Introduction to film- 2022 9 Extension English
Year 9 Extension English MTBHS Film Study
Why film?
Assessment Tasks
A range of tasks including individual work, partner and group work. Class discussions. Formative Tasks.
Write an 800 word essay in response to the question:
“So happy we found you buddy. Sorry it took so long.” How are cinematic/film techniques used to explore the film’s themes and engage the audience?
Learning Intentions
Task Checklist
Lesson 1
Think. Pair. Share: What do you know about New Zealand?
Lesson 1: Film and Film Techniques
Trailer
PRETEST: Watch the trailer and list all film techniques you noticed:
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MISE EN SCÈNE
“Everything in the frame can carry meaning.”
Mise en scène – means “placing on stage” in French
To explain it simply, mise en scène refers to what we see onscreen in a film. It’s the film’s visuals; meaning, all of the elements that appear on camera and their arrangement.
Camera Angles�
Camera angles are used so that the viewer can understand the relationships between the characters.
Bird's eye angle
Looks directly down upon a scene. This angle is often used as an establishing angle, along with an extreme long shot, to establish setting.
High angle
Looks down upon a subject. A character shot with a high angle will look vulnerable or small. These angles are often used to demonstrate to the audience a perspective of a particular character.
Eye-level angle
Puts the audience on an equal level with the character/s. This is the most commonly used angle in most films as it allows the viewers to feel comfortable with the characters.
Low angle
Looks up at a character. This is the opposite of a high angle and makes a character look more powerful. This can make the audience feel vulnerable and small by looking up at the character. This can help the responder feel empathy if they are viewing the frame from another character's point of view.
Dutch angle
Is used to demonstrate the confusion of a character. The example above should disorientate you.
Camera Shots
Extreme long shot (establishing shot)
A large amount of landscape (Whole city/ town). Often used at the beginning of a scene or a film to establish general location (setting).
�Long shot
Contains landscape but gives the viewer a more specific idea of setting. Could show the buildings/ house where the action will take place.
�Full shot
Contains a complete view of the characters. Viewers can see costumes of characters and may also help to show the relationships between characters.
�Mid shot
Characters or a character from the waist up. Can see the characters' faces more clearly as well as their interaction with other characters.
�Close-up
Contains just one character's face. Can understand the actor's emotions and feel empathy for the character.
Extreme close-up
Contains one part of a character's face or other object. Creates an intense mood. Can highlight importance to the audience
Camera Movement
Zoom: Probably the most well-known camera move, zooming gives the impression of moving closer or further away from the subject. It can be used effectively to magnify a certain focus point in the frame, but other moves such as a dolly, are a more natural way to show movement. While a quick zoom can help add a sense of drama and energy when used correctly, avoid over-using zoom as your default move.
Pan: Panning is when the camera is moved horizontally from one side to another on a central axis. This is a rotating movement in which the camera’s position remains in place, but the direction that it faces changes. It can be used to follow a moving character or to fit more into a frame, for example, panning across a landscape to create a sense of place. your default move.
Tilt: Tilting is similar to panning in that the camera is kept in a stationary position, but unlike panning (which looks from side to side) tilting focuses on upwards & downwards movements. Using a tilting motion helps to fit more into a single frame. A slow upwards tilt can be very effective in making a subject appear bigger or more significant while a downwards tilt has the opposite effect.
Sound
Music:
Definition: A song playing that only the audience can hear (non-diegetic), a song that the characters can hear (diegetic).
Why (Analyse): Music is used in films to create an atmosphere or mood. Moments of happiness, suspense, danger and conflict are often accompanied by music. Music can also be used to signal a flashback or to pass time.
�Sound Effects:
Definition: Sound effects are used to make a film seem realistic ie car horns, dogs barking and people conversing in the background.
Why: Sound effects are used to make things seem realistic, allowing the scene/ story to become more believable.
Diegetic sound - is any sound that emanates from the story world of the film e.g. dialogue, footsteps, background noise.
Non diegetic sound – is any sound that does not have a real life place in the world of the film e.g. soundtrack, narration.
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Lighting
Define: The director adds light to a scene in lots of ways; scenes can be back lit, side lit or front lit. Some director use natural lighting and other use artificial lighting.
