Media Unit ‘Matilda’

1. Media Unit ‘Matilda’ Directed by Danny Devito, based on the novel by Roald Dahl

2. Writing Titles • Whenever you write the title of a film, novel, poem or play, the title should always be written with inverted commas around it, e.g. ‘Matilda’. • Write the following three sentences out and decide which Matilda’s will need inverted commas around them. • Matilda was directed by Danny Devito and based on the novel written by Roald Dahl. • Matilda is a very intelligent child who discovers that she has special powers. • The main characters in Matilda are Miss Trunchbull, Miss Honey and Matilda.

3. Answers • ‘Matilda’ was directed by Danny Devito and based on the novel written by Roald Dahl. • Matilda is a very intelligent child who discovers that she has special powers. • The main characters in ‘Matilda’ are Miss Trunchbull, Miss Honey and Matilda.

4. ‘Matilda’ – Our Film • ‘Matilda’ was directed by Danny Devito and includes the following stars: • Mara Wilson as Matilda • Embeth Davidtz as Miss Honey • Pam Ferris as Miss Trunchbull

5. ‘Matilda’ – Our Film • As we watch and learn about the film we will be looking at the following cinematic (film) techniques: • Characterisation and representation • Camera Angles • Sound • When you write about a film the language you use is a little bit different and some of the terms or phrases that you might use include: • Scene (a series of sequences strung together, can be lengthy) • Sequence (a section of a scene) • Shot (a single frame or image, a still) • Audience (the people the film is targeting)

6. Camera Techniques • Camera anglesare the positions from which a film is shot. They are used in different ways to show characters and settings in different situations and can have a variety of effects e.g. to show someone towering over another person, to make someone/something smaller etc… • Camera shots are the way in which the camera is used to focus on particular aspects of the setting or characters. They show the audience scene setting, how a character feels, what their costume is like etc.

7. Camera Angles • Camera anglesare the positions from which a film is shot. They are used in different ways to show characters and settings in different situations and can have a variety of effects e.g. to show someone towering over another person, to make someone/something smaller etc… • Camera shots are the way in which the camera is used to focus on particular aspects of the setting or characters. They show the audience scene setting, how a character feels, what their costume is like etc.

8. Camera Pairs • In your pairs, see if you can correctly match the definitions with the shots or angles. • Raffle tickets for the first ones to correctly complete the task! Bonus raffle tickets if you can correctly split these into the two groups, shots and angles. • After you have had your work checked, glue the matching pairs into your jotters.

9. Shots • Extreme Close Up- The camera moves in to show detail on a character’s face, for example • Close Up- The camera moves in to a specific part of a person or object • 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 • 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 • Angles • 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

10. Sound • There are two types of sound: • Sound Track (usually music of some form, instrumental or songs or narration) • Sound Effects (sounds which are placed onto the film artificially) • Now that you have had a brief introduction to cinematic (film) techniques… Let’s get watching…

11. Answer the following questions in sentences… Matilda Before School • How did the Wormwoods feel about the birth of their daughter, and did you find their reaction unusual? • List three things that either of the Wormwood parents did or said that showed you how they felt about the birth of their daughter. • List three things that Matilda does in her early years that suggests that she is unusually gifted. • Why is Matilda not allowed to go to school?

12. Matilda Before School Describe the events that occur that give Matilda the idea to punish her parents, and explain what she does as her first form of punishment. What does this tell you about Matilda’s character? What criminal activities was Mr Wormwood involved with? Answer the following questions in sentences… • What camera angles were used during the TV explosion scene to show how Matilda felt? Pick at least two and explain them.

13. Character in film • We are going to continue watching the film, but we are going to focus on the ways that characters are represented in the film. • Representation has a number of different aspects: • Costume and props (what they are wearing or carrying) • Dialogue (things the character says) • Actions (things that the character does) • Facial expressions • Camera techniques (you should focus on close ups, extreme close ups, high angle shots and low angle shots)

14. The Trunchbull and Crunchem Hall • In your groups, note down things that show that the Trunchbull is a baddie. (Hint – you may want to think about the following: costume, props, quotations, actions, sound and camera techniques)

15. Answer the following questions in sentences… Crunchem Hall • Think about the first time you saw the silhouette of Miss Trunchbull at the garage with Mr Wormwood. Write a short paragraph describing your first impression of her. You should make sure to mention, things that she says, the way that she speak and her appearance. • Do you think there is a connection between Miss Trunchbull’s attitude to children and the name of her school – Crunchem Hall – and if so what might it be? • At Crunchem Hall, why do you think that the camera doesn’t show the Trunchbull’s face immediately? • What prop does the Trunchbull use to help her seem terrifying? • Threatening, masculine, intolerant, aggressive, powerful and intimidating are all words that could be used to describe Miss Trunchbull. Look up the definitions of these words in the dictionary and write these down in your jotter.

