1. Reading Film Comparing Literary Elements to Cinematic Elements
Based on John Golden’s Reading in the Dark
Reading Film

2. Cinematic Elements
Reading Film

3. Cinematic Elements Shot type/framing Camera angles Lighting Sound
Editing
Key question: what are the effects of the director’s cinematic choices on the viewer?

4. Framing Close up: image takes up 80% of screen (face only)
Long shot: image filmed from some distance (full body)
Medium shot: between the two (waist up)

5. Framing
close up long shot medium shot

6. Close-up

7. Close-up

8. Medium shot

9. Long shot

10. Long shot

11. Angles Low angle: camera is below subject
High angle: camera is above the subject
Eye level: even with subject

12. Low Angle

13. Low angle

14. Low angle

15. High angle

16. High angle

17. Lighting High key: bright Low key: dark, shadows
Side/bottom: light on one side or below
Front lighting: direct and even lighting

18. High-key lighting

19. Low-key lighting

20. Side lighting

21. Side lighting

22. Front lighting

23. Mixed lighting

24. Sound
Diegetic: sound that logically could be heard by characters within the film environment
Non-Diegetic: sound that cannot be heard by characters; it is for audience only

25. Editing Fade: fade to black, white, or color
Cut: simple/common move between shots
Fade: fade to black, white, or color
Dissolve: image fades into another image
Parallel editing/cross cutting: cut away to action that is happening simultaneously
Eye-line match: person looking, cut to what is seen, return to person’s reaction

26. Eye-line match 1

27. Eye-line match 2

28. Eye-line match 3

29. Eye-line match 4

30. Cinematic: Putting it together
Framing
Angles
Lighting
Sound
Editing
Response

31. Theatrical: Putting it together
Costumes
Props
Sets
Acting
Cinematic
Response

32. Literary Elements
Reading Film

33. Literary Elements Characterization Setting Conflict Theme Tone Irony
Key question: how does the director use cinematic and theatrical elements to illustrate literary elements?

34. Acting Choices
Gestures
Movements
Voice/Delivery

35. Sets

36. Putting it all together
Cinematic
Theatrical
Shot type/framing
Camera angles
Lighting
Sound
Editing
Costumes
Props
Sets
Acting Choices
Literary
Response

37. Teaching a complete film
Previewing: setting context, preparing students for themes, identifying terms
During viewing: notetaking, reviewing of key scenes, discussing in pairs and groups
After viewing: analysis of director choices, connection to theme/print text, application of ideas in another medium

38. Using film as a tool
Students will practice reading strategies with a film or visual text and transfer those skills to print texts:
Predicting
Questioning
Visualizing

39. Predicting What do you think will happen? Plot, character, theme, etc.
Why do you make this prediction?

40. Questioning
Level One: literal (what did the third pig use to build his house?)
Level Two: interpretative (what are the qualities that allow the third pig to survive?)
Level Three: universal (why is advanced planning often so difficult for us?)

41. (Let’s watch some film!)
Thank-You!