Coming Distractions Review

1. Coming Distractions Review

2. What genre is “Coming Distractions”? “Coming Distractions” is informational text. It gives facts and details about a topic.

3. What is the main idea of “Coming Distractions”? The main idea of “Coming Distractions” is understanding movie making techniques, and learning to question what you see.

4. Is the author using formal or informal language? The author is using informal language. He talks to the reader as he would talk to a friend.

5. The author uses moviemaking jargon, or words that are specific to a certain field, when he says the camera was panned. What does this mean? “Panned” is jargon in the moviemaking industry meaning that the camera moved back and forth.

6. What does the author mean when he says that movies paint a pretty picture of life? The author means that movies make life seem better than it really is.

7. What evidence is given for why moviemakers might use computer generate images in place of live actors? Moviemakers might use computer generated images for dangerous scenes, or for scenes that are imaginary and the characters don’t look like real people.

8. What does music do for movies? Music keeps the viewers’ attention and helps to make the movie more exciting.

9. List some techniques the author says moviemakers use to make movies more exciting. Some techniques the author says make movies more exciting are: computer generated imagery, jolts per minute, quick cuts, and music.

10. Previews for new movies are called “Coming Attractions.” Why might the author have chosen the title “Coming Distractions” for this selection? The title brings attention to the author’s main idea, which is that movies don’t always show what is in real life.

11. What is a fact? A fact is something that can be proven to be true.

12. Which of the following is a fact? Movies are thrilling. Moviemakers use special effects. Everyone should make movies.

13. Which of the following is a fact? Without music, movies would not be exciting. Movies always try to fool you. Movie stars give interviews.

14. Which of the following is an opinion? Fight scenes are thrilling. Moviemakers use special effects. Lighting is one effect that moviemakers use.

15. Which of the following is an opinion? Critics see movies before the public does. Blogs are the best way to promote movies. Cinematographers frame their shots.

16. Compare “Coming Distractions” to “How Do They Do That?” and tell how the articles are the same and how they are different.

17. How Do They Do That? Coming Distractions *focuses on explaining certain special effects, such as blue- screen and green-screen, and CGI (computer generated imagery). *informs the reader that not everything they see in the movies is real. Focuses on getting the reader to under- stand the tricks that moviemakers use, and gets the reader to ask questions about what they see. *both are informational text *both talk about movie- making techniques *mostly facts *both give facts about moviemaking techniques *focuses on explaining two techniques in greater detail *both mention CGI, or computer generated imagery, as one technique used in moviemaking *a good mix of facts and opinions *explains many techniques, but not in great detail