16. Assembly with Boggtrotter… Answer the following questions in sentences… • The Trucnhbull seems to be offering Bruce some cake. In what ways does she still seem quite threatening despite the apparent nice gesture? • Describe the setting of the assembly hall. Make sure you mention, lighting, colours, and general atmosphere. • Bruce seems almost ready to give up eating the cake when his fellow pupils start to support him. Describe how the atmosphere changes. • The atmosphere suddenly changes again as a result of an action of the Trunchbull’s - what does she do?

17. Crunchem Hall Think about the first time you saw the silhouette of Miss Trunchbull at the garage with Mr Wormwood. Write a short paragraph describing your first impression of her. You should make sure to mention, things that she says, the way that she speak and her appearance. Do you think there is a connection between Miss Trunchbull’s attitude to children and the name of her school – Crunchem Hall – and if so what might it be? At Crunchem Hall, why do you think that the camera doesn’t show the Trunchbull’s face immediately? What prop does the Trunchbull use to help her seem terrifying? Threatening, masculine, intolerant, aggressive, powerful and intimidating are all words that could be used to describe Miss Trunchbull. Look up the definitions of these words in the dictionary and write these down in your jotter. Answer the following questions in sentences…

18. Assembly with Boggtrotter… The Trucnhbull seems to be offering Bruce some cake. In what ways does she still seem quite threatening despite the apparent nice gesture? Think about her facial expressions, words and actions. Describe the setting of the assembly hall. Make sure you mention, lighting, colours, and general atmosphere. Bruce seems almost ready to give up eating the cake when his fellow pupils start to support him. Describe how the atmosphere changes. The atmosphere suddenly changes again as a result of an action of the Trunchbull’s - what does she do? Answer the following questions in sentences…

19. The Trunchbull’s Office Watch the following scene. Note down at least three things that make her office seem like a threatening and uninviting place.

20. Answer the following questions in sentences… Trunchbull in class • Miss Honey encourages Matilda when she tells her about her powers, even though she doesn’t believe her. What does this tell you about her character? • Kind, sensitive, timid and brave are all words that could be used to describe Miss Honey. Pick out three of these and for each write a short paragraph using the PEE structure, make the point, use evidence from the film to prove your point, and explain how the evidence proves your point. An example is below. Example: Miss Honey is kindbecause she helps Amanda Thrip take out her pigtails before Miss Trunchbull gets to class. This shows she is kind because she helps Amanda to stop her getting into trouble.

21. Miss Honey and Matilda Answer the following questions in sentences… • Explain the connection between Miss Honey and Miss Trunchbull in as mush detail as possible. Remember you can explain their history too. • What treasures did Miss Honey have to leave behind when she left her house? • When Matilda and Miss Honey are outside the Trunchbull’s house during the day, what does Matilda discover about the Trunchbull’s fears?

22. Inside the Trunchbull’s House Answer the following questions in sentences… • Think about the Trunchbull’s name. What animal does she remind you of? • List four things about her that makes her seem like an animal. Think about her actions, appearance, and what she says. • What atmosphere is created by the lighting and music in these scenes. How does this make the audience feel? • What happens when the Trunchbull jumps down the stairs, and what does this tell you about her?

23. Trunchbull’s House by Day • In pairs you are going to note down things you notice about the Trunchbull. One of you should note down key quotations that she says and the way she speaks, and the other should focus on her appearance and actions. • Copy the notes from the other person’s jotter. • Make a list of quotations, actions, and aspects of her appearance that make the Trunchbull seem masculine. • Using either your animal list from earlier on, or your masculine list, write a short paragraph using the PEE structure that you learnt previously for the Miss Honey character.

