This document outlines learning activities for studying the film The Matrix. It includes 7 categories of activities: starter exercises, plot/narrative exercises, close reading exercises, character exercises, theme exercises, and an important relationships exercise. Students must complete at least 5 activities total, including 1 essay plan and 1 practice essay. The activities are designed to develop different skills and engage various learning styles.

2. Show understanding of specified
aspect(s) of studied visual or oral
text(s), using supporting
evidence
4 Credits
AS 90850

3. LEARNING INTENTION
To identify and describe
key aspects of the text and
analyse how these are
used to create meaning.

4. SUCCESS CRITERIA
You will be able to analyse
and explain how aspects of a
visual text combine to create
a story, develop characters
and communicate ideas.

5. DRIVING QUESTION
What can we
learn about
IDENTITY and
OVERCOMING
ADVERSITY in
The Matrix?

6. DURATION:
4 WEEKS
IN THE 4 WEEKS YOU MUST ORGANISE YOUR
TIME TO COMPLETE:
• At least 5 activities/exercises (one from every
area)
• At least one essay plan
• At least one practice essay

7. IEP – Individual Education Plan
• Before you get started, come up with your own learning
schedule (IEP)
• Plan out how many activities you aim to achieve each
week/each lesson
(you need to complete 7 EXERCISES in total and X1
ESSAY)
• Allow time in the final week to work on your
practice essay.
Use the template on Ultranet or create your
own.
Post this to your blog before you get started.

8. • The activities in this project are designed to cater for a
number of learning styles (VARK).
http://vark-learn.com/
• They are also targeting different levels of thinking
according to SOLO TAXONOMY
(Gathering, Processing and Applying).
Choose
activities
that suit
YOUR
LEARNING
STYLE.
Choose
activities
that
engage all
3 levels of
thinking.
V
A
R
K

9. STARTER EXERCISES
(CHOOSE ONE)

10. OPTION
1.
GENRE
SCIENCE FICTION
(Futuristic Dystopia)
• Research other films of the science fiction
genre.
• Also find other “futuristic dystopian films”
 What images do they use in their
promotional material?
 What fonts are used?
 What colours are used?
CREATE A UNIQUE POSTER
ADVERTISING THE MATRIX.
- Your poster must include imagery and
words
that fit with the movie genre and style

11. OPTION 2.SPECIAL EFFECTS
“The Matrix is one of the most influential films of the sci-fi genre and, with its
release in 1999, it opened a new era in the genre of cinematography. The
story is centered on the notion that what we perceive as „reality‟ is
actually a computer generated interactive world, and raises the question
of what „reality‟ means” (Yeffeth 2003: 52).
a. Research some of the ways The Matrix was a
cutting edge film for its time.
b. Write a short blog post
OR
Create a short audio recording where you
“review” the film, highlighting at least two of the
cutting edge features.

12. PLOT/NARRATIVE
EXERCISES
(CHOOSE 1)

13. CREATE A VISUAL FLOW CHART TO SHOW
THE PROGRESSION OF THE NARRATIVE.
OPTION 1. 3 ACT
STRUCTURE
INCLUDE:
1. Exposition (or set up)
2. Inciting incident or Conflict
3. Climax
4. Resolution
5. A visual or verbal
feature for each one
(a film technique or
quote)

14. OPTION
2.
CREATE YOUR OWN
„HONEST TRAILERS‟
https://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=XBy-lYxiyyc
https://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=_hp_xsUg9ws
Honest Trailers summarise the plot
of movies in 3 minutes or less.
• They use humour and „sarcasm‟.
• Create your own for “The Matrix”
YOU CAN DO
THIS IN PAIRS.

15. OPTION
3.
ACT IT OUT…
• Summarise the plot of The
Matrix
OR
• Act out a pivotal moment
from the film.
You can film this and upload to your blog OR
perform it in front of the class… your choice!
CREATE A SHORT DRAMA
WHERE YOU EITHER:
YOU CAN
DO THIS IN
PAIRS OR
TWOS.

16. OPTION 4.
STORY BY MUSIC
Map out at least 6 key moments in The Matrix and
a song that you think ties in to those moments.
E.G
1.Neo in normal world
(looking for something
more) – “Satisfaction” by
The Rolling Stones
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=3a7cHPy04s8

17. CLOSE READING
EXERCISES
(CHOOSE 1)

18. CLOSE READING = taking a scene from
a movie, breaking down the elements
and explaining the effect they create.
ELEMENTS: CAMERA: Shot sizes, angles, movement
SOUND: Dialogue, music, sound effects
MIS EN SCENE: Costume, props, lighting, setting
EDITING: Style of cutting, pace, colour, special effects
Choose one of the following close reading tasks.
(Complete individually or in pairs)
1. Your objective is to IDENTIFY the camera, sound, mis en scene and
editing techniques in one scene.
2. ANALYSE the effect the techniques create
3. EXPLAIN why the director used them. What message do they help to
communicate?
INSTRUCTIONS:

