SLUMDOG MILLIONAIR

EDIRECTED BY DANNY BOYLE

S4 English Unit

LEARNING INTENTIONS

To understand what is meant by film ‘genre’

To explore and understand the characteristics and construction of certain genres

To use this knowledge to be able to make predictions about a film’s genre

GENRE

What do we mean by film genre?

What are some examples of film genre? Name as many as you can.

What characteristics make a film belong to a certain genre?

SOME EXAMPLES…

SOME EXAMPLES…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXXRS3Kghh4

SOME EXAMPLES…

SOME EXAMPLES…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atCfTRMyjGU

SOME EXAMPLES…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyJszxnJydA

SOME EXAMPLES…

SOME EXAMPLES…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ME87tEX9Qw

GENRE

Work in pairs to make mind maps of the following film genres:

• COMEDY• SCI-FI• ROMANCE• ACTION

Think about the CHARACTERISTICS which make up each genre of film

GENRE

HORROR

GENRE

Work in pairs to make mind maps of the following film genres:

• COMEDY• SCI-FI• ROMANCE• ACTION

Think about the CHARACTERISTICS which make up each genre of film

What GENRE do you think this movie is?

Why?

What characteristics does it have that make you think that?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIzbwV7on6Q

What GENRE do you think this movie is?

Why?

What characteristics does it have that make you think that?

FILM TRAILER

• A way in which a film is advertised and promoted is through the use of a film trailer.

• The trailer, like the poster, is used to get the film-going audience excited about the film and generate interest so that they will go and see it.

• It also introduces some ideas about plot, characters and theme.

FILM TRAILER

Watch the film trailer and then IN PAIRS discuss and write down

What you understand about the plot of the film?

What special effects were you impressed by in the trailer?

What information does the trailer reveal about the film?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIzbwV7on6Q

YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES

LEARNING INTENTIONS

To explore the film technique of LIGHTING

To understand how lighting can be used to build atmosphere and set tone within a film

LIGHTING

Lighting is used by the directors and cinematographer to create MOOD and ATMOSPHERE.

Two types of lighting used are LOW-KEY LIGHTING and HIGH-KEY LIGHTING.

LIGHTING

LOW-KEY lighting is when the lighting of a scene is very dark, with shadows and only a few bright spots. This helps create TENSION in a scene, and indicates that something may be about to happen, or to emphasise a subdued mood.

LIGHTING

HIGH-KEY lighting is when a shot is evenly lit, with few dark areas. There tends not to be a lot of tension in scenes like this.

LIGHTING

Which of the below images are LOW-KEY and HIGH-KEY lighting?

What effect does it create for the audience?

LIGHTING

LIGHTING

LIGHTING

Looking at lighting in the following clips, what effect does it have on the audience?

How does the director use lighting to convey meaning in these scenes? Make notes in your jotter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2bk_9T482g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak70AEHw1as

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa8d-jwFwds

RECAP QUIZAnswers these questions INDIVIDUALLY, without talking.

1) What does the term ‘genre’ mean?2) How do we describe a film which is more

than one genre?3) What is the term used to describe dark

lighting in a film?4) What effect does this create?5) What is the opposite effect called?

LEARNING INTENTIONS

To develop knowledge of the different camera shots used within film-making

To understand their purpose and the effect they have on an audience

FILM TECHNIQUES - SEQUENCE

What is a SEQUENCE?

In the same way that you know the code for getting words in a sentence in the right order (you don’t say, for example. ‘Name my John is’), the film maker has codes for conveying his messages. A film-maker’s ‘sentence’ is a sequence of shots; and to make sense they come in a definite order.

Now, let’s look at the worksheet

CAMERA SHOTS AND ANGLES

Long shots are often used at the start of a film to tell you where a film is set.

A long shot is taken from far away and shows a big picture.

Look at the following long shots and discuss what information the director might be wanting to tell the audience about where and when the film will take place or even what kind of film it will be.

LONG SHOT

Where is this?

Note how just one image instantly sets this film in a particular place.

With one frame the director tells the audience where the film will be set.

ANOTHER LONG SHOT

Where is this?

What kind of a film would begin with this sort of image?

WHERE IS THIS?

What kind of a feeling does this image give the audience?

