Best Documentary Essay Examples & Topics
Watching documentaries is a great way to learn new things. These are films that shape and interpret facts for education and entertainment of their viewers. It has several social functions, which are to record, preserve, and reveal, and persuade. This form of motion films also aims to entertain and educate.
If you are struggling to write a good documentary essay, our experts have combined some helpful tips for you here. So, no need to worry.
First and foremost, you should find a topic . Focus on something you are genuinely passionate about. Think about the cause that matters to you: maybe itâs climate change, slavery, environmental cause, ocean pollution, or perhaps itâs something else. It is essential to find something that speaks to you. This way, you wonât struggle with composing your paper.
You can also find a list of essay topics for your documentary research below, checking our samples. Yet, to pick the right idea, we first need to understand what film types are available.
There are several genres of documentaries:
- Expository documentaries. Such films present objective information with a ubiquitous presence. The filmmaker usually does not appear on the screen.
- Poetic documentaries. They rely heavily on images and music rather than narration. That is to say, there is little verbal communication with the audience.
- Essayistic documentaries. These movies feature an essay-like narration. The filmmaker relies both on speech and on the images to make their point.
- Observational documentaries. They try to demonstrate an objective record of some activity. It almost does not have music and narration and tries to present the event as-it-is.
- Participatory documentaries. The films are the complete opposite of observational ones. The filmmaker is an active participant in the movie. They appear on the screen and communicate the subject.
- Performance documentaries. These movies feature a dramatic performance. It can be a concert, a play, or another performance event recorded in the form of a documentary.
- Interview films. These are the records of a conversation between two or more people. It relies on communication on-screen to deliver the message rather than on images and music.
- Dramatization. This type recreates an event using actors to bring the viewer to the event. Some argue that it is not a form of documentary.
- Mixed documentaries. The films use different modes and techniques. It can combine poetic, expository, interview modes at the same time.
- Animation films. Such movies are standard, too, and their most distinctive feature is the use of animation to present the material.
As for your documentary essay assignment, you can be asked to work with any documentary. Letâs figure out what tasks you will need to fulfill beforehand.
Not everyone understands the difference between a movie review and a movie analysis when watching movies and writing essays about the material. Sometimes these two terms are used interchangeably. Nevertheless, when it comes to grading and evaluating the paper, this difference is essential.
- A film review essay is a âconsumer-orientedâ judgment that aims to recommend (or not) a movie. One can find documentary review essay examples in the newspapers, websites, or online databases.
- An analysis of the film usually offers an interpretation and an evaluation of the movie. Some film theory is generally used as a framework to analyze and interpret the feature.
You can center your documentary essay assignment around not only a specific film but an entire genre of documentaries. You might be asked to write about a specific topic or an aspect of one movie in depth. Letâs try to see how it works!
When you are asked to write an essay about a documentary, there are expectations. You will need to analyze specific elements in one film or a few.
No matter what your assignment is, we are here to help you nail it! Here is a short guide on how to write a documentary essay:
- Watch the documentary (and take notes) . We highly recommended watching the film several times before you start writing anything. Throughout this process, you should take notes to recall essential elements later on. Schematically express your ideas and arguments.
- Choose your perspective. You need to understand the approach you will be using. However, your position should be supported by the examples and ideas from the film. Search for what others think and say on a similar issue and compare it to your thoughts.
- Pick what to discuss. After that, you need to start collecting the examples and ideas from the movie that support your viewpoint. All these elements should eventually connect to the main focus of your paper. You can try to do some additional research but do not forget to return to the movie continually.
- Outline your essay. The outline will help you stay within the word limit. This way, youâll structure your thoughts and ideas on the paper before you start your essay. Plus, you will remain close to the intended format while writing.
- Write it! Start with a brief introduction about the documentary and your thesis statement at the end of it. Then, evaluate the film, developing your arguments logically. In your conclusion, restate your position on the matter and list the critical points discussed.
Thank you for reading this article till the very end! We hope you found it helpful. Share this page with those who need our help. For your inspiration, you can check the list of documentary essay examples below.
- The roles of documentaries in culture
- The history of documentary film
- Documentary and propaganda
- Documentaries with and without words: compare and contrast
- Narration styles in modern documentaries
- Pseudo-documentary as a genre
- The role of documentary films in education
- Ethnographic film and its role in social science
- Documentary in the era of social-media platforms
- The ethics of documentary film
363 Documentary Essay Examples
âthe corporationâ a film by mark achbar, jennifer abbott and joel bakan, the corporation documentary essay: reflection paper on the 2003 movie, themes in ava duvernayâs “13th”.
- Words: 1181
The Documentary “Triumph of the Nerds”
Smartest guys in the room.
- Words: 1969
“Examined Life”, Cornel West – Summary and Analysis
The documentary “the american nurse” by carolyn jones, the “after the mayflower: we shall remain” documentary, “sicko” a documentary by michael moore, the documentary âwaiting roomâ, the century of the self: video summary, âfactory city: eupaâ: how the documentary can be helpful, “born into brothels” documentary analysis, âthe american factoryâ: plot and issues portrayed.
- Words: 1069
“Forks Over Knives” Documentary and Its Influence
The documentary “a thousand roads” by chris eyre, âthe corporationâ documentary analysis, reflection paper: âblood diamonds-the true storyâ by schmuddelginger, terms and conditions may apply documentary, âthe game changersâ documentary by james cameron.
- Words: 1669
âCapitalism: A Love Storyâ by Michael Moore
- Words: 1723
What the Bleep Do We Know!? (2004)
- Words: 3663
“The Supreme Court: Home to America’s Highest Court” Documentary
The 2008 banking crisis in the documentary “inside job”.
- Words: 1412
The Documentary “Last Train Home”
- Words: 1385
“Commanding Heights: The Battle of World Economy” Documentary
- Words: 1842
The Documentary “The Human Element” by James Balog
- Words: 1740
âThe Crooked E: The Unshredded Truth About Enronâ Film
The documentary “inequality for all”, “babel” and “super size me”: documentaries analysis.
- Words: 2286
The Movie Life and Debt
- Words: 1359
âLetâs Talk About Sexâ and âSex & Sexualityâ: Summary and Themes
“wal-mart: the high cost of low price” by robert greenwald.
- Words: 1047
Fela Kuti: Music Is the Weapon
- Words: 1393
Documentary Film Definition
The âwho’s countingâ documentary on economics, themes in âi amâ documentary by tom shadyac, documentary films concept and definition.
- Words: 1356
Newsom’s The Mask You Live In Documentary Review
Documentary: “the journey of man, a genetic odyssey”, the film âsaludâ and the cuban healthcare system, film review “see what i’m saying: the deaf entertainers documentary”, 21st century hackers – documentary review, documentary film “the big one” by michael moore, summary of “the t word” documentary by laverne cox, the great hack documentary by amer & noujaim.
- Words: 1192
Arguments of âThe Corporationâ Documentary
- Words: 1204
The Documentary “The Machine That Made Us”
âa beautiful mindâ directed by ron howard.
- Words: 1682
The “R.B.G.” Documentary by West and Cohen
âsupreme revenge: battle for the courtâ: documentary analysis.
- Words: 1378
Jobs & Technology: âIn the Age of AIâ Documentary
ârefrigerator mothersâ: documentary analysis, “first person plural” by lynn hershman.
- Words: 1177
The Documentary Film “Flow: For Love of Water”
Documentary movie analysis: “jesus camp”, the documentary “taboo: blood bonds”, the film âcuban missile crisis: three men go to warâ, a state of mind: film analysis.
- Words: 1200
Planet Earth in the Documentary “Pole to Pole”
- Words: 1127
A Girl in the River (2015): Facilitating Change in the Community
“mount everest: into the death zone” documentary, âmickey mouse goes to haitiâ by the national labor committee, âwhen the levees brokeâ by spike lee, “baraka” by ron fricke, “fat and proud” vs “i used to be fat” documentaries.
- Words: 1029
Hot Coffee Documentary
Documentaries as a education tool, finding dawn (2006): violence against indigenous women.
- Words: 1072
Suicide: “The Bridge” Documentary by E. Steele
Justice in errol morrisâs the thin blue line film.
- Words: 2805
The Documentary “Supplements and Safety”
The film baraka and its spiritual reflections, “the 13th” documentary directed by ava duvernay, marine creatures and terrestrial animals in âthe wild west: gold rushâ, “inside north korea” documentary: major themes.
- Words: 1122
âBattle of the Brains: The Case for Multiple Intelligencesâ by BBCW
“street fight” a film by cory booker, “national geographic: creatures of light” documentary, social issues in “born into brothels” film, “her brilliant career” a documentary by jean holland, “daughter from danang” a film by gail dolgin, “an inconvenient truth” by al gore documentary, the fog of war by robert s. mcnamara documentary, “banksyâs exit through the gift shop” documentary, “fahrenheit 9/11” by michael moore documentary, “secrets of the viking sword”.
- Words: 1119
The Movie “Color of Fear”
Scene analysis from âfinding dawnâ by christine welsh.
- Words: 1120
“Bus 174” Children: Oppressed, Neglected, and Stigmatised
- Words: 1564
The Speaking in Tongues Documentary Overview
- Words: 1396
Documentary “The Medicated Child” by Marcela Gaviria
âishi: the last yahiâ by theodora kroeber, frozen planet documentary in natural sciences, gillo pontecorvoâs âbattle of algiersâ, frantz fanonâs âconcerning violenceâ and hannah arendtâs âreflection on violenceâ.
- Words: 1673
Film Analysis on The Inside Job Movie by Charles Fergusson
The interactive documentary wasteland, the “fyre festival” documentary by chris smith.
- Words: 1003
The “Ten Billion” Documentary Reaction
The documentary “scared straight 1999” by bob niemack, episode 1 of âunnatural causesâ documentary, the rise of the mammals documentary, the gathering storm film about churchillâs resilience.
- Words: 1436
The Plastic Planet Documentary Analysis
- Words: 1199
The Switch From Hell: A Short Documentary Analysis
Episode five of “the full swing” documentary.