�Why (Analyse) In film; lighting creates the appropriate mood or atmosphere in a scene.
Colour
Define: The colour used in the shot (can be natural or edited)
Why (Analyse) The director uses colour to tell the audience the story. Colour. It can be used to influence the audience’s impression of a character/mood. In some films certain colours may be associated with certain characters.
Costume and Makeup
Costume:
Define: Every person who appears on screen wears a costume and make-up.
Why (Analyse): Symbolism/ Setting/ Status
�Makeup:
Define: A director uses different types of make-up in films; sometimes special effects make-up is used to give actors scars or bruises.
Why (Analyse): Makeup helps the audience to understand the age, era and type of person each character is.
Film Editing
Cut
A transition where one shot is instantly followed by another.
Jump Cut
An abrupt cut that creates a lack of continuity between shots by leaving out parts of the action.
Cross Cutting
Technique used to give the illusion that two story lines of action are happening at the same time by rapidly cutting back and forth between them.
Dissolve
When the end of one shot overlaps the start of the next one to create a gradual scene transition.
Fade
A visual effect used to indicate a change in place and time. This involves a gradual brightening as a shot opens or a gradual darkening as the shot goes black or to another color. Sound also fades in and out to convey the change.
Montage
A sequence of shots assembled in juxtaposition of one another to create an emotional impact, condense a story, or convey an idea.
Trailer
POST TEST: Watch the trailer again and list all film techniques you noticed:
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Lesson 1 Activity
Bird's eye angle
High angle
Eye-level angle
Low angle
Dutch angle
Extreme long shot (establishing shot)
�Long shot
�Full shot
�Mid shot
�Close-up
Extreme close-up
Lesson
2 & 3
Lesson 2 and 3: �View Film
Create a sentence using Maori Slang
Partner: Decode the sentence
Snapshot of first half of film:
What key events has happened so far (plot)?
What characters have the audience (you) been introduced to?
What was your favourite scene? Why?
Snapshot of second half of film:
What key events has happened so far (plot)?
What characters have the audience (you) been introduced to?
What was your favourite scene? Why?
Lesson 4
Two Dollar Summary
Each word is worth 10 cents, and you have $2 to spend!!! Write a summary of the whole film, what information MUST you include in order for someone to understand the film?
Lesson 4:�Analysis of Film Techniques
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gu9dNDcAnmM
*Add text boxes and type answers
Lesson 5
Lesson 5: �Characterisation
Introduction:
Direct Characterisation
The audience is directly TOLD about the character. This can be through a narrator, other characters or the character themselves
Indirect Characterisation
The audience makes assumptions/ inferences/ predictions about the character based on other elements.
*Think of it like ‘Show don’t tell’
Direct= Telling Indirect= Showing
Body:
Conclusion:
Characterisation
Task: Complete the characterisation table for Uncle Hec and Ricky Baker at the beginning of the film. | ||
Characterisation device | Uncle Hector | Ricky Baker |
Name (include nicknames) | | |
Actions (what they do) | | |
Speech (what they say or don’t say) | | |
Appearance (what they look like) | | |
Other character’s views of them | | |
Internal monologue (how they view themselves) | | |
Characterisation
Task: Complete the characterisation table for Uncle Hec and Ricky Baker at the end of the film. | ||
Characterisation device | Uncle Hector | Ricky Baker |
Name (include nicknames) | | |
Actions (what they do) | | |
Speech (what they say or don’t say) | | |
Appearance (what they look like) | | |
Other character’s views of them | | |
Internal monologue (how they view themselves) | | |
Examples of Indirect Characterisation
A characters actions
Bella giving Ricky a hot water bottle every night
A character’s dialogue
Psycho Sam’s introductory speech
A character’s appearance
Paula’s professional attire
A character’s thoughts/ feelings
Ricky’s Haiku poems
A characters motivation
Hec going after Ricky so he doesn’t get hurt
Activity #1 �Characterisation
Printable Version on Drive
*Add text boxes and type answers
Activity #2 Character Arc Graph
• Simple, clear and easy way to plot a character’s growth. Useful to pick out the key events that shape a character and to chart how these have effected them.
