‘Braveheart’

1. ‘Braveheart’ Cinematic Techniques and Bonus points

2. Cinematic Techniques - Representation Representation is the way that characters are presented. The director can influence the audience’s feelings towards characters using this cinematic technique. The representation of characters is created using: • The attitudes or actions of the character • The character’s costume • The language used by the characters (Quotations) • The set and props surrounding the character • Camera angles

3. Representation Effect Shows his restlessness and fear. Highlights the tension Mornay feels. Image Image Blue face paint. Reinforces the idea that Wallace fights for Scotland. He murders for a cause Blood splattering. Suggests Mornay’s fear of a bloody death. Jump cuts Effect Shows the power and ferocity of Wallace as he sits on his horse towering over Mornay. By contrast, Mornay seems vulnerable and powerless. Mornay’s Nightmare Effect Prolongs the tension of the scene, thereby emphasising Mornay’s intense fear as Wallace attacks. Slow motion Low Angle Point of view Image Image Menacing eyes. Reveals Wallace’s ruthlessness and determination. Riding through fire. Makes Wallace seem demonic, but also suggests he is invincible. Effect Puts us in Mornay’s position as the canon ball swings towards him. Reveals Mornay’s terror and raises tension.

4. Cinematic Sound • There are two types of cinematic sound. • Diegetic sound • Sound that we think is part of what’s happening on the screen ­ for example, horse’s hooves, the sound of thunder • Non-diegetic sound • Sound that we know is not part of what’s on screen, such as music (unless there's an orchestra in shot!) and voiceover.

5. Camera Techniques Copy the following camera techniques into your notes. A set of descriptions will follow. Try to match these with the techniques you have copied down. • Close Up • Extreme Close Up • Long Shot • Extra Long Shot • Selective Focus • Soft Focus • Spins • Zoom • Pan • Wide-angle shot • Low-angle • High-angle • Point-of-view shot

6. Close Up - The camera moves in to a specific part of a person or object • Extreme Close Up- The camera moves in to show detail on a character’s face, for example • Long Shot - The camera shows all of a fairly large subject and much of its surroundings • Extra Long Shot - The camera is at its furthest distance from the subject, and is used to emphasis the background • Selective Focus - The camera only focuses on part of the action and the remainder of the scene appears blurred in the background • Soft Focus- The camera is used to blur sections of the image to create a particular mood or atmosphere • Spins- The camera turns around, following the action of its subject • Zoom - The camera moves in close and pulls back from the subject • Pan- The camera swings across the scene, showing everyone in the action and what they are doing • Wide-angle shot - The camera pulls back to show a broad field of action • Low-angle Shot- The camera is below its subject, looking up at it. This would make the subject seem important and powerful • High-angle shot - The camera is above its subject, looking down at it. This would make the subject seem little or insignificant • Point-of-view shot - The camera sees what the character sees, to give that person’s perspective

7. Montage • Montage is the cinematic technique that relates to the way that different images are assembled to build up a particular impression using the order and transition of the scenes. • Cut - One image is suddenly replaced by another, without a visible transition. • Montage is used to: • link bits of action together into an understandable story • make the audience feel certain emotions • control and show the passage of time.

8. Questions to consider… • What does William’s reaction to the McGregors tell you about his initial thoughts and feelings regarding the situation he has plunged himself and his village into by avenging Murron’s death? • Consider his speech just before he burns the first fort. What is William’s motivation for trying to regain Scotland’s freedom? • Describe Edward’s interaction with his son when they discuss Wallace’s initial uprising in Scotland. Why does this deepen the audience’s dislike for this character? • Why does Robert the Bruce admire Wallace? • How does the Bruce’s father describe Wallace and Edward and what are his feelings towards each of these characters?

9. How do we know that Isabelle is in an unhappy marriage to Edward’s son? • How do the volunteers treat William in • During the deer hunting scene, explain how the camera angles are used to convince the audience that Steven is trying to kill Wallace. • During the latter stages of this section of the film, how do you think that William feels about his role as leader of the rebellion? • Have his feelings changed since the start, and if so, why do you think this is?

10. Essay Tips • Capital letters are required for the start of sentences and proper nouns • Apostrophes are required for contractions (when a word has been made shorter – “don’t”, or to show ownership, - “William’s wife” • A lot = two separate words!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! • Avoid just telling the story – you have to be brief with this. The bulk of your essay should focus on analysis. • Think about the way that you construct your sentences! • Re-read your work, to ensure that it makes sense. • Media essays require you to use film language: • Shot, scene, sequence • Audience • Director • Always use third person

11. Essay Sequencing • Every essay should start with an introduction, and end with a conclusion • Each paragraph should • begin with a topic sentence • define the technique that you are focussing on • And where possible use a quotation following the PEE format (point, evidence, explanation/opinion) • Your task is to place these sections of the battle scene essay in order. You should work on this task in pairs.

12. Essay 2 – Battle Scenes • Explain what cinematic techniques are used to enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the battle scenes in ‘Braveheart’. • In your essay you should cover the following techniques: • Representation • Camera Angles and Shots • Sound • Montage (Editing) • In pairs, try to write a plan for this essay. You will first need to work out what aspects of the film (hint: you will discuss with respect to the four techniques above).

13. Points to remember • ALWAYS refer back to the wording of the question at the beginning and end of each paragraph • Check your work for technical accuracy – spelling, punctuation, grammar, correct sentence structures • Ensure that you provide analysis • Try to include quotations

14. Nature of Freedom for Wallace • Beginning – wanting peace and a family • Lack of freedom - his dreams are ripped away from him through the murder of Murrin • Revenge for Murrin’s murder and his desire for freedom, catapult him into a war for freedom • Despite the fighting and the betrayal, Wallace’s desires are still clear: “I want a home, and children and peace, [but] it’s all for nothing if you don’t have freedom” • This is made clear at the end when during the execution scene Wallace focuses on a child, to remind him of his reasons for fighting, and then latterly on Murrin when she re-appears just before he is executed

15. Significance of the sword – a force of good • First seen during funeral of father with Argyll, where its use is encouraged “First learn to use this (head), then I’ll teach you how to use this (sword)” • The sword is used as a symbol of the crucifix during Murrin’s funeral, after having been used to avenge her death • Used to swear Wallace in as the guardian of Scotland • Finally it is used during the final scene to show the success of the Scottish cause, after they win their freedom at Bannockburn, under the Scottish King Robert the Bruce.