- Words: 1104
Response to “The Last Colony” Documentary
The age of aids and rise of the killer virus documentaries, the japanese-american internment in world war ii documentary, the documentary âpeople like usâ: reflection, fossil fuel era:”before the flood,” “the story of stuff,” and “rude awakening”, mexican experience in “9500 liberty” documentary, the “slavery by another name” documentary, the “9500 liberty street” documentary from sociological perspective, the “kids behind bars” documentary review, putin: craving for power documentary analysis, a plastic tide: a documentary analysis, the “age of the consequences” documentary, “the social dilemma” documentary by orlowski, “broken on all side”, directed by matthew pillischer.
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How to Write a Documentary Script (Fully Explained)
By: Author Paul Jenkins
Posted on Published: December 11, 2021 - Last updated: July 10, 2023
Categories Documentary , Filmmaking , Storytelling , Writing
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the term “documentary”? I can almost guarantee it’s not “screenplay.” Unfortunately, when most people think of documentaries, they think of a bunch of footage thrown together in a meaningful order, with voice-overs and music added at the end. In reality, a documentary script needs to be just as compelling and exciting as a script for a feature film. In this post, you’ll learn how to write a script for a documentary in this amazing medium of storytelling.
Documentary Scripts Differ From Drama Scripts
The first thing to know is that although you should aim for your documentary to be every bit as engaging and compelling as any movie, and for its script to reflect that, the way in which documentary scriptwriting works is very different from that done in drama production.
The terms “script” and “screenplay” are often used interchangeably. But most drama screenwriters will tell you that a script is a very specific and structured document, often divided into three “acts” with a beginning, middle, and end.
However, the script for a documentary is often more of a film treatment , often with a beginning, middle, and end, but with a much more open-ended ending. It’s an outline for a film that doesn’t establish every line of dialog, but gives an overview of what’ll or could be in the finished film.
Therefore, a script for a documentary doesn’t have to follow any particular rigid rules.
The process by which you achieve documentary scripts and even the way in which they are formatted goes through several stages, outlined below.
Documentary screenwriting ensures that the filmmaker’s message is clearly conveyed and transforms the raw material into something sophisticated and entertaining for the audience.
A compelling script is one of the most important ingredients in creating something great.
Related: What Is the Purpose of a Documentary
The Right Script for the Right Documentary
There are some types of documentaries that can be scripted much more than others. This is especially true of the so-called “essay films,” which have been very popular with commissioning editors and funders in recent years.
Scripts in certain formats at certain stages of documentary film production are sometimes a desire of producers and commissioning editors, not the actual filmmakers.
Perhaps it’s the very predictability of (and control over) such films that’s so attractive to those who control the money in the film industry.
The type of documentary writing you need to do in fact depends on the kind of documentary you’re making. As the maker of a film, you are its author. As its author, you are also (almost always in documentary) its writer. Your most important responsibility is to ensure that a good story – one that matters – is brought to life in a truthful way on screen.
Some historical films can be heavily scripted from the start because of the nature of the research and evidence.
Observational films and research can’t be scripted in advance like a screenwriter would for a fiction film. Real-life and real discoveries must take over during the filming process as your documentary is being made.
Documentaries often have open endings and go through several drafts that are refined as the filmmaker sees what the footage looks like or gets new ideas or information from interviewees.
Documentary filmmakers know full well that the wrong kind of scripting can limit the possibilities and options in the actual production of a film.
Stories Change While Making a Documentary
When researching and shooting a documentary, it often happens that your understanding of a story – or even the main story you want to focus on – changes in light of what you discover.
It’s a good idea to write down your ideas, but don’t try to write a “script” in the traditional sense.
The best documentaries are shaped and refined when the filmmaker understands and re-understands them. A good script is always a work in progress: it’s not set in stone – and it never should be.
Documentary is about discovery, and the script is just one of the elements that are defined as the filmmaker brings his story to life.
When veteran documentary filmmaker Errol Morris made his multiple award-winning film The Thin Blue Line , he initially intended to make a film about psychiatrist James Grigson, also known as Doctor Death because of his frequent appearances as an expert witness in death penalty trials. After meeting one of the men Grigson helped get into prison, Randall Dale Adams, Morris was convinced of his innocence and the film became an investigation that eventually helped exonerate Adams and convict the real killer.
If Morris had written and stuck rigidly to an initial script, he would never have made the movie.
The Essence of a Documentary Film Script
The best documentaries are shaped and refined as they’re understood and re-understood by the filmmaker. A good script is always a work in progress: it’s not set in stone – and it never should be.
The script is just one of the elements that are defined as the documentary filmmaker brings his story to life. Whereas in drama, the script is core to the success of the film.
Documentary filmmaking is about research and discovery, not determining in advance what’ll happen on camera. You can kill a great film and great story very fast by over-scripting at the wrong stage in the overall process.
That’s not to say you don’t think up scenes – you absolutely do. Just that you don’t force them into a die-cut mold before you’ve even shot the film!
Still, the various stages of the documentary process require different kinds of writing, which we can call a “script format.”
Perhaps confusingly, the documentary script has a different name and format each of these stages:
Outlines and Treatments – the Initial Scripts You Need
In addition to defining the basic idea for the film, an outline and/or documentary treatment will help sell or raise money for the film.
A good outline or treatment clearly describes the story and the approach you’ll take to bring it to the screen. You might draw out the role of the main character in your film with two or three fleshed-out illustrative scenes or even sequences.
The most important task at this stage is to give the film’s backers confidence in the project.
Treatment is more than just a summary of the story and your research so far – it lays out the anticipated scenes and sequences in a way that gives the reader an idea of how the story will play out.
While you can include some imagined (or quoted) dialog in the treatment, most of the work is done by outlining the action and key moments of the scenes you’ll include in the treatment.
Sometimes a selected chronology can be very helpful. In any case, you’ll find that it’s much easier to write the treatment if you’re clear about the sequence of events in your story. The Aeon Timeline app is a great tool to help you with this.
The Shooting Script (Filming Script)
Once you have the funds to proceed to shoot, a shooting script is supposed to help you plan it. It helps you to better plan your ideas.
Usually, a shooting script contains a set of planned sequences and the main elements of each sequence – plot, dialogs (interview dubbing), ideas for the opening credits.
A good shooting script is when all the ideas, concepts, and research are put together in one document that helps you decide who, what, when, and where to shoot.
Sometimes you need to discuss this script with a producer or executive producer before you start shooting. It can be very helpful in planning the budget and logistics at various stages of a shoot or shoots.
It’s also very helpful to share the script with your cinematographer and sound recordist so they can better plan their work.
This way, they can better assess what equipment they’ll need in certain locations and how they’ll need to light and shoot the scene. They’ll also know how to approach the entire film from a technical and artistic standpoint. You can note in the script where you think certain pieces of equipment might be helpful in realizing your vision – for example, if you see a role for a slider, a certain type of lens, or a drone in certain scenes and sequences.
Storyboarding can sometimes be very helpful, but it’s not the same as a movie script, where scenes are “blocked” and rehearsed. It’s more about mapping out the most important sequences on paper and thus in your mind.
Editing Scripts
After sooting, and before starting editing, you make a start on creating the editing script (sometimes called the ‘cutting script’ or ‘paper edit’).
Of all the scripts in documentary production, the edit script is the most important. When you add elements to the script, such as interview clips you choose for a particular sequence or scene, it becomes a ‘paper cut’ or ‘paper edit’.
Documentary films are won or lost in editing. It’s as simple as that.
The better prepared you are for the edit, the better your film will be. The linchpin that often guides editing decisions is the script and the daily updates you make to it.
I’ll show you some specific examples of how I use Scrivener to write my scripts. But first, here are some important principles to keep in mind:
Your editing script may be very similar to the shooting script. Chances are, however, that it’ll be significantly different based on the information you’ve gathered and discovered during the shoot.
Creating the editing script is a process that happens in parallel with logging all the rushes (raw footage) you filmed during the shoot, and especially the interview transcripts you receive. Logging is when you watch all the stuff through and note down (with time-codes) the good stuff.
When creating your editing script, be guided by what you actually have available for editing – not some theoretical construct that you think you can piece together with narration.
For effective editing on paper and for script editing, you need complete transcripts of all interviews and scenes where dialog plays a role. In the past, this was very expensive, and some producers resisted this important step. These days, however, machine transcription is surprisingly good – certainly good enough for creating transcripts suitable for editing and the like.
Documentary Editing and Scripting for Editing Works on Two Levels
Making sense of the basic story.
Sometimes you don’t fully discover the story or the layers within it until you edit. For this reason, documentary filmmakers sometimes use a Sync Assembly or “bout-a-bout” (end to end) approach in the initial editing phase, called the First Assembly.
Referencing the elements you filmed or acquired (e.g., archival film), you build them into the storyline.
Subsequent to the logging phase, this is a way to discover the merits of your material.
You should always keep in mind that the time or effort you spent on getting a shot or scene may not matter at the editing table!
All that matters is whether it’s the right shot or scene for what the edit needs to do at that particular moment. This is a very good reason to work with an editor instead of editing your movies yourself – you need someone whose only interest is in creating the best film, and who won’t be swayed by the production experiences you had to date.
Bringing a dramatic structure to the film
Much like three-dimensional chess – because film involves logic and emotion – film theory doesn’t always serve as a guide for dramatic structure.
Even if you use an inciting incident, a rising plot, complications, a resolution, and so on, sometimes the film structure can only be discovered by moving blocks (sequences) in a very fluid way.
It’s a very good idea to understand film grammar and theory, but also to stay very flexible when it comes to how you arrive at your rough cut. So – do study Blake Snyder, Robert McKee, et al. But don’t make fiction rules your overarching guide.
I’d advise you to have an editing structure – not the same as a developed script – that allows you to stick to your central flow of ideas when you’re editing the film and then guide it through the rough cut. Otherwise, you can very easily get lost in the details.
That’s exactly why Scrivener is so useful: it allows you to focus on a scene and quickly rearrange and organize the scenes and even the flow within a scene. I go into details on how I use it, below.