19. CLOSE READING
CHART
DIRECTOR’S
COMMENTARY
STORYBOARD
POSTER
GO ANIMATE OR
POWTOON
• Create a visual
storyboard or
poster.
• Cut & paste at
least 4 frames
from the scene.
• Identify, explain
and analyse the
film techniques in
each frame.
You must discuss at least
6 film techniques
• Create a director‟s
commentary for
your chosen scene.
• Save the scene or
screen grabs of the
scene.
• Record your audio
commentary of the
scene, explaining
why each film
technique was used
and why they were
used.
You must discuss at least
6 film techniques
• Complete a close
reading chart for
your chosen scene.
(template on Ultranet)
• Identify, explain and
analyse the use of
film techniques
• Make sure you
explain what it
shows us about
themes or
characters.
You must discuss at least 6
film techniques
• Use an app to
create an
animation that
analyses the effects
of film techniques in
your chosen scene.
• You could use:
Powtoon
OR
GoAnimate
(You may need a
PC or Macbook for this)
You must discuss at least 6
film techniques

20. CLOSE READING EXAMPLE
Use these examples to help you
understand how to identify, explain
and analyse film techniques…
WATCH: The Red Pill or the Blue Pill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjgE8Lw5YaQ
CAMERA
IDENTIFY/DESCRIBE: Wide Shot – Shows Morpheus with his back to us,
looking out the window. Thunder and lightning out the window.
EXPLAIN: This creates a sense of mystery. We don‟t know who this
man is. The thunder and lightning builds the suspense and creates a
dramatic mood.
IDENTIFY/DESCRIBE: Mid Over Shoulder Shot and Low Angle
The camera shows Morpheus from behind the chair. It is filming him
slightly below eye level. It shows Morpheus standing straight and
soldier-like.
EXPLAIN: The effect is to make it seem that we are seeing Morpheus
through Neo‟s eyes. Neo‟s understanding of who Morpheus is is still
obscured - he doesn‟t have the full picture and neither do we. The
low angle positions Morpheus as a wise and authoritative figure. The
framing allow sus to view Morpheus standing straight and almost
militant like a soldier. He is the one in command.

21. CAMERA
(and MIS EN SCENE)
IDENTIFY/DESCRIBE: Close UP – The shot framing in the scene quickly moves from
wider shots to Close Ups. The Close Up shows Morpheus sitting in the red chair,
looking at Neo.
COSTUME: He is wearing reflective sunglasses and a black trench coat.
EXPLAIN: The close ups again emphasise the importance of Morpheus and
reinforce his identity as someone who has special knowledge. The close up also
reveals that he is wearing unusual mirrored glasses. This builds the sense of
mystery as we wonder who Morpheus is and what is behind those glasses.
IDENTIFY/DESCRIBE: Wide Shot – This wide shot shows Neo and Morpheus from
the side. They are sitting in identical chairs on opposites sides of a table with a
glass of water in between them (prop).
EXPLAIN: The composition of this shot reinforces the idea that Morpheus and
Neo are from two different worlds at the moment. Morpheus is sitting relaxed
in his chair, but Neo seems out of place. He is tense, leaning forward and
wearing everyday clothes rather than the black militant clothing of Morpheus
and Trinity.
Prop: The glass of water seems significant as it is in the centre of the frame. The
water represents “clarity”. When Neo drinks it with the pills, the world as he
knows it falls away and he “sees” for the first time true reality.
CLOSE READING EXAMPLE

22. CAMERA
IDENTIFY/DESCRIBE: EXTREME CLOSE UP of Neo‟s reflection in Morpheus‟ glasses
and off the two pills in Morpheus‟ hands.
EXPLAIN: This shows that Neo is being invited to “see as Morpheus sees”. There
are two pills, two hands, two pictures of Neo in the glasses and two choices. The
repetition of these images and reflections are reinforcing this choice.
SOUND
IDENTIFY/DESCRIBE: LIGHTING & COLOUR
IDENTIFY/DESCRIBE: DIALOGUE: “You take the red pill - you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-
hole goes”
EXPLAIN: Morpheus is giving Neo a choice… to remain in the world he is in (The Matrix) or to have his eyes opened to
true reality. He is referencing Alice in Wonderland and likening the experience to the world Alice found herself in
when she went down the rabbit hole to Wonderland.
MIS EN SCENE
The lighting is dark and moody. There is a green tinge or aura to everything.
EXPLAIN: The green lighting or colour creates an uneasy feeling. It indicates that
something is “off” and isn‟t quite right. Green is a symbolic colour in the film, referring to
the green of the computer binary code of the Matrix.
CLOSE READING EXAMPLE

