Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
3 credits
Instructions:
1. Select a short section of the film studied in class that is significant in terms of theme or idea.
2. Complete an annotated storyboard of your chosen scene. Be as detailed as possible. The quality of
your drawing is not assessed.
3. Complete the table analysing specific film techniques from your scene and how they are used to
develop a theme or idea.
4. Select at least four of the techniques you used in task three that clearly illustrate your chosen
theme/idea.
5. Using the information gathered in tasks two and three, write a structured essay explaining how at
least four techniques work to develop your understanding of a theme/idea in the text. You must
have specific examples to support your points and clearly show understanding of the purpose of
these techniques. You will be assessed on the perceptiveness of your understanding and your selection of
supporting evidence.
TITLE:_______________________________________________________________
________
The use of a flashback scene shows This scene highlights that Gordie has been forced to deal with the death
the viewer one of the reasons why of a loved one at a young age and how this is making him grow up and
Gordie is at times a melancholy mature to come-of-age.
Flashback character. We see how the loss of Coming-of-age
his brother is very recent and raw
for Gordie; its still very fresh in his
mind and he treasures the loving
memories he has of his brother.
Technique e.g. dialogue, Example / supporting evidence Theme / idea Directors purpose/meaning and effect on the audience.
costume, setting, camera for your explanation. reflected in the use of Why has the director used the idea or technique? Meaning and
angle/shot, body language, this technique. impact of the idea or convention.
diegetic and non-diegetic
sound, special effects etc..
Plan your essay here.
STAGA Introduction:
Description of scene:
Theme(s):
Techniques:
POINT (technique):
EXample:
LINK to Point of paragraph or Essay Topic (this shows us that/this links to etc)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
POINT (technique):
EXample:
PEEL paragraph #3
POINT (technique):
EXample:
LINK to Point of paragraph or Essay Topic (this shows us that/this links to etc)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
text conventions (appropriate oral and/or visual text conventions (appropriate oral and/or visual language features and structures (e.g. part text, whole
conventions, e.g. camera shots/angles, rhetorical conventions, e.g. camera shots/angles, rhetorical text, narrative)
devices/tripartite structures). devices/tripartite structures). text conventions (appropriate oral and/or visual
Responses may be presented in an appropriate oral, Responses may be presented in an appropriate oral, conventions, e.g. camera shots/angles, rhetorical
visual, and/or written form. visual, and/or written form. devices/tripartite structures).
Responses may be presented in an appropriate oral,
This example shows a good understanding of 4 This example shows convincing understanding of 4 visual, and/or written form.
significant aspects of a scene from Twilight: sound significant aspects of a scene from Twilight: set
effects, gesture and movement, camera shots and composition, make up, gesture and dialogue. Although This example shows perceptive understanding of how 4
makeup. In this extract, the introduction and the use of the connection between gesture, tension and the significant aspects of a text (gesture, facial expression,
sound effects and camera shots are explained. foreshadowing of Edward and Bellas relationship is sound effects and camera shots) communicate ideas
perceptive, the understanding of the effects of the use about the text in relation to the directors purpose. In this
In the film Twilight the characters of Edward and Bella of dialogue and set composition and make-up do not extract, we see the students perceptive understanding of
are introduced early in the film, the purpose of this sustain the perception. the use of camera shots and gesture. The explanations
scene is to hint at Edwards mysterious origins and the of facial expressions are precisely described for us
tension that foreshadows the relationship they will In this extract, the introduction and the use of set (brooding): the answer moves from an understanding of
develop. This shows us that the relationship that will composition and make-up working together are the directors intent, showing the tension Edward has
develop between these two characters will be very explained convincingly. regarding Bella, to a convincing understanding reinforce
important throughout the movie. Sound effects, gesture the disgust, to a perceptive understanding as well as
and movement, camera shots and make up are used introducing the mystery of the Cullens
In the film Twilight directed by Kathryn Hardwicke,
by the director to show this. Edward and Bella meet in a biology lab. In this scene
Edward and Bella are forced to sit together. Kathryn In the film Twilight directed by Kathryn Hardwicke, the
Sound effects are used to show the tension that Hardwicke uses set composition, gesture, dialogue, character of Edward Cullen the vampire, is introduced to
develops straightaway between Edward and Bella. All and make up to portray the mystery of Edwards origin, us in a scene in a Biology lab. This scene is also where
the two protagonists meet for the first time. Hardwicke
you can hear in the scene is background noise of the create the tension and awkwardness between Edward uses this scene to create tension between the
teacher talking to the class. This shows the silence and Bella and to introduce the idea of Edwards protagonists to foreshadow the relationship they will have.
