Shia 101

The combination of: a) language barrier, b) a 10+ age gap, and c) the definition of agreat film being "Anything with Shia Lebouf" creates a tough starting point for teaching the finer aspects of cinema.
My goal of the premiere class was to introduce concepts and conventions common to all films. Terms such as 'shot', 'plot', 'narrative' all made an appearance. When I moved on to movie terminology, I encountered my fair share of blank faces, and puzzled looks. Sample exchange:

"So, a medium shot is when,-..."
(Several pairs of eyes are staring into the abyss)
"Um,...in 'Transformers'.."
(I have just received everyone's undivided attention; Marisa Miller and Justin Timberlake could be outside, and no one who even shift an eye)
"Ah,...when Shia is talking with his parents, that's a medium shot"
"Ohhhhh" (Nods of approval)

Eventually, I explained 15 shots and concepts through Michael Bay's magnum opus.
ex. When Shia is looking up at Optimus Prime, the camera is considered a low angle
ex. The best tracking shot is during Jon Voight's speech in the Pentagon
ex. A shot consists of the .5 seconds before Michael Bay cuts to a new one

Only major hurdles we had to overcome were the 'why' question. I cannot get into the inner psychi of a major Hollywood director. I didn't have many answers for 'why did he [the director] make that in slow-motion? Why didn't Sam Witwicky run faster?' I nodded my head a few times, as if I was contemplating the mysteries of the universe, then fumbled through a half-baked explanation about "auteur theory, coupled with artistic vision"...because really, saying 'it looks cooler that way' doesn't have the same impact.

Overall, everyone who participated seemed genuinely interested and excited. It was great to see people shouting out examples of what a "close-up" was, or eagerly raising their hands to discuss a moment plot versus story. I hope this enthusiasm continues, but for now I need to catch up on 'Eagle Eye', 'Disturbia', 'Holes' and maybe 'Armageddon' (Criterion version, of course).