Transcript FREEDOM WRITERS - Trinity High School

FREEDOM WRITERS
Now we have watched the film...
• For the first exercise, I want you to become a Film
Critic writing for a national broadsheet
newspaper.
• You are to write a film review based on what you
thought about the film.
• It should include
– A brief summary of the premise without giving the
reader any spoilers.
– What worked well in the film
– What shortcomings the film had
• The title of your article should have the name
of the film followed by a short, snappy line
that sums up your review.
• Here are some examples from film critic, Mark
Kermode (The Observer)
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes review – a state-of-the-art battle for
supremacy
(3 out of 5 stars)
Pudsey the Dog: the Movie review – relentlessly tacky BGT spin-off
(1 out of 5 stars)
Article Structure:
• Title - film title followed by snappy summary of your review
and the author’s name (your name)
• Paragraph 1 – summarise the main premise of the film
without giving too much away
• Paragraph 2 – tell the reader what impressed you about
the film. Have you watched any similar films to compare it
to? Was this better?
• Paragraph 3 – what was missing from the film? What would
need to change to make it better in your opinion?
• Last paragraph – an overall summary of your opinion. Give
the film a rating out of 5 stars (1 being poor, 5 being
excellent). Tell the reader why it deserves this rating.
Exercise 2: Finding the film
• Now you work for the internet search engine
Google in the marketing department.
• Your job is to make sure that people find the film
Freedom Writers if they are searching certain
words or phrases on the website.
• Your boss at Google wants you to make her a list
of search words or phrases you would associate
with the film.
• These words can be linked to any aspect of the
film as long as it will help people discover it.
Here are some examples to get you started...
Drama film, true story, gang violence,
California, high school, discrimination...
Your boss wants a mixture of words from
different aspects of the film – settings,
characters, genre, themes, story, lighting, set
design etc.
PLOT
MISE-EN-SCENE
(everything you
see on screen)
CHARACTERISATION
GENRE
SOUND
Studying the Film: Scene Analysis
• The first half of this unit will comprise of scene
analysis.
• Chosen scenes will be studied in depth. We
will analyse and discuss all the elements that
contribute to the composition of that scene.
• We will study one scene per lesson and look at
the following elements each time...
GENRE
CHARACTERISATION
PLOT, PACING AND
SCENE IMPORTANCE
LIGHTING
SET DESIGN AND SPACE
COSTUME
CAMERA SHOTS
SOUND
EDITING
Diegetic sound
Sound whose source is visible on the screen or whose source is implied to be present
by the action of the film:
•voices of characters
•sounds made by objects in the story
•music represented as coming from instruments in the story space ( = source music)
Diegetic sound is any sound presented as originated from source within the film's world
Digetic sound can be either on screen or off screen depending on whatever its source
is within the frame or outside the frame.
Another term for diegetic sound is actual sound
Non-diegetic sound
Sound whose source is neither visible on the screen nor has been implied to be present
in the action:
•narrator's commentary
•sound effects which is added for the dramatic effect
•mood music
Non-diegetic sound is represented as coming from the a source outside story space.
The distinction between diegetic or non-diegetic sound depends on our understanding of
the conventions of film viewing and listening. We know of that certain sounds are
represented as coming from the story world, while others are represented as coming
from outside the space of the story events. A play with diegetic and non-diegetic
conventions can be used to create ambiguity (horror), or to surprise the audience
(comedy).
Another term for non-diegetic sound is commentary sound.
Studying the Film: Element Analysis
• The second half of this unit will focus on the
specific elements that make up a film.
• We will bring together the examples we have
learned from the scene analysis to form
arguments about each element.
• The unit will end with practice essays written
under timed, exam conditions.
SCENE ANALYSIS
War has been
declared
‘War has been Declared’- Scene 1/Part
1
• Sound
• Before the action of the film evens starts you
are hit by the diegetic sound of hip-hop and
rap music which not only sets the fast pace
nature of the sequence but provides an early
indication of the urban setting to the film.
‘War has been declared’
• Sound
• The music is not warm and welcoming and
creates the mood that danger is coming. The
music almost replaces an establishing shot as
it indicates the location without the images.
‘War has been declared’
• Sound
• The diegetic sound of frantic news reports is
then overplayed on top of this music to create
more panic to an already dangerous mood.
