Seminar Prep With your partner, prepare for our discussion by answering these questions on a sheet of loose leaf. What is the theme, or moral lesson, of the Matrix?

The Matrix: Analyzing a Scene

3/20 Aim: How can we react to our film through structured discussion? Do Now: What are your first impressions after finishing the Matrix?

Working in Stations: In four minute stations, you and your group will address the question on chart paper.

Socratic Seminar: What is the theme, or moral lesson, of the Matrix?

Socratic Seminar: Round 2 Describe the style of the film and the directors. Which visual and verbal techniques helped to express a theme or idea?

Seminar Reflection: Evaluate your partner’s participation in Seminar. (1-did not participate to 5- contributed powerfully.) Justify your grade. Evaluate your own participation in Seminar. Justify your grade. Note something that someone said that helped you understand the film better.

3/24 Aim: How can we write a paragraph in which we analyze the opening of the Matrix? Guide for viewing this example: How does the director of this anti-bullying Public Service Announcement position the viewer?

How does the director position the viewer? …and what makes this a successful PSA (Public Service Announcement)?

Today’s focus for viewing the opening sequence: Analyze how the opening of a film introduced an important idea.

In Our Notes SeeHearEffect

Addressing the Prompt: Copy the following question into your notes: Analyze how the opening of a film introduced an important idea.

Analyze how the director of a film used a scene to express and important idea. The opening of the Matrix, directed by the Wachowskis, introduces the idea that truth and knowledge are more important than material goods through a variety of techniques during the film’s opening sequence. We are first introduced to the film’s protagonist, Neo, as he sleeps in front of his computer. The monochrome green screen casts a dim light on the rest of his room, illuminated by low key lighting, and producing a variety of shadows. Everything in Neo’s home suggests carelessness about material goods. It is messy, shabby, and grim. As Neo sleeps with headphones on, we hear soothing diegetic alternative music playing. But the computer’s search program abruptly stops, and from our close up of Neo’s head, the focus shifts to the green cursor on the screen urging Neo to “Wake up”. The diegetic music shifts to non-diegetic strings, connoting a horror film. Of course, Neo is literally sleeping, but he is also at this time plugged into the Matrix, a computer simulation controlled by an army of machines.

The opening also introduces an allusion to the book Alice in Wonderland. An extreme close up follows Neo’s eyes as he watches the cursor spell out “Follow the white rabbit.” Unfamiliar with the world of the film, the viewer wonders what this statement might mean. A group of young people costumed in wild raver outfits and strange jewelry appear at Neo’s door, and initially, Neo refuses to accompany them to a party. When the one called Du Jour turns her shoulder, the camera zooms to an extreme close up of a white rabbit tattooed on her shoulder. Neo, like Alice, will follow this rabbit into a new world with a set of rules that are totally different than the ones he currently understands. Perhaps the Wachowskis are suggesting that…

3/25 Aim: How can we analyze scenes & determine director’s purpose as pairs? Do Now: In as much detail as you can, describe these shots. Use cinematic language, and write about the effect of each shot on the audience. Discuss with your table group!

Analyzing Scenes in Pairs: Use your guides! Team members:Computer number: Scene & Time: Red 11Neo at Work (11:56) Blue 12Taken by Agents (17:01) Green 13Kidnapped! (1:31:28) Orange 14Understanding the Matrix (39:03) Black 15The Red Pill or the Blue Pill (25:05) Red 26Do We Have a Deal? (1:03:40) Blue 28The Magic Flight (1:58:32) Green 29The Oracle (1:11:00) Orange 210Rebirth (30:00) Black 211The Matrix is a System, Neo… (56:33) Red 312Training (46:36)

Today and Tomorrow: You and your partner will create and complete a Google Doc that answers the following prompt in detail: – Analyze how the directors used visual and verbal techniques to create an impact in a single scene. Aim for at least eight unpacked shots with dialogue and sound. **Don’t forget to clearly name the impact!!

Right Now: Open your school and use the documents I’ve shared to create a new Google Document. Share that document with me: