1. Learning Objective: to be able to work out meaning using film language and visual
clues
I can identify
different types of
shot and sound
and begin to
explore why they
have been used.
I can discuss my
views with others
to explore why a
film technique
has been used.
I am able to use
analysis
connectives to
explore possible
reasons why a
director has used a
film technique.
2. What is TV Drama Crime?
Task (5 minutes):
Create a mindmap/spider
diagram that explores the
different codes and
conventions of TV Drama
and Crime Drama.
Key Words:
Codes and Conventions
What might be the codes and
conventions of the sci-fi genre
or action films?
Try listing as many
examples of drama that
you can think of and
explore which channels
show these programmes.
Todorov believed that
each story had five stages:
A state of
equilibrium
The elements/ingredients that
make up a piece of media and
define it.
Narrative
This is another word for plot
or storyline.
Key Question:
What happens when the audience are presented with a
program that does not follow a linear narrative?
Disruption of
equilibrium
Recognising
the
disruption
An attempt
to repair the
damage
A state of
new
equilibrium
3. What is Narrative?
Theorist
Theory
Where will I have seen it?
Todorov
Five logical stages of a story (state of
equilibrium through to disruption and
resolution).
The Three Little Pigs
• Three pigs build houses
• Wolf threatens and gobbles up first
two pigs
• Third pig builds his house of bricks
• Wolf burnt alive after tries to climb
through the chimney
LéviStrauss
Binary Opposites (Good vs. evil, greed
vs. poverty, love vs. hate, knowledge vs.
ignorance).
Lord of the Rings.
Cliffhanger
the (often episodic) narrative ends
abruptly without resolution.
Eastenders, Doctor Who.
Barthes
Action Code
Skyfall.
Barthes
Enigma Code
Sherlock.
10. Camera Shots, Angle, Movement & Composition
Key question:
What is the difference
between a track and a
pan?
A tracking shot is called a
tracking shot because the
camera is actually on
tracks so that it can follow
the action.
A pan shot is where the
camera stays still and
twists to keep the subject
in shot or show the
scenery.
Shot Gallery
Master Shot
Crane
Shot
Camera
positions
180 ° Rule
Zoom
Rule
of Thirds
11. Rule of Thirds
Framing and composition:
The rule of thirds can be
explained by splitting an image
into a grid of three vertical and
horizontal boxes.
This leaves four important parts
of the image (highlighted in red)
where points of interest should
be placed.
Placing elements of the image in
these four areas makes the
image more balanced and appear
more natural.
With each image you see, ask the following:
• What are the points of interest in this shot?
• Where has the director intentionally put the
points of interest? Why?
