An Approach to Teaching Film

Resources for Teaching and Learning
An Approach to Teaching Film

The Approach too film is essentially the same as for any other narrative form, with the emphasis on: Genre,
Themes, Story, Plot, Characters, setting and Point of view.The additional critical vocabulary required by students relates to the composition of the film.
How we view the world through the camera or how the camera allows us to view the world.Thus students need to be aware of:

• The speed of a shot – Normal, Fast, Slow.
• The distance of a shot – Long (establishing), Medium, Close-up. Why?
• The angle of the shot – High, Low, Oblique.
• The focus of the shot – Sharp, Soft or Selective. Why? What’s the effect?
• The speed of a shot – Normal, Fast, Slow.
• The length of the shot
• The point of view of the shot – The use of over the shoulder perspective so the viewer shares the point of view of the subject
• The movement of the camera. Does it Zoom, Pan or Track? What is the effect of this?
• The transition from one shot to another. Does the shot fade or is it wiped out or does it dissolve? Are the transitions smooth or rough?

As with all forms of composition, every choice is significant. Every choice can be read as symbolic. Every choice is defined in terms of what is not chosen. Then there is what we see through the camera.

• The Characters – their Facial Expressions, Gestures and Clothes
• Their position in relation to the camera, to others, to props
• The symbolic and thematic use of props
• Setting – Time, inc. Period, Time of Day/Night/Seasons, Place is an important consideration<
• Lighting, Sound and Music must be considered

The final outcome of studying a film should be that students feel in a position to:

• Discuss it as a narrative experience as they discuss a play or novel
• Have some appreciation of how the film’s discourse was managed to create its particular impact.