LONG SHOT When do you think a film that begins with this scene might

be set?

MEDIUM SHOT

This is often used to show characters in a background

MEDIUM SHOT

This is a typical medium shot, placing a character in a background.

CLOSE UP

The next type of camera shot is the close up.

These are often used to show how a person is feeling.

A close up can also focus in on a thing to emphasise it.

CLOSE UP

This is a close up shot of a woman’s face.

What do you notice about her?

ANOTHER CLOSE UP

What emotion do you think this boy is showing?

How is he feeling?

MORE CLOSE UPS

How are these people

feeling?

How do you feel when you look at these images?

CLOSE UPS

How do you feel when you see this close up?Why do you think the film maker used this shot?

CLOSE UPS

How do you feel when you see this close up?Why do you think the film maker used this shot?

CLOSE UPS CAN ALSO BE USED FOR THINGS.

MORE CLOSE UPS

EXTREME CLOSE UP.

It is when the camera focuses very closely in on a subject.

CLASS TASK

Task We are now going to watch a scene from a film.

Complete the camera shot worksheets, writing down when you see a shot used and the effect it has.

 

Think about how these shots have been used in this film. Is it effective?

 

LEARNING INTENTIONS

To explore how directors use CAMERA ANGLES in film-making

To develop understanding of the effect these angles can create within a film

CAMERA ANGLES

We are going to look at 2 kinds of camera angles:

A high camera angle – when the camera looks down on a person or thing.

A low camera angle – when the camera looks up at a person or thing.

HIGH CAMERA ANGLE

Here is a camera man up high aiming his camera DOWN at the subject for a high camera angle.

HIGH CAMERA ANGLESLOOK DOWN ON THE SUBJECT

HIGH CAMERA ANGLE

This shot from The Lord of the Rings shows Frodo looking down on Gollum making him look small and weak.

HIGH CAMERA ANGLE

What is the director trying to CONVEY through this camera angle? What does this shot EMPHASISE about the character?

LOW CAMERA ANGLE

A low angle shot is when the camera is aimed UP at the subject.

LOW CAMERA ANGLE

A low camera angle makes the person look powerful and strong.

It was frequently used in propaganda to highlight the strengths and omnipotence of leaders, such as Hitler.

MORE LOW CAMERA ANGLES

LOW CAMERA ANGLE By placing the audience below this character, we

understand that he can see more than those below him at this point – he has more knowledge and therefore is less vulnerable.

ACTIVE LISTENING TASK

As we are watching the next part of the film, make a note in your jotter of when the following camera shots, angles and lighting are used, and the effect they have:

- Close Up

- Medium shot

- Long shot

- Extreme Close Up

- High Angle shot

- Low Angle shot

- Low-key lighting

- High-key lighting

QUICK QUIZ

Each of the next slides shows one of the genres, camera shots or angles we have looked at.

See if you can tell what each one is.

Work INDIVIDUALLY, and write the answers in your jotter.

WHAT CAMERA ANGLE IS THIS?WHAT EFFECT DOES IT CREATE?

WHAT KIND OF SHOT IS THIS?WHY WOULD A DIRECTOR USE

THIS?

WHAT FILM GENRE IS THIS?HOW DO WE KNOW?

WHAT IS THIS SHOT CALLED? WHAT DOES IT TELL US ABOUT THE MOVIE?

THINK ABOUT SETTING, GENRE, POSSIBLE PLOT AND CHARACTERS.

WHAT CAMERA ANGLE IS USED HERE? WHAT DOES IT SUGGEST?

THIS IS AN ACTION MOVIE – TRUE OR FALSE?

HOW DO WE KNOW?

EXPLAIN LOW-KEY AND HIGH-KEY LIGHTING.

WHAT KIND OF SHOT IS THIS?

LEARNING INTENTIONS

To build knowledge of the different SOUND TECHNIQUES used in a film

To explore how these SOUND TECHNIQUES can create meaning and atmosphere

SOUND TECHNIQUES

Music

Sound effects (SFX)- thunder, car horns, ringing bells or any other sound

Background noise (people talking, traffic)

Accent (the accent that characters have)

Dialogue (what characters say)

SOUND TECHNIQUES

What do you think these techniques are used for?

