Non-linear Narratives Films have a big advantage in how they can tell stories. They are not bound by the rules of normal time! Editing can reorder screen time, which is different from reel time (the duration of the film), and this reshaping of the narrative can add to the audience’s pleasure of the film. How? […]
Narrative in Film (Part 2) Character Function
Narrative Function First off, it is important to note that we are not talking about characterisation or representation! We are talking the role the characters have in the narrative. In other words what is their job in the story? This analysis can give us helpful clues to understand the themes and ideas, especially when we […]
Narrative in Film (Part 1) The 3 Act Structure
Introduction to Narrative (The study of stories) When we study narrative we are exploring… The structure/shape of the stories The big events that push the story forward, causing the characters to act / react. When and how important story information is revealed. How the audience is positioned in the story & when we learn important narrative information […]
Improving Your Textual Analysis
Assessment Criteria In a full textual analysis essay there are three areas of assessment: Your research into and application of the cultural contexts Your understanding of the film elements (micro features) Your ability to make links to the film as a whole & the cultural contexts Here is a link to the mark scheme for […]
Representing Ophelia
Most films follow the story of one character, the central protagonist. Typically this central character has to undergo trials and overcome problems as the story progresses. These trails and conflicts change the character and they learn something essential about themselves or a great truth about the world. Today we are going to look at the […]
Introducing Mise-en-Scene
Film is a visual art and a key bit of advice to all screenwriters and directors is… ‘Show don’t tell’ MISE-EN-SCENE Mise-en-scene refers to anything that the director chooses to film and is a key way in which they can ‘show’ the story. Every element of mise-en-scene is carefully selected to communicate meaning, and mise-en-scene […]
Representation in Film
Think: Does film reflect the world we live in or shape the way we view the world? Task: Consider the ideas and messages communicated by these two versions of the same character. Use this document to analyse one of the two characters. Key questions to ask about film / media representations: Who, or what, is being represented? […]
Genre Analysis of Pan’s Labyrinth
The Fantasy Genre In this lesson we are going to complete a generic analysis of Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) del Toro Sound easy? Well it is! Genre analysis is done in three steps. 1 Define the corpus. That is, agree on a group of films that you think are ‘pure’ example of the genre. So in […]
The Problem with Genre
What? Genre, a problem…? You may be thinking that, ‘If films follow the same generic blueprint (repertoire of elements), why aren’t all genre films exactly the same? Genre films tend to change, tend to evolve. In fact some theorists suggest that genre follow cycles: they are born, become popular, are overused and become predictable (even […]
A Golden Opportunity!
A not to be missed opportunity is coming to Guernsey. As creative arts students you should try and cultivate an interest and engage with all the visual arts and also try and network and build up your contacts. You should go to this…