In my opinion, you should resist the invitation – or temptation – to create a script in Final Draft or side-by-side format: you’ll end up fiddling with formatting and all sorts of nonsense instead of doing the work that matters – getting the flow of ideas onto the screen.
Remember, your attention needs to be on what’s happening on the screen, the story, and the flow of ideas – not become some kind of quasi-screenwriter buried in his or her laptop.
Daily Script Updates
You will need to spend a lot of time finding relevant parts of the interview sync as your edit progresses.
My favorite way to do this is to prepare these parts of the dub the night before or early morning before editing. Precisely to avoid the buried-in-laptop syndrome identified above.
And then I can focus on the actual flow of ideas in the edit. Otherwise, you become an assistant editor: a path that can destroy a film.
The right relationship between a director and an editor is one of equals. A good documentary editor is a treasure who can bring great creative and artistic value to a production. This includes structural and narrative advice.
That said, you should always remember that as the director, you’ve to make the final decisions. If the film goes wrong, only one person is to blame.
If a film does well and wins awards, you should praise the other person in the editing room – your editor – who played an important role in making it happen!
Narration Scripts
A narration script can take several forms during the course of an edit.
In the beginning, when you’re trying to clarify the structure of the rough cut, it’s likely that you’ll record a variety of small pieces of narration script quickly so that the scenes make sense when you review and play them back.
They also help the editor edit the footage to make a scene or sequence work, even while doing the rough cut.
Later, you’ll begin to develop a cohesive narration (commentary) script for the entire film. You’ll usually record an updated commentary just before your rough cut is screened to help viewers see the rough cut.
After the final cut and, of course, during post-production (grading, mixing, etc.), you’ll write a final script that will be recorded either by you or a professional voice actor or actress.
This final script will be much more polished and should take full account of what’s happening on screen.
Write to Picture. Always.
The important thing to remember is that the narrative should follow the image, not the other way around.
Movies are primarily a visual medium, even though the sound is an important factor in the success of almost all films.
The narration is there to guide you through the film, not to have “radio with pictures.”
That’s why you should resist uneducated or inadequately experienced people trying to force a full-blown script to which pictures are then edited.
Doing so will result in a boring movie at best and a disaster at worst. You can ruin a film very quickly, even in the final stages of rough editing or even fine editing, if you let the narrative monster.
One of the problems is that a lot of people you encounter as a documentary filmmaker – including decision-makers – are incapable of watching a true rough cut. So they resort to what they’re capable of – following an audio guide through the material.
That’s one of the reasons why filmmakers end up writing endless narration too early, and films are ruined.
Make sure your narration serves the film – not the other way around.
The Devil Is in the Details
Here’s a tip: The devil is in the details. This is where good research can go into a script: just the right information at the right time to better understand what’s happening on screen.
Most documentaries need narration for this reason and attempting to resist narration for purely esthetic reasons is nonsensical.
There are some documentaries that do without narrative altogether, but they’re rare. The current Formula One documentary series Drive to Survive is a case in point: it uses interviews, real-world dialog (some of which is contrived), commentary from the racetrack (which is important to the films because it fills in the information gaps that would otherwise have to be narrated by the documentary), and subtitles to carry the films.
To see how a master storyteller uses his films, check out one of Werner Herzog’s films. Grizzly Man would be a good place to start!
Post Production Scripts
When the film is completed in post-production, the department or production manager for a film usually hires someone to write a full post-production script.
In terms of format, it’s similar to a film script – it serves to present the entire film in screenplay form, complete with accurate interview dubs and descriptions of the plot, locations, archives used, music, and so on.
Tips for Creating a Script for a Documentary Film or Short Film Script
See the wood for the trees.
First of all, it’s extremely important to “see the wood for the trees”, i.e. to always keep in mind the structure of your film and its central ideas and the core documentary idea – the so-called “controlling idea”.
You need to keep your subject matter front and center in your attention, on the screen, and on the page! This is true even when telling a short story, and constructing a short film script.
Once you get into the detailed and exhausting work of shooting and editing, it’s easy to lose sight of the most important things your film needs to do.
Use Mind Mapping Alongside Scripting
A big part of the solution is to use mind mapping in combination with your script. Even with a short script.
A mind map gives you an instant overview of the structure, allows you to move structural ideas around very quickly, and lets you expand or reduce levels of detail.
The two apps I use almost daily are iThoughts and TheBrain. Both work for Mac and Windows and are long-established and robust.
I use them to map out ideas and connections in a mind map and then incorporate them into my writing. Then, as ideas come up while writing, I transfer them back to the mind map. And so on.
Scrivener as the Best Documentary Film Scripting Solution
I’ll put it bluntly: If you’re writing a screenplay, you need Scrivener as your screenwriting software. It’s a long-established solution for successful writers in fiction, nonfiction, and screenplay.
The reason is that there’s no other program that’s as flexible and powerful when it comes to making your way through the sometimes quite complex screenplay scenarios.
Elements in your scripts
The following elements are likely to appear in a video script for a documentary:
- Interview sync (in vision)
- Interview sync (voiceover)
- Archive footage
- Archive photos
- Actuality (footage you shot on location)
- B-roll (illustrative footage you shoot on location)
- Archival footage
Scrivener’s corkboard
The classic Hollywood technique was to hang index cards on a cork wall – and for good reason. You need to be able to move elements, scenes, etc. around quickly and flexibly so that it makes immediate sense when you look at it.
Check out how a scene can be rendered in Scrivener (it’s from my film The Warning ).
This scene is in a relatively late stage of editing. I’ve color-coded the different elements (reality, commentary, interview dubbing, etc.).
On the left is the entire sequence of the movie – in the Scrivener “binder”. Each element – interview sync, commentary, stock footage, etc. – has its own “document” in the binder.
When you select a binder in the draft (the entire script), that binder can be displayed in a “cork” view (in the central panel) where each document is displayed as a separate tab.
When you select the entire draft, the subfolders and sub-sub folders (which can correspond to sequences and scenes) are displayed as cards in the cork panel – you can then view them to learn the details they contain.
The fact that the Corkboard can display the most important scenes and sequences in the movie is worth its weight in gold. Each scene heading or element identifier is displayed at the top of each card, in bold.
On the right side, you’ll find the “scrivenings” in Scrivener-speak. These are the complete text versions of the elements.
Rapid re-ordering
If I decide to swap the order of two parts, I can do so in one of the three fields, and the order will automatically and immediately appear in the other two fields.
The value of this feature when plotting and editing are hard to underestimate. It’s a very fluid and quick way to keep the script on track during editing and to edit possible sequences within scenes and sequences on paper before editing.
You can also display one part of your script on the right and another part on the left for comparison. If you want, you can also assign “labels” to individual items to help you find or filter them – this can be very useful if, for example, you only want to see the commentaries and nothing else. Or all the interview syncs, one after another.
There’s a lot more to say about this, but trust me, it’s much better than scripting and customizing in Word or Google Docs.
Side-by-side template
If you want to create a script for a documentary at a later date, you can do that. Scrivener has a template built in to help you. Some TV stations and broadcasters insist on having such a template. Especially for a TV show format or series.
Index card synopses
The kicker for me is that Scrivener allows you to create a summary for each index card in the Corkboard and display them all at the click of a button.
Or Scrivener will automatically generate summaries based on the content of each document in the binder. You can even assign images to each card, so you can create a traditional storyboard in Scrivener if you want.
Script Follows Structure
My final piece of advice on this topic is to make sure your script follows structure. Always.
Don’t let people who don’t know how to put together a documentary (because they lack the necessary experience) push you into tinkering with details before you have a handle on the structure of your film.
Professional editors and others understand this very well.
You can go over your story before writing the script, which means you write down the entire story as it comes to mind.
Usually, though, it’s like this. I find it makes more sense to create a good chronology (I use Aeon Timeline) for reference, and then mind map out the story and how I want to tell it before using Scrivener.
How to Write a Film Analysis Essay â Step by Step
So, your assignment is to watch a movie and analyze it in an essay. Great!
Iâm Tutor Phil, and in this tutorial Iâll show you how to write a film analysis.Â
In short, to write a film analysis means to:
- Identify the elements of the film
- Identify the relationships among those elements
- Form an argument about your findings
- Support your argument using evidence
If this task seems daunting, donât worry â it is actually fun once you know exactly what to do.Â
So, letâs dive right in. Here areâŚ
7 Steps to Writing a Film Analysis Essay
Step 1. Watch the movie while taking notes
If you already saw the film you need to analyze, youâll probably need to watch it again, this time taking some notes.Â
Why is note taking important? Well, to analyze really means to break something into parts and to discuss relationships among them.Â
And to identify parts (or elements) of a movie, you need to watch it while paying attention to details and writing down your observations.Â
Taking notes will allow you to do several things:
- Identify some of the elements of the film so you have something to discuss
- Uncover details you would otherwise miss
- Make connections between ideas
- Get some raw content you can readily use in your essay
How to take notes
Hereâs a tip on how to do it most efficiently. Play the movie on one device while taking notes on another.Â
For example, play the movie on your TV or iPad, and take notes on your laptop. This way, you can pause the movie and make a note without switching apps on your laptop.Â
What to look forÂ
When watching the movie, you are looking for elements that it is made up of. You can simply start a bulleted list with a timeline and some of the things you observe.Â
Importantly, you usually donât want to simply describe every event of the film. You need some kind of a theme or motif to focus on because otherwise youâll simply write a synopsis if the movie.Â
But you want some useful notes. Hereâs how to choose what to focus on.Â
First, your assignment should determine your focus. For example, if your instructor wants you to write about a particular character, then pay special attention to that character.
If your assignment includes more details, thatâs even better. Maybe you have to pick a character and write about her love life or her relationship with her mother.Â
Great â that will help you narrow down your focus.Â
Second, you can choose your own theme to focus on. If your assignment is very general, donât worry â just pick your own character, theme, or something in the movie you want to write about.