• Draw one based on either Hec or Ricky.
Activity #2 Character Arc Graph
Lesson 6
Lesson 6 & 7: �Themes
Introduction:
The theme in a story is its underlying message, or 'big idea.' In other words, what critical belief about life is the author trying to convey in the writing of a novel, play, short story or poem? This belief, or idea, transcends cultural barriers. It is usually universal in nature. When a theme is universal, it touches on the human experience, regardless of race or language. It is what the story means. Often, a piece of writing will have more than one theme.
Body:
THEMES IN HFTWP
Theme #1: Family and Belonging
Why might our peers have different answers?
We see a lot of different groups in the film that could be considered “families”. Paula tries to take Ricky away from Hec because he doesn’t reflect the ‘normal’ family unit, but Ricky rebels against that norm. He feels most at home and safe with Hec.
Activity: Think Pair Share
Think: On your own, think and record what family and belonging means in relation to the above images/ scenes. | Pair: Talk to the person next to you to compare and record their thoughts/ ideas | Share: Whole class discussion, collate ideas. |
| | |
Family/ Belonging: Scene Analysis
Watch the scene and
answer Key questions:
Who is the ‘parent’ in this scene?
How does this scene relate to the greater
theme of family and belonging?
Which techniques did you notice
throughout, and what effect did they
have?
Ricky assumes parental role.
The director suggests that there may be role reversals in family dynamics.
-diegetic sound (cracking to emphasise the complication
-knuuckles cracking- predict that there may be violence
-close up of anger in Hec’s eyes
Quotes for Family/ Belonging Theme
Theme #2: Prejudice
Prejudice is “an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason”
Can be due to a perceived membership of an undesirable group.
Ricky and Hec both suffer due to the prejudice of the authorities in the film. How?
Clip #1 Film Intro
Clip #1 Film Intro
1. What are the editing techniques used and what is the effect of these?
2. There are a few extreme close-ups in the car. Why?
3. Listen to the music in the background. What does it tell you?
Clip #2
Ricky’s Montage
Lesson 7
Theme #3: Maori Identity
Your Task:
Ricky is shown to be very proud of his Maori identity and he encounters other Maori people in the film that reassert this pride. Watch the Maori documentary (on the next slide) to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Maori culture.
The Facebook post made by TK alongside is an example of this.
You must:
1) Pretend you are a Maori person who has encountered Ricky on his journey, as he is a celebrity and icon of Maori perseverance, you’re very excited!
2) Create a Facebook/ Twitter or Instagram post about Ricky that is centered around this “#staymaori” hashtag.
3) From your knowledge of the film and of Maori culture (from the Maori documentary) discuss at least THREE aspects/actions of Ricky that reflect this hashtag.
4) Make sure you include why these are intrinsically Maori.
Theme #3: Coming-Of-Age
What is ‘Coming of Age? (Bildungsroman)
Coming-of-age theme is about the personal growth of a character, usually as they progress from youth to adulthood.
The theme can be traced back to the early nineteenth-century, when the term ‘Bildungsroman’ was first used.
Watch clip
Theme #3: Coming-Of-Age
2) Do the two main protagonists (Hec and Ricky) each experience a coming-of-age?
Hec also demonstrates a coming of age by learning to read and write and performing a Haiku to Ricky. He accepts Ricky, by letting him call him uncle. Both characters show they are willing to change and grow.
1) How does Ricky show personal growth and why does he experience it?
Initially Ricky is immature, kicking letterboxes, setting things on fire, graffiting… however at the end through his Haiku he is reflective and mature. Additionally Ricky takes on a parental role when Hec breaks his foot. He experiences a coming of age to find his sense of belonging.
Lesson 8
-Begin by choosing your three themes (delete the 4th option)
-Start with body paragraphs, and then intro and conclusion at the end
Essay Question
“So happy we found you buddy. Sorry it took so long.” How are cinematic and film techniques used to explore the film’s themes and engage the audience?”
