Lesson 2: The Language of Film
Duration of Days: 4
Lesson Objective
Students will be able to recall definitions of more than 40 film techniques.
What camera and filming techniques differentiate movies from theater?
How do we identify what techniques were used to make a scene in a film?
What effect does a a film technique have on the audience, and why?
Actors
Setting
Costumes
Props
Screenplay (script)
Lighting
Low key
High key
Side lighting
Sound
Diegetic
Non-Diegetic
Internal Diegetic
Editing
Cut
Fade
Dissolve
Parallel Editing
Match Cut
Point of View Editing
Long Take vs. Short Take
Master Shot
Extreme Long Shot (Establishing Shot)
Long Shot
Medium Long Shot
Medium Close Up
Close Up
Extreme Close Up
Point of View Shot
Over the Shoulder Shot
Camera Angles
High Angle
Low Angle
Canted Angle
Aerial Shot
Tilt
Pan
Whip Pan
Tracking Shot
Zoom
Dolly Zoom
Handheld/Steadycam
Crane Shot
Language. 11-12.4. Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grades 11-12 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
Language. 11-12.6. Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
Reading for Information.11-12.4. Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze how an author uses and refines the meaning of a key term or terms over the course of a text (e.g., how Madison defines faction in Federalist No. 10).
Speaking and Listening.11-12.1. Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 11–12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
Speaking and Listening.11-12.2. Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) in order to make informed decisions and solve problems, evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source and noting any discrepancies among the data.
Speaking and Listening.11-12.6. Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating a command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.
content vocabulary
DOK 1, 2, 3, 4
Making a short video with peers to demonstrate understanding of techniques
sound terms: diegetic, non-diegetic, internal diegetic
fade vs. dissolve
Multiple pathways to get information: oral explanations, visual slides, article text, and peer discussion
Oral discussion (whole class, groups)
Notes on vocabulary
Article annotations
Group application of film techniques in video form
Vocabulary quiz (end of unit)