Learning Intention:

To understand the importance

of genre.

How Audiences Use Genre

• To spot the kinds of films they like / dislike

• As a way of relating to elements of the film, for example; music, fashion etc.

• To compare one film with another

Task: Identify two films from one genre and

explain why you like them.

Genre and Film Makers

• Genre is important to the film maker, for example; Roland Emmerich is renowned for making disaster films – “Independence Day”, “Godzilla”, “The Day After Tomorrow”

• It is important to Emmerich to not necessarily reinvent the genre but create something new through using special effects

What does genre mean?

Not static – constant negotiation between industry and audience

Genres offer comfort and reassurances and closing down of the complexities of life

Genre films work through cultural myths and fears by repetition, innovation and resolution

Genres feature a set of characteristics/ formulae which are recognised by audiences over time

Genre provides a relationship between the audience and the producers which minimises the risk of financial failure

Films function like language. There is a set of rules and vocabulary to organise meaning

Meeting audience expectations = pleasure!

Genres

• Action

• Adventure

• Comedy

• Horror

• Romance

• Sci-fi

• Thriller

TaskWith your partner, discuss your assigned genre and what you would expect from a

film from that genre.

•Think about:– Lighting– Music– Sounds– Characters– Camera Shots and Angles– Special Effects– Plot– Setting

Learning Intention

To show my understanding of genre by creating a film poster.

Matilda• Based on famous Roald Dahl novel

• Released 1996

• Directed by Danny DeVito

Story of a wonderful little girl, who happens to be a genius, and her wonderful teacher vs. the worst parents ever, and

the worst school principal imaginable.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=matilda+film+&FORM=VIRE1#view=detail&mid=7E6361085FC0AED752CF7E6361085FC0AED752CF

Task• “Matilda” is a family film and therefore

when advertised the filmmakers are careful that they aim their product at a specific audience.

• Your task is to re-advertise “Matilda” as a different genre building on what we have learned today.

Film Poster Success Criteria• Title

• Director

• Age Restrictions

• Ratings

• Release Date

• Eye-Catching and attention grabbing

• Target Audience/Genre specific

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icka6pPr5gw

Learning Intention

To analyse and evaluate the opening sequence of “Matilda”.

Success Criteria

To be able to:•Create notes and answer questions on the media techniques used in this scene

•Explain the impact these techniques have on the film/audience

•Discuss what makes this scene effective

What is an Opening Sequence?

Think – Pair – Share

What do you as an audience member expect to find from the

opening sequence of a film?

The Opening Sequence

• We all know first impressions are important, right? Well, the same goes for a film.

 • The opening sequence of a film is that film’s

opportunity to make a good first impression on you, the audience.

 • A well-crafted opening sequence introduces the viewer

to the tone and theme of the film as well as the characters.

Analysis Task1. Identify at least three different camera angles/shots, explain where you

saw them and why they have been used.

2. Describe the music/sound used in the opening sequence and why you think it has been used.

3. What kind of lighting/colour has been used? Why do you think the director has used this technique?

4. What lesson(s) might the audience learn by watching “Matilda”?(Think about themes)

5. What does the audience learn about Matilda and her family from this clip?

6. What questions do we have, or what do we hope to find out, about Matilda’s character?

7. Why would an audience want to continue watching the film?

Learning Intention

To understand how filmmakers use characterisation.

Home LearningRevise your knowledge of media

techniques and technical codes:

– Camera Shots/Angles– Sound/Music – Diegetic/Non-Diegetic– Lighting – Low/High key

Scene Analysis Assessment TOMORROW!

What is Characterisation?

Authors and filmmakers make their characters come alive in four ways:

1. Their appearance

2. Their actions and how they behave

3. Their personality and attitude

4. What they say/think

Task - Compare and Contrast

• Make notes on how the filmmakers portray the characters of Miss Trunchbull and Miss Honey.

• Pay attention to:– Camera shots and angles– Lighting and colours– Dialogue – what they say and how they say it– Their Actions – how they behave and treat others

Now do the same for the second scene. How do the

filmmakers help us to understand Matilda’s family?

•Pay attention to:– Camera shots and angles– Lighting and colours– Dialogue – what they say and how they say it– Their Actions – how they behave and treat Miss Honey

Furthermore, look at Miss Honey’s character. Why do you think she is created to behave so differently to Matilda’s parents?

