1. Film Analysis

2. Competence Aims International English Culture, society and literature The aims of the studies are to enable pupils to –analyse, elaborate on and discuss at least one lengthy literary work and one film

3. The Story (Narrative) Most films tell a story Most stories have a conflict or problem which develops and reaches a climax Most stories are divided into 3 or 4 sections (parts)

4. The Opening The opening of a film introduces: The first 20-25 minutes of the film Who is the film about? (the characters) Where and when do events take place? (the setting) What is his/her/their problem? (the conflict)

5. The Conflict The conflict develops Often the conflict is started by the introduction of a new character, an event, or an incident The development of the conflict is the main part of a film (and a novel)

6. Resolution (Konflikten løses) This is the last part of the film The conflict reaches a climax There is a turning point The conflict might be solved – happy ending The conflict might not be solved – open ending –Open ending means that we do not know what will happen to a character in the end Resolution - løsning

7. Structure Opening – introduces conflict Middle part – conflict develops Resolution – climax, turning point and conflict solved or not Techniques used to tell a story: A story can be presented chronologically (linear time) Flashbacks –Flashbacks go back in time (tilbakeplikk) Often shown in different set of colours –The story goes back and forth from past to present Often used to create suspense by revealing “what really happened” bit by bit Foreshadowing –a remark or incident is planted in earlier parts of the film – hinting at something that will happen later in the film– only then can the observant viewer make sense of them –E.g. in The Green Mile the thunder and lightning before Eduard Delacroix is executed serve as a foreboding of something sinister that will happen – his electrocution that goes wrong with electricity and sparks resemble the lightning Acting style Actors may give life and personality to characters through their physical appearance, body language, costumes, make-up, and tone of voice Acting can be played up (melodramatic or “over the top) or played down, humorous or non-professional. E.g. an actor like Hugh Grant adds a touch of Grant to most of the parts he plays. Johnny Depp turns his character in the Pirates of the Caribbean into a comical, exaggerated figure (plays it up).

8. Photography I Camera techniques Different types of shots: Long shot (panorama) –Gives an overall view from a distance and is often used to introduce a setting or set a scene Mid shot –A middle distance which can give background information and focus on character at the same time ”Close-ups” –Focus on facial expressions and individual reactions –Focus on details, body parts or objects –Close-ups are often used in films focusing on ”feelings and relations” between people

9. Photography II Camera movements Camera movements: A film camera may either be stationary or moving The handheld camera –Gives an authentic feel to the film Panning –The most common movement of a stationary camera is ”panning” – a horizontal movement from side to side –Panning is often used when people or objects are moving in a certain environment Tilting –A vertical movement up or down –From the ground and up – give a feeling of size

10. Photography III Camera angles The camera can be placed in different positions Eyelevel –The most common angle in film Low camera –Camera placed in a low angle shooting up at something/someone –Used to give a sense of size, power, social status of the subject High camera –Camera placed in a high angle shooting down at someone/something –Used to give sense of vulnerability and powerlessness of the subject

11. Photography VI Colours and Lighting Colour and lighting are used to create atmosphere Cold atmosphere Blue shades Grey Shadows Warmness and friendly atmosphere Warm colours Green shades Make characters and environments look sickly and sinister Brown tones Give the film an old-fashioned touch or a sense of the past

12. Characters Main character/s –The story is about him/her/them –They appear in most of the scenes in the film –They are photographed in close- ups more often Minor characters –These have a smaller part in the film –They do not appear as often as the main character/s in the film

13. Sound Dialogues and monologues – speech by characters or a voiceover (narrator) Footsteps, tinkling keys, slamming doors, washing machine, buzzing insects, etc. Music –creates atmosphere –determines how we understand and react to different scenes

14. Editing The editor cuts the shots taken and joins together clips of the film into a single filmstrip The way this is done influences the way we see the film Usually we do not notice these cuts because the transition between them is smooth Many short cuts put together create a sense of pace and are often used in action movies

15. Theme/s The theme is an idea that runs through the entire film The filmmaker has a message to the viewers. He/she would like to tell the viewer something about something Examples of themes can be: –Love –Hatred –Racism –Segregation –Death penalty –Loneliness Then the filmmaker has an opinion about love – for example what love is or should be or that there is no such thing as love, etc.

16. By Nina Sandström Angelsen Selbu videregående skole