• Non-diegetic sounds like gun shots, and
crackling flame heightens the tension.
‘War has been Declared’
• Camera angles and movement
• montage of ‘real’ news report images, all
dealing with dangerous subject matters
including rioting, arson and gun crime.
• The use of these shots plays a lot in the genre
of the film with is ultimately a ‘drama film’.
‘War has been Declared’
• Camera Angles
• The news report montage also emphasises the
main sub-genre of this film which is a
‘biographical film’ or biopic.
• These real images set up the idea that this film
is not to be treated as a work of fiction, it is
not fantasy, this is real.
‘War has been declared’
• The factual information written on the scene
will give the viewer a further indication of
realness of the piece.
‘War has been Declared’
Part Two
‘War has been declared’
• Sound
• The next scene begins with a lighter mood
than the previous one. The music is softer and
slower in pace with hints of sadness mixed in.
• Eva begins her diegetic voiceover as if she is
going to tell you a tragic story and the pauses
in her speech add to this mood.
‘War has been declared’
• Camera Angles and Shot
• The shots cut between a close-up of Eva’s face
and her point-of-view shots of the dolls. The
shot tilts down on the ‘artez princess’ doll as if
Eva’s eyes were moving and you were
watching through them. The shots make you
aware it is this girl telling you the story.
‘War has been declared’
• When Roberto is shot, the scene cuts into
Eva’s point-of-view again as she sees “the war
for the first time”. As her father tends to
Roberto, the camera zooms in closer to the
action, drawing the little girl further into this
dangerous world.
‘War has been declared’
• Costume
• Her costume is brighter than her toy shop
surroundings and makes her stand out. This
clothing can be reflective of the era in time
but also indicate how she is bright and happy
child especially around her father.
‘War has been declared’
• Props
• The bright boxing gloves props are a colourful
gift for a colourful character but are also
symbolic of the danger ahead and reflective of
the ‘need to fight’. This need to fight will recur
throughout the film and manifest itself in
different ways.
‘War has been declared’
• When Roberto is shot, the scene cuts into
Eva’s point-of-view again as she sees “the war
for the first time”. As her father tends to
Roberto, the camera zooms in closer to the
action, drawing the little girl further into this
dangerous world.
‘War has been declared’
• Her father’s simple white vest costume is very
effective. Eva sees her father as innocent and
the bright whiteness of this costume enhances
this against the dark costume of the roughhanded policemen.
‘War has been declared’
• The scene cuts suddenly into a fight scene.
The edits are fast and tight. Life isn’t slow for
Eva as it used to be. The camera moves much
more than before creating a sense of dizziness
and danger during the fight. The sound of the
punch and metal fence adds to this.
‘War has been Declared’
• The camera moves with the characters against
increasing the pace and danger. The music has
changed to a harsher beat enhancing this
feeling of peril. As the gun battle ensues, the
camera follows Eva as she runs. This has a
similar feel to that of a documentary where a
camera operator would just try and capture
the action as it happens
‘War has been declared’
• The sequence ends with the dialogue “War
has been declared”. This sets up one of the
major focuses in the film – gang warfare.
The Garage Scene
The Garage Scene
• Background
• The film leads up to this scene by firmly
establishing the setting and circumstances
surrounding a group of troubled teenagers of
different races. The teenagers all belong to a
class of students being taught by a new
teacher at Woodrow Wilson High School in
Long Beach.
The Garage Scene
• Hatred exists between the different ethnic
groups and violence frequently breaks out in
the school and within the classroom. In the
lead up to the garage scene we witness the
beating up of a student on the school campus.
The Garage Scene
• Costumes
• The attacker is made memorable on screen by
wearing a bright orange hooded top. The
audience has quickly learned in previous scenes
that each time there is a violent, racist attack, a
revenge attack is to be expected. Eva is one of the
central characters in the film and a gang member.
We learn that everyone is attached to a gang
according to their race.