In this case, if youâve already seen the film, just think back and choose something to focus your analysis on.Â
Third, you can simply analyze the entire film. In this case, your task is to identify the overall message of the film and how its elements help deliver this message.Â
Each of these ways to approach writing a film analysis essay works great. And the steps you learn here will help you whatever approach you choose.Â
Example of note-taking
Let me give you an example. Recently, I had to write about one particular character in a movie. I also had to discuss the mental health of the character. So, I paid special attention to anything that had to do with mental health.Â
I chose the movie The Hours based on Michael Cunninghamâs book of the same title. And by the way, letâs use this film from now on as an example to illustrate our seven steps to writing a film analysis.Â
This movie follows three women at different periods of the twentieth century. One of them is Virginia Woolf, based on the real-life writer of the same name.Â
Since my task was to write about her, I took notes primarily related to her. But I also noted relevant elements in other parts of the film.Â
Note that I time-stamped the events that happen on the screen. This would help me orient myself in the story when I later read my notes.Â
This can also help you use quotations from the film because in some citation styles you are required to provide exact time stamps for the dialogue lines.Â
Here is a sample of the notes that I took while watching the movie:
00:00 â 3:30 Very compulsive behavior. Frantically dressing up.Â
âI feel that Iâm going mad again.â
08:35 â ~11:00 âHow was your sleep?â âUneventful. No headache. I believe I may have the first sentence.â
âAlways giving parties to cover the silence.â â Ed Harris. ~22:00
27:44 â 31:50 âHer fate becomes clear to her.âÂ
Makes demands on her cook. Being kind of rude.Â
43:20 Doesnât comply with doctors. Depressed all the time. Lies down by the dead bird, as if wanting to join it.
01:05:45 Talking to herself, mumbling, in the presence of others â sister, nephews, niece.Â
-What were you thinking about?Â
-I was going to kill my heroine but I changed my mind.Â
01:08:05 âIâm afraid I might have to kill someone else instead.â
Your notes donât have to consist of perfect sentences. You can jot down sentence fragments, phrases, or even just words.Â
But complete sentences, or at least sentence fragments, will help you understand what you were thinking when taking the note. A sentence will tell you more than a word or a phrase.Â
Write down some important dialogue verbatim. You can later use these quotations in your essay.Â
Elements to look for
Letâs explore what kinds of elements you can look for while watching the movie. Cinema is an amazing medium that combines a multitude of things to talk about.
A film can contain everything a novel can. And in addition, it has visuals and sound. So, itâs very rich. Letâs divide the elements into two categories â literary and cinematic.
Literary elements
- Story (the beginning, middle, and end)
- Plot (how events are arranged in time and space)
- Setting (where and when the action takes place)
- Characterization (characters and their unique qualities)
- Themes (recurring elements that link things together by topic)
- Message (the point, the argument, if you will, of the movie)
- Dialogue (what characters say)
- Symbols (concrete visual or auditory bits that stand for abstract ideas)
- Contrast (highlighting differences)
Cinematic elements
- Sound (music, noises, or the use of silence)
- Lighting (how light is used to convey or emphasize ideas)
- Camera angles (positioning of the camera when shooting a scene)
- Editing (putting different shots together in a sequence)
- Mise-en-scene (everything you see on the screen)
- Casting (the choice of actors)
- Acting (the art of playing a character)
If youâre a film or literature student, many of these elements will sound familiar to you. But even if youâre not, you donât have to know much about all or even most of these to write a great film analysis.Â
All you need is a few good elements that will serve as ideas to organize and develop your paper. And you are probably already familiar with some of them, such as story and characters, for example.
As you watch the movie and take notes, keep these elements somewhere in your document so you could check in with the list at any time.Â
Step 2. Make some connections among the elements
If you really want to do well on this paper, you might want to watch the movie one more time after youâve taken your initial notes. This time, youâll be making connections using these elements.
You can do this step from memory and your initial set of notes, but if you do it while watching the film one more time, your paper will be a lot stronger. And the writing part will be easier.
As you watch the film, especially for the second and maybe even a third time, youâll notice patterns.Â
Youâll begin to see how different elements are connected by themes and other unifying elements.
Here are examples of how different and seemingly distant elements can be connected in a movie:
Thematic connection
Two or more characters have the same pattern of behavior. They may not know each other or may even live on different continents or in different time periods. But they both feel stuck in their marriages, for example.
Connection through dialogue
Two or more characters who, again, seem completely unrelated say the same things. Or, one character says something, and another picks it up or answers it in the next scene or shot.Â
Connection through mise-en-scene
Mise-en-scene is all the visual elements on the screen. A recurring visual can link different elements, such as characters, together.
For example, a character can have a red rose in her hand. Another character, in a different time and space, can also have a red rose in her hand. This is a directorâs way of saying: âPay attention and look for connections between these characters.â
Musical connection
The same music can play in different scenes. Or, the same tune can be played in a major, happy key in one scene but in a minor, sad key in another. Or, a short motive can be repeated at pertinent moments in the film.Â
Movie writers and directors make all kinds of other connections in their films. If you watch the movie more than once while being consciously aware of the possibilities, youâll notice things.Â
You can choose any types of connections you want. If your instructor wants you to be specific and use cinematography and dialogue, for example, then use these two categories.Â
But if you identify some nice connections in other categories, put them in your notes, too. Youâll use them as supporting ideas in your essay.Â
Example of making connectionsÂ
Let me give you an example of how I used elements of film to make some connections for that film analysis I worked on.Â
Note that Iâm using only four categories of these elements because to discuss more of them would only make the essay get out of hand. Itâs better to focus on a few. Make sure itâs no fewer than two, and preferably three or four.Â
The first one or two can be the main ones, and the rest can be used as supporting ideas (more on this later).Â
To make better sense of the example below, keep in mind that the movie The Hours follows three women in different times and places.Â
I used letters V, L, and C as acronyms of their first names, because itâs faster and easier that way.Â
Here is a sample of connections (as brief notes) Â
- Homosexuality and bisexuality.Â
- Around 42:00 â L kisses her neighbor Kitty. Later, V kisses her sister Vanessa. Both women are not only stuck in their situations â they are also stuck in the closet.Â
- C is also stuck, according to her own words.Â
- V tries to write a novel. L tries to bake a cake. C tries to throw a party. Each one is frustrated.Â
- But there is a progression from V-L-C. V never succeeds. L fails at first attempt but succeeds with the second one. C makes everything ready, but the party never happens through no fault of her own.
- Also, trying to run away. V fails. L succeeds. So does Louis in modern times.Â
- C says at one point, âFrom then on Iâve been stuck.â It seems sheâs stuck in bisexuality.Â
- When L drops off her son, itâs with Mrs. Latch (note the name). A latch is a fastening or binding device.Â
- Louis Waters says, âThe day I left him, I got on a train and made my way across Europe. I felt free for the first time in years.â
- V succeeds on the third attempt. L contemplates it but changes her mind. C never attempts. But Richard succeeds.Â
- 13:54 â (1951) Lâs son asks to help with the cake. L: âOf course you can, sweet pea. Iâm not gonna do anything without you.â Cuts to 2001 New York: C: âNo, of course!âÂ
- Itâs as if the director is being sarcastic: âYeah, sure. Of course Iâm not gonna do anything without you.âÂ
- L eventually abandons her family, including her son. So, this juxtaposition seems sarcastic and acts as foreshadowing.Â
Mise-en-scene (visual elements)
- Each of two women, V and L, is alone in a bed; one is in bed with a partner.Â
- L is particularly emphasized as alone with an empty half bed â happens again later in the film.
- The light is pouring in from outside, but the room is dark. She is isolated by the window frame. Isolated from everything in the home, including her son.Â
- Later, around 17:30, her son will be alone in a very dark apartment: âI needed to let in some light.â Maybe light is associated with freedom.
- V depressed, even disturbed
- L wondering what the day will bring
- C excited about the upcoming day.
- There seems to be a progression from worse to better in V-L-C.Â
When you actively look for connections, youâll make many of them. In this step, youâre not thinking deeply about them. Youâre just noticing things and jotting them down.
The main thinking is done in the next step.Â
Step 3. Formulate your main argument
Now that you have your elements and youâve perceived some relationships among them, itâs time to formulate your thesis.Â
A thesis is the main point of your essay. This step is the most important because this is where you take a stand.Â
This is also a creative step. Youâre essentially making a decision about what to say about this movie or an aspect of the movie.Â
Hereâs a short video I created, explaining what a thesis is:
Read back through your notes
Read through the initial notes you took and the connections that youâve made.Â
What stands out to you as the most important, the most general and overarching idea that is probably the main one?
Make your thesis about this idea. And the rest of the elements or ideas will act as supporting points (weâll add them in the next step).Â
Choose the subject
Letâs choose what to write about â our subject â in our sample film analysis. We have four categories of elements in which weâve made notes and connections:
- Mise-en-scene
Just by looking at this list and reading through the connections made, it is easy to notice:
One or more of the themes are dominant, and the rest is supportive. Therefore, our main point should probably be about a theme .Â
Again, if your instructor has given you a specific subject to focus on, then thatâs what your thesis will be about.Â
In this example, letâs assume that we must simply write a film analysis, and weâre free to choose what to write about.
So, weâll pick one of the themes, take a stand on it, and formulate our thesis based on it. Letâs look at the themes weâve picked out again:
- Repressed sexuality
- Frustration
- Being stuck
- Seeking freedom Â
Which of these is the dominant one? Which one is all-encompassing? Which one includes some of the others?