**What choices did the director make to help the audience understand the theme, or persuade them to think in a certain way?**
Essay Structure
Introduction
Body Paragraph 1: Theme #1 Family and Belonging
Body Paragraph 2: Theme #2 Prejudice
Body Paragraph 3: Theme #3 Coming of Age
Conclusion
If you completed all of the activities, you will already have many of the answers. For example, on slide 39 you wrote about extreme close ups and why they were used, and how this links to prejudice. This is EXACTLY what you have to do in your paragraphs :)
| Camera Shot | Camera Angle | Camera Movement | Sound | Lighting | Colour | Costume/ Makeup | Editing |
Family and Belonging | Mid shot of family at birthday- shows how close Ricky Feels to Hec and Bella | | | | Shadows on Hec’s face insinuate that he is a ‘shady’ character who might be hiding secrets or have a sinister side | | | |
Prejudice | | | | When introducing Ricky, scary, worrying music plays, making the audience cautious, and makes them think he is a bad/ naughty character | | | | |
Coming of Age | | Low angle is used when looking up at Ricky with the gun, this demonstrates his growth of confidence and sticking up for Hec, showing for the first time that he cares more about others than himself. . | | | | | In the beginning, when Ricky is acting out, he wears streetwear, at the end he is neat and presentable in a button down shirt. | |
Maori Identity | | | | Maori music playing in the introduction - allows the audience to understand the cultural significance of Country. | | | | |
Class Planning: Complete the table below (some squares might be blank, some might have lots of options… remember… you only need to choose TWO film techniques for each theme)
To say something is similar (compare) Similarly Additionally In the same way As does Both texts/authors Likewise | To say something is different (contrast) By contrast In a different way The opposite is seen in Unlike Dissimilar is However Although | Words to use instead of ‘the author uses’ (including nominalised forms) employs- the employment of utilises- the utilisation of includes- the inclusion of incorporates- the incorporation of adds- the addition of | Tier 3 Film Specific Language Mise en scène (Setting, lighting, costume) Sound (Soundtrack, dialogue, sound effects) Camera shots (close-up, extreme close-up, mid-shot, long shot / establishing shot, full shot, extreme long shot) Camera angles (low angle, high angle, birds eye angle, dutch angle) Camera movement (tracking, pan, tilt, zoom) |
Words used to describe who wrote the text Director Last name of author (never first!) | Appropriate terminology to describe techniques language language features devices techniques stylistic devices or techniques | Words to use when describing how a technique effects an audience creates (emotion) provokes (anger) evokes (reaction) manipulates (opinion) positions (reader) encourages inspires | Remember: ‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’ (in inverted commas) Director, Taika Waititi When quoting dialogue, put quote in italics and inverted commas “He’s like a fully sick rapper” |
Body Paragraph 1 | Theme #1: Family and Belonging - (Hec’s haiku, Uncle, birthday scene, flannies, bunk bed scene) |
T: Topic Sentence | Taika Waititi, the director uses a range of cinematic techniques to communicate ideas about the theme of family and belonging. |
E: Evidence #1 | Throughout the film, a water hot water bottle is provided to Ricky, initially by Bella at the beginning and then by Ricky’s new family at the end. It is the colour of this element of mise-en-scene that represents his sense of belonging. |
Analysis | The colour red may symbolise anger, danger and Ricky’s perceived wild behaviour. Paula refers to Ricky Baker as a, ‘“bad egg”’ and Ricky Baker refers to himself as a ‘“gangster’”. Bella provides Ricky with the red water bottle on his first night in his new home. Waititi may be suggesting that Ricky feels angry and resentment for his situation in comparison to the green water bottle provided by his new family at the end of the film. The colour green typically represents new growth or beginnings, a fresh start. |
E: Effectiveness/ Audience | Through the subtle use of the simple item or prop, the director conveys to the audience that Ricky feels a sense of belonging to his new family, TK, his daughter and Hec. |