The Garage Scene
• Theme
• ‘Blood’ is the tie that binds these people together
and blood is what makes them loyal to each other
no matter what. The garage shop scene depicts
Eva leaving her gang friends briefly in the car
while she pops in to the shop. What should have
been an uneventful shopping trip to buy drinks
and fries, turned into tragedy
The Garage Scene
• Music
• At the very beginning of this scene
LaGravenese introduces us to the innocent
and feminine side of two opposing female
gang members, Eva and Sindy. We see the girls
turning on their music, in their respective
homes, as they get ready to go out for the
night. The song is called ‘Cool Like That’ and it
plays through the duration of the scene
The Garage Scene
• It is predominantly all we hear in this scene as
dialogue is mostly non existent. The song is
appropriate because the girls’ behaviour on
screen shows that they both just want to be
‘cool’ teenagers and to choose good clothes so
that they can look great on their night out.
The Garage Scene
• Camera Angles
• The camera technique used by the director in this
scene also deepens my understanding of the
important issues of gang violence and racism. The
youthful similarities of Eva and Sindy are
captured by the camera through a series of cross
cutting images. These images show the girls
getting ready for their night out in their separate
houses. We already know that these girls are not
friends, that they are members of opposing
gangs.
The Garage Scene
• Music
• Yet here they are choosing the same music
and going through the same motions as they
prepare for their night out. The director
cleverly edits the scene in such a way as to
make the audience think for a moment that
the girls are even in the same car as they
cruise the streets.
The Garage Scene
• The most significant camera work in this scene takes
place when Eva enters the garage shop. Immediately
she goes through the door, the action almost stops
completely for a second, then in very slow motion her
every movement is emphasised.
• The turn of her head, the look in her eyes, the
recognition of the situation. It is like a heartbeat
slowing down, foreshadowing, warning; and then just
as suddenly, the pace returns to normal. This technique
warns the audience that something significant is about
to happen.
The Garage Scene
• Camera shots follow to show us that Sindy and her
gang are in the shop. We see that the boy, Grant Rice,
recognisable in his orange hooded top, is in the shop.
He is angrily shouting abuse at the shopkeeper and
kicking a game machine.
• The camera cuts between Eva and Sindy to show their
eyes meeting in hostility. The camera cuts back and
forth in close-up to show Eva’s increasingly anxious
face. A long shot of Rice and the shopkeeper leads us
to think that the shopkeeper is about to get hurt but
this is a director’s ploy.
The Garage Scene
• . The suspense is building and we feel relief as
we see the troublemaker, Rice, exit the shop.
This is momentary however because the
camera cuts to outside the shop where an
over the shoulder shot of one of Eva’s gang
shows us that a gun is pointed at Grant Rice as
he exits the shop. Once again the director’s
cinematography leads us to think that Rice is
finally about to meet his end, but LaGravenese
has another trick up his sleeve
The Garage Scene
• A close-up shot shows the gun being fired and
then a mid shot of Rice shows him ducking the
bullet. The camera cuts to a close-up of
Sindy’s shocked face and then the camera
pulls back to reveal her boyfriend lying on the
shop floor with blood seeping from his head.
This dramatic camera work emphasises how
racism and violence are chaotic and helps
deepen our understanding of the vulnerability
of societies dealing with these issues.
The Garage Scene
• Mise en scene played an vivid part in the
garage shop scene. Every element of mise en
scene was crucial to understanding the
important issues the society in which these
gangs existed. The setting was a typical garage
shop scene where you expect people to pop in
for supplies of food and drink and other such
supplies.
The Garage Scene
• The normality of the garage was overplayed
by the abnormality of the behaviour of all the
characters in the scene. Against the backdrop
of props such as washing powder, crisps and
cola, the different ethnic groups vie with one
another. One of the most significant elements
of costume used by the director was the
bright orange ‘hoodie’ worn by Grant Rice.
The Garage Scene
• This technique singled him out in the earlier scene as
the attacker and made him instantly recognisable again
in the garage scene. This enabled the audience to make
sense of the plot even though there is no dialogue.
Perhaps the most significant element of mise en scene
however is the body language used in the garage shop
scene. Most of the information given to the audience is
through the use of cleverly constructed body language
of the characters. Grant Rice kicks and thumps the
game machine and is shown to be yelling abuse at the
alarmed shopkeeper. Sindy is so happy and laughing at
first then this is contrasted with utter shock in closeups of her facial expression
The Garage Scene
• . Eva’s body language from the start is
concentrated on her facial expressions. She goes
through happiness, caution, anxiety, fear and
shock before she is seen running from the store.
