How to Write Intelligently About Film in the Viewing

Section

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Remember

The viewing section is examining your understanding of visual conventions, not narrative

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• Choose a film you like

• Watch it a couple of times, including bonus features and director’s commentary if possible

• Develop a reading of the film

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• Choose a short sequence for close analysis

• Make notes on cinematography using a retrieval chart

• Convert analysis notes into study notes based on ideas

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Murderball

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My Reading

Challenges the common stereotype of paraquad men as incapable, dependent, weak and deserving of pity.

Constructs them as independent , athletic, powerful and deserving of respect. In many ways no different from non-disabled people.

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Zupan in b’room getting changed alone(m/s; w/c height)

Tattoo (c/u)

B/r (w/s) taking in beer and studded belt; bare chested; sports shorts

IndependencePuts audience and him on same level

Rebellious; bit of a jock; macho

Bit of a jock; macho; strength athleticism

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Analysis Notes

c/u: steel w/c parts being put together; noise of machinery;

c/u: wheels spinning/swivelling

l/s: Hogsett – park setting; athletic clothes; talks of going to clubs

Strength; power

Speed; manoeuvrability

Independence; athleticism

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Bob Lujano (quad) – putting wc in car, driving;

Hotel foyer; talks about cooking and driving

Andy talks about not needing help

Independence; normality

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L/s: garage door rising; sound of motor; Zupan bare chested in chair

M/s: Zupan in gym; gym equipment in b/g; talks about hitting people back

Gladiator preparing for battle

Athleticism; Strength; independence

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Ecu/ extreme la: bottom of chair: metal armour; dramatic music; tracking shotLooking up at Zupan

Power; speed, athleticism; strength

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Study Notes

Independence conveyed through:• Settings –external, public – Hogsett in park,

Lugano at hotel, Zupan in gym• Actions: Zupan getting changed, Lugano

driving car• Dialogue: Hogsett talking about clubs, Cohn

about shopping centres/not needing help

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Athleticism conveyed through:• Setting: Zupan at gym• Clothing and appearance: Zupan barechested;

Hogsett in athletic gear• Camera movement: tracking shot of Zupan in

chair• Close-ups of wheels spinning – sense of rapid

movement

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Power conveyed through:• Sound track: sound of machinery when

putting chair together; garage door opening; music accompanying Zupan in chair

• Close-ups of steel parts of chair• Garage door – gladiator effect

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Normality conveyed through• Settings as above• Dialogue as above• Camera puts us and them on same level.

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The Pianist

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• Set 1939 -45

• Wladislaw Szpilman, Jewish pianist

• Germans invade Poland

• Warsaw ghetto

• Escapes being transported to concentration camp

• Goes into hiding

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My Thesis

• War has the potential to destroy our humanity

• A passion for music can help us survive

• Music has the power to unite us as human beings – to allow us to see beyond our differences.

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Climax

Germans retreating, destroying Warsaw in the process

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• Lack of colour; just grey

• Framing: devastation stretches as far as our eyes can see

• Lack of sound

• Camera zooms back and up: Szpilman reduced to insignificance

• Almost animal-like in movements

Lack of life

Destructive effects of war

Lack of life

Effect of war on humans: reduces us to insignificance

Destroys humanity; reduces us to animals

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Lighting: illuminates his head and hands

Lighting begins to illuminate his face

Light on German’s face

Site of his passion for music

Regaining his humanity

Shares passion for music; human, not a monster

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Topic: Discuss the relationship between visual elements and ideas in at least one of the images provided and at least one visual text you have studied.

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