These are some of the questions we might ask to pick the main subject for our essay. Letâs arrange these themes in the order of more general to more specific:
Why is being stuck the most general and all-encompassing theme? Thatâs because it seems that the rest of the themes are either the signs or the effects of it.Â
Repressed sexuality and frustration in trying to accomplish things and failing are signs, examples, or manifestations of being stuck.Â
It is only possible to seek freedom if you feel stuck. And suicide, at least in this film, is a result of being stuck and seeing no way out.Â
This tells us that being stuck as a theme is the best candidate for our thesis. In other words, this essay will be about the theme of being stuck in the film The Hours . Â
Formulate the thesis
At this point, we have everything we need to formulate our thesis, our main point that weâll be supporting in the essay. Letâs do it:
âIn the film The Hours, the feeling of being stuck in terms of their sexualities and life situations plagues the main characters. And the earlier in the century the action takes place, the more disastrous the consequences of them feeling stuck.âÂ
Whatâs going on in this thesis?Â
First, we have two sentences because this film analysis is kind of complex. It is possible to write out the main point in only one sentence, but then it would be too long and complicated.Â
Second, note that we have all the main elements either explicitly or implicitly present in this statement. In other words, this thesis summarizes our entire essay perfectly.Â
It contains the themes of:
- Being stuck (which is our main subject)
- Sexuality (one supporting idea)
- Seeking freedom (from an unwanted life situation)
- Sucide (a disastrous consequence)
In other words, itâs all there in the thesis. And weâll unpack these concepts more in the next two steps.Â
Step 4. Write the introductory paragraph
The introductory paragraph consists of three parts:
- An introductory sentence
- The thesis (main point)
- The supporting points
Here is a diagram of how it is organized:
We already have one of these parts, which is the thesis (part 2). Now, all we need is the introductory sentence and the supporting points.Â
Letâs put together our supporting points â the crucial part of a thesis statement. A full thesis statement always includes the main point and the supporting ideas. And then weâll write out the complete introductory paragraph.
Keep in mind that each of our supporting points will correspond to a section of our essay. And I always recommend using the Power of Three to organize a paper.Â
Three is a great number to divide one idea into many. Note that writing an essay on any topic is very much a matter of dividing big topics into subtopics.Â
What three supporting points or sections can we have in this essay? Well, luckly, it just so happens that the film The Hours centers around three main characters set in different time periods and places.Â
This makes a perfect division into three parts. Now, your movie may not have such a clear division, and in that case youâll need to come up with three supporting ideas creatively.Â
For example, you could discuss the feeling or predicament if being stuck in terms of these concepts:
And your essay would have three main sections. Each section would be devoted to being stuck in a particular sense.Â
In our essay, the three women are:
- Virginia Woolf (1923)
- Laura Brown (1951)
- Clarissa Vaughan (2001)
From our thesis, we know two things:
- They all share the feeling of being stuck, in similar ways
- There is a progression from past to present in how it affects them
So, now, letâs write out the complete thesis statement. Note that weâre also including the introductory sentence, whose function is to pull the reader into the subject matter of the essay.
Our film analysis thesis statement example
âThrough the power of narrative and visual elements, cinema allows the viewer a glimpse into worlds she otherwise could not know, revealing difficulties people have faced throughout history. In the film The Hours, the feeling of being stuck in terms of their sexualities and life situations plagues the main characters. And the earlier in the century the action takes place, the more disastrous the consequences of them feeling stuck. Virginia Woolf, set in 1923, is in the worst situation because while she suffers from repressed homosexuality and hates living in the country, it is next to impossible for her to find a viable way out. Laura Brown, set in 1951, is also a closet lesbian and lives a small-town family life she despises. But she eventually finds a way to liberate herself. Finally, Clarissa Vaughn, set in 2001, is stuck in her bisexuality. But her life situation, while challenging, is otherwise better than those of the other two characters.â
Step 5. Outline the essayÂ
The thesis statement that we just put together also acts as our big-picture outline. Letâs see how our essay will be organized, in terms of the main sections:
Notice that this big-picture outline is dictated completely by our thesis statement. This is why a great, detailed thesis statement is so important.Â
Fulfilling the word count requirement
Your film analysis essay assignment may have a specific word or page count requirement. Let me give you an example of this film analysis outline with a breakdown of words per section and subsection.
Letâs say you need to write a 2,000-word paper. Well, right now our introductory paragraph contains about 150 words. Here is how we could distribute words to meet that word count requirement.
Outline with word count distribution
- Introductory paragraph (150 words)
- Sexuality ( 300 words )
- Life situation ( 300 words )
- Conclusion (100 words)
If you add up all the sections and subsections, youâll get 2,050, which is about our desired word count.Â
If you need to write 5,000 words, then distribute your words accordingly. Youâll have about 250 words per introduction and conclusion, which will leave you with 4,500 words for the body of the essay.
That will be 1,500 words per main section. Divide each main section into three subsections using the Power of Three, and you have 500 words per subsection.Â
Itâs very helpful to know how to distribute your words because that allows you to map out how much youâre writing in each section and paragraph.Â
Step 6. Write the body of the essay
The body of a film analysis essay consists of sections, and each section consists of one or more paragraphs.Â
So, your main building block in the body of the essay is the body paragraph. Here is how a body paragraph is structured:
The first sentence is the so-called lead sentence. It must summarize the contents of the paragraph succinctly and perfectly.Â
An explanation is where you have a chance to provide any reasoning or describe a process.
And examples are the most specific parts of any paragraph or essay. They are the most fun to write and to read.Â
Letâs write a body paragraph to illustrate exactly how such a building block works in a movie analysis.Â
Our example is about Virginia Woolf. It belongs in Section 1, subsection 1 â about being stuck with repressed homosexuality.Â
Note that this subsection can have more than one paragraph. This will be one of the paragraphs in this section.Â
Film analysis body paragraph example
âVirginia feels stuck in her personal life as if in a prison because of her repressed sexuality. She appears to be a closet homosexual, which is a difficult predicament to endure in the early 20th century England. Homosexuality was looked down upon, and a woman had to be married to a man, regardless of her innate sexual preferences. She lives with her husband who takes care of her and clearly loves her. However, when her sister Vanessa comes to visit, at the end of the visit, Virginia gives her a long, passionate kiss on the lips that is apparently reciprocated. The kiss is so intense that it indicates a repressed desire. Vanessa accepts it, but it is not clear whether she does so out of mutual attraction or compassion for her sisterâs suffering.â
This paragraph follows the structure illustrated in the diagram.Â
It opens with a lead sentence which summarizes and introduces the entire contents of the paragraph perfectly. It is also the most general statement of the essay.
Next comes the explanation. We explain why we think that Virginia has a problem. The time period she lives in makes it difficult to be a sexual minority.Â
Finally, we provide an example â the most specific kind of evidence in an essay. It is an example of a kiss, with a description and implications.Â
To complete the body of the essay, we would need to build it out by writing one paragraph after another, following the outline and maintaining this body paragraph structure.Â
Note that you can also use outside sources to support your points. But first write out what you can without resorting to research. And only then go and find sources that would confirm your thinking and ideas.Â
Step 7. Write the conclusion
This is the final step and the easiest one. I usually advocate for concluding with a simple restatement.Â
All you need to do is write out the thesis statement using different words so it doesnât come across as a mere copy.Â
Your conclusion can be shorter than the introductory paragraph. After all, youâve already said it all. And now, just restate in fewer and different words. You can also add a more general statement at the very end, as a finishing touch.Â
And letâs do it.
âThe Hours is a fascinating study of how repressed sexuality and confining life situations have affected peopleâs lives throughout the twentieth century. The three characters live in different times, and the earlier the period the more difficult the situation and the harder it is to endure. Virginia commits suicide because she canât find a way out of her situation. Laura almost commits suicide but then chooses to abandon her situation, which is physically a little easier in the 1950âs. And Clarissa lives with her girlfriend. Her situation is better although she is still stuck as a bisexual. Life in 2001 is significantly better, though not devoid of challenges.â
And there you have it. Now you know exactly how to write a film analysis paper.Â
I hope this was helpful!
Tutor Phil is an e-learning professional who helps adult learners finish their degrees by teaching them academic writing skills.
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How to Write a Film Analysis Essay: Examples, Outline, & Tips
A film analysis essay might be the most exciting assignment you have ever had! After all, who doesnât love watching movies? You have your favorite movies, maybe something you watched years ago, perhaps a classic, or a documentary. Or your professor might assign a film for you to make a critical review. Regardless, you are totally up for watching a movie for a film analysis essay.
However, once you have watched the movie, facing the act of writing might knock the wind out of your sails because you might be wondering how to write a film analysis essay. In summary, writing movie analysis is not as difficult as it might seem, and Custom-writing.org experts will prove this. This guide will help you choose a topic for your movie analysis, make an outline, and write the text.ď¸ Film analysis examples are added as a bonus! Just keep reading our advice on how to get started.
â What Is a Film Analysis Essay?
- đŚ Film Analysis Types
đ˝ď¸ Movie Analysis Format
âď¸ how to write a film analysis, đŚ film analysis template, đŹ film analysis essay topics.
- đ Essay Examples
đ References
To put it simply, film analysis implies watching a movie and then considering its characteristics : genre, structure, contextual context, etc. Film analysis is usually considered to be a form of rhetorical analysis . The key to success here is to formulate a clear and logical argument, supporting it with examples.
đŚ Film Analysis Essay Types
Since a film analysis essay resembles literature analysis, it makes sense that there are several ways to do it. Its types are not limited to the ones described here. Moreover, you are free to combine the approaches in your essay as well. Since your writing reflects your own opinion, there is no universal way to do it.
- Semiotic analysis . If you’re using this approach, you are expected to interpret the film’s symbolism. You should look for any signs that may have a hidden meaning. Often, they reveal some character’s features. To make the task more manageable, you can try to find the objects or concepts that appear on the screen multiple times. What is the context they appear in? It might lead you to the hidden meaning of the symbols.
- Narrative structure analysis . This type is quite similar to a typical literature guide. It includes looking into the film’s themes, plot, and motives. The analysis aims to identify three main elements: setup, confrontation, and resolution. You should find out whether the film follows this structure and what effect it creates. It will make the narrative structure analysis essay if you write about the theme and characters’ motivations as well.
- Contextual analysis . Here, you would need to expand your perspective. Instead of focusing on inner elements, the contextual analysis looks at the time and place of the film’s creation. Therefore, you should work on studying the cultural context a lot. It can also be a good idea to mention the main socio-political issues of the time. You can even relate the film’s success to the director or producer and their career.
