How to Write Intelligently About Film in the Viewing Section

1. How to Write Intelligently About Film in the Viewing Section

2. Remember The viewing section is examining your understanding of visual conventions, not narrative

3. Choose a film you like • Watch it a couple of times, including bonus features and director’s commentary if possible • Develop a reading of the film

4. Choose a short sequence for close analysis • Make notes on cinematography using a retrieval chart • Convert analysis notes into study notes based on ideas

5. Murderball

6. My Reading Challenges the common stereotype of paraquad men as incapable, dependent, weak and deserving of pity. Constructs them as independent , athletic, powerful and deserving of respect. In many ways no different from non-disabled people.

7. Analysis Notes Independence Puts audience and him on same level Zupan in b’room getting changed alone (m/s; w/c height) Tattoo (c/u) B/r (w/s) taking in beer and studded belt; bare chested; sports shorts Rebellious; bit of a jock; macho Bit of a jock; macho; strength athleticism

8. Strength; power c/u: steel w/c parts being put together; noise of machinery; c/u: wheels spinning/swivelling l/s: Hogsett – park setting; athletic clothes; talks of going to clubs Speed; manoeuvrability Independence; athleticism

9. Bob Lujano (quad) – putting wc in car, driving; Hotel foyer; talks about cooking and driving Andy talks about not needing help Independence; normality

10. Gladiator preparing for battle L/s: garage door rising; sound of motor; Zupan bare chested in chair M/s: Zupan in gym; gym equipment in b/g; talks about hitting people back Athleticism; Strength; independence

11. Ecu/ extreme la: bottom of chair: metal armour; dramatic music; tracking shot Looking up at Zupan Power; speed, athleticism; strength

12. Study Notes Independence conveyed through: • Settings –external, public – Hogsett in park, Lugano at hotel, Zupan in gym • Actions: Zupan getting changed, Lugano driving car • Dialogue: Hogsett talking about clubs, Cohn about shopping centres/not needing help

13. Athleticism conveyed through: • Setting: Zupan at gym • Clothing and appearance: Zupan barechested; Hogsett in athletic gear • Camera movement: tracking shot of Zupan in chair • Close-ups of wheels spinning – sense of rapid movement

14. Power conveyed through: • Sound track: sound of machinery when putting chair together; garage door opening; music accompanying Zupan in chair • Close-ups of steel parts of chair • Garage door – gladiator effect

15. Normality conveyed through • Settings as above • Dialogue as above • Camera puts us and them on same level.

16. The Pianist

17. Set 1939 -45 • WladislawSzpilman, Jewish pianist • Germans invade Poland • Warsaw ghetto • Escapes being transported to concentration camp • Goes into hiding

18. My Thesis • War has the potential to destroy our humanity • A passion for music can help us survive • Music has the power to unite us as human beings – to allow us to see beyond our differences.

19. Climax Germans retreating, destroying Warsaw in the process

20. Lack of life Destructive effects of war Lack of life Effect of war on humans: reduces us to insignificance Destroys humanity; reduces us to animals • Lack of colour; just grey • Framing: devastation stretches as far as our eyes can see • Lack of sound • Camera zooms back and up: Szpilman reduced to insignificance • Almost animal-like in movements

21. Site of his passion for music Regaining his humanity Shares passion for music; human, not a monster Lighting: illuminates his head and hands Lighting begins to illuminate his face Light on German’s face

22. Topic: Discuss the relationship between visual elements and ideas in at least one of the images provided and at least one visual text you have studied.