Film Study Basics for Grade 19 Engilsh HLpdf

Film Study

1. film
study
Black Panther
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2. the power
of film
Film has the ability to:
Inspire us - films force us to think, feel compassion, and
encourage u to help others
1.
Shape culture - films expose us to different trends and styles2.
Create awareness - films help to educate viewers by
immersing viewers in an experience
3.
Mirrors culture - sometimes it is easier to identify societal
issues and flaws in a film than in real life; when what you
believe is challenged in films, you are more open to change
4.
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THINK ABOUT THE
LAST FILM YOU
WATCHED
#FF21A6
#FFFFFF
WHAT THREE
THINGS DO YOU
REMEMBER ABOUT
IT?
WHAT MADE THESE
THINGS STAND
OUT?

3. understanding
film study
Film study involves analysing a film’s plot, characters,
themes and symbols, while also looking at the
manner in which filmic techniques reinforce the
meaning of the film
Films tend to reflect the conditions present in our
socitey. Additionally, fims are more likely to evoke an
emotional reaction within the viewer. In this way, films
allow viewers to question their reality in an easy-to-
understand, effective manner
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4. approaching
a film
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title1.
genre2.
plot3.
themes4.
charaterisation5.
sets, costume and setting6.
mood or atmosphere 7.
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5. genre
The genre of a film is based on its
content
Genre is developed from a successful
formula, and often have stereotypes
characters and plots
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action
horror
comedy
science
-fiction
adventurous heroes battling a
villain; includes physical stunts, car
chases, rescues, battles, escapes,
and crises
designed to frighten and invoke
hidden fears; includes a terrifying or
shocking finale
light-hearted plot designed to
amuse; over exaggerates situations
to create humour
includes aliens, distant planets,
unlikely settings, villains, futuristic
technology, and extraordinary
monsters

6. plot
plot refers to the main events of a story,
and the sequence in which they occur
essential events in the story are
arranged into scenes
scenes provide the skeleton for the film
each scene is filmed in a sequence of
shots; the opening sequence is vital,
and generally gives an overview of
where the film is going, setting the tone
and mood for the film
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exposition
conflict
rising action
climax
falling action
resolution
intra-personal, inter-personal,
extra-personal

7. plot
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coming-of-age
protagonist matures and learns something
of the world around them in the process
redemption
the protagonist is saved, or saves someone
else
punitive
protagonist is punished for wrongdoings
testing
protagonist is tempted or challenged but stays true to
their beliefs

8. plot
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fulfilment
protagonist achieves their heart’s desire
education
protagonist changes their view of life, from
negative to positive
moral
the protagonist learns a moral lesson

9. theme
the main message of a film, the purpose of the
film
the form of the film is designed to challenge the
viewer, while imagery and symbolism signposts
to deeper awareness of theme and meaning
visual elements are usually linked to the theme
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10. characterisation
characters tend to undergo some kind of journey and transformation
the three main character types are:
protagonist (dominates the story but can be flawed)
antagonist (stands in protagonist’s way, forcing the protagonist to
overcome obstacles)
supporting characters (not the focus of the amin storyline,
generally supporting the protagonist)
characters can be analysed based on:
their body language and facial expressions
their clothing
the decisions they make
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11. analysing a
film
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title1.
setting2.
sound effects3.
visual effects4.
camera shots5.
camera angles 6.
camera movements7.
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12. sound
dialogue refers to any words
spoken by the characters that
aligns with the action of the
film
here, it is important to note the
manner in which the
characters’ relationships
impact their speech
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dialogue music
&
score
sound
effects
music helps to drive the story
forward, create an
atmosphere, and identify the
subject
guides the viewer’s reaction
natural sound effects establish
realism
dramatic sound effects
enhance mood
silence can contrast sound,
sometimes creating a sense of
isolation

13. sound
sounds the character and audience can hear
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diagetic
sounds the character cannot hear, but the audience can
non-diagetic
sounds produced as we see the action
synchronous
sounds produced “off-camera”
non-synchronous
sounds that are similar to the visual
parallel
sounds that are in contrast to the visual
contrapuntal

14. composition
& framing
each frame is carefully composed with a main
focal point (where the director wants you to focus
your attention)
if this focal point is in the centre of the frame, it
implies that the current action is stable or that the
object within this focal point is of importance
the relation of objects and characters in the
background and foreground to the focal point is
important to pay attention to
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all elements in a scene are composed
to create a unified picture, which
creates an overall appearance
when the elements are not unified or
balanced, the director might be
implying that there is disorder
mise en
scene