- Mise-en-scene analysis . This type of analysis works with the most distinctive feature of the movies, audiovisual elements. However, donât forget that your task is not only to identify them but also to explain their importance. There are so many interconnected pieces of this puzzle: the light to create the mood, the props to show off charactersâ personalities, messages hidden in the song lyrics.
To write an effective film analysis essay, it is important to follow specific format requirements that include the following:
- Standard essay structure. Just as with any essay, your analysis should consist of an introduction with a strong thesis statement, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The main body usually includes a summary and an analysis of the movieâs elements.
- Present tense for events in the film. Use the present tense when describing everything that happens in the movie. This way, you can make smooth transitions between describing action and dialogue. It will also improve the overall narrative flow.
- Proper formatting of the film’s title. Donât enclose the movieâs title in quotation marks; instead, italicize it. In addition, use the title case : that is, capitalize all major words.
- Proper use of the characters’ names. When you mention a film character for the first time, name the actor portraying them. After that, it is enough to write only the character’s name.
- In-text citations. Use in-text citations when describing certain scenes or shots from the movie. Format them according to your chosen citation style. If you use direct quotes, include the time-stamp range instead of page numbers. Hereâs how it looks in the MLA format: (Smith 0:11:24â0:12:35).
Even though film analysis is similar to the literary one, you might still feel confused with where to begin. No need to worry; there are only a few additional steps you need to consider during the writing process.
âď¸ | Reread the prompt twice! Itâs crucial because your thesis statement and main arguments will be based on it. To help yourself at this stage, try an . It will make your efforts more productive. | |
âď¸ | Take your time and watch the film as many times as you need so that you donât miss anything. You might find it helpful to take notes or even use a screenplay if you can find one. | |
âď¸ | You should write down a thesis statement and organize the main ideas. Donât forget to support your arguments with evidence and make sure they align with the assignment requirements. | |
âď¸ | The last step is writing the first draft of your essay. The text doesn’t necessarily have to be perfect since you still need to take some time to edit and to proofread it.In the next sections, there are more detailed descriptions of how to get every step done quickly. And remember that you can always ask your supervisor for help if you have any questions! |
Need more information? It can be found in the video below.
Starting Your Film Analysis Essay
There are several things you need to do before you start writing your film analysis paper. First and foremost, you have to watch the movie. Even if you have seen it a hundred times, you need to watch it again to make a good film analysis essay.
Note that you might be given an essay topic or have to think of it by yourself. If you are free to choose a topic for your film analysis essay, reading some critical reviews before you watch the film might be a good idea. By doing this in advance, you will already know what to look for when watching the movie.
In the process of watching, keep the following tips in mind:
- Consider your impression of the movie
- Enumerate memorable details
- Try to interpret the movie message in your way
- Search for the proof of your ideas (quotes from the film)
- Make comments on the plot, settings, and characters
- Draw parallels between the movie you are reviewing and some other movies
Making a Film Analysis Essay Outline
Once you have watched and possibly re-watched your assigned or chosen movie from an analytical point of view, you will need to create a movie analysis essay outline . The task is pretty straightforward: the outline can look just as if you were working on a literary analysis or an article analysis.
- Introduction : This includes the basics of the movie, including the title, director, and the date of release. You should also present the central theme or ideas in the movie and your thesis statement .
- Summary : This is where you take the time to present an overview of the primary concepts in the movie, including the five Ws (who, what, when, where, and why)âdonât forget how!âas well as anything you wish to discuss that relates to the point of view, style, and structure.
- Analysis : This is the body of the essay and includes your critical analysis of the movie, why you did or did not like it, and any supporting material from the film to support your views. It would help if you also discussed whether the director and writer of the movie achieved the goal they set out to achieve.
- Conclusion: This is where you can state your thesis again and provide a summary of the primary concepts in a new and more convincing manner, making a case for your analysis. You can also include a call-to-action that will invite the reader to watch the movie or avoid it entirely.
You can find a great critical analysis template at Thompson Rivers University website. In case you need more guidance on how to write an analytical paper, check out our article .
Writing & Editing Your Film Analysis Essay
We have already mentioned that there are differences between literary analysis and film analysis. They become especially important when one starts writing their film analysis essay.
First of all, the evidence you include to support the arguments is not the same. Instead of quoting the text, you might need to describe the audiovisual elements.
However, the practice of describing the events is similar in both types. You should always introduce a particular sequence in the present tense. If you want to use a piece of a dialogue between more than two film characters, you can use block quotes. However, since there are different ways to do it, confirm with your supervisor.
For your convenience, you might as well use the format of the script, for which you donât have to use quotation marks:
ELSA: But she wonât remember I have powers?
KING: Itâs for the best.
Finally, to show off your proficiency in the subject, look at the big picture. Instead of just presenting the main elements in your analysis, point out their significance. Describe the effect they make on the overall impression form the film. Moreover, you can dig deeper and suggest the reasons why such elements were used in a particular scene to show your expertise.
Stuck writing a film analysis essay? Worry not! Use our template to structure your movie analysis properly.
Introduction
- The title of the film is⌠[title]
- The director is⌠[directorâs name] He/she is known for⌠[movies, style, etc.]
- The movie was released on⌠[release date]
- The themes of the movie are⌠[state the filmâs central ideas]
- The film was made because⌠[state the reasons]
- The movie is⌠because⌠[your thesis statement].
- The main characters are⌠[charactersâ names]
- The events take place in⌠[location]
- The movie is set in⌠[time period]
- The movie is about⌠[state what happens in the film and why]
- The movie left a… [bad, unforgettable, lasting, etc.] impression in me.
- The script has⌠[a logical sequence of events, interesting scenes, strong dialogues, character development, etc.]
- The actors portray their characters⌠[convincingly, with intensity, with varying degree of success, in a manner that feels unnatural, etc.]
- The soundtrack is [distracting, fitting, memorable, etc.]
- Visual elements such as⌠[costumes, special effects, etc.] make the film [impressive, more authentic, atmospheric, etc.]
- The film succeeds/doesnât succeed in engaging the target audience because it⌠[tells a compelling story, features strong performances, is relevant, lacks focus, is unauthentic, etc.]
- Cultural and societal aspects make the film⌠[thought-provoking, relevant, insightful, problematic, polarizing, etc.]
- The director and writer achieved their goal because… [state the reasons]
- Overall, the film is… [state your opinion]
- I would/wouldnât recommend watching the movie because… [state the reasons]
- Analysis of the film Inception by Christopher Nolan .
- Examine the rhetoric in the film The Red Balloon .
- Analyze the visual effects of Zhang Yimouâs movie Hero .
- Basic concepts of the film Interstellar by Christopher Nolan.
- The characteristic features of Federico Felliniâs movies. Â
- Analysis of the movie The Joker .
- The depiction of ethical issues in Damaged Care . Â
- Analyze the plot of the film Moneyball .
- Explore the persuasive techniques used in Henry V .
- Analyze the movie Killing Kennedy .
- Discuss the themes of the film Secret Window .
- Describe the role of audio and video effects in conveying the message of the documentary Life in Renaissance . Â
- Compare and analyze the films Midnight Cowboy and McCabe and Mrs. Miller . Â
- Analysis of the movie Rear Window .Â
- The message behind the film Split .
- Analyze the techniques used by Tim Burton in his movie Sleepy Hollow .
- The topic of childrenâs abuse and importance of trust in Joseph Sargentâs Sybil .
- Examine the themes and motives of the film Return to Paradise by Joseph Ruben.
- The issues of gender and traditions in the drama The Whale Rider. Â Â
- Analysis of the film Not Easily Broken by Duke Bill.Â
- The symbolism in R. Scottâs movie Thelma and Louise .
- The meaning of audiovisual effects in Citizen Kane . Â
- Analyze the main characters of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo . Â
- Discuss the historical accuracy of the documentary The Civil War . Â
- Analysis of the movie Through a Glass Darkly .Â
- Explore the core idea of the comedy Get Out .
- The problem of artificial intelligence and human nature in Ex Machina . Â
- Three principles of suspense used in the drama The Fugitive .
- Examine the ideas Michael Bay promotes in Armageddon .
- Analyze the visual techniques used in Tenet by Christopher Nolan.
- Analysis of the movie The Green Mile .
- Discrimination and exclusion in the film The Higher Learning . Â
- The hidden meaning of the scenes in Blade Runner .
- Compare the social messages of the films West Side Story and Romeo + Juliet .
- Highlighting the problem of childrenâs mental health in the documentary Kids in Crisis .
- Discuss the ways Paul Haggis establishes the issue of racial biases in his movie Crash .
- Analyze the problem of moral choice in the film Gone Baby Gone .
- Analysis of the historical film Hacksaw Ridge .
- Explore the main themes of the film Mean Girls by Mark Walters .
- The importance of communication in the movie Juno .
- Describe the techniques the authors use to highlight the problems of society in Queen and Slim . Â
- Examine the significance of visual scenes in My Family/ Mi Familia . Â
- Analysis of the thriller Salt by Phillip Noyce.Â
- Analyze the message of Greg Berlantiâs film Love, Simon .
- Interpret the symbols of the film The Wizard of Oz (1939).
- Discuss the modern issues depicted in the film The Corporation .
- Moral lessons of Edward Zwickâs Blood Diamond .Â
- Analysis of the documentary Solitary Nation .Â
- Describe the audiovisual elements of the film Pride and Prejudice (2005) .
- The problem of toxic relationships in Malcolm and Marie .
đ Film Analysis Examples
Below youâll find two film analysis essay examples. Note that the full versions are downloadable for free!
Film Analysis Example #1: The Intouchables
Raising acute social problems in modern cinema is a common approach to draw the publicâs attention to the specific issues and challenges of people facing crucial obstacles. As a film for review, The Intouchables by Oliver Nakache and Ăric Toledano will be analyzed, and one of the themes raised in this movie is the daily struggle of the person with severe disabilities. This movie is a biographical drama with comedy elements. The Intouchables describes the routine life of a French millionaire who is confined to a wheelchair and forced to receive help from his servants. The acquaintance of the disabled person with a young and daring man from Parisian slums changes the lives of both radically. The film shows that for a person with disabilities, recognition as a full member of society is more important than sympathy and compassion, and this message expressed comically raises an essential problem of human loneliness.
