Transcript Slide 1

8 – Initial
Response
Personal Response
•
It is essential that you are able to respond personally to
the texts that we study. Your essays should show a
strong engagement and understanding with both how
you felt when watching the film, as well as a clear
understanding of how the director managed to make you
feel this way.
•
Task: Respond
1.
2.
•
From the list of adjectives below choose three that help to
illustrate your feelings about the film after first watching it.
For each adjective you need to write a brief paragraph that
outlines why you felt the way you did and how the author
managed to make you feel this.
Dread, fear, anger, hope, sadness, gloom, responsibility,
apathy, motivation
Theme Statements
•
1.
2.
3.
4.
Task: Group Think
As a group come up with two theme
statements that you think were central to the
film.
Write a statement on each side of a piece of
paper in the centre.
Around each theme statement brainstorm the
different techniques that helped you to
understand this theme [this is beginning to
analyse].
At the bottom of each side of paper suggest
why Cuaron has chosen to focus on this
theme.
Style
•
Style is…the manner of expression. It is how an
author/director/poet says whatever it is that they say.
•
It is tempting with film, as with the other techniques, to
approach an essay with a handful of examples and
expect this to show an understanding. However,
candidates that achieve well at Level Two will show an
appreciation of the wider style of the text. This means
that they will understand how techniques are used
throughout the film (not just one instance), will be able
to link techniques together and explain how the
reinforce and foreshadow one another, use multiple
examples to extrapolate ideas.
•
When you are discussing COM it is important that you
are thinking about the OVERALL style of the piece.
Defining Style
•
So what sort of style is used in the
film?? Brainstorm this with your
neighbour.
•
What sort of atmosphere is created by
Cuaron throughout the film? How is
this atmosphere created? Try and
expand your vocabulary. Impress your
marker with accurate and precise
descriptions – is a feeling of impending
doom better than being worried???
Quick Review
•
By looking at the film critically,
particularly with regards to your
personal response, you will start to
think about different ideas that you
could put in your essays.
•
Remember it is important that you
respond to the film. Top Level Two
candidates will typically show that they
appreciated and responded to the film.
Review Example
•
One of the new
‘popular’ past times
seems to be people
who create films of
themselves reviewing
films! Check out You
Tube and you will see
dozens of amateur
reviewers (many of
them exceptionally
bad) sharing their
ideas with the world!
Below is a review by such a person
(a person who was not blessed
with a competent English teacher
by the look of it!). Watch this clip
and be ready to comment on what
made this a good review, and what
areas could be ‘sharpened up’.
Your Review
• Task: Review
1. Write a brief review that outlines
positives you felt about the film, as
well as things that you think were
not that good.
2. Try and be specific and give some
examples to support your ideas.
9 - 20 – Close
Viewing
Close Viewing
•
After discussing the overall style briefly, we
are now going to go and ‘gather the evidence’.
•
By looking at several scenes in depth we will
be able to not only find specific detail for our
essays, we will also begin to get a clearer
picture of how techniques are used throughout
the entire film.
•
Although, we will look at five scenes
specifically, there are far more than this of
importance throughout the film. It will be your
responsibility to analyse these based on the
modelling that we do in class.
Practice Analysis
• Task: Practice Analysis
– Before we begin it will be important for you to
have a clear idea of what you are required to
do.
– We will look at several ‘still shots’ from the film
and analyse these.
– Pay attention to what analysis is with regards
to film, particularly with the HOW and WHY.
Camera Analysis
Lighting Analysis
Colour Analysis
Colour Analysis
Test Analysis
Close Viewing
•
After discussing the overall style briefly, we
are now going to go and ‘gather the evidence’.
•
By looking at several scenes in depth we will
be able to not only find specific detail for our
essays, we will also begin to get a clearer
picture of how techniques are used throughout
the entire film.
•
Although, we will look at a number of scenes
specifically, there are far more than this of
importance throughout the film. It will be your
responsibility to analyse these based on the
modelling that we do in class.
