Warm Up
What kind of person is Cinna? How do you know this? Write a paragraph explaining your answer; try and explain how costume and acting help establish his character.
Writing About Film
This involves a similar process to that used when writing about a novel. You are trying to explain why the director portrayed the characters and setting in the that he did. The difference with film is that you have to look for different things and use different language to describe what you see. In Media this language is used to talk about the production and story elements of a film.
Production elements refer to elements that you can see on screen in a narrative. Story elements refer to the aspects of a narrative that relate to the storyline
Let’s view The Reaping scenesof The Hunger Games. This will allow us to discuss one aspect of production elements called Mise-en-scene. Mise -en-scence refers to the artistic look and feel of a shot. It encompasses a range of elements, including lighting, costume, make up, camera techniques and the positioning and movement of actors.
There are a number of things involved in the proces of writing about a film:
- Watch film
- Note the production techniques that are most obvious (eg. camera, acting, lighting, editing or sound)
- Identify the purpose each production technique
- Analyse, making sure to move back and forth between describing the production technique and the purpose for its use
- Set the scene (What is going on at this point in the film?)
- Describe the use two or three production techniques and explain their purpose
The Reaping.
Analysis
Effie Trinket conducts The Reaping on stage in front of the District 12 residents, who look on somberly in their dull clothing as the brightly dressed, chirpy voiced Effie prattles on. Her clothing, make up and nails are extravagent, out of place and a bit absurd given the occasion. Effie’s appearence and patronising positivity highlight the difference in status between the citizens of The Capitol and those of District 12. This divide is further relfected by the silent salute the audience give Katnis. Effie tries to get the audience to applaud District 12′s ‘first volunteer’ but she is the only one who claps. The silent rasing a hands by the crowd is a defiant gesture; it shows solidarity and respect for Katniss, while being done in disregard of the request Effie made to applaud.