English FAL Level 4 Module 11

English: First Additional Language NQF 4 Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Studying film Module 11 Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Overview • Film terminology • Types of shots and camera angles • Camera movement • Editing • Sound • Film review Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Studying film Film is essentially a visual medium and should be analysed as visual material. So, in addition to analysing the plot, characters, setting and themes as you would do for a novel, you should also focus on how the subject matter is presented. To do this, you need to examine individual shots to understand what they say about the subject matter and how they influence the viewer. A complete film script consists of a series of sequences, made up of a series of scenes, made up of a number of shots. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Film terminology • The official titles of the people who work on films: Producer: Controls the money to be spent on the production and is therefore involved with matters such as casting and choice of location. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Film terminology • The official titles of the people who work on films: Director: The main creative artist involved in the making of any film. He or she has absolute control over the creation of the film, and often has a style of directing that is recognisable. The director selects locations and chooses actors who work on the film with the producer. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Film terminology • The official titles of the people who work on films: Cinematographer: Responsible for the cameras and lighting; he or she shoots the actual film. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Film terminology • The official titles of the people who work on films: Editor: Selects and arranges shots to create the narrative. After months of filming the editor has to reduce hours and hours of film to a movie that lasts about 90 minutes. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

More film terminology 1 Screenwriter: Writes the screenplay of the film, which includes all the dialogue that the actors will say; creates meaningful situations and controls the pace of the film. 2 Casting director: Decides who will act in the film. 3 Sound technician: Records sound. The gaffer works with the sound technician and holds a microphone over the actors’ heads at the end of a long gaff, or rod. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

More film terminology 4 Composer: Writes the music for the film. 5 Set designer: Creates backgrounds and interior sets where action takes place. 6 Continuity person: Makes sure that the film set looks exactly the same after a break in filming, as it did before the break. Mathematics NQF Level 2 7 Other crew members: Actors, set builders, make-up people, costume makers, electricians, sound recordists, sound editors, camera operators, musicians, and so on. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Learning activity 11.1 Module 11 Test your knowledge of this section by completing Learning activity 11.1 on page 144 of your Student’s Book. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

More film terminology Credits: The list of cast, crew and technical personnel involved in the making of the film. Flashback: Returning to a scene in the past. A flash forward shows a scene that may happen in the future. Mathematics NQF Level 2 Genre: A group or cluster of films that share certain characteristics. For example, comedies, musicals, documentaries, action and gangster films are different genres of films. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Film terminology Frame: This is the basic unit of film structure. Each frame is a still picture like a photograph. Thousands of these frames are needed to create a film. The editor will decide which of these frames to keep and which to throw away. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Film terminology Shot: This is the next unit of film structure: this is one scene recorded on one piece of film by one camera in one take. This happens from the time that the camera starts filming until it stops. It is an unedited strip of film. After editing, the shot ends where the editor has cut it off. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Film terminology Scene: This is any number of shots grouped together with common content. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Film terminology Sequence This is a number of scenes put together that contain common content. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Types of shots Establishing shot Usually an extreme long or long shot is shown at the beginning of a scene or sequence. It gives the viewer an understanding of where the action will take place. Mathematics NQF Level 2 Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Types of shots Extreme long shot Generally used to establish the setting of a story. In this shot, a subject appears very small in comparison to the landscape. Mathematics NQF Level 2 Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Types of shots Long shot A shot in which the subject occupies a relatively small part of the frame area. A human figure has plenty of space below and above it. It gives a sense of how small the subject is in relation to Mathematics NQF Level 2 its surroundings. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Types of shots Medium shot • A shot in which the subject and the background occupy approximately equal area in the frame. • The audience’s interest is equally divided between the subject and the setting. • We see a human figure from just above the head to just below the waist. • There is more detail, and the viewer Mathematics NQF Level 2 has to concentrate more, and give greater attention and involvement to the visual material. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Types of shots Close-up • A shot in which the subject occupies all or almost all of the frame area. This gives detailed view of a person or object, usually without much background. • The shot shows very little, if any, setting and concentrates on a small object, for example the human face. The close-up shot magnifies the size of an object, so it tends to make Mathematics NQF Level 2 things seem more important. This often gives objects symbolic significance. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Types of shots Extreme close-up: • This is a detailed view of an object or person. This kind of shot is generally used. • When the director wishes to heighten the importance of a particular object or give it symbolic significance. It will concentrate the audience’s attention on some important detail, object or part of the body. Mathematics NQF Level 2 Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Camera angles • The camera angle from which the shot was taken is important. Eye level High angle, Four main including Point of view shot camera bird’s eye angles view and aerial shots Low angle Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