Music (background or soundtrack)

Sound effects (SFX)

Background noise

MUSIC

Watch the following clip, and think about how the change in the music effects the scene.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK3ATi_fFXY&feature=fvwrel

SOUND

Now, let’s watch part of the movie.

Make a note in your jotter of when you see:

Certain sound techniques, such as music or SFX Note down the effect these have on the scene Why has the director used these? What do they emphasise? What meaning is he trying to convey to us?

STARTER

In your groups, write down EVERYTHING you know about the film techniques we have discussed so far.

Include:Camera shotsCamera anglesSoundLighting

YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES

LEARNING INTENTIONS

To explore and understand MISE-EN-SCENE in a film

To develop knowledge of how MISE-EN-SCENE can be used to emphasise characterisation, plot, and atmosphere

MISE-EN-SCÈNE

The arrangement of everything that appears in the framing – actors, lighting, décor, props, costume – is called mise-en-scène, a French term which means “placing on stage.”

The frame and camerawork also constitute the mise-en-scène of a movie.

It basically means everything what you see in each scene of a film.

WHAT DO WE LOOK FOR?

Setting and props.

Costume and make up.

Lighting and colour.

The way items and people are positioned.

ALL OF THESE ELEMENTS CAN TELL US MORE ABOUT THE CHARACTERS, SETTING AND PLOT

SETTING AND PROPS

In the movie, Jamal and Salim are incredibly poor.

One of the PROPS that emphasises this is old cart that the kids play around.

COSTUMES AND MAKE UP

What COSTUMES are used in the movie to tell us more about the characters?

Think about what Jamal, Salim and Latika wear.

THE WAY ITEMS AND PEOPLE ARE POSITIONED

The most important thing in a shot is usually placed IN THE CENTRE

Our eye naturally falls to the centre of a frame

Film makers use this to their advantage and place what they want us to focus on most in the middle of the shot

THE WAY ITEMS AND PEOPLE ARE POSITIONED

MISE-EN-SCÈNE

Look at this frame

Why do you think the mise-en-scène has been arranged like this?

What does it tell us?

MISE-EN-SCÈNE Look at this frame Why do you think the mise-en-scène has been

arranged like this? Think about the COLOURS in the frame – what do

they represent?

TASK Continue watching the movie

In your jotters, describe the mise-en-scène, and what this tells us about the CHARACTERS, SETTING and PLOT

Remember, you need to include:- Setting and props- Costume and make up- Lighting and colour- The way items and people are positioned

LEARNING INTENTIONS

To begin to explore SYMBOLISM and how it is used in films

To understand how SYMBOLISM can create meaning and highlight themes within a film

SYMBOLISM

A symbol is an object, action or idea that represents something other than itself, often of a more abstract nature.

Often, a film will use symbols to emphasise a movie’s themes, ideas and issues.

TASK

Continue watching the movie

In your jotters, note down any possible SYMBOLS used in the film.

You should write down what the symbol is, as well as what you think it represents.

LEARNING INTENTIONS

To develop knowledge about EDITING and how it is used in film-making

To understand how EDITING can be used to convey meaning and tone

EDITING

EDITING is a post-production film-making process.

The director creates a SEQUENCE by putting certain shots together.

The two main techniques we will look at are the LENGTH OF THE SHOT and FLASHBACK.

The length of a shot or scene allows a director to set the atmosphere and tone of a particular part of the movie.

For example, in order to create tension and excitement, a director would use short shots and scene lengths, to reflect the fast pace.

EDITING

Slumdog Millionaire makes great use of the FLASHBACK.

This technique allows us to better understand the characters in the movie – where they have come from; their personalities; and how their actions have affected their current state.

EDITING

ACTIVE LISTENING TASK

As we watch the end of the movie, consider how the director uses EDITING to create tension, set the tone and help us understand the characters.

You should make notes covering EDITING as well as the other techniques.

LEARNING INTENTIONS

To understand the ESSAY QUESTION on Slumdog Millionaire.

To explore how we can analyse the question for KEY WORDS to improve our understanding.

To use communication skills and our knowledge of the film to analyse how different techniques are used to create meaning.

ESSAY QUESTIONChoose a film with an ending which is exciting and satisfying.