23. CLOSE
READING
EXAMPLE
ANALYSE: The director uses these film techniques to introduce us to the characters
and the two different world‟s they are from. It shows us that Morpheus is a
character who is sure of himself and believe he holds the key to truth, whereas Neo
is unsure and is looking for answers. This scene shows us that to find out who you
are you need to be able to take a leap of faith and be willing to break out of your
comfort zone. The blue pill represents Neo‟s comfort zone, but the red pill promises
excitement, but also possibly danger.
For a more detailed analysis of this scene,
check out this TED-Ed link (but be sure not to
plagiarise):
http://ed.ted.com/on/5hM8XaVO#watch
CLOSE READING EXAMPLE

24. CHARACTER
EXERCISES
(CHOOSE 2)

25. OPTION 1. MAGAZINE
PROFILE
Choose two characters to
complete a magazine
style profile piece on.
• Design a two page spread
• Include bullet points about
them
• Include “Quote” (from the
film)
• Include a photo of them –
identify what they are
wearing (costume & make
up) and what “message that
is sending” (i.e. what it shows us
about the character).

26. MAGAZINE
PROFILE

27. OPTION 2. RADIO
INTERVIEW
Record a radio interview with at least two
characters from the film.
CHOOSE AN ANGLE:
I.E. Are you interviewing them about “The Matrix”?
Are you after a personal angle?
(e.g. „how did you feel when Cypher
betrayed you‟… or “when did you start to
believe you might be „the one‟?)
• Come up with a list of interview questions.
• Pre-script your characters answers so that it accurately
represents who the character is in the film.
You can
work in
pairs or
threes.

28. OPTION 3. NEWSPAPER
ARTICLE
You are a reporter writing an article on Morpheus
finding “The One”.
• Include quotes from
key characters (e.g.
the Oracle or Cypher)
• Include details about
events and characters
in the film
• The article should be 2
– 3 paragraphs long.
• Include a picture.
Do this
individually.

29. OPTION
4.
CHARACTER
CHART
Choose two characters can complete the following
chart for each one.
Do this
individually.
Character adjectives Visual/verbal feature
What does the viewer
learn?
Describing words or phrases Costume & makeup
About the character or
their motivations
Camera work, sound and
lighting (pick an example)
About human behaviour in
general
Dialogue: About the world around us:

30. OPTION
5.
OVERCOMING
CHALLENGES
Characters develop and change during the film as they
face challenges and conflict.
Use a GRAPHIC ORGANISER to show how ONE character
faced challenges/conflict in the film.
Show how they changed as a result.
Do this
individually.

31. What did the directorwant us to learn
about dealing up with challenges?
6 VISUAL/VERBAL TECHNIQUES THAT SUPPORT THIS
What do we
learn about this
character?
3 WAYS THEY COPEDWITH THE
CHALLENGE
CHALLENGE THEY OVERCAME
CHARACTER

32. OPTION
6.
COMPARE &
CONTRAST
Do this
individually.
• Compare and contrast TWO characters.
• Explore why the characters might be
different.
PART A: CREATE A VENN DIAGRAM .
(Aim for 5 similarities and 5 differences for each).
PART B: Post your Venn to your blog, along with a short paragraph
about why you think the characters are different and what it shows us.

33. Character 1: Character 2:Similarities

34. OPTION
7.
IMPORTANT
RELATIONSHIPS
YOU MAY DO THIS
IN PAIRS.
THIS ACTIVITY IS ABOUT EXPLORING AN
IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP IN THE FILM.
CHOICES:
You can create a poster or audio/video
presentation.
You can create a written presentation.
You can create a website.
The questions you need to answer in this are on the following slide.
NOTE: This activity will help you directly with an essay question.

35. START OF FILM….
1. Identify an important relationship in the film
2. Describe the relationship (are they friends, family, enemies?)
3. Include a specific example from the film that shows their
relationship (mention two visual/verbal techniques)
MIDDLE OF FILM
1. Describe how the relationship changes throughout the film …
does the power balance change?
2. Is there a conflict in their relationship… and how do they
overcome this (or not)?
3. Do they help each other? If so…how? (provide a film technique
to back you up)
END OF FILM
• Describe their relationship at the end of the film… do they
respect each other? Why/why not?
• Explain what the director wants us to learn from the relationship
• Include a visual/verbal technique.

36. OPTION
8.
CHARACTER &
SETTING
Do this
individually or in
pairs.
Create a visual poster or a written blog post
that explains the importance of the setting in
The Matrix.
You need to answer the following:
1. Explain the effect that the setting has on the life of the protagonist.
2. Imagine how the setting would affect you. Write a blog post to describe
how you would react to the setting.
3. Explain what you think the director wants us to learn about the protagonist
by placing him in this setting

37. THEME
EXERCISES
(CHOOSE 2)

38. THEME =
• A BROAD IDEA
• A MESSAGE
• A MORAL OF A STORY
The following activities will help you to answer
theme questions about the film in your exam.
Themes may be about life, society or human nature.

