GCSE FILM

Task 1B

Film Analysis

What the exam board say…

• Task 1B: Film Analysis (20 marks out of 100) Deadline 24th January 4pm

• Choose a 2-5 minute sequence from your film and analyse using two of its micro features (mise en scene, editing, camera, sound).

• Your analysis must be between 350-750 words• Use key terminology • Show understanding of key concepts (i.e. close ups can show

character reaction/emotion)• Give your own response to your analysis, how does it make

you feel and why?• Watch your clip at least 3 times and make notes each time

What are you supposed to be looking at?

• The focus is primarily but not exclusively on micro features. For example the genre may have an impact on the constructions of the scene and thus how the micro features are used, or the sequence may be a key narrative turning point

• You need to be able to analyse a sequence of film using micro features• Key to this coursework is that you show knowledge of not only the formal

systems at work within the film, but knowledge of the interaction between film and spectator, an awareness of your active role as spectators, and thinking about whether the micro features used have had the ‘desired’ effect on you?

MICRO

MISE-EN-SCENE

CINEMATOGRAPHY

EDITING

SOUND

MACROGENRENARRATIVEREPRESENTATION

Getting started…

• You must choose to write about two micro features

• You are recommended to chose a film within the HORROR genre – this will make your analysis easier as it is a straightforward area

• Watch the sequence at least 3 times and make notes

• Use the slides below to help

MICROMISE-EN-SCENECINEMATOGRAPHYEDITINGSOUND

Analysing your sequence• Once you have chosen your film sequence you should watch it several

times making notes on your chosen aspect(s). • If you have not yet chosen which aspect of film language you are going to

focus on then these screening will help you to do this.

• Remember you should focus on two micro features• The analysis must have detailed references to the text so you may find it

easier to write your notes• in three columns to help you do this:

Observation/Micro Example Evaluation

Costume is used to show details about how the characters are feeling

When Jeff enters the brightly lit bar, he is dressed in grey whereas all of the other characters are dressed in bright colours

This suggests he is alienated from those around him and gives the audience a sense of his depressed state of mind

Analysing your sequence

• After taking your notes• You should then start to group your ideas and

see if you can come up with an overall reading of the clip:

• I.e. After looking at the cinematography in the sequence from Jurassic Park it is obvious that the camerawork is used to make the audience feel the panic that the characters feel.

Analysing your sequence

• Your introduction should outline the film, the director and the sequence that you are to focus on. You may which to include a short (2-3 sentence) synopsis of the film (outline of the story).

• The main body of the essay should be your analysis. The best way to approach this is CHRONICALLY (in the order it happens in the sequence)

Some questions to get you thinking:

• In this essay you have to go beyond identifying and describing in formal/technical terms how micro features are deployed. It is necessary to address the question of how the strategies used by the filmmakers impact on the spectator.

• You need to be able to explain adequately why a film extract affects you as it does. Start work on an extract by asking:

• What is happening to me as I watch this? Why?• How far is it the use of one or more micro features

that is responsible for my response?

Essay Structure

• Title (example)• How does cinematography, mise-en-scene and

sound construct meaning and provoke a response in a sequence from The Descent (Neil Marshall, 2005)

• You would change the underlined sections to fit your chosen micro features and film

Essay Structure

• Introduction• Your introduction should end by identifying which film

and which sequence you are going to use in your analysis. You should ‘place’ the sequence in the film briefly and again briefly outline what happens in your sequence. Your introduction should show your reader that you understand the importance of micro features in the creation of meaning and audience response. You should summarise the main types of meaning which can be generated by the micro features you have chosen to study.

Essay Structure• Middle Paragraphs• The main paragraphs within your essay should show a systematic

and thorough evaluation of the impact/effect of your chosen micro features on your film’s audience.

• Your essay will appear more fluid and fluent if you work systematically through your sequence in the order it runs, identifying and discussing micro features as they ‘appear’.

• Micro features are used interdependently by filmmakers and you will need to discuss how your chosen features work together, as well as separately, to create meaning and response.

• Don’t forget to back-up each of the points you make with a clear example from your film.

• The exam board encourages you to use screen shots in your analysis. This is to avoid too much description and will allow you to focus on analysing the effects.

Essay Structure

• Conclusion• Your conclusion should summarise the meanings and

responses you think your chosen micro features have generated. You should also comment on whether or not you think the micro features you have analysed have produced meanings and responses effectively in your chosen sequence.

• You should also feel free to include images – sketches of key frames or film stills if this helps with your analysis.

Some advice

• You are encouraged to use frame grabs to avoid over describing a scene, thus allowing you to produce a more analytical piece of work

• Extracts ideally should be self contained sequences or part of a sequence which in itself has a definable beginning and end point

• Extracts should be of genuine interest to you – so that the work is motivated by a sense of enquiry

• Characteristic feature(s) that are the focus for the analysis should be clearly recognisable within the extract. (i.e. it should be easy for others to spot what micro features are key in the sequence)

Next steps..

• GET STARTED• Choose a film and sequence – remember it’s

the same film you will do task 1A Film Exploration

• Follow the instructions in this PowerPoint• And email the first draft of the essay to me on

Thursday 16th January• Late drafts WILL NOT get feedback