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Camera Movement
Most of the time when the camera is moving, it is to follow the movement of the scene: a
character walking past, cars driving by and so on. However the choices of movement can create
different emotional effects.
YouTube: Videomaker Camera Movement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45e1XuA- oLY

P TI C
A L R
N T A
N
E
/
B
O

Rotating the camera Rotating the camera vertically, The camera is lifted vertically
horizontally, as if you were as if you were nodding your and horizontally using a
turning your head from side head up and down. ‘boom’, a crane like lever.
to side. Think of a
‘panorama’. Mostly used to follow the Recently drones have been
movement in a scene. used for the same purpose.
Mostly used to follow the
movement in a scene.
Panning and tilting can reveal Used to create low and high
information such as characters angle shots, including
Panning and tilting can or action that is happening just moving from ground level to
reveal information such as out of frame. birds eye view. They reveal
characters or action that is new information.
happening just out of
frame.
P D
E O
D L
E L T
S R
T U
A C
L K
(P (C
R
A
B
Moving the camera up and
down on a pedestal.
Moving the camera toward / Same as the dolly, but
the subject. moving horizontally.
T
Used to emphasise the R
A ‘dolly’ or ‘truck’ is a Think of how a crab moves
height of something or to wheeled cart which the from side to side, and you’ll
reveal surprising camera is stood upon. understand why this is
information. sometimes called ‘crabbing’.
Dollies and trucks are used
Imagine the camera mostly to Again, this is mostly used
moving down the body of to follow the movement of
a man wearing a business ‘track’ movement within a a character in a scene.
suit … to reveal he is scene. Often this I used for
H wearing fluffy bunny characters who are moving
slippers. A smooth move in on a
and talking.
A character can help emphasise
N their emotional response. Z
D O
H rdpress.com O
If a camera is held in the hand and moved as if it were a home video or a The camera itself
mobile phone, this is called ‘hand held’. It is shakier and blurrier than doesn’t move: rather
professional camera work. A smoother finish can be achieved by using a the lenses zoom in on a
‘’sled and vest’ system: basically a wearable camera system with shock subject.
absorbers. Used to reveal
These are used to immerse the viewer into the scene. It is often used in information or to
horror and emphasise a
action movies to add realism. They can also be used to give a 360 degree character’s
view of
the scene, showing the action which is happening in and around the emotional reaction.
characters.

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 FILM ANALYSIS

PART TWO: Film Review

STEP 1: Pick a second film. You are not critiquing the same film as you completed Part 1 of the semester
homework with. The film can be any film with whatever rating you feel comfortable with, but cannot be an
animation film (due to different technical requirements with animation filming). You will write an informal
review of the film that is 1 page or longer. You may break your writing up into small paragraphs and reflect
informally. Please answer six of the following 10 questions. CLEARLY INCLUDE THE TITLE FOR THE FILM YOU
ARE REVIEWING FOR PART 2.

Film Review Questions

1. Have you somewhere clearly indicated your judgment of the film’s quality? What
is your overall impression? Rate it, 1-10 (10 being spectacular!). Why? Be specific
about scenes or value criteria that helped in your rating decision.

2. Provide a brief plot synopsis?

3. What is the message (moral: lesson the viewer learns) or theme (reoccurring
idea [noun])? Was it clearly communicated or not? Be specific about where the theme
or moral occurs in the film.

4. What is the meaning behind the title of the film? Is it expressing a main idea,
unique phrase, or author/director’s opinion on the topic? Is the title effective. How does
each level apply to the film as a whole?

5. How was the acting/casting of characters in the film? Which characters were
most effective with pathos (appeal to the viewer’s emotion)? Was the look of the film
appealing? Were there special effects?

6. How was the music? Sound? How did these contribute to the mood? Be specific
about portions of the film with the sound was particularly effective or ineffective. You
could discuss what you would do differently if you were the director.

7. What typical film tropes (genre expectations) do you see in the film? If you don’t
see many, explain how the film breaks with typical character/plot/setting/concepts. Ex:
If it is a dystopia, how does it conform to the viewer’s expectations or break away from
the typical dystopia.

8. What is the most important sequence, moment, or scene? How does the use of
camera, lighting, camera angles, editing, dialogue, and/or acting make the scene
memorable?
 9. What images or scenes were prominent in the film? How did the director draw
the audience’s
attention to them?

10. Pick one of the following elements of Mise-en-scène to analyze with your second
film for Part 2: Settings & Props, Costume, Hair, & Makeup, Lighting & Color, or Space &
Composition. Be specific of where you see the selected element and the effect that is
has on the viewer.

