1. Sci Fi / Fantasy Lit October 24, 2016
Hi.
Here is today’s agenda:
Film elements review
Blocking “Harrison Bergeron”
View “2081”
“2081” analysis

2. Cinematic Elements Plot / Script Acting
Remember, the plot is the actual action of the movie.
The script includes the dialogue, movement, camera angles, etc. that guide the plot.
Acting
Remember, a good actor is able to change everything about their behavior (speech, posture, movement, facial expressions).
A good actor ≠ Shia LaBeouf.

3. Composition
Framing is the way objects are arranged in a shot—think of the screen as a “frame” around the image.
Focus is the sharpness of the image. Directors use focus to draw attention to a subject.

6. Sound
Diegetic sound is sound that both the audience and the characters can hear (dialogue, sound effects, etc.)
Non-diegetic sound is sound that only the audience can hear (soundtrack, voiceovers, Morgan Freeman, etc.).
Find examples of both in the following clip

7. “Harrison Bergeron”
As we read Kurt Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron,” divide the story into scenes by bracketing off sections of the story.
Remember that a scene is the basic unit narrative of a film, comprised of shots. Obviously, since the short story doesn’t have any ‘shots,’ just imagine where the camera would cut to a different location or situation.
Also, annotate the story for evidence that would support our theme statement:
“Society’s attempts to promote total equality can lead to mediocrity.”

8. “2081” Cinematic Elements
Now we are going to view the film version of “Harrison Bergeron” entitled “2081”.
As we view, you are to annotate for each specific cinematic element. Think in terms of theme. How does each cinematic element help or hinder your understanding of our theme.

9. Cinematic Elements Formative Assessment
After viewing “2081”, decide if the film is more effective communicating the theme “Society’s attempts to promote total equality can lead to mediocrity?” than “Harrison Bergeron”. You must choose 2 cinematic elements that either help or hinder your understanding of the theme.
A. Identify the two cinematic elements Tuttle uses in “2081.”
C. Cite specific examples of his use of each cinematic element.
E. Explain how each cinematic element enhances or detracts from the above theme statement.