Media Studies - Scene Analysis

Learning Intention

To analyse and evaluate a scene from “Matilda”.

Success Criteria

To carefully watch and write about the different technical codes used and the impact these have on the film/audience.

Make notes on the following:– Outline of the scene – a summary of what actually happens

– Character – what are they wearing, what do they do to show off their personality, are they a nice person? Why? Why not?

– Camera angles – Where exactly are they used? And, what exactly do they show?

– Sound – Diegetic and non-diegetic – Colour – Does the colour change? When? Why?– Lighting – Does the lighting change? When? Why?– Importance of this scene to the rest of the film

• The first time we watch the scene, only look over your worksheet. Take in the scene as a whole. Thinking about: What is happening? What characters are important? etc.

• We will then watch the scene for a second, third – even a fourth time – then you should complete your Analysis sheet in as much detail as possible.

• You do not need to write in sentences but make sure you are noting down anything you think is important.

Learning Intention

To strengthen our understanding of characterisation.

What is Characterisation?

Authors and filmmakers make their characters come alive in four ways:

1. Their appearance

2. Their actions and how they behave

3. Their personality and attitude

4. What they say/think

Like a book, directors use many different techniques to help the audience understand their characters. Think back to the scenes we watched and comment on three

characters.

How have the filmmaker’s use of media techniques helped us to understand the characters we have met so far?

• Matilda Wormwood

• Miss Honey

• Miss Trunchbull

• Harry Wormwood

• Zinnia Wormwood

Think about:

• Costume

• Dialogue

• Behaviour/Actions

• Music and Sound

• Camera Shots and Angles

• Lighting

Written Task• Choose ONE character from

Matilda

• Write a paragraph describing his/her appearance, their likes and dislikes, personality traits and information about their family/background.

• You may want to include some techniques used which help you understand this character more fully.

Learning Intention

To understand how filmmakers create suspense.

Success Criteria

To be able to:•Create notes and answer questions on the media techniques used in this scene

•Explain the impact these techniques have on the film/audience

•Discuss how these techniques make the viewer suspenseful

Clarifying Vocabulary

What isSuspense?

• Suspense is the state, or feeling, of being excited or anxious.

• It is also the feeling of uncertainty about what may happen next.

Think – Pair - Share

Predictions

What do you predict to see

and hear in a scene which has been created to make you feel

tense?

Questions1. Identify at least three different camera angles/shots, explain where you saw

them and how they make the audience feel tense.

2. Describe the music used in this scene. How does it make the viewer feel tense?

3. What other sounds have been used? Why do you think the filmmaker used these sounds?

4. What kind of lighting/colour has been used? Why do you think the director has used this technique?

5. A) Pick one part of the scene which built the greatest suspense for you as a viewer.

B) Why was this scene so tense? What were you anxious/excited about?

Task 1Create notes on the filmmakers’ use of media

techniques in order to create a tense atmosphere.

•Think about the following:– Lighting – high/low key– Sound (diegetic)– Music (non-diegetic)– Camera Shots/Angles

Task 2 - Use your notes to answer the following questions

in sentences.1. Identify at least three different camera angles/shots, explain where you saw

them and how they make the audience feel tense.

2. Describe the music used in this scene. How does it make the viewer feel tense?

3. What other sounds have been used? Why do you think the filmmaker used these sounds?

4. What kind of lighting/colour has been used? Why do you think the director has used this technique?

5. A) Pick one part of the scene which built the greatest suspense for you as a viewer.

B) Why was this scene so tense? What were you anxious/excited about?

Learning Intentions

To strengthen understanding of suspense and tension.

To compare and contrast two scenes.

Success Criteria

To be able to:•Create notes on the media techniques used in two scenes

•Explain the impact these techniques have on the film/audience

•Understand how and why these scenes are different

Tension and Suspense

Matilda and Miss ______ sneak into Miss ________’s house in order to get back Miss ______’s _______. However, Miss __________’s car __________causing her to come back to the house.

The filmmakers use of media techniques create a lot of ______ in this scene. They create this feeling through ___ ____lighting, ____ colours and shadows. The filmmaker also uses __________ music to create tension. Furthermore, the use of a ___________ to show ______________________ adds to the feeling of __________ in this scene.

Scene One

Note Making Task• How does this scene make the viewer

feel?