Movie Analysis Example #2: Parasite
Parasite is a 2019 South Korean black comedy thriller movie directed by Bong Joon-ho and is the first film with a non-English script to win Best Picture at the Oscars in 2020. With its overwhelming plot and acting, this motion picture retains a long-lasting effect and some kind of shock. The class serves as a backbone and a primary objective of social commentary within the South Korean comedy/thriller (Kench, 2020). Every single element and detail in the movie, including the studentâs stone, the contrasting architecture, family names, and charactersâ behavior, contribute to the central topic of the universal problem of classism and wealth disparity. The 2020 Oscar-winning movie Parasite (2019) is a phenomenal cinematic portrayal and a critical message to modern society regarding the severe outcomes of the long-established inequalities within capitalism.
Want more examples? Check out this bonus list of 10 film analysis samples. They will help you gain even more inspiration.
- âMiss Representationâ Documentary Film Analysis
- âThe Patriotâ: Historical Film Analysis
- âThe Morning Guyâ Film Analysis
- 2012Ⲡby Roland Emmerich Film Analysis
- âThe Crucibleâ (1996) Film Analysis
- The Aviatorâ by Martin Scorsese Film Analysis
- The âLions for Lambsâ Film Analysis
- Bill Monroe â Father of Bluegrass Music Film Analysis
- Lord of the Ringsâ and âHarry Potterâ Film Analysis
- Red Tails by George Lucas Film Analysis
Film Analysis Essay FAQ
- Watch the movie or read a detailed plot summary.
- Read othersâ film reviews paying attention to details like key characters, movie scenes, background facts.
- Compose a list of ideas about what youâve learned.
- Organize the selected ideas to create a body of the essay.
- Write an appropriate introduction and conclusion.
The benefits of analyzing a movie are numerous . You get a deeper understanding of the plot and its subtle aspects. You can also get emotional and aesthetic satisfaction. Film analysis enables one to feel like a movie connoisseur.
Here is a possible step by step scenario:
- Think about the general idea that the author probably wanted to convey.
- Consider how the idea was put across: what characters, movie scenes, and details helped in it.
- Study the broader context: the authorâs other works, genre essentials, etc.
The definition might be: the process of interpreting a movieâs aspects. The movie is reviewed in terms of details creating the artistic value. A film analysis essay is a paper presenting such a review in a logically structured way.
- Film Analysis â UNC Writing Center
- Film Writing: Sample Analysis // Purdue Writing Lab
- Yale Film Analysis – Yale University
- Film Terms And Topics For Film Analysis And Writing
- Questions for Film Analysis (Washington University)
- Resources on Film Analysis – Cinema Studies (University of Toronto)
- Does Film Analysis Take the Magic out of Movies?
- Film Analysis Research Papers – Academia.edu
- What’s In a Film Analysis Essay? Medium
- Analysis of Film – SAGE Research Methods
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Film Analysis
What this handout is about.
This handout introduces film analysis and and offers strategies and resources for approaching film analysis assignments.
Writing the film analysis essay
Writing a film analysis requires you to consider the composition of the film—the individual parts and choices made that come together to create the finished piece. Film analysis goes beyond the analysis of the film as literature to include camera angles, lighting, set design, sound elements, costume choices, editing, etc. in making an argument. The first step to analyzing the film is to watch it with a plan.
Watching the film
First itâs important to watch the film carefully with a critical eye. Consider why youâve been assigned to watch a film and write an analysis. How does this activity fit into the course? Why have you been assigned this particular film? What are you looking for in connection to the course content? Letâs practice with this clip from Alfred Hitchcockâs Vertigo (1958). Here are some tips on how to watch the clip critically, just as you would an entire film:
- Give the clip your undivided attention at least once. Pay close attention to details and make observations that might start leading to bigger questions.
- Watch the clip a second time. For this viewing, you will want to focus specifically on those elements of film analysis that your class has focused on, so review your course notes. For example, from whose perspective is this clip shot? What choices help convey that perspective? What is the overall tone, theme, or effect of this clip?
- Take notes while you watch for the second time. Notes will help you keep track of what you noticed and when, if you include timestamps in your notes. Timestamps are vital for citing scenes from a film!
For more information on watching a film, check out the Learning Centerâs handout on watching film analytically . For more resources on researching film, including glossaries of film terms, see UNC Library’s research guide on film & cinema .
Brainstorming ideas
Once youâve watched the film twice, itâs time to brainstorm some ideas based on your notes. Brainstorming is a major step that helps develop and explore ideas. As you brainstorm, you may want to cluster your ideas around central topics or themes that emerge as you review your notes. Did you ask several questions about color? Were you curious about repeated images? Perhaps these are directions you can pursue.
If youâre writing an argumentative essay, you can use the connections that you develop while brainstorming to draft a thesis statement . Consider the assignment and prompt when formulating a thesis, as well as what kind of evidence you will present to support your claims. Your evidence could be dialogue, sound edits, cinematography decisions, etc. Much of how you make these decisions will depend on the type of film analysis you are conducting, an important decision covered in the next section.
After brainstorming, you can draft an outline of your film analysis using the same strategies that you would for other writing assignments. Here are a few more tips to keep in mind as you prepare for this stage of the assignment:
- Make sure you understand the prompt and what you are being asked to do. Remember that this is ultimately an assignment, so your thesis should answer what the prompt asks. Check with your professor if you are unsure.
- In most cases, the directorâs name is used to talk about the film as a whole, for instance, âAlfred Hitchcockâs Vertigo .â However, some writers may want to include the names of other persons who helped to create the film, including the actors, the cinematographer, and the sound editor, among others.
- When describing a sequence in a film, use the literary present. An example could be, âIn Vertigo , Hitchcock employs techniques of observation to dramatize the act of detection.â
- Finding a screenplay/script of the movie may be helpful and save you time when compiling citations. But keep in mind that there may be differences between the screenplay and the actual product (and these differences might be a topic of discussion!).
- Go beyond describing basic film elements by articulating the significance of these elements in support of your particular position. For example, you may have an interpretation of the striking color green in Vertigo , but you would only mention this if it was relevant to your argument. For more help on using evidence effectively, see the section on “using evidence” in our evidence handout .
Also be sure to avoid confusing the terms shot, scene, and sequence. Remember, a shot ends every time the camera cuts; a scene can be composed of several related shots; and a sequence is a set of related scenes.
Different types of film analysis
As you consider your notes, outline, and general thesis about a film, the majority of your assignment will depend on what type of film analysis you are conducting. This section explores some of the different types of film analyses you may have been assigned to write.
Semiotic analysis
Semiotic analysis is the interpretation of signs and symbols, typically involving metaphors and analogies to both inanimate objects and characters within a film. Because symbols have several meanings, writers often need to determine what a particular symbol means in the film and in a broader cultural or historical context.
For instance, a writer could explore the symbolism of the flowers in Vertigo by connecting the images of them falling apart to the vulnerability of the heroine.
Here are a few other questions to consider for this type of analysis:
- What objects or images are repeated throughout the film?
- How does the director associate a character with small signs, such as certain colors, clothing, food, or language use?
- How does a symbol or object relate to other symbols and objects, that is, what is the relationship between the filmâs signs?
Many films are rich with symbolism, and it can be easy to get lost in the details. Remember to bring a semiotic analysis back around to answering the question “So what?” in your thesis.
Narrative analysis
Narrative analysis is an examination of the story elements, including narrative structure, character, and plot. This type of analysis considers the entirety of the film and the story it seeks to tell.
For example, you could take the same object from the previous example—the flowers—which meant one thing in a semiotic analysis, and ask instead about their narrative role. That is, you might analyze how Hitchcock introduces the flowers at the beginning of the film in order to return to them later to draw out the completion of the heroineâs character arc.
To create this type of analysis, you could consider questions like:
- How does the film correspond to the Three-Act Structure: Act One: Setup; Act Two: Confrontation; and Act Three: Resolution?
- What is the plot of the film? How does this plot differ from the narrative, that is, how the story is told? For example, are events presented out of order and to what effect?
- Does the plot revolve around one character? Does the plot revolve around multiple characters? How do these characters develop across the film?
When writing a narrative analysis, take care not to spend too time on summarizing at the expense of your argument. See our handout on summarizing for more tips on making summary serve analysis.
Cultural/historical analysis
One of the most common types of analysis is the examination of a filmâs relationship to its broader cultural, historical, or theoretical contexts. Whether films intentionally comment on their context or not, they are always a product of the culture or period in which they were created. By placing the film in a particular context, this type of analysis asks how the film models, challenges, or subverts different types of relations, whether historical, social, or even theoretical.
For example, the clip from Vertigo depicts a man observing a woman without her knowing it. You could examine how this aspect of the film addresses a midcentury social concern about observation, such as the sexual policing of women, or a political one, such as Cold War-era McCarthyism.
A few of the many questions you could ask in this vein include:
- How does the film comment on, reinforce, or even critique social and political issues at the time it was released, including questions of race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality?
- How might a biographical understanding of the filmâs creators and their historical moment affect the way you view the film?
- How might a specific film theory, such as Queer Theory, Structuralist Theory, or Marxist Film Theory, provide a language or set of terms for articulating the attributes of the film?
Take advantage of class resources to explore possible approaches to cultural/historical film analyses, and find out whether you will be expected to do additional research into the film’s context.
Mise-en-scène analysis
A mise-en-scène analysis attends to how the filmmakers have arranged compositional elements in a film and specifically within a scene or even a single shot. This type of analysis organizes the individual elements of a scene to explore how they come together to produce meaning. You may focus on anything that adds meaning to the formal effect produced by a given scene, including: blocking, lighting, design, color, costume, as well as how these attributes work in conjunction with decisions related to sound, cinematography, and editing. For example, in the clip from Vertigo , a mise-en-scène analysis might ask how numerous elements, from lighting to camera angles, work together to present the viewer with the perspective of Jimmy Stewartâs character.