between Edward and Bella as there was no dialogue in difference. She uses four techniques to show this - gesture, facial
this scene. This shows that they felt very expression, sound effects through lack of dialogue and a
uncomfortable around each other. Hardwicke uses set composition to introduce the idea prolonged series of camera shots.
of Edward being otherworldly. In one shot, with
Camera shots are used to enhance the distance that Edward beside the window, a stuffed owl is placed Hardwicke uses gesture to show tension. The tension is
Edward tries to put between him and Bella on the small behind him so that it appears as though white wings shown in Edwards hands as he moves a petri dish
desk. The camera frame never has both Edward and are sticking out of his Edwards back. The wings are towards Bella, slowly and reluctantly, as he leans away
Bella in it. It always has only one of them and usually white which makes him appear angelic. In this scene from her, hand over his nose. This very common reaction
they had spaces next to Bella and Edward. he is portrayed as a good rather than a bad guy.
to something we feel is unpleasant has the effect of
However the make-up that Edward wears has a
different effect. It makes him look extremely pale with showing the tension Edward has regarding Bella, and also
dark under eyes The effect of this is that Edwards the disgust he feels towards her. Later In the movie we
mysterious origins are hinted at. His strange, unfamiliar realise that this scene shows his self-control at not
appearance sets him apart from everyone else, and attacking Bella. Hardwicke also uses facial expression
causes confusion in our understanding of him. when Bella moves upwind of Edward and in the close up
shots of his intense, brooding staring. These facial
expressions reinforce the disgust felt by Edward for
himself, for his desire for her blood. This disgust also
causes the viewer to wonder about his strange reaction
towards Bella, as well as introducing the mystery of the
Cullens. Later in the movie we remember this scene as it
foreshadows Edwards self-control and self-denial.
Final grades will be decided using professional judgment based on a holistic examination of the evidence provided against the criteria in the Achievement
Standard
The Language of Film
STRUCTURE OF A FILM
Shot
A single 'run' of the camera. This is the basic unit from which a film is constructed. The length (or
duration) of a shot depends upon:
Sequence
A group of shots depicting one action, or, which seems to belong with or depend upon each other. (Say 3
to 18 shots).
Scene
A group of sequences, or, for short scenes, a group of shots, which:
A scene is generally a larger unit than a sequence. Sometimes a group of shots can be classified as either.
TYPES OF SHOT
Close Up [C.U.]
A close shot of an object or person, the aim being to focus our attention on a particular detail. Close ups of
objects may serve as the inpoint to a new scene, depicting a new fact or location in the story. Close ups of
a person have a number of different functions:
b. the first close up of a character (in a sequence of shots), establishes point of view e.g. who is watching
an event
c. a close up is most commonly used to show the reaction of a character, i.e. a reaction shot.
CAMERA MOVEMENTS
Tracking: The camera is not stationary but moves to follow a moving object or person. The camera is
mounted on a moving device such as a rail platform, a dolly or a vehicle.
Note: The speed of a camera movement (from very fast to very slow) can dramatically alter its effect.
Cut
The ending of a shot. If the cut is a jerky movement, which seems a little inconsistent with the next shot it
is called a jump cut.
Fade In or Out
The image appears or disappears gradually. It brightens to full strength over a full second, or darkens to
fade out. The fade is often used as a division between scenes.
Dissolve
One image fades in while another fades out so that for a few seconds the two are superimposed.
Inpoint
An image which starts the scene. Sometimes this inpoint is used to smooth the transition between scenes.
As the word suggests the inpoint takes us in to the next shot or scene by making a visual link (a related
object or shape) with the outpoint of the previous shot.
CAMERA ANGLES
In filming a shot a decision is made about the angle at which the camera is to be directed at a subject. High
and low angles may be used to influence our impression of a particular character.
A character filmed from a low angle will seem strong, powerful, tall, proud, etc... whereas if a high angle is
used the subject will appear weak, insignificant, vulnerable, small etc... Our impression of a structure or
object can be manipulated in a similar way.
A distorted angle may be used to make a scene more frightening, or to make the viewer feel anxious, or
queasy (especially if fast or jerky camera movement is also used).