Show how it is made exciting and enjoyable.

In your answer you should refer to: editing, sound, camera shots and/or angles, lighting, symbolism and mise-en-scène.

Choose a film with an ending which is exciting and satisfying.

Show how it is made exciting and enjoyable.

In your answer you should refer to: editing, sound, camera shots and/or angles, lighting, symbolism and mise-en-scène.

In your groups, you will discuss and write down as many notes as you can for ONE film technique.

You will present your findings to the class. Remember to keep it relevant to the essay

question!

YOU HAVE FIFTEEN MINUTES

LIGHTING

SOUND

EDITING

MISE-EN-SCENE

SYMBOLISM

CAMERA SHOTS AND/OR ANGLES

LEARNING INTENTIONS

To understand the ESSAY QUESTION on Slumdog Millionaire.

To explore how we can analyse the question for KEY WORDS to improve our understanding.

To use communication skills and our knowledge of the film to analyse how different techniques are used to create meaning.

ESSAY QUESTIONChoose a film with an ending which is exciting and satisfying.

Show how it is made exciting and enjoyable.

In your answer you should refer to: editing, sound, camera shots and/or angles, lighting, symbolism and mise-en-scène.

Key words:

Critical Language (how the director draws attention to something):

ACTIVE LISTENING TASK

We will review the end of Slumdog Millionaire one last time.

As we do, you should be completing the final notes you have on how the different film techniques are used to make the ending EXCITING and ENJOYABLE.

Remember, the most important thing is not just to describe what technique is used and

when, but HOW and WHY this technique makes the ending exciting.

LEARNING INTENTIONS

To understand the ESSAY QUESTION on Slumdog Millionaire.

To explore how we can analyse the question for KEY WORDS to improve our understanding.

To use communication skills and our knowledge of the film to analyse how different techniques are used to create meaning.

ESSAY QUESTIONChoose a film with an ending which is exciting and satisfying.

Show how it is made exciting and enjoyable.

In your answer you should refer to: editing, sound, camera shots and/or angles, lighting, symbolism and mise-en-scène.

Key words:

Critical Language (how the director draws attention to something):

TASK In your groups, move round the stations.

Discuss and analyse each of the film techniques.

Remember to REFER TO THE QUESTION!

Consider HOW and WHY these techniques make the ending exciting and enjoyable.

Editing, sound, camera shots and/or angles, lighting, symbolism and mise-en-scène.

LEARNING INTENTIONS

To develop understanding a critical essay structure

To use this understanding to develop detailed essay plan

CRITICAL ESSAY STRUCTURE

All good critical essays have a structure to them.

Understanding what goes in to a critical essay is vital to ensure our work has quality and depth.

We will use the PEE format as a guide

- Point- Evidence- Evaluation (analysis)

INTRODUCTION

Start with TART

(Title, Author, Refer to Task)

E.g. Slumdog Millionaire, directed by Danny Boyle, is a film which explores Jamal Malik’s life from his childhood in the slums of Bombay, to present day where he is poised to win the prize on Who Wants to Be A Millionaire? The director uses film techniques such as editing, sound, and mise-en-scene to create an exciting and satisfying ending to the movie.

Now, write your own introduction.

YOU HAVE TEN MINUTES

POINT

The Point is simply what each paragraph is about- you make a main point in every paragraph you write. This is usually the TOPIC SENTENCE you use.

Do not signpost your paragraph e.g. do not say “I am going to talk about”

E.g. The director uses EDITING at the end of the film to create tension and excitement.

WHAT IS A TOPIC SENTENCE?

This is basically a sentence that introduceswhat the paragraph is going to be about.

e.g. The director uses EDITING at the end of the film to create tension and excitement.

TOPIC SENTENCES

All TOPIC SENTENCES should make some reference to the essay question.

A good way to do this is through the KEY WORDS we extract from the essay question.

Look at the following essay questions and topic sentences and see if you can match them up.

REFERENCING THE QUESTION

A reader should be able to guess what the essay question is simply by looking at your essay.

It is VITAL that you ensure you refer to the question throughout – this is the only way you will be sure that you have actually answered the question!

Look at the paragraphs on the sheets and discuss in pairs what you think the essay question could be.

