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Writing about the Silver Screen

Film, also known as movies, is similar to drama in that it incorporates dialogue, monologue, and action.
However, film also includes techniques pulled from photography, film chemistry, sound, and editing.
Writing about film is very similar to writing about literature and dramayou can organize the essay
based on plot, structure, character, ideas, or setting. With film, however, these aspects are discussed in
a visual context.
The first requirement when writing an essay about a film is to watch the film. You can either view the
film in a movie theater, or watch it on VHS, DVD, or online. You should watch the film several times in
order to have a thorough grasp of the material. When watching the film, make note of the names of
those associated with the filmthe scriptwriter, director,
composer, special effects editor, and the cast. You should also
make note of significant scenes, speeches, costumes, and other
aspects you feel will be important when discussing the film.
In film there are three areas that you can use to develop ideas
for your essayaction, cinematographic techniques, and acting.
When focusing on the action, you might discuss how important
the action is, what actions are stressed, how the actions show
character and motivation, or what connection the action has to
the films themes. Focusing on cinematographic techniques
might lead you to address what techniques are used, how the
camera techniques or editing reinforce the films themes, or
what scene shows the best use of cinematographic techniques
to advance the films themes. The acting in the film may provide
ideas such as how well did the actors performwere they believable in their roles, did they help you
understand their roles, or did their facial expressions and actions enhance or diminish from the film?
After you has determined which ideas you will incorporate into your essay, you should write your thesis
statement and create an outline. The essay should also include any background information about the
film that will support your essays focus. You should include the names of those associated with the film
that you noted previously. The body of the essay should then discuss the ideas that you identified as
your focus. Make sure that when discussing aspects of the film that you have good notes to support
your ideas. Your conclusion should wrap up the essay, and might evaluate the effectiveness of the film
or state whether the film was good or bad. Make sure you explain your position.
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Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing, 9/E; Edgar V. Roberts; Longman, an imprint Pearson
Education, Inc ; New York, NY; 2009; pages 17481767