To conduct this type of analysis, you could ask:
- What effects are created in a scene, and what is their purpose?
- How does this scene represent the theme of the movie?
- How does a scene work to express a broader point to the filmâs plot?
This detailed approach to analyzing the formal elements of film can help you come up with concrete evidence for more general film analysis assignments.
Reviewing your draft
Once you have a draft, itâs helpful to get feedback on what youâve written to see if your analysis holds together and youâve conveyed your point. You may not necessarily need to find someone who has seen the film! Ask a writing coach, roommate, or family member to read over your draft and share key takeaways from what you have written so far.
Works consulted
We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handoutâs topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.
Aumont, Jacques, and Michel Marie. 1988. L’analyse Des Films . Paris: Nathan.
Media & Design Center. n.d. âFilm and Cinema Research.â UNC University Libraries. Last updated February 10, 2021. https://guides.lib.unc.edu/filmresearch .
Oxford Royale Academy. n.d. â7 Ways to Watch Film.â Oxford Royale Academy. Accessed April 2021. https://www.oxford-royale.com/articles/7-ways-watch-films-critically/ .
You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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Study Guide - Edward Scissorhands: How to write a Film Analysis Essay & Cinematic Techniques
- Characters, Plot, Synopsis &Themes
- Quotations & Bibilography
- Film Reviews
- How to write a Film Analysis Essay & Cinematic Techniques
- Film Genres & Film Lighting Terminology, Film QUIZ
How to write a film analysis essay
How to Write a Film Analysis Essay
By Timothy Sexton
Writing a film analysis essay is an assignment that is less likely to terrorize those who fear the idea of writing an essay, because it allows them to write about something most people enjoy. Film analysis is not the same thing as writing a movie review, which involves passively watching a movie. An analysis means you must engage on a level beyond that of storytelling.
Watch the movie. Then watch it again. Take notes during the first viewing and, if you are analyzing a movie that is available on DVD, be ready with your remote control to pause and rewind.
Critically engage the movie so that you can effectively produce a strong essay. Focus on a single thematic concept related to the film. Ideas for essays taking this route could include an analysis of how the film is photographed, how the movie relates a historical event in a dramatic way without compromising the facts or how a single sequence within the film relates to larger cinematic concepts, like overlapping dialogue or the utilization of dramatic irony.
Introduce the film and its major participants, such as the actors and director. Include the name of another technician on the film if your analysis will be focusing on that aspect. For instance, cite the name of the cinematographer if you are going to be writing about the importance of shadows to film noir, or include the name of the composer of the movie’s score if you are writing about the importance of background music to the emotional tone of the film.
Provide a brief overview of the story, but avoid the temptation to pad your word count by writing what amounts to a synopsis of the story rather than analysis. Reveal plots twists or the ending of the film only if they relate directly to your analysis.
Write your film analysis with the movie at hand if this is possible. Write next to a television and DVD player if applicable. Stay inside the theatre for the second or third showing with your notepad ready if this is possible. Writing an effective film analysis is best accomplished if you don’t have to rely on your memory of events, dialogue or cinematic techniques.
Familiarize yourself with technical jargon related to the art of filmmaking. Learn the difference between a cut and a dissolve. Write about subjective camera work if the analysis is dealing with a part of the movie shot from the point of view of one of the characters. Properly utilizing filmmaking terms will strengthen the authority of your essay.
Source: http://classroom.synonym.com/write-film-analysis-essay-4125.html
Cinematic Techniques
Tim Burton's Edward Scissorhands Film Analysis
Help with writing a film essay - Linda Rubens
Film Techniques
Film techniques is the term used to describe the ways that meaning is created in film.
Camera Shots
A camera shot is the amount of space that is seen in one shot or frame. Camera shots are used to demonstrate different aspects of a film's setting, characters and themes. As a result, camera shots are very important in shaping meaning in a film. Reviewing the examples on the right hand side of this page should make the different camera shots clearer.
An extreme long shot ( animation on right ) contains a large amount of landscape. It is often used at the beginning of a scene or a film to establish general location (setting). This is also known as an establishing shot.
A long shot ( animation on right ) contains landscape but gives the viewer a more specific idea of setting. A long shot may show the viewers the building where the action will take place.
A full shot ( animation on right ) contains a complete view of the characters . From this shot, viewers can take in the costumes of characters and may also help to demonstrate the relationships between characters. For more information on costumes and acting refer to Chapter 4.
A mid shot ( animation on right ) contains the characters or a character from the waist up . From this shot, viewers can see the characters' faces more clearly as well as their interaction with other characters. This is also known as a social shot
A close-up ( animation on right ) contains just one character's face . This enables viewers to understand the actor's emotions and also allows them to feel empathy for the character. This is also known as a personal shot.
An extreme close-up ( animation on right ) contains one part of a character's face or other object. This technique is quite common in horror films, particularly the example above. This type of shot creates an intense mood and provides interaction between the audience and the viewer.
When analysing a film you should always think about the different camera shots and why they are being used. The next time that you are at the cinema or watching television see what camera shots are being used.
Important: These camera shots are used in all forms of visual texts including postcards, posters and print advertisements.
Camera angles
It is important that you do not confuse camera angles and camera shots. Camera shots are used to demonstrate different aspects of setting, themes and characters. Camera angles are used to position the viewer so that they can understand the relationships between the characters. These are very important for shaping meaning in film as well as in other visual texts.
The following examples will help you to understand the differences between the different camera angles
A bird's eye angle ( animation on right ) is an angle that looks directly down upon a scene . This angle is often used as an establishing angle, along with an extreme long shot, to establish setting.
A high angle ( animation on right ) is a camera angle that looks down upon a subject . A character shot with a high angle will look vulnerable or small. These angles are often used to demonstrate to the audience a perspective of a particular character. The example above demonstrates to us the perspective or point of view of a vampire. As a viewer we can understand that the vampire feels powerful.
An eye-level angle ( animation on right ) puts the audience on an equal footing with the character/s . This is the most commonly used angle in most films as it allows the viewers to feel comfortable with the characters.
A low angle ( animation on right ) is a camera angle that looks up at a character . This is the opposite of a high angle and makes a character look more powerful. This can make the audience feel vulnerable and small by looking up at the character. This can help the responder feel empathy if they are viewing the frame from another character's point of view.
As with camera shots, you will be able to see many examples of camera angles in any film or visual text that you view. The next time that you watch television or see a film, take note of the camera angles and think of how they affect your perception (idea) of different characters.
Another camera angle that you might come across is a Dutch angle.
A Dutch angle ( animation on right ) is used to demonstrate the confusion of a character. The example above should disorientate you.
Camera movement
Composers of films also use camera movement to shape meaning. The following are some examples of common camera movements and how they can be used to shape meaning in films.
A crane shot ( animation on right ) is often used by composers of films to signify the end of a film or scene. The effect is achieved by the camera being put on a crane that can move upwards
A tracking shot and a dolly shot ( animation on right ) have the same effect. A tracking shot moves on tracks and a dolly shot is mounted on a trolley to achieve the effect in the example above. This camera movement is used in a number of ways but is most commonly used to explore a room such as a restaurant. By using a tracking shot or a dolly shot the composer of a film gives the viewer a detailed tour of a situation. It can also be used to follow a character.
Panning ( animation on right ) is used to give the viewer a panoramic view of a set or setting. This can be used to establish a scene
An Evangelion shot ( animation on right ) is derived from the popular anime series 'Neon Genesis Evangelion'. This camera movement begins as an extreme close-up and zooms out abruptly, creating a blurring effect to emphasise the speed and size of the object
Lighting is a very important aspect for shaping meaning in films. What kind of atmosphere is created in a room lit by candles? Have you ever heard of mood lighting? A room that is brightly lit by neon lights might seem to be sterile or a shadowy room might be eerie or scary. The lighting technicians in a film crew have the task of creating lighting to suit the mood and atmosphere of each scene in a film.
Consider the animations Lighting example one, Lighting example two, Lighting example three and think about what type of atmosphere is created in each.
For each example, do you think the lighting suits the characters in the frames? For instance, in Example Three the two people are very happy and the scene is lit brightly. What would be the effect on the atmosphere if the lighting were dark and shadowy, similar to Example Two?
Remember that lighting is used in still image visual texts as well as in films.
Cinematography
Cinematography is the combination of the techniques described in this chapter. This includes camera shots, camera angles, camera movement and lighting. Use the term cinematography to group all of these together, for example, 'The cinematography in that film was exceptional.'
Mise en Scene
Mise en scene refers to all the objects and characters in a particular frame. More specifically, it refers to the composition of the frame. When you use the term mise en scene, you are discussing where the composer or director has placed all the elements of the scene within the frame.
Source : Information taken from educational website - www.skwirkcom
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How to write a documentary essay? đ˝ď¸ Find the answer in this article! It contains best documentary report examples, writing tips, documentary essay topics.
In reality, a documentary script needs to be just as compelling and exciting as a script for a feature film. In this post, you’ll learn how to write a script for a documentary in this amazing medium of storytelling.
I’m Tutor Phil, and in this tutorial I’ll show you how to write a film analysis. In short, to write a film analysis means to: Identify the elements of the film. Identify the relationships among those elements. Form an argument about your findings. Support your argument using evidence.
To write an effective film analysis essay, it is important to follow specific format requirements that include the following: Standard essay structure. Just as with any essay, your analysis should consist of an introduction with a strong thesis statement, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
This handout introduces film analysis and and offers strategies and resources for approaching film analysis assignments. Writing the film analysis essay. Writing a film analysis requires you to consider the composition of the film—the individual parts and choices made that come together to create the finished piece.
Step 1. Watch the movie. Then watch it again. Take notes during the first viewing and, if you are analyzing a movie that is available on DVD, be ready with your remote control to pause and rewind. Step 2. Critically engage the movie so that you can effectively produce a strong essay. Focus on a single thematic concept related to the film.