More on camera angles Eye level Mathematics NQF Level 2 Here the camera is placed approximately five to six feet from the ground, equal to the height of the observer of the scene. This represents a neutral point of view, without any emotional symbolism. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

More on camera angles High angle A shot taken in which the subject is filmed from above. This is taken looking down on the subject. High angles reduce the importance of a subject. The subject is therefore made to appear vulnerable, lonely, weak or small in a hostile world. The viewer, looking down, appears Mathematics NQF Level 2 superior and in control of situation. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

More on camera angles Aerial shot This is essentially a variation of a high angle shot, but it is restricted to exterior locations as this shot is usually taken from a helicopter. Mathematics NQF Level 2 Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

More on camera angles Low angle • This is a shot in which the subject is filmed from below. The camera, and the viewer, looks up at the subject. The subject appears to be intimidating, strong, aggressive or even superior. Low angle shots suggest dominance, menace, oppression and authority. • They are also used to suggest reverence, for example, a stained glass window or a crucifix. The viewer is made to feel inferior because the Mathematics NQF Level 2 subject has been elevated and has been made to look important or powerful. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

More on camera angles Point-of-view shot Mathematics NQF Level 2 This is any shot that is taken from the director’s point of view. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Learning activity 11.2 Module 11 Test your knowledge of this section by completing Learning activity 11.2 on page 147 of your Student’s Book. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Camera movement The cinematographer creates a film using moving shots and each moving shot has a specific use in telling the story of a film. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

More about camera movement Panning In this movement the camera stays in one place, for example, on a tripod or stand and rotates horizontally in either direction – it can ‘pan left’ or ‘pan right’. This shot can be used to establish setting. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

More about camera movement Tilting • This is the vertical movement of the camera, similar to panning, but here the camera travels from bottom to top and top to bottom. • As with panning, the camera stays in one place. This shot is used to allow the viewer to study a subject in slow detail. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

More about camera movement Zoom • The camera is stationary. A zoom lens allows the size of the image to be enlarged or decreased. This shot gives the impression that the subject is moving towards the audience. • The zoom isolates the subject from his or her surroundings. Zooming in for an extreme close-up of a character’s face can have a very dramatic effect. Zooming out can make a subject seem unimportant. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

More about camera movement Dolly shot A dolly is a small, wheeled platform on which a camera and tripod can be mounted. The dolly with the camera on it is then moved as needed. The dolly shot enables movement towards, away from, around or alongside any action being filmed. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

More about camera movement Tracking shot • This is a moving camera shot in which the camera is mounted on a wheeled platform that moves on rails, laid especially for the shot. This shot makes the viewer feel as if he or she is moving next to the subject. • Zooming and tracking are not the same. With a zoom, the distance between the subject and the background is constant as the subject remains in the same place; it is just being enlarged or made smaller. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

More about camera movement Boom In this shot, the camera is mounted on a crane platform, which can be raised metres above the ground. It can be swung around during the shot, creating an unusual experience for the viewer. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Learning activity 11.3 Module 11 Test your knowledge of this section by completing Learning activity 11.3 on page 150 of your Student’s Book. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Editing Definition: Editing involves moving from one shot to another in a particular sequence, or of getting from one scene to the next. The film is divided into pieces and then put back together in a specific order. • This eventually becomes the film that we see. • A number of techniques can be used as we move from one shot to another, each of which will create a different effect on the viewer. Mathematics NQF Level 2 Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

More about editing 1 The cut: This is the most common way in which two scenes are joined together. This happens when one shot or scene ends and another begins. When we are watching a film it appears to be an instantaneous transition from one scene to another, obtained from putting the scenes together. Match cut: 2 Here the shots are joined to give the impression of continuity. The action is both maintained and matched through the use of parallel effects. For example, a person dives into a swimming pool, and the next shot is of bubbles coming to the surface of a glass. The effect is one of going into water, and rising to the surface of water. This can be used in advertisements for holiday destinations, for example. Jump cut: 3 Mathematics NQF These Level are usually two 2 sequential shots that differ only very slightly. They give the effect of jumping forward in time. This generally occurs within a scene. It has the effect of getting rid of unnecessary material or dead time. Jump cuts are usually not very noticeable, but they can be used to disturb continuity and to create a feeling of strife, confusion and violent action. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