The Opening
• The Opening of a Film is always
vital – this is the when the director
must capture their audience, it
also sets the mood of the film and
gets us thinking about the key
ideas.
• Lets take a look.
The Opening
•
Now it is time to Close View the
opening.
•
Remember that you need to be looking
out for both Visual and Verbal features –
this means that you need to make notes
on what you hear and what you see.
•
For the first close viewing I will model
how we do this in detail, for the others,
however, you will be required to close
view independently.
The Opening
•
•
Task: Note Taking
Make a copy of the grid below. Complete
the grid as we close view the scene. Make
sure you take good notes – these will be
invaluable for your revision at the end of
the year.
9 - 20 – Close
Viewing
The Opening
•
•
Task: Big Questions
Answer the below in paragraph form
1.
2.
3.
4.
How does Cuaron create the setting of the film?
How does Cuaron allow you to understand key
ideas even in the brief opening sequence?
Why does Cuaron use the camera shots,
movement, type that he does?
How and Why does Cuaron give his film a sense
of realism? What would be different about he
film if techniques were used instead to create a
purely fantastical environment?
Theo the Anti-Hero
•
Antihero A protagonist who has the opposite
of most of the traditional attributes of a hero.
He or she may be bewildered, ineffectual,
deluded, or merely pathetic. Often what
antiheroes learn, if they learn anything at all, is
that the world isolates them in an existence
devoid of God and absolute values. Yossarian
from Joseph Heller’s Catch-22 is an example of
an antihero. See also character.
9 - 20 – Close
Viewing
Meeting Jasper
•
Another important sequence in the film is the scene
where we are first introduced to Jasper, and he and Theo
discuss the society that they now live in.
•
Task: Pair Close View
1.
2.
3.
4.
In pairs you will be given two close viewing sheets (one
verbal and one visual). Each sheet already has specific
important technique outlines.
Each member of the pair will be responsible for either the
verbal or visual features from the scene. You will need to
decide this between yourselves. The person completing the
verbal analysis will also have to answer several key
questions about the scene as they will have less to analyse.
As we review the scene you will need to complete the rest of
the analysis grid. The first example has been completed for
you.
You now need to teach the other person in the pair what you
have come up with, allow the other person in the pair to take
notes as you teach them.
The Other Side of the
Regime
•
One of the key aspects of the film is the way in which society
disintegrates if we lose sight of what is ultimately important. It
is interesting therefore that we see all aspects of society and
how, although they are different, they are all suffering from the
despair, and lack of hope that Cuaron’s England has.
•
•
•
Think:
The Middle Classes – Theo, the streets of London, Jasper
The Lower Classes – Bexhill, the immigrants on the side of the
train tracks and so on.
And the Upper Classes which is shown through the scene with Theo’s
cousin.
•
One of the keys to this scene is the Contrast as you watch the
scene look out for how this is different from the rest of society.
The Other Side of the
Regime
Task: Group Analysis
1. This time you will close view in a group –
with each member looking out for a
specific technique.
2. You will again be given an analysis sheet
to fill in as you view the scene.
3. Remember the better that your notes
are, the better the notes of your whole
group will be.
The Death of Julian
One of the key scenes from the film is the
death of Julian
•
–
for this close viewing you will use a grid and
attempt to find the techniques yourself.
–
remember we need to be focussing on the
character, setting and theme.
–
the key is to focus on not just the technique, but
how it has been used and why it was used in this
particular way.
Julian’s Death
•
Hopefully you managed to note the
following techniques that were used:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Diegetic sound
Music
Dialogue
Handheld Camera
Setting
Editing
Acting
Importance
Task: Paragraph
• Write a paragraph the explores How
this scene uses techniques to help
you understand a key idea of the
text.