EVIDENCE

The evidence is the description of the shot or scene that you have to back up your point (if you were writing about a novel or poem, it would be a quotation)

It is important that you pick a shot or scene that you can explain and evaluate

Make sure there is enough information in each shot or scene that you pick

e.g. As we approach the climax of the film, the length of the scenes and shots become shorter and shorter, moving quickly between Jamal in the gameshow studio, Latika running through the streets, and Salim filling the bathtub with money, preparing to kill his boss.

EVALUATION(ANALYSIS)

This is the chance for you to explain how the quotation backs up the point you are making

You need to make sure that you fully explain the quotation

You then need to evaluate the quotation- give your opinion on how successful it is

Your opinion should be implicit - do not write “I think”

EXPLAIN/ EVALUATE(ANALYSIS)

e.g. As we approach the climax of the film, the length of the scenes and shots become shorter and shorter, moving quickly between Jamal in the gameshow studio, Latika running through the streets, and Salim filling the bathtub with money, preparing to kill his boss.

In these scenes , the length of the shots and quick movement between scenes reflect the fast pace and excitement at this stage of the film. The director’s use of this technique engages us as an audience, and highlights the tension as we reach the end of the movie.

PUTTING P + E + E TOGETHER

P:The director uses editing at the end of the film to create tension and excitement.

E:As we approach the climax, the length of the scenes and shots become shorter and shorter, moving quickly between Jamal in the gameshow studio, Latika running through the streets, and Salim filling the bathtub with money, preparing to kill his boss.

E:In these scenes, the length of the shots and quick movement between scenes reflect the fast pace and excitement at this stage of the film. The director’s use of this technique engages us as an audience, and highlights the tension as we reach the end of the movie.

ESSAY PLANS

A good critical essay needs a good plan.

This allows us to lay out our evidence and analysis clearly before we begin writing.

Using the Essay Plan work sheets, develop your own essay plan, which includes:

- TOPIC SENTENCES- EVIDENCE- EVALUATION (analysis)

SUCCESS CRITERIA

Shows thorough knowledge of the text throughout.

Shows awareness of film techniques through analysis.

Confident and accurate use of language.

Able to organise and structure essay well, keeping it relevant to the task.

LEARNING INTENTIONS

Recap the success criteria for the essay Peer evaluate your partner’s essay Reflect on your own essay

INTRODUCTION:

Get straight to the point!

Indicate the ideas you will write about

Identify the techniques you will write about

Make clear your point of view

PARAGRAPHS:

•Get straight to the point in your Topic Sentence!

•Show your knowledge of the text

•Identify the techniques you will write about

•Analyse your scene/shot well

•Make clear your point of view

•Keep the question in mind – refer back to the task

SUCCESS CRITERIA

What else makes a good essay?

Language Structure Reference to text

CRITICAL ESSAY

• Having someone else look at our work can often help it to become better

• They can see strengths or mistakes that we sometimes cannot see ourselves

SUCCESS CRITERIA

Shows thorough knowledge of the text throughout.

Shows awareness of film techniques through analysis.

Confident and accurate use of language.

Able to organise and structure essay well, keeping it relevant to the task.

CRITICAL ESSAY

We are now going to complete some PEER EVALUATION

Read over your partner’s essay

Using the success criteria we have discussed as a guide, note TWO STRENGTHS and TWO TARGETS for your partner’s work

Discuss these strengths and targets with them in detail – be honest.

YOU HAVE FIFTEEN MINUTES

CRITICAL ESSAY

Now, having completed PEER EVALUATION of another essay, and having looked at success criteria and exemplar essays, think about YOUR OWN WORK.

On a Post-It, write TWO STRENGTHS and TWO TARGETS for your own essay – these should be different from the feedback your partner has given.

Attach the Post-It to your essay, and pass to the front of your row

YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES

FINAL TWEAKS

At this point, everyone should have elements of their essays that need work.

For the next fifteen minutes, work towards getting your first draft in the best possible shape it can be.

This means that you will have far less work to do when writing your final draft.

CRITICAL ESSAY

You have been given two EXEMPLAR ESSAYS

Look over these, and discuss with your partner which you think is best

List two reasons why you believe it is better than the other essay.

YOU HAVE TEN MINUTES