Home > Subjects > English > English level 3 > 3.4 Visual or oral text > Subject content > Film
- Subject: English
- AS: 90723
- Level: 3
- Credits: 3
- External
3.4 Respond critically to oral or visual text studied
Film
Due to the length of a feature film it is possible to see a range of characters and themes develop and emerge from the text over a couple of hours. Any number of settings, characters, complications, issues, subplots and twists may be added to highlight central ideas in the film. A film is crafted so that every production technique works together to present and support the writer's ideas in an interesting and appropriate way. It is important that your study and critical response of the film is very thorough and detailed, or your understanding of the roles of the director and the viewer.
In addition to all the major aspects of literature, examination questions may ask you to focus on the characteristics of the film genre, how film production techniques such as camera work, lighting, music, point of view, or structure have been used to present ideas convincingly in the text.
For general help see:
- Yale Film Studies
- Film Terms
- Analysing a film extract
- Analysing a moving image text (PDF 50KB)
- Visual Language: Genres and Conventions – background reading
- Film and Ideology
These links for the film The Piano may give you ideas for the study of your own film:
- A Profile of Ada McGrath
- Ada's Decision Grid
- Character Comparison Table
- Setting Handout
- Motifs Cut Up Exercise
- Confinement and Fingers Handout