Importance
Paragraph Exemplar
•
One of the key techniques that is used throughout Chapter Six is the use of
special effects. Already Cuaron has managed to transport us into a realistic
world, the use of heightened realistic sounds, gritty dialogue, sustained shots
and the use of a handheld camera are used to provide an almost documentary
style film, but in this scene he goes even further. In theory the use of special
effects should be paramount to a futuristic film, but for a large part of the film
Cuaron resists this temptation, instead focussing on creating a relatable
realism and it is the pursuit of realism that he eventually uses special effects.
Julian, inside a moving vehicle, chased by whom (at this stage) we presume to
be ‘fishes’, rebels of the state, is shot in the throat. The sustained camera
focuses on the shooting and the blood that pours from the wound. The use of
make up, CGI and prop blood combined provide a shockingly real image. The
sustained shot forces us to view the image in all its horror, not being given the
comfort of cutting away. Through realism Cuaron is able effect his viewer. We
are staggered, startled, filled with horror – not so much from the act itself, but
with the graphic nature of it, the unbelievable realism. If we are to believe that
this could be our future, this could be what we ourselves fall into if we do not
begin to acknowledge the need to protect basic human rights we must feel that
it is a possibility. The special effects force this realism, and therefore
acknowledgement of his key purpose, our need to wake up and act. The special
effects also helps to show us the brutality of a future that lacks any sense of
humanity. Cuaron not only makes it real, but also very messy. The blood
splatters around the car, covers Theo, Miriam, Kee and the windows. We seem
to be being shown the true horror that is possible if we forget to acknowledge
the rights of others, to ensure human freedoms. To do so is to open ourselves
up to the most horrific violence.
The Technical Aspects
•
What follows is the
documentary on how this
particular scene was
created.
•
As you watch this excerpt
think about how much
time, effort, and expense
goes into creating certain
scenes. Remember for
this much effort there
must be a reason. Cuaron
must feel that this
particular shot, move,
colour, special effect etc
is worth it.
Revelation
•
One of the key turning points in the film (especially for the
character of Theo) is the revelation that Kee is pregnant.
•
This particular scene is shot somewhat differently from what we
have seen before.
•
It seems that Cuaron wants to attach a gravity to the scene, ensure
that we understand the significance of this moment. Think: the
world is totally infertile, this has led to extremism (oppression,
religious fundamentalism, rebellion etc) from those that are in
search of a solution, and from those that have accepted the end of
the world it has led to depression (lack of hope, suicide, resignation
etc). In this sense the baby that Kee is carrying could set about to
radically change the world, to change the entire landscape of
England – reduce the extremism (because something is changing,
action is occurring, perhaps allow people to think about human
rights again) and combat the depression (there is some form of
hope). In this sense the baby becomes a symbol of the potential for
a future, an emblem of hope in a decaying world.
Revelation
•
As you watch this scene brainstorm all
of the different ways that Cuaron sets
about to make this scene seem
important, to heighten its impact on
the viewer and begin to justify why he
has done this.
•
Tip: Remember to focus on both the
visual and the verbal elements. What
do you hear and what do you see?
So…
Ways that Cuaron
used techniques
to make the
revelation of
Kee’s pregnancy
significant:
Jaspers Death
•
Sometimes you may be asked to
comment specifically on a particular
moment in the film that caused
emotion in you as the viewer and how
this has been achieved.
•
Luckily in this film there are many
powerful moments that cause personal
response. One of these is the death of
Jasper and Janice.
Jaspers Death
•
As you watch the scene this time make notes
specifically on the techniques that have been
used (and the how and why) but attach to
each an emotion that you felt because of
this. Remember in one scene you may react
emotionally in four different ways –
excitement leads to despair that leads to
hope etc.
•
Try and extend your vocabulary with your
emotional responses – think about how you
can describe your response in an accurate
and interesting way.
