Transcript Why do we study films?

Why do we study films?
We start with simple questions.
We want to know that you understand.
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What was the film about?
What did you like about the film?
What parts made you feel happy or sad?
Then the questions start to get
more difficult.
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What lessons are there in the film?
How did the director tell the story?
What emotions were created in the film?
You need to think more, and write
longer answers.
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How is the film relevant to society and our
own lives?
Why was the story told in this manner?
How did the director create an atmosphere,
effect, or emotion?
This is to help you evaluate and think
critically about what you read and see.
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How does this film help us understand other
beliefs and cultures?
What was the director’s purpose in creating
this film?
How successful were the director’s attempts
to create specific effects in the film?
The film is a way of showing you how
to think about things differently.
It doesn’t matter whether you hate the film or
love it; what is important is showing you
understand how and why it was made.
 The director had a purpose – what was it?
 The film makes people feel different
emotions at different times. How does it do
this?
To answer these questions, you will
need to know film techniques.
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Structural techniques such as montage,
flashback, narration, split screen…
Visual techniques such as close up, long
shot, high angle, colour, lighting, costume…
Sound technqiues such as dialogue, music,
sound effects…
Assessment
In the end-of-year exam you will write an essay
on an extended text (film, novel, or nonfiction book) you have studied in class.
In this essay, you will write about one aspect of
the film – a character, an idea, a scene.
This will test your understanding of the film,
and also your ability to clearly express and
develop ideas in your writing.
What now?
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Take notes and keep them tidy, for revision at
the end of the year.
Ask questions and offer ideas to help you
and your classmates understand the film.
If you miss a lesson, catch up on notes from
someone else in the class.
Hire the film from your video store and watch
it at home if you need to.