INSIDIOUS FILM REVIEW

Insidious is a horror movie about a family with a son named Dalton, who falls
into a mysterious coma after moving to a new home. Strange events start to occur
leaving his parents to figure out what’s happening. They find out that he’s trapped
in a supernatural realm called “The Further”. A psychic named Elise comes to help
help them learn abilities Dalton has which is astral project that causes him to lose
his spirit. The family has to go against horrific monsters and confront them in order
to get Dalton back before it’s too late.
The title Insidious fits the film because the word means something spreading
harm secretly. The evil spirits in the film work in a sneaky and creepy manner,
haunting the family yet the family doesn’t realize at first. The title also hints at the
real,, “The Further”. It may sound dreamy and nice but in reality it’s a horrifying
trap.
The acting in insidious is amazing and strong, though actor Patrick Wilson and
Rose Byrne, who played the parents, did excellent. Their fear and desperation to
help their son helps connect them to the audience. The psychic, Elise ( played by
Lin Shaye ) also did excellent as she helps explain the supernatural events in way
for people to actually believe. The most emotional scene could be when Renai
(Rose Byrne) breaks down crying after hearing strange voices coming from the
baby monitor. This scene helps the audience feel her fear and need for help when
realizing something unexpected and unnatural is happening in her home. The
special effects of the red face demon and ghost-like figures lurking, this adds fear
and horror to the movie.
The music and sound play a huge role, especially in horror movies when
building suspense.The scene with loud, screeching violin sounds and than followed
with jumpscares made the film even more scarier. One may think that the most
effective scene was when the red-faced demon appear behind Josh (Patrick Wilson)
and a musical cue makes it memorable. If I was the director I would try to mix up
the sounds to make the jumpscares predictable but also unpredictable.
The most important scene is when Elise brings Dalton’s father, Josh , into “The
Further”. The dim lights, fog, emptiness, and shadows give it an eerie feeling. The
camera angle makes the realm look endless, dark and confusing, adding fear to
the whole thing. The ghosts just standing in the dark makes it unsettling.
A memorable image is the red-faced demon behind Josh’s head with a jump
scare following up. The director draws attention doing that and using red colors
and a dark background to contrast it.
In conclusion, Insidious uses the title, effects, sounds, acting, and visuals to
create an unsettling horror movie.
STEP 2: You will consider the style of this film and speak to the unique elements you notice about the
director’s/actor’s/writer’s approach with acting/characterization. Focus on 1-3 actors in particular and
evaluate their performance and/or the writer’s/director’s decisions on how the character was
characterized.. Each of your character analysis paragraphs should be no less than 3 paragraphs.

Speech: What does the actor say or how are things said to help you infer who the character
is?
Elise speaks calmly and like she knows what she’s doing, showing confidence in his psychic
work and knowledge. She explains the supernatural occurrences in a way that people can
easily understand. Her words also show her empathy for the family’s situation. She also
reassures the family her true intentions and that she truly does want to help them. All this
gives her a truth worthy role in the film.

Thoughts: What does the author think that is shown through things that are said, internal
monologue/soliloquy, written formats, or narrative reveal that helps the viewer know the
character’s feelings or thoughts? Once you determine his/her thoughts, analyze what they
reveal about him/her.
Elise’s thoughts can seen through her actions and expressions. She clearly believes in
supernatural and spent her life studying it. Her first expression on the Lambert house was a
dark presence like a demon of some kind which shows how strong her institution can be. Her
determination to help the family and face The Further for Dalton shows her courage and
how she’s not selfish.
E ffect on Others: How do others act or react to the character? How does the character make
others feel or respond to situations? Based on how others act, what does this reveal about
who the character is?
Elise has a huge effect on people around her, like the Lamberts, who rely on her for
knowledge on their situation. She brings them hope even if things seem hopeless. Her
assistants, Specs and Tucker, has allot of respect for her and follow her lead; even the
demons/spirits acknowledge her power showing how strong and respected she is in both
worlds.
Actions: What does the character say or do and what does this reveal about him or her?
Elise takes charge of things when the Lamberts are too scared or lost. She uses her abilities to
figure out the truth about Dalton’s condition. Her courage to standing up to the demons/spirits
show how far she will go to protect anyone.
L ooks: How has the director chosen to represent the physical aspects of the character?
What are your impressions as the viewer based on how the character looks?
Elise’s appearance matches her wise psychic role. She’s an older lady with a gentle look but
also serious expression which makes her easily approachable but also knowledgeable. She
wears simple, basic, dark clothing, this could give her a professional look.
PART TWO RUBRIC
Categories Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4
Knowledge -Shows a limited knowledge -Shows some knowledge of -Shows a good knowledge of -Shows a thorough knowledge of
-Is able to identify and of film conventions and film conventions and film conventions and film conventions and elements in
accurately describe film elements in the film elements in the film elements in the film the film
conventions and elements in
the film
Thinking -Gathers information, -Gathers information, -Gathers information, -Gathers information, provides
-Gathers evidence from the provides descriptions, and provides descriptions and provides descriptions and descriptions and explanations,
film to use as examples in explanations, provides explanations, provides explanations, provides provides detailed responses with
order to enrich their detailed responses with detailed responses with detailed responses with a high degree of effectiveness
reflection limited effectiveness some effectiveness considerable effectiveness
-Is specific about character
-Is specific about character -Minimal or missing -Discusses character development choices and viewer
development choices and character development development choices and/or reception. Examples included
-Is specific about character
viewer reception. analysis and/or viewer viewer reception, but lacks
development choices.
reception. No specific specific analysis.
Examples included
examples included.
Communication -Thoughtful and detailed - Thoughtful and detailed - Thoughtful and detailed - Thoughtful and detailed
-Thoughtful written analysis reflection is written with reflection is written with reflection is written with reflection is written with a high
of the film limited effectiveness some effectiveness considerable effectiveness degree of effectiveness
-Uses course vocabulary with -Uses course vocabulary with -Uses course vocabulary with -Uses course vocabulary with a
limited effectiveness some effectiveness considerable effectiveness high degree of effectiveness
-Detailed responses that
expertly include film studies
terminology
Application -Uses familiar and unfamiliar - Uses familiar and unfamiliar - Uses familiar and unfamiliar - Uses familiar and unfamiliar
-Draws on familiar and film concepts to provide an film concepts to provide an film concepts to provide an film concepts to provide an
unfamiliar film styles to evaluation of the evaluation of the evaluation of the evaluation of the effectiveness
analyse the film and provide effectiveness of film effectiveness of film effectiveness of film of film strategies and
a solid comparison strategies and comparison of strategies and comparison of strategies and comparison of comparison of film styles with a
film styles with limited film styles with some film styles with considerable high degree of effectiveness
effectiveness effectiveness effectiveness
-Thoughtful evaluation of
filmmaking choices

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