a child is interested in anything, he or she should pursue it.When a
student with low self-esteem considers canceling a performance, Dewey shares his own
self-esteem difficulties with her. It’s both funny and touching, and it inspires her to take
the stage. Interactions like this demonstrate to children that you understand their feelings
and difficulties. They help students and teachers communicate and form relationships.
Dewey does not become enraged when one of these kids approaches him with
unpleasant comments or a bad attitude. He never says anything unpleasant about them.
Instead, he speaks favorably and equips them with the tools they need to change their
minds. He instills in Zack the desire to pursue music. Gordon receives words of support
from him, which leads to his achievement. He affirms Lawrence by demonstrating that
he is cool simply for being himself. Dewey clearly loves each and every one of those
kids, as evidenced by these encounters (and numerous others throughout the
film).Some time later, an after-school program known as the School of Rock opens.
Dewey continues to coach the students he played with before, while Ned, who has
rediscovered his passion for rock music, teaches beginners
 San Carlos City Campus
San Carlos City, Pangasinan (2420)
Tel. Fax/Tel. no.: (075) 632-4107
Tel. no.: (075) 632-4108