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3.4 Respond critically to oral or visual text studied

Production techniques

Production techniques are the features used to make the text(s) interesting and unique. Techniques may include: music, dialogue, lighting, graphics, colour, special effects, soundtrack, camera work, layout, use of space, oral and visual production techniques, or use of links. By looking at the production techniques closely you will gain a better understanding of how the text has been produced in order to present the themes, characters, settings, and plot. See Film Terms for a brief explanation why a technique may be used. The attitude of the director towards the character helps to set the mood or feeling of the text. Think about how the techniques and the mood of text work together to make the production convincing.

Key points to study

• Structure – how the text and the ideas have been put together. Look at the overall structure of the text(s), the order of scenes, sequencing, and transitions.
• Narrative point of view – who is telling the story and how does this influence what the audience experiences and feels towards the text? The director will choose and/or change the point of view to control the relationship between the audience and the character to support their purpose. Changes in perspective can be shown by techniques such as voice over and camera shots, like the point of view shot. See The "Grammar" of Film and Television. Narrative style refers to how the subject matter is presented to the audience. See the style chart for analysis ideas.
• Dialogue – identify repeated language patterns in a character's speech. Look at the types of words used and how they speak. What does this show you about their personality and background? Think about how the voice is used to show subtle changes in emotion, accent used to show social status and background, and gesture to show response to other characters.

Ways to study production techniques

• Select 1–3 important scenes from the text(s) and close view/listen – to identify any production techniques. Explain how each technique adds to your understanding of the plot, character and themes. See Close Viewing (scroll down to viewing_worksheet (RTF 9KB)).
• Identify the changes in narrative point of view to understand how the director presents the story. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this technique?
• Use the chart below to identify specific production techniques used in a scene. Briefly summarise the scene noting what happens in the beginning, middle, and end.

  Action – characters involved
  Camera/production techniques
  Dialogue/monologue
  Sound effects and music
  Lighting/atmosphere/mood
  Costume/props

• How have these techniques been used to create interest?

See the following sites:

• You be the judge – film language
• The Language of Film and Video (scroll to “filming_terms (RTF 11KB)â€?)
• Index of radio terminology
• Drama

Other keywords for techniques: methods, devices, features, aspect.

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