Film Analysis- Media Literacy

It's a cliche I know, but don't you wish you could bottle enthusiasm up and share it around? I have taught a group of students for three years, first in my integrated English/ Mechatronics class. And now, in their final year at college. They are an exceptional bunch of teenagers, and what sets them apart is their enthusiasm. They are fully invested in the life of the school. And, they strive for excellence in all they do. Add to that, they are decent human beings, quick to laugh and throw banter around.

That zest for life and enthusiasm to learn is infectious and the result is an engaged, energetic, likable Year 13 class. And their positivity has led to other students in the class upping their game. With that in mind, instead of doing a conventional close viewing standard which requires students to respond critically to significant aspects of visual text(s) through close reading, supported by evidence, we are doing an auteur study.

 

Film: Close Viewing

This is a standard done over about 7 weeks, focusing on one director and two films. To be classified as an "auteur", according to Andrew Sarris, a director must accomplish technical competence in his technique, personal style in terms of how the movie looks and feels, along with interior meaning.

 

Auteur

This is quite a time-consuming and technical piece of writing as the students have to closely analyse and compare a director's style over two films.

 

Directors

To pick apart a style, they need to understand camera features and the impact these techniques have on an audience. Essentially they answer the question, What makes a film a Tarantino, or a Hitchcock? for example. This involves making sophisticated, insightful and original interpretations and judgements through a detailed exploration and consideration of significant aspects of the films. Their analysis needs to be both critical and perceptive.

 

Example- Tarantino

I look forward to introducing this standard to the class and hope that they find it both challenging and engaging. The full resource is linked below.

 

Attachments

7 replies

April 06, 2024

Such a great idea and I absolutely *love* your slide designs in this, Linda! 🤩 Great work!

April 06, 2024

Thanks Eoin! High praise from someone whose work and ideas I so admire. Its such a great platform to connect and share 💡

April 08, 2024

What a great project!

Thank you for sharing.

April 09, 2024

Thanks Pam 😁

April 28, 2024

What a great activity. Thanks for sharing!


May 01, 2024

That sounds like a great adaptation!

April 30, 2024

I’m returning to the high school English classroom after some years away and this resources is very interesting to me. I could adapt it to be about close reading investigating author’s choices. It might compare how two author’s treat the same event or idea in their writing.

I’ll definitely give it some thought. I think what you’ve created here is fantastic and could be so flexible. Thank you for sharing!

This post contains content from YouTube.

If you choose to view this content, YouTube may collect and process certain personal data. You can view YouTube’s <a href="https://www.youtube.com/t/privacy" target="_blank">privacy policy here<span class="a11y">(opens in new window)</span>.</a>

This post contains content from YouTube.

You have rejected content from YouTube. If you want to change your consent, press the button below.