DNA: Film Lesson 1

L/O Objectives: 

1) Explain and evaluate the different between a play and a film.
2) Discuss (analyse) how media language (mies-en-scene) and camera work is used to tell a narrative through reviewing MALEFACTION Clip. 

Starter: in pairs, brainstorm how films differ from plays. 

Main Part 1: Complete a table concerning what the main types of camera shots and angels are & why they are used. EXTENDED LEARNING: add images (screenshots from trailers or illustrations you have done of the shots) to your table). 

Camera Shot	Why it is used/what it is used for in film…	What it looks like (image or sketch)
Establishing Shot
Long Shot

Terminology

Camera Shot Terminology:

Establishing shot

Long shot

Medium shot/medium close up

Close up

Extreme close upCut away shot

Camera Angle Terminology

High Angle 
Low Angle 
Eye Level
Birds EyeWorms eye
Over the shoulder shot

POV Shot

Camera Movement Terminology
Zoom in
Zoom out
Hitchcock zoom
Achieved through moving towards/away from subject while zooming out/in.
Pan (left/right)
Camera (usually following 180 degree rule moves rotates (pans) slowly to show a scene/subject - achieve using tripod, steady cam or crane.
Swish pan (fast/blur)
Similar to above only it is done quickly to achieve blurring/fast movement of image.
Tilt/Dutch tilt
Tilt up or down - achieved using tripod, crane or steady cam.
Tracking shot 
Camera follows (tracks) the subject - done using steady cam, dolly/track or moving vehicle.

Main Task 2: Discuss (analyse) how media language (mies-en-scene) and camera work is used to tell a narrative through reviewing MALEFACTION Clip. 

Starter: 

	Why this follows genre conventions	Impact on audience
Mise-en-scene (lighting, props, actors, make-up, settings/locations)
Camera work & editing
Sound

Mini Malefaction Review (online conventions):





How to Pitch A Film: 

Pitch for ‘The Knowing’

Logline: When a high-class psychologist, working in a prison, Lisa Laurey (Amanda Seyfried) becomes oddly obsessed with the minds of criminals decides to try some criminality herself things get interesting.

Target audience: Primarily UK teenagers (aged 15+) in social grades C1-E who enjoy watching a dark exciting crime thriller that features a range of characters to relate to for everyone in the primary target audience. However many adults may also want to watch this as there is a strong storyline that anyone would enjoy.

Genre: A unique dark exciting crime thriller.

Main characters/Cast:

Lisa Laurey (Amanda Seyfried)

Lincoln Jones (Hugh Jackman)

Synopsis:

My new original idea for a film ‘The Knowing’ staring household favourite, Amanda Seyfried, includes crime and action in a great show that anyone would love to watch on the big screen.

When high-class psychologist, working in a prison, Lisa Laurey (Amanda Seyfried), becomes oddly obsessed with the minds of criminals, decides to become on herself. Knowing every trick in the book she commits the crime and puts the blame in somebody else’s innocent hands, while she carries on her job with no suspicion from the prison guards whatsoever.

The Knowing is created with a target audience of 15-30 year olds in mind and will catch the eye of each member of the target audience who will feel represented by one of the characters. The male target audience will be represented by Lincoln Jones (Hugh Jackman) as he is an ordinary police officer with a troubled past that a male audience could relate to. The female target audience is represented by the lead Lisa Laurey as she is a well played woman that some could relate to and also the males who find her attractive. Casting Amanda Seyfried as the lead will create a talking point for families as kids will have grown up watching her on her well known films ‘Mamma Mia’ and ‘Gone’ therefore will attract many people to watch her in my new film. In short, this film will be a hit with a mass audience who all have someone to relate to in the show and can enjoy the crime and action involved also and can educate the teenage audience with what is wrong and what is right.

Overall ‘The Knowing’ is a sure blockbuster that, because Laurey is not caught, leaves the doors open for a profitable franchise.  

It will be screen in; IMAX, multiplex, independent and art house cinemas worldwide.

Task: Write your own pitch for DNA (as a film following the above conventions). 

Main Part 2: Create a shot list for P.20-P.23 of DNA:

Shot List DNA P.20-P.23

Setting/location:

Shot Description (e.g. what is happening)	Shot Type/Camera angle:	Script/dialogue: