Close up on Film

English 1.11Show understanding of

visual and/or oral text(s) through close viewing and/or listening, using supporting evidence.

3 Credits

Christine Wells

We will discuss in class how these aspects create

meaning or express an idea and/ or effects.

Your mission…

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Show understanding of at least 4 aspects of a film through

close viewing.

In class we will watch a selection

of films and practise close

reading selected scenes.

We will look at aspects such as:

themes, attitudes, audience,

visual/verbal features.

You will be assessed on how

well you can show understanding

using supporting evidence.

You will be given a selection of

sequences to choose from and will complete your

assessment on one of these.

Close viewing your text and recording your

findings.

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B. Explain briefly what is happening in

the shot.

C. Identify and explain the meaning

and effects of 4 different text

aspects.

You could include: themes, attitudes, beliefs, feelings,

experiences, insights, meanings, thoughts,

opinions and understandings within

the text.

You could also include: text

conventions such as visual/verbal

features, purposes, audiences, structures.

1. Choose 4 frames to close view which give you the opportunity to

show your understanding of

visual/verbal language.

2. For each frame…

A.Screenshot & save to a chosen

app.

GatheringProcessing

Applying

Thinking

Using text, language &

symbolsManaging self

Close viewing your text and recording your findings.

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3. Give different explanations for each text aspect and support each

with different details.

4. Focus your explanations on aspects such as:

• meaning & effect of ideas, visual/verbal features and

structural techniques.• effect on audience• director’s purpose

• links between ideas & conventions

• links between text & self, own

situation and experience

• links between text & world.

Significant text conventions.

…dialogue, acting, costume, setting, camera

angle, camera shot, lighting, editing or

structural techniques such as

transitions/flashbacks/intercutting, sound effects,

special effects…

• Why did the director choose this effect or convention?

• What does the director want me to think/feel?How do I know?

• What techniques are used to structure the sequence? Why?

• How does the director make me laugh, feel sad or feel worried?

• What do I learn about a character/setting? How did I

learn this?

Conventions & questions

to help

Check out some exemplars.

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http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/qualifications/ncea/subjects/english/annotated-exemplars/level-1-as90856-a/

Discuss the strengths & weaknesses of each one.

GatheringProcessing

Thinkingrelating to others

Managing selfParticipating &

contributing

Practise close reading.

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1.The camera shot/angle used is …

2.Explain what is happening in this shot.

3.The theme that is linked to this shot/angle is …because the shot shows …

4.The director wants the audience to think about …in relation to this theme because …

5.Record the dialogue from this shot.

6. The audience learns from this dialogue that the character in this shot is…

7.The costume of a character from this shot can be described as…

8.The costume tells the audience that the character is…

9.The setting in this shot can be described as…

10. The setting in this shot communicates to the audience that…

11. The emotions that I experience from seeing this shot are…

12. The text conventions used to make me feel this emotion are (For example, lighting, sound, dialogue,

costume.)… because…

Use these questions to

practise close reading a

selection of sequences.

GatheringProcessing

Applying

ThinkingRelating to others

Using text, language & symbols

Managing selfParticipating &

contributing

Presenting your responses.

Present:1.In written form, including

frames2.Orally with a slide show

3.As a slide show

Include:1.The purpose & audience

2.4 text aspects3.Examples, detail and

explanation - different ones for each aspect.

ProcessingApplying

Thinking

Using text, language &

symbolsManaging self

References

Adapted from NZQA task

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