More about editing 4 Mix or dissolve: The beginning of one scene is placed over the end of the old one. The dissolve creates fluid and smooth changes in time, locations and characters. The effect is that of one scene dissolving into the other. 5 Fade in and Fade out: These are effects in which the scene ‘fades in’ from blackness or ‘fades out’ to blackness or red etc. This editing technique is used to indicate the passage of time. 6 Mathematics NQF Level 2 Wipe: This is another transition in which a scene appears to wipe off the preceding one along a visible line. It gives the effect of actually ‘pushing’ it off the screen. There are vertical, horizontal and diagonal wipes – some even look like a turning page. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

More about editing 7 Superimposition: One scene is laid over another, and both being visible at the same time for a certain period. 8 Fast, or overcranked: The camera is run at a speed lower than the normal 24 frames per second. When the film is projected at normal speed the action appears to move fast. 9 Mathematics NQF Slow, Level 2 or undercranked: The camera is run at a speed faster than the normal 24 frames per second. When the film is projected at normal speed it gives the effect of slow motion. Slow motion captures what the human eye cannot absorb readily – it gives detail and increases size. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Learning activity 11.4 Module 11 Test your knowledge of this section by completing Learning activity 11.4 on page 151 of your Student’s Book. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Learning activity 11.5 Module 11 Test your knowledge of this section by completing Learning activity 11.5 on page 151 of your Student’s Book. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Sound • The soundtrack is made of dialogue, music, sound effects and silence. Synchronous sound Non-synchronous or wild sound: When the sound and the When the sound we hear does action agree or correspond not agree or correspond with with each other. the action. Mathematics NQF Level 2 Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Sound • The soundtrack is made of dialogue, music, sound effects and silence. Overlap sound Voice-over effect The soundtrack from the A voice talks about the action previous scene is carried over that is happening on screen. (often only briefly) into the This is often used in next scene. documentaries, and is used as Mathematics NQF Level 2 a linking device Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Sound • The soundtrack is made of dialogue, music, sound effects and silence. Expressionistic Sound effects A sound effect is over- Sounds such as police sirens, emphasised – heavy wind, the creaking of doors are heartbeats, the flutter of a added to provide realism to bird’s wings. the picture. Mathematics NQF Level 2 Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Sound • The soundtrack is made of dialogue, music, sound effects and silence. Silence Music Creates tension. Music makes us feel emotions, so it is used in films to reinforce aspects of plot, character development, Mathematics NQF Level 2 setting, atmosphere, mood and to intensify the experience of the audience. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Sound Some musical terms: • Pitch: A high-pitched sound can be thin and exciting; a low- pitched sound can be heavy and menacing. • Volume: The volume used can be loud, dramatic, forceful, soft, gentle, subdued. • Duration: Sounds with a long duration can create a feeling of calm or of menace, while short sounds can create a feeling of restlessness. • Rhythm or tempo: The speed, beat or rhythm of music affects mood and atmosphere. An insistent beat, increasing in tempo, is used to heighten anticipation or tension; and a lyrical, Mathematics moderate NQF tempoLevel can 2create a feeling of tranquillity. A fast tempo makes a feeling of excitement or urgency; a slow tempo makes a feeling of calm or relaxation. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Learning activity 11.6 Module 11 Test your knowledge of this section by completing Learning activity 11.6 on page 152 of your Student’s Book. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Film review Review : A review is when someone gives his or her opinion about the quality of a book, a film, a restaurant, a live show, a piece of music or an art exhibition. • The point of any review is to give the reviewer’s opinions and recommendations. So, a review is a subjective piece of writing and will use emotive and persuasive language. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Film review • A film review should contain the following information: o Title of the film o Year of release o Director o Lead actors o Genre o Setting o Plot overview Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Writing the film review The review must comment on anything that is unique to that particular film, for Summarise the Recommend it or example, special plot in a few say why you do effects, music, 3D, sentences, but not. costumes, setting, or give nothing certain actors. away. Explain in general Comment on whether you liked anything the film or not: exceptional or very rate the film in poor. some way. Conclude the review with some memorable last Honesty is important sentence to give the in a review, and the reader a good idea of reviewer must have your general some standards in viewpoint about the mind. film. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Learning activity 11.7 Module 2 Test your knowledge of this section by completing Learning activity 11.7 on page 153 of your Student’s Book. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Learning activity 11.8 Module 2 Test your knowledge of this section by completing Learning activity 11.8 on page 155 of your Student’s Book. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Summary of Module 11 Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

Formative assessment Module 11 Test your knowledge of Module 11 by completing the Formative assessment on page 157 of your Student’s Book. Downloaded from hlayiso.com English FAL NQF Level 4

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