The scene ends with Eva’s narration. She scrubs
her face clean of make-up and cries bitterly. She
tells the audience that she must protect ‘her
own’ by not informing on her friend for the
murder. This scene deepened my understanding
of the fact that racism breeds violence in society.
Important issues like truth and respect struggle
against gang culture and fear.
Courage
Courage
• This scene acts as the turning point for Eva is
particular. Inspired by the talk from Miep she
decides to do the right thing and tell the truth.
This a huge act of courage as ultimately she is
betraying her own people to do this.
Analysis
• The scene begins with a shot of Eva at home
talking to her Mother about the upcoming
case. Her Mother looks decent but reminds
Eva what she need to do. Her Mother reveals
that she feels it is better to tell lies and protect
your ‘blood’ than to tell the truth. This clearly
reveals to the audience the enormous
pressure Eva is under from the people she
loves the most.
Analysis
• We can see Eva's level of frustration as she
immediately shouts at her Mother. She says
“What do you want from me?” The dialogue
reveals Eva is at a loss as to what to do and feel
pressure from her family but also the pressure to
do the right thing as taught to her by Erin. The
camera follows Eva outside where we here the
diegetic sound of her kicking the railings which
shows the only way Eva knows to handle difficult
situations is through violence.
Analysis
• The camera then cuts to a quiet and peaceful
night scene of Eva’s classmate asking to be
taken back into the family home. As he does
this the light shines on his Mother. When she
finally agrees to let him return home the light
then shines on them both. He has literally
comie into the light and has given up the
darkness of the street and gang life. The
audience is left to wonder if Eva will have the
courage to do the same.
Analysis
• The camera now cuts to the court room which
is filled with natural day light. The camera
pans along the back of the heads of those
people sitting in the public gallery watching
the case unfold. It is clear to the audience
they appear to be mainly male and look like
gang members. This reveals the pressure Eva
is under. The gang have clearly come to put
added pressure on Eva to lie.
Analysis
• The bright light shines down on Eva’s face. The
spotlight is literally on her. Several point of view
shots allow the audience to feel sorry for Eva as
she is staring at her Mother and gang members
who are putting pressure on her to lie but she
also can see the family of the boy who have been
wrongly accused and the girlfriend of the boy
who was shot. It seems everywhere she looks
people are staring at her hoping she does what
they want. She feels caught in the middle and her
facial expressions reveal she is clearly torn.
Analysis
• There is very little noise in the court room
which adds to the pressure for Eva as literally
everyone is turned words her listening intently
to what she says. She is dressed in dark
clothes with a cross round her neck. This
shows she is taking the situation seriously and
feels pessimistic about her situation.
Analysis
• The camera does a close up of Eva’s face as
she finally says “It was Paco. Paco did it.” The
tears in her eyes and her serious , determined
expression clearly indicate the difficulty she
has faced in telling the truth. This shows the
audience she is an extremely brave character
and reveals she has been shaped by Erin. The
camera then offers a close up of her Mother
crying and Paco looking furious. Eva knows the
consequences of her brave decision.
Analysis
• After the drama in the court room we witness
more drama when Eva is chased by her own gang
members eager for revenge as shown by a
tracking shot. Her facial expression shows she has
been expecting this. Once again the diegetic
sound reveals the violence and harshness of the
situation. She is literally thrown against the
railings and has a gun pointed at her face. The
men shout at her in Spanish saying she is traitor
and is dead to them. This reveals the fear the
pupils have of their gangs.
Analysis
• The scene of violence and fear cuts to one of
peace as Eva sits in the classroom talking to
Erin. This is one of the first times we see Eva
really engaging with Erin and this acts as an
important turning point for both characters in
the film. Her fellow classmate and formerly
her rival April comes in and allows Eva to
borrow her make up. The make up is a prop
which reminds the audience that despite that
chaos they are normal young girls.
Analysis
• This scene cuts to a montage and upbeat nondiegetic sound. The background music says ‘Stand
for truth, Stand for peace’ This reveals the now
optimistic mood of the film as the audience can
see through the montage the positive changes
the pupils are making. The classes are becoming
fuller and the pupils are more engages. We also
see shots of Eva taking them to dinner and
working hard to pay for all of this. It reveals how
committed she is to her pupils.