24. Trunchbull’s Comeuppance • Kind, sensitive, timid and brave are all words that could be used to describe Miss Honey. Pick out three of these and for each write a short paragraph using the PEE structure, make the point, use evidence from the film to prove your point, and explain how the evidence proves your point. An example is below. Example: Miss Honey is kindbecause she helps Amanda Thrip take out her pigtails before Miss Trunchbull gets to class. This shows she is kind because she helps Amanda to stop her getting into trouble. • Describe three ways that a scary atmosphere is created at the end of the film during the classroom scene when Matilda makes the chalk write a message. In your answer you should comment on three of the following: lighting, sound, facial expressions, and actions. Use the PEE structure

25. Trunchbull’s Comeuppance Describe three ways that a scary atmosphere is created at the end of the film during the classroom scene when Matilda makes the chalk write a message. In your answer you should comment on three of the following: lighting, sound, facial expressions, and actions. Think about Matilda’s character throughout the film. Make a list of five words that you could use to describe her. Loyal, brave, rebellious, intelligent, just, independent Using two words from your own list, and two words from the list above, write out four short PEE paragraphs about Matilda. Remember, make a point, use evidence from the film, and explain what the evidence shows.

26. Scene Focus • We are now going to focus on three scenes: • Miss Honey’s visit to the Trunchbull about Matilda • The Trunchbull’s house during the day • The Trunchbull’s haunting • For each of these scenes we will be focussing on the key characters, the camera angles and shots that are used, and the sound.

27. Miss Honey visits the Trunchbull • As the camera approaches Miss Trunchbull’s office, whose perspective is the audience seeing? • The first Close-Up shot focuses on Miss Honey’s hand? What does this shot tell you about the way that she is feeling? • How is Miss Honey made to look vulnerable and childlike in this extract? • The camera moves around the room slowly and then suddenly speeds up. Why does it do this, and what effect does it create? • List five things that you see in the study that reflect the Trunchbull’s personality. • How does Miss Trunchbull’s study reflect her personality? (Hint - think about the atmosphere in the study)

28. Trunchbull’s House at Night Answer the following questions in sentences… • Describe the setting on the night that Matilda goes to the Trunchbull’s house. Think about the weather, the lighting, and the atmosphere in general. • List four things that Matilda does to scare and unsettle the Trunchbull. • What camera angles are used to show that strange things are happening? • How does the Trunchbull feel while this is all happening, and why is it so easy to scare her? • Make a list of quotations, actions, and aspects of her appearance that make the Trunchbull seem scared and weak.

29. PEE • The words that you use during the P (point) section should not be repeated during the final E (explanation) section. You must use a different word.

30. PEE: point, evidence, explanation • Complete a three PEE points to describe the Trunchbull’s character (remember, you can use your notes, and you may want to think about her costume, facial expressions, actions and quotations) • Complete two PEE points explaining how the Trunchbull’s office and the things in it, convince the audience that she is scary (remember you can use your notes, think about the props in her office and what they suggest about her)

31. PEE: point, evidence, explanation • Complete a two PEE points to describing way that the Trunchbull makes other characters feel (remember, you can use your notes, you could choose a pupil, or Miss Honey, you will need to use evidence to show how they are feeling: facial expressions, camera techniques, actions) • Complete three PEE points explaining how the atmosphere becomes tense when the Trunchbull chases Miss Honey and Matilda around the house (remember you can use your notes, think about the lighting, the sound, the camera techniques the Trunchbull’s actions)

32. ‘Matilda’ Essay – points to remember… • Remember that whenever you are referring to the title of a film you should use inverted commas, e.g. ‘Matilda’. • Introduction must mention the title of the film, its director, its key stars, and refer to the essay question. • Remember that a PEE section has three parts: you make a point, you use evidence to support the point, and you explain what the evidence shows. • Remember that if you use any quotations, these must have inverted commas around them. • You must always check your work over. You should look for spelling and punctuation mistakes, and you should make sure that all your sentences make sense.

33. ‘Matilda’ Essay How is the theme of good triumphing over bad revealed in Danny Devito’s the film ‘Matilda’? In your answer you should refer to character, setting, camera techniques and sound. • You should each have a copy of the essay plan. This is a step by step plan that will tell you how best to answer this essay question. • You will all also have plenty of notes in your jotters. If you followed the instructions and wrote your answers in sentences, then some of the essay will already be done for you.