EDITING
This is the process of assembling and splicing together the various shots which comprise a film. Underlying
the process is a technique which can be called pairing, i.e. a story is built up by alternating one set of shots
with another.
a. A conversation or confrontation between two characters. The shots alternate from one to the other,
angles may be used to suggest inferiority or superiority.
b. Shots of a character are alternated with shots of what he/she sees. The first shot of the character is
the P.O.V. (It establishes point of view i.e. who is looking).
c. Cross-cutting. A sequence of shots in which the alternation is between two different locations (e.g. A
burglar creeping into a house in which an unsuspecting victim lies sleeping). The sequence builds to a
climax and ends with the two things coming together.
The Editing Speed (or tempo) of a particular sequence is also an important consideration. Fast editing
involves fast cutting, i.e. the shots are 1 to 2 seconds long. Fast editing generates excitement and
anticipation as for example in a chase sequence. Slow editing (i.e. Shots are 3 to 10 seconds long), has the
opposite effect, calming and relaxing the viewer. Accordingly slow editing is a characteristic of love scenes.
Montage
The editing together of a large number of shots with no intention to create a continuous reality. A
montage is often used to compress time (a number of facts are established in one sequence). Films may
begin with a montage which establishes a particular time and place. With the absence of a visual
relationship between them, the montage shots are linked through a unified sound - either a voiceover or a
piece of music.
OTHER TERMS
Soft Focus
A slightly blurred shot to make the subject seem more attractive, romantic, nostalgic or dreamlike.
ambient sound background sound (not music): footsteps, bushes rustling FOLEY effects
aural bridge hearing the sound of the next shot before cutting to it - signals a transition
backlighting Light from behind a person or object, sometimes creating a halo effect.
body language The way our feelings are expressed through our body.
camera angle The angle at which the camera is pointed at a person or object (high, low,
neutral = eye-level). A camera tilted to one side so the horizon is on a slant is
canted or tilted (not to be confused with a tilt shot.]
close-up [C.U.] A camera shot that seems to bring us close to the person or object being filmed;
a shot of a persons face only is a close-up. + Extreme close-up [E.C.U.] or big
close-up [B.C.U.].
crane shot A shot taken from a crane (a kind of high angle shot).
cross-cutting The alternating of shots from two different sequences, often in different locales,
suggesting they are taking place at the same time.
dissolve One image fades in while another fades out, so that they are superimposed for a
few moments.
dolly Any platform with wheels that allows the camera to be moved: dolly shot,
tracking or trucking shot.
editing The process of selecting, arranging and trimming the various shots to make up a
film.
establishing shot Usually a long-shot, it gives an overview of a scene so the audience is not
confused about what is happening and where.
flashback A return to a scene in the past. (A flash forward = a premonition of the future.)
long shot / L.S. A shot from a distance - it shows a person from head to foot, and perhaps more
than this.
medium (mid) [M.S.] A shot between a close-up and a long shot in the sense of closeness it
shot / M.S creates.
mise en scne Getting a scene together, the choices made about the details of the image; what
items will be in it, and how those items are to be presented.
over-shoulder A camera position often used in dialogue scenes.
shot
pan The movement of the camera when it swivels from left to right or right to left
point-of-view [POV shot] A shot in which the camera is associated with the eyes of a character
shot (this is what s/he sees).
reaction shot A shot that shows a persons reaction to what happened in the previous shot. (It
is known as a noddy if the person is merely nodding, like a television
interviewer!)
reverse angle A shot from the opposite side. When two people are talking, there is often a
shot and reverse shot alternation.
shot A film is made up of many different shots. During the shooting of a film, a shot
ends when the camera is turned off. Each shot involves a different camera set-
up.
special effects Creating illusions by the use of trick photography, miniature models and various
[SFX] types of equipment. A bomb can explode; a flying saucer can appear etc, thanks
to SFX.
subjective shot A point of view shot, sometimes distorted to emphasise the characters state of
mind.
tilt shot The stationery camera starts at the top of an object/figure and scans down to
the bottom [TILT DOWN] or at the bottom and scans to the top [TILT UP]. Only
the lens moves; when the whole camera is lifted = crane shot.
tracking shot the camera moves on a dolly, enabling it to follow people who are moving
along.
two-shot A shot in which two people are shown (cameramen also speak of one-shot and
three-shot).
wipe An optical effect in which one image appears to push the previous image off the
screen.
zoom A lens that can be adjusted from wide-angle to telephoto. Such a lens can
zoom in or zoom out (seem to move closer or further away from an object)