• Create notes on:– Lighting/Colours– Sound/Music– Camera Shots/Angles– The Plot – what actually happens

Scene Two

Note Making TaskCreate notes on the filmmakers’ use of media

techniques in order to create a tense atmosphere.

•Think about the following:– Lighting – high/low key– Sound (diegetic)– Music (non-diegetic)– Camera Shots/Angles– Why is this scene so different from the first?

Written TaskChoose one tense scene from

Matilda

•Write a paragraph describing what happens in this scene and how the scene makes the audience feel tense.

•Include descriptions of camera angles/shots, sound, music, lighting, colour and the character(s) involved.

The EndingLearning Intention:

To understand what makes an ending effective.

Success Criteria:

To be able to discuss the ending of “Matilda”.

Starter TaskRe-cap of the Trunchbull’s

House1. Matilda made a promise to Miss Honey. What was this

promise?

2. Did Matilda break her promise? Why/why not?

3. Why was Miss Trunchbull so frightened when strange things began to happen in her house?

4. What object did Miss Trunchbull find at the end of this scene?

5. What do you think is going to happen next?

The EndingThink-Pair-Share

What makes a good ending?

The EndingAs you watch the final scene of “Matilda”, think

about the following questions:

•How do the filmmakers bring the film to a satisfying end?

•What camera shots/angles, sound/music, lighting/colour has been used and why?

•Was it what you expected?

Post-Viewing• Did you enjoy the film? Why?

• Who was your favourite character and why?

• Who was your least favourite character and why?

• What was your favourite part of the movie? Why?

• What do you think the message of “Matilda” is?

• If you could have spent more time on something, what would it be?

Writing a

Film Review

LEARNING INTENTION:

To understand how to create a formal film review.

Media Study Overall Outcomes

• Understand and identify the technical codes (camera, sound, lighting and colour) used in a film.

• Analyse a scene and discuss the effects these technical codes have on the meaning of the film.

• Evaluate what makes a film or a scene effective to you,

the audience.

• Create a film review

Think – Pair - Share

• What is the purpose of a film review?

• Why do people write them?

• Why do people read them?

What is a Film Review?

• A film review is the analysis and evaluation of films and the media techniques used in these films.

• Often found in newspapers, broadcasted on the radio/pod-cats and also on television.

http://www.filmclub.org/behind-the-scenes/details/421/mark-kermode

What information do you think will be important to include in our film review

of “Matilda”?

Today’s TasksToday we will be working in pairs and using

a work sheet.

1. Read and discuss the film review in front of you. Then complete Activity 1.

2. Activity 2 – Avoiding Clichés

3. Activity 3 – Writing a Synopsis

Learning Intentions:

To understand how to create a film review.

To understand what a synopsis is.

Success Criteria•Film Director•Synopsis - avoid spoilers!•Details about the film – best/worst scene/character etc.

•Discussion of media techniques•Would you recommend the film?•What rating would you give the film?

•Use your planning sheet•Accurate spelling and punctuation•Paragraphs

What is a Film Review?

• A film review is the analysis and evaluation of films and the media techniques used in these films.

• Often found in newspapers, broadcasted on the radio/pod-cats and also on television.

http://www.filmclub.org/behind-the-scenes/details/421/mark-kermode

Matilda• Based on famous Roald Dahl novel

• Released 1996

• Directed by Danny DeVito

Story of a wonderful little girl, who happens to be a genius, and her wonderful teacher vs. the worst parents

ever, and the worst school principal imaginable.

The Synopsis• The part of a review that describes the plot is called the

synopsis (plural: synopses).

• We want a review to tell us a little bit about what happens in the film – but not too much! Too much detail can be boring for the reader and might even ruin the film. That’s why giving too much away is called a “spoiler.”

Task – Pick a film you have seen. Describe what the film is about in no more

than 20 words. You will be trying to get the class excited about your film –

remember to keep it snappy!

Learning Intention

To create a film review on “Matilda”

Matilda• Based on famous Roald Dahl novel

• Released 1996

• Directed by Danny DeVito

Story of a wonderful little girl, who happens to be a genius, and her wonderful teacher vs. the worst parents

ever, and the worst school principal imaginable.

Success Criteria•Film Title•Director•Synopsis - avoid spoilers!•Details about the film – best scene/character etc.•Discussion of media techniques•Would you recommend the film?•What rating would you give the film?

•Use your planning sheet•Accurate spelling and punctuation•Paragraphs