Analysis
• Lastly, the camera cuts to a point of view shot of the
only white pupil in the class and we her the nondiegetic sound of him narrating. He is watching real
footage of the Civil Right movement and of the white
people who defended the black people and their
cause. The black and white news footage shows that
this is a real problem that has a long history in America.
This shows the audience this is a biopic based on some
element of truth. The boy can identify with the people
in the film showing he is also courageous in his own
way. This clearly reveals the true changes and
differences Eva is making in all of the pupils.
Critical Essay Writing
• Now you have watched and taken notes on
the film, it is time to get ready for the exam!
• In the exam you will have 45 minutes to
complete a Critical Essay on the film ‘Freedom
Writers’. This will be based on question which
are unseen so you need to be able to make
your knowledge of the film fit any question.
ESSAY QUESTION: Choose a film which
has an effective opening sequence.
• Show how the writer uses media techniques
to create impact and introduce the theme.
What are media techniques
• (1) Mise en scene
• 5 elements: setting, lighting, props, body language, costume
and make-up
• (2) Characterisation
• How are central characters developed? How do you find out
what they are like? - personality etc
• (3) Camera work
• How does the director bring the images to you? What styles?
• (4) Music and sound
• What contribution do these have to the impact of the film? –
Plot, enjoyment, suspense etc
•
Introduction
•
•
•
•
•
1.Title
2.Author/ Director
3. Reference to question
4. Reference to technique
5. Summary
Remember!
TARTS
P,C, Q,E
• Point-refer to question
• The director …. (link to q)……… (topic of paragraph)
• (E.g. The director shows the reality of racism and gang violence
through his use of mise en scene.)
• Context/point
• Refer to the part of the film that are you going to talk about.
• Quote
• What technique is used? – Camera shots/mise en Scene/music/sound
• Explain
• What impact/effect does the director achieve?
• Refer to essay question – remember both parts of the second
sentence! Give audience reaction.
Remember!
•
•
•
•
Penguins
Can
Quickly
Escape!
P-Example
• Firstly, Richard LaGravenese uses sound to
create impact in the opening sequence.
C-Example
• As the film begins, we hear…
Q-Example
• the diegetic sound of anxious news reporters’
voices overlapping as they report riots in Long
Beach.
E-Example
The voices being anxious implies immediate
danger and heightened emotions. The riots
being reported by so many stations this is an
extremely prominent piece of news which
everyone is talking about and which is
changing America. The use of actual news
footage suggests that the director wants to
remind us this is a biopic which is based on
very real race riots and struggles for equality.
E-Example
• This makes the audience feel that the film will
be full of drama and tension because we can
clearly see the characters are being brought
up in a dangerous and divided city.
P-Example
• Another way the director uses sound to create
excitement is the music
C-Example
• The background to the news footage is
Q-Example
• An R&B track with a loud drumbeat
E-Example
• This repeated drum beat could represent…
• The use of R&B music suggests the film
focuses on…….. This grabs the audience’s
attention because…..
Paragraph 3- P
• The director uses mise-en-scene to introduce
the theme of racial inequality.
Paragraph 3-C
• When the character of Eva is introduced as a
child, she is seen in a toy shop.
Paragraph 3-Q
• She focuses on a blonde Barbie doll which the
voice over identifies as an American…, and an
Aztec Warrior doll which she… with herself.
Paragraph 3-E
• The Barbie doll suggests that white Americans
can focus on………., but children of other races
must….. This makes the audience
feel…because…..
Paragraph 4- P
• An effective camera style is used later in the
scene
Paragraph 4-C
• As child Eva’s dad is wrongly arrested in her
living room,
Paragraph 4-Q
• A point of view shot is used to help us see
what……is seeing.
Paragraph 4-E
• This lets the audience….
• This helps us understand…
Now, it’s your turn!
• Write two more paragraphs using P,C,Q,E and
giving examples of techniques which add to
the opening sequence. Good luck!
Conclusion
• C-Begin-In Conclusion/To Conclude
• R-Refer to the techniques you have mention in
the essay.
• A-Answer the question directly
• P-Give a personal opinion of the film and its
themes.
Remember!
CRAP!