39. OPTION 1.
YOUTUBE
BRAINSTORM
• Aim for at least three themes
• For each theme, find a Youtube clip for the relevant
section of the film where the theme is shown (or note
down the time code the movie on Clickview).
• Post this activity on your blog with
an explanation of how this clip
demonstrates the theme.
In pairs, brainstorma list of
possible themes in The Matrix.

40. OPTION 2.
COLLAGE OR
POSTER
• Create a poster portraying two themes. Split
your poster into sections, each section will be
for each theme.
• Include characters, dialogue or film techniques
in the relevant section.

41. OPTION 3.
THEME MUSIC
1. Write down three themes from “The Matrix”.
2. Find one quote for each theme.
3. Find one song for each theme/quote
Put it all together into an interactive
blog post.
(i.e hyperlinks to the song on
Youtube).

42. OPTION 4. CHARACTERS
& THEMES
1. In pairs, choose 2 themes and list the characters that are
linked to each theme.
You could use a chart like the one on the following page…
2. Explain why you linked each
character to the theme.
3. Include a visual/verbal
feature for each.
4. Explain what you think the
director wants us to learn
about these characters by
using this theme.

43. THEMES CHARACTERS VISUAL/VERBAL
FEATURES FROM
FILM
WHAT DID THE
DIRECTOR WANT US
TO LEARN?
1.
2.

44. OPTION 5. THEME SCENE
• Use Go Animate or create your own drama that explores
a “real life” application for your chosen theme.
FOR EXAMPLE:
• If you are exploring “the search of identity”, your scene
could be about a teenager learning to believe in
themselves as they prepare to enter a talent competition.
CREATE A DIGITAL ANIMATION OR ACT OUT A SKIT
THAT EXPLORES ONE KEY THEME FROM THE FILM.
-> Write a brief explanation of how your drama or animation relates
to the theme in The Matrix. What does the director want us to
understand about the theme? What social issues may be related
to the theme? (health, power, violence, use of technology)

45. OPTION 6.
SYMBOLS
A symbol is a person, place,
or thing comes to represent an
abstract idea or concept - it is
anything that stands for
something beyond itself.
• Create a Pinterest board for symbols.
• Choose 3 and explain what each one‟s significance is,
where it is seen in the text and which theme and
character it is linked to.
• Explain why the director included each symbol. What
does he want the viewer to learn or think about?

46. ESSAY
QUESTIONS

47. Choose at least ONE essay question to answer as
a practice essay.
Submit this by the end of Week 4.
There is a reminder of essay structure on the
following page for you.
Example essay plans and essay exemplars
are available on Ultranet

48. Essay Questions
1. Describe at least ONE character or individual you enjoyed reading about in the
text. Explain why the character or individual helped you understand an idea in
the text.
2. Describe at least ONE important idea the director / creator developed
throughout the text(s).
Explain how this idea helped you to understand an important message for
teenagers, supporting your points with visual and / or oral language features.
3. Describe at least ONE important aspect of setting in the text. Explain why an
aspect of setting helped you understand a key idea in the text. Note: Setting
could include time and /or place.
4. Describe at least ONE language feature that was used to help you understand
an important idea in the text. Explain why the language feature helped you
understand key ideas in the text. Note: Language features could include
imagery, style, vocabulary, or symbolism.
5. Describe at least ONE event at or near the end of the text that was important.
Explain why the event helped you understand a key idea in the text.
6. Describe ONE important conflict in the text. Explain how this conflict helped you
understand one or more characters or individuals in the text(s), supporting your
points with visual and / or oral language features.

49. ESSAY PLAN
It is important to plan your essay to make sure you answer
both parts of the question, use the right structure and
include enough points and examples to achieve.
Remember the Hamburger Structure:
Intro
P1
P2
P3
Conclusion
And every paragraph needs to follow the P.E.E.L structure.
Points, Example, Explain, Link to what we learn/director‟s
intention.
NOTE:
you can write more
than 5 paragraphs
– especially for
“excellence”

50. Example Essay
Plan Template

51. INTRO
Paragraph 1 & Point 1
P –
E –
E –
L –

52. INTRO – There are three key film techniques that help me to understand the
theme of…Culture Clash.
Paragraph 2 & Point 2
P –
E –
E –
L –

53. INTRO – There are three key film techniques that help me to understand the
theme of…Culture Clash.
Paragraph 3 & Point 3
P –
E –
E –
L –
CONCLUSION