Jaspers Death
•
Make a copy of the grid below and use this to
record your feelings:
Technique How
Why
Emotion
Jaspers Death
•
Feedback: How did you feel? How did Cuaron make you feel this
•
For me the scene shifts dramatically. Previous to this I had the
feeling that Theo was beginning to have hope, that he was changing
from an anti-hero to someone more active, someone intent on trying
to save Kee and in doing so restoring our faith in the potential of
human beings to even in the most adverse situations act with
humanity. However, this is soon abandoned with the death of
Jasper. The heightened sound of the guns, the distant POV shots
from Theo’s perspective, the shallow focus on Theo with Miriam
distantly waiting behind him and the use of music all create a mood
of sadness and loss. Jasper has relinquished his life so that Kee
may escape, and therefore he has given himself up for the sake of
this glimmer of restored humanity. Not just sadness, but also a
sense of bravery, a man dying for the greater good. I also felt fear
that our protagonist would once again lose his nerve, recede into
the character he was before, devoid of emotion and unable to
connect with another human being.
way?
The School
•
The next scene that we look at is important for
revealing the way in which the world changed, it
broadens out the loss that people have felt
(adding to our thoughts about the theme) and it
also shows us the characters of Miriam and
Theo.
•
It also helps us to understand the social setting
more. The use of the physical setting (the
school) and all of the techniques to create the
school and its state of disrepair can be seen as
symbolic of the wider world.
The School
Task: Answer
• As you watch this scene answer the below
questions:
1. Give a brief outline of what happens in the
scene.
2. Describe the physical setting in terms of the
techniques that have been used to create it.
3. Comment on how the characters of Theo and
Miriam are shown in this scene.
The School
Task: Annotate the Script
1. As you watch the scene the second time,
annotate the piece of script that you have
been given with the camera moves and
techniques that you notice.
2. In the space at the end comment on how
this scene helped you get a better
understanding of an idea from the film and
why it was shown to you in this way.
Bexhill and the ‘camp’
•
One of the most interesting features of the film is the way in which
Cuaron set about to engage the viewer.
•
•
He noted that:
We decided not to, in terms of what you see, see the future, we try to
recognise the present.
•
He has also commented on his desire to use familiar images, he
wanted a film where what we saw were things that we could relate to
from our own history (hmmm…does this sound a little Atwoodian?).
In this sense he is almost creating visual allusions.
•
What does he visually allude to throughout the film?
–
–
–
Concentration camps?
Refugees fleeing warring states?
Shanty towns of the dispossessed in South America/Africa?
Bexhill and the ‘camp’
•
These visual allusions seem to be
repeated throughout the film – they
are things that we have seen,
things that we can relate to. This
on its own is not a technique in
terms of a film, but the result of a
technique. Eg. It is the familiar use
of camera that alludes to the idea of
an embedded war correspondent
and so on.
•
On the right is a recent news story
from the BBC on illegal immigration
in the UK – as you watch this think
about how Cuaron has captured
these ‘real’ events and used them
as stimulus for his futuristic
environment.
Bexhill and the ‘camp’
•
So that was the ‘real’ immigration centres that
currently exist in the UK, now let’s look at the
camps that Cuaron sets up in his film.
•
As you watch this make a note of how the centre
is shown to us (what techniques are used, what is
the method by which we see it). Particularly
important here is the use of camera, music,
diegetic sound, colour, lighting, physical setting
and costume.
Bexhill and the ‘camp’
How was the Bexhill
Centre shown to you:
Bexhill and the ‘camp’
•
•
Task: Paragraph
Write a paragraph (based on how it was
shown) that analyses why Cuaron is
showing you the centre in this way and
what idea that it is helping to show you.
The Birth
•
One of the most impressive scenes in the film is
the birth scene. Here Cuaron seems to use all of
his magic to ensure that there is a realism about
the birth and to make this scene a spectacular
moment in the film.
•
It is interesting to note that the ‘awe’ factor for this
scene is not in the overuse of techniques (as you
might expect) instead in the moderate use of
techniques and extreme realism.
The Birth
•
As you watch this scene think about the
below question which you will create an
essay plan for after watching this.
•
Analyse how techniques were used to help
you to understand a key idea in one
important scene from a film you have
studied.