Example
• In conclusion, the opening sequence of Freedom Writers is
incredibly dramatic and makes the audience want to see
the rest of the film. The use of real facts and footage is a
realistic and effective way to bring the audience up to
speed with the essential details of setting. The flashback
technique successfully engages the audience and at the
same time establishes the themes of racial tension and
gang violence. The technique of narration is an effective
way of establishing Eva’s character and preparing the
audience for the dramatic events in the rest of the film.
This is a film where LaGravenese has used his remarkable
insight to create a superb opening sequence which
immediately engages the audience.
•
Success Criteria
• Used TARTS in introduction
• Used P,C,Q,E in all paragraphs to respond to
the question.
• Used linking words/phrases such as
‘Additionally’, ‘Furthermore’ etc.
• Used CRAP in conclusion.
• Spelling, grammar and punctuation are
accurate throughout.
THE NATIONAL 5 FILM CREW
• You are now part of the large film crew for
Freedom Writers. You will take on a different
production role for each scene we analyse.
• We have been asked by Paramount Pictures to
create the DVD commentary for these scenes
in the film.
• They want us to comment on the important
elements in each selected scene and why it
was produced that way.
• You will be split into 9
groups with each group
assigned a production
role.
• You will discuss in your
group what
commentary you would
add to the DVD.
• Each group will
feedback their
commentary to the
class.
THE PRODUCTION ROLES ARE...
SCREENWRITER
#1
Genre specialist
SCREENWRITER
#2
Character expert
LIGHTING
TECHNICIAN
SET DESIGNER
DIRECTOR
SOUND
ENGINEER
SCREENWRITER
#3
Story architect
COSTUME
DESIGNER AND
MAKE-UP ARTIST
EDITOR
SCENE ANALYSIS 1:
THE OPENING SCENE
GENRE
CHARACTERISATION
PLOT, PACING AND
SCENE IMPORTANCE
LIGHTING
SET DESIGN AND SPACE
COSTUME
CAMERA SHOTS
SOUND
EDITING
SCENE ANALYSIS 2:
GENRE
CHARACTERISATION
PLOT, PACING AND
SCENE IMPORTANCE
LIGHTING
SET DESIGN AND SPACE
COSTUME
CAMERA SHOTS
SOUND
EDITING
SCENE ANALYSIS 3:
GENRE
CHARACTERISATION
PLOT, PACING AND
SCENE IMPORTANCE
LIGHTING
SET DESIGN AND SPACE
COSTUME
CAMERA SHOTS
SOUND
EDITING
SCENE ANALYSIS 4:
GENRE
CHARACTERISATION
PLOT, PACING AND
SCENE IMPORTANCE
LIGHTING
SET DESIGN AND SPACE
COSTUME
CAMERA SHOTS
SOUND
EDITING
SCENE ANALYSIS 5:
GENRE
CHARACTERISATION
PLOT, PACING AND
SCENE IMPORTANCE
LIGHTING
SET DESIGN AND SPACE
COSTUME
CAMERA SHOTS
SOUND
EDITING
SCENE ANALYSIS 6:
GENRE
CHARACTERISATION
PLOT, PACING AND
SCENE IMPORTANCE
LIGHTING
SET DESIGN AND SPACE
COSTUME
CAMERA SHOTS
SOUND
EDITING
SCENE ANALYSIS 7:
GENRE
CHARACTERISATION
PLOT, PACING AND
SCENE IMPORTANCE
LIGHTING
SET DESIGN AND SPACE
COSTUME
CAMERA SHOTS
SOUND
EDITING
SCENE ANALYSIS 8:
GENRE
CHARACTERISATION
PLOT, PACING AND
SCENE IMPORTANCE
LIGHTING
SET DESIGN AND SPACE
COSTUME
CAMERA SHOTS
SOUND
EDITING
SCENE ANALYSIS 9:
GENRE
CHARACTERISATION
PLOT, PACING AND
SCENE IMPORTANCE
LIGHTING
SET DESIGN AND SPACE
COSTUME
CAMERA SHOTS
SOUND
EDITING
ELEMENT ANALYSIS
GENRE
CHARACTERISATION
PLOT, PACING AND SCENE
IMPORTANCE
LIGHTING
SET DESIGN AND SPACE
COSTUME
CAMERA SHOTS
SOUND
EDITING
ESSAY PRACTICE