Evidence #2 | Additionally, it is evident that Ricky and Hec start to feel a strong sense of belonging when Hec allows Ricky to address him as a member of the family, ‘“One condition is that you’ve got to let me call you Uncle.”’ This establishes that they will live happily ever after together. Another example of how Ricky’s newfound sense of belonging is communicated by the director is Ricky and Hec’s matching Flannel./ through the use of costume, more specifically Ricky and Hec’s matching Flannel jackets. Initially Ricky is dressed in…but eventually as they grow close we see the two protagonists dressed in similar flannel shirts… |
Analysis | The matching flannels show that Hec and Ricky have… |
Effectiveness/ Audience | Through the use of a flannel jacket, the audience can see/knows/understands that… |
Body Paragraph 2 | Theme #2: Prejudice |
T: Topic Sentence | Introduce the theme (slide 38) |
E: Evidence #1 | |
Analysis | (‘Unpack’ the film technique what does it mean/ why is it used to emphasise the theme?) Slide 8-16 |
E: Effectiveness/ Audience | (Through the use of this film technique how did it have an impact on the intended audience?) Slide 8-16 |
Evidence #2 | Film Technique (costume, lighting, extreme close up, etc) Slide 8-16 |
Analysis | (‘Unpack’ the film technique what does it mean/ why is it used to emphasise the theme?) Slide 8-16 |
Effectiveness/ Audience | (Through the use of this film technique how did it have an impact on the intended audience?) |
Examples of prejudice
Body Paragraph 3 | Theme #3: Coming of Age |
T: Topic Sentence | Introduce the theme (use information on slide 41) |
E: Evidence #1 | Film Technique (costume, lighting, extreme close up, etc) |
Analysis | (‘Unpack’ the film technique what does it mean/ why is it used to emphasise the theme?) Slide 8-16 |
E: Effectiveness/ Audience | (Through the use of this film technique how did it have an impact on the intended audience?)Slide 8-16 |
Evidence #2 | Film Technique (costume, lighting, extreme close up, etc) |
Analysis | (‘Unpack’ the film technique what does it mean/ why is it used to emphasise the theme?) Slide 8-16 |
Effectiveness/ Audience | (Through the use of this film technique how did it have an impact on the intended audience?) Slide 8-16 |
Coming of age - Bildungsroman
Characters who don’t change- Bella, Paula,
Body Paragraph 3 | Theme #3: Maori Identity |
T: Topic Sentence | Introduce the theme (use information on slide 41) |
E: Evidence #1 | Film Technique (costume, lighting, extreme close up, etc) |
Analysis | (‘Unpack’ the film technique what does it mean/ why is it used to emphasise the theme?) Slide 8-16 |
E: Effectiveness/ Audience | (Through the use of this film technique how did it have an impact on the intended audience?)Slide 8-16 |
Evidence #2 | Film Technique (costume, lighting, extreme close up, etc) |
Analysis | (‘Unpack’ the film technique what does it mean/ why is it used to emphasise the theme?) Slide 8-16 |
Effectiveness/ Audience | (Through the use of this film technique how did it have an impact on the intended audience?) Slide 8-16 |
Lesson 9
Complete planning template: intro and conclusion
Introduction | |
Respond to question | Use words from the essay question to outline the topic of the essay ‘So happy we found you buddy. Sorry it took so long’ |
Context | Title of film / full name of director/ year film was made |
Plot | Briefly summarise the plot (think back to your 2 dollar summary!) |
Signpost main ideas | Briefly mention the three themes and film techniques that you’ll be discussing in your essay Through the use of film techniques such as…… the themes…. are emphasised throughout the film |
Audience/ impact | Concluding sentence about the impact this film has on the audience. A catchy phrase that will leave your reader wanting to read the rest of the essay |
Conclusion | |
Summarise and restate | Remind readers of what they’ve just read through a ‘punchy’ sentence “While themes can be expressed through the plot, the intentional inclusion of film techniques allows the audience to experience the underlying messages set out by the director” |
Sum up ideas you originally signposted | Grab the ideas you signposted in the introduction and sum them up. |
Conclude with a strong snappy sentence | Go out with a BANG by creating an awesome finishing line. You might praise the work of the director, and how they successfully impacted the audience |
Lesson 10-11
Use information from templates to write essay in full sentences
Paste Essay Here
(Or link to Essay if you wrote on Google Doc
Paste Essay Here
(Or link to Essay if you wrote on Google Doc
Lesson 12
Self Edit / Peer Edit and Submit Task to DayMap
Self + Peer + Teacher Drafting
7. Use teacher feedback to further refine your work
8. Submit final BEFORE the final due date