The Birth
Task: Notes
•
Below are the some key techniques form the scene. Use
these as a jumping of point and analyse the impact of
each:
–
–
–
–
C: Slow pan and zoom in, circling the room and ending up facing
Theo in a midshot holding a bottle of alcohol.
L: reflects of Theo’s head as her is about to deliver the baby.
C: the camera is moving in a HH, but it is very slow compared to
when it is usually moving. Slow and graceful moves. Cuts
between Kee and Theo.
M: as soon as the baby is born. High strings and a female vocal.
Loud and imposing. All other sound seems to almost disappear.
The Birth
– L: Baby is lit by the lamp, ethereal glow.
– C: Focuses on the baby and a slight pan to the
handing over of the child to Kee. Following the
baby now.
– D: You’ve done it. See, Kee, it wasn’t that bad.
Theo
– C: Slow zoom out in a wide shot. Kee laying
with the baby and Theo washing hands.
Almost retreating from this scene. The light as
a beacon in the centre.
The Birth
•
What makes this scene so striking
however, is the use of Special Effects.
•
The following clip shows how, through
special effects, they created the realistic
birth. As you watch think about how
important it must have been to Cuaron to
have a realistic birth and why it might have
been so important.
Essay Plan
•
Task: Essay Plan
•
Create an essay plan based on the essay
question below for the scene that you have
just seen:
– Analyse how techniques were used to help you
to understand a key idea in one important
scene from a film you have studied.
A Moment of Silence
•
I think the scene that we are going to view today is perhaps the
most significant in the entire film. It is where for a brief moment
humanity is allowed to exist in a world that seems to be
determined to tear itself apart.
•
When Kee and her baby are revealed Cuaron uses a huge
number of techniques to ensure that we do not forget the
power of a single baby, and as this baby is a representation of
hope, the power of hope in the face of adversity. It seems to
be that belief in a future is one of the most powerful tools to
survival and self-preservation, not guarding yourself against
others through oppression, not numbing yourself to the world
around you and all chance of being emotionally connected, nor
using violence in rebellion.
A Moment of Silence
Task: Group Analysis
– You have already done this activity before.
Each member of the group will be given a
different aspect of the scene to analyse.
– After this you will share the notes that you
have come up with.
– I have given you some starter points for
analysis.
The End
•
One of the key moments in the film is the end.
•
An end, usually, provides a kind of catharsis (release)
from the action, it generally allows us to feel as
though everything is okay, things will be alright.
•
However, Cuaron creates an ending that does not
seem to do this. It is as shrouded in mystery as the
majority of the film. In order to understand Cuaron’s
message we must therefore understanding how and
why he presents the ending in the way he does.
The End
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
What is significant about the handpainted drawings on the roof underneath the tunnel as
Kee and Theo row through it (shown in a High Angle tilt shot)?
Describe the music that begins again as they are going through the tunnel and why it has
been used here.
The camera switches from a HH for a portion of time and observes Kee and Theo on the
water from a distance. Why?
What is the significance of the line Trust me they will come back from Theo? How does
this illustrate the way he has changed throughout the film? Theo later says It’s going to
be okay. How does this further show his change?
There are many quick cuts between Kee and Theo. What is the effect of this? Why is this
significant at this stage of the film?
The music cresendo’s as Theo dies. What does this help to convey?
There is a low angle shot looking up at the boat and we move in to nearly a CU of the sign
on the boat Tomorrow. How is the boat a symbol and why has it been shown in this way?
There is some contrast at the end. Everything seems dark still, cloudy, grey (similar
colours as elsewhere in the film), yet there are lights blinking also in red and yellow – the
buoy, the lights on the boat. What is the use of lighting and colour here helping to show?
We cut to black as the boat approached. Why?
The last thing we hear is the use of Diegetic Sound of children laughing. Why has this
techniques been used in this way?
The End
Task: Group Discussion
– Why do we not have a fixed ending?
– How would the film have been different if
we had seen Kee safely board the boat
and head off into the sunset?
– How does Cuaron show you the key idea/s
of his film by the ending? Why is it
significant that he does it in this way?