Year 12 Media exam revision - General points - Narrative: production elements

General points Don’t cross things out! The examiner is looking to award marks, not deduct them. So, even if you think what you’ve written isn’t relevant, just leave it. If you write big, you can get more writing booklets. There will be one extended answer question – for this question you can do a plan in the notes section.

Timing Allow 2 mins per mark allocated Eg: 6 marks – 12 mins, 15 marks – 30 mins The number of lines under each question should also indicate to you how much you should be writing During your revision, try to do a full exam to time conditions, and practice 2 mins per mark.

Question prompts Analyse: break into parts and provide detailed explanation Compare: describe similarities Contrast: describe differences Describe: give details of (examples) Evaluate: state the value or the degree of something Explain: make clear, show meaning of Illustrate: use examples to clarify meaning Outline: highlight main features, not too much depth Summarise: present main ideas Identify: show, reveal, point out Hint: highlight/underline these words in a question so you know what it’s asking you to do.

Narrative – response structure Name the element (eg. Camera techniques, editing, cause and effect etc) Describe how it’s been used (use key terminology, eg expressive lighting, non-diegetic sound, close-up shot) Explain why its been used (eg. Used to stimulate, frighten, build suspense) Describe the effect on the audience (what does it make the audience think, what does it lead us to believe?)

Narrative – how to revise Go back and watch the texts several times over Revise your key terms for all of the production & story elements Don’t forget the ‘other elements’ when revising, ie. Themes, issues & motifs; reception context; genre Revise what key scenes apply to each of these – not enough to just identify the scene though, you’ll need to discuss what techniques are in the scene.

Narrative – production elements This is the time to use key terminology. It has been a gripe of examiners in the past that students have not used enough key terminology You will earn more marks in these areas when you DO use key terminology What does CAMELS stand for again?

Camera techniques What are some of these? In 2 mins write down as many as you can remember/find in your notes.

Key Camera Terms Shot selectionAnglesOther techniques Extreme long shot to Extreme close up High Low Eye-level Lines and diagonals Rule of thirds MovementFocusQualities Pan Zoom Tilt Dolly Hand held Depth of field Fore-ground Mid ground Back-ground Deep focus 35mm film 90mm film 3D Animation Video

Key scenes What was the key scene we looked at for camera techniques in Psycho? What was the key scene we looked at for camera techniques in Edward Scissorhands? Go back to the screen shots in the PPs from term 1 to revise key scenes and details from them.

Practice question – 6 mins With reference to one of the texts you have studied this year, give an example of how camera techniques contribute to the audience’s engagement with that text. (3 marks)

Lighting Who can name the 4 types of lighting? If you can use these terms, and then describe how the relevant ones are demonstrated in your key scene, you’ll show the examiner you’re brilliant, as too many students don’t use these terms well. Don’t call it “light lighting” or “dark lighting”!!!

4 types of lighting Naturalistic lighting: makes the scene look natural/realistic. Eg: sunlight, normal indoor lighting. Expressive lighting: non- naturalistic, lighting that is emphasised, adds to the colour, tone, shadow and light in the frame. Film noirs use this a lot (Sin City is considered a neo- noir). High Key: Few shadows and little contrast. Low Key: Use of shadows and light.

Key scenes What was the key scene we looked at for lighting in Psycho? What was the key scene we looked at for lighting in Edward Scissorhands? Go back to the screen shots in the PPs from term 1 to revise key scenes and details from them.

Lighting- to know For each sequence from Psycho and Edward Scissorhands, what kind of lighting was used? Was there only one style, or a mix of styles? Use key terminology Explain why its been used (eg. Used to stimulate, frighten, build suspense) Describe the effect on the audience (what does it make the audience think, what does it lead us to believe?) Use evidence from each sequence to support your statements.

In summary The theme of deceptive appearances (where people aren’t what they always seems to be) is expressed in the lighting. Burton turns horror conventions right around here. Whilst convention says that normally what lurks in the shadows is what is meant to be scary, in Edward Scissorhands it is that which is clearly visible that you actually need to be careful of.

Sound In 2 mins, write down the answers to these questions: What 2 categories does sound fall under? What are examples of the kinds of sounds for each of these 2 categories?

Diegetic sound: The sound that happens within the world of the film, tv show etc. If an actor can see, touch or hear it, it is diegetic. Eg, actors speaking, music coming from a radio, sound within the film, such as cars driving past. Non-diegetic sound: The sound that happens outside the world of the film, tv show etc. Eg, voice overs, music playing over the titles, sound effects. Don’t forget the absence of sound as well, and why this may be included.

Sound key scenes What was the key scene we looked at for sound in Psycho? What was the key scene we looked at for sound in Edward Scissorhands?

Sound key scenes As we watch each of these scenes, write down all the sounds you hear. Classify them as either Diegetic or Non-Diegetic. Psycho: Marion driving towards Bates Motel (23min 41 secs – 26min 54secs) Edward Scissorhands: Edward storms out of the Boggs’ house (1:16:08 – 1:17:11)

Acting Remember: It’s really important that when you discuss acting, you use the actor’s name, not the character’s name. Eg. Janet Leigh, not Marion Crane. What things do we need to be talking about when discussing acting techniques?

Acting Gestures Actions Posture Expressions Delivery of lines Tone of voice Casting (is actor playing to type or against)

Acting key scenes Go back through your notes. You were required to identify your own key scenes for acting. What key scenes did you have for Janet Leigh (Marion) and Anthony Perkins (Norman) in Psycho? What key scenes did you have for Johnny Depp (Edward), Winona Ryder (Kim) and Diane Weist (Peg) in Edward Scissorhands?

Mise-en-Scene & Visual Composition What is the difference between the two? What things do we need to be looking for in M-E-S? When revising, don’t forget you were given a lot of EXTRA notes on this area, as well as print outs from the original PP with screen shots to help you see how M-E-S & V.C were constructed in each film. Make sure you’re looking back over these.

The difference is… Mise-en-scene: Everything within the frame of the shot: acting, lighting position of props, colours, setting, costumes. Visual composition: How objects are placed in the frame; how they’ve been arranged for particular effect.

Key scenes What key scene did we look at in Psycho for M-E-S and V.C? What key scene did we look at in Edward Scissorhands for M- E-S and V.C? Go back to the screen shots in the PPs from term 1 to revise key scenes and details from them.

Psycho key scene: M-E-S & Vis Comp Key scene: The Parlour scene As we watch the Parlour Scene, write down all the things you see within the frame of the shot: acting, lighting, position of props, colours, setting, costumes.

Edward Scissorhands key scene: M-E-S & Vis Comp Key scene: Peg’s ‘Avon Calling’ (4:57 – 8:15) As we watch this scene, write down all the things you see within the frame of the shot: acting, lighting, position of props, colours, setting, costumes.

Practice questions – 14 mins total 1.Define two production elements. (2 marks) 2.Using one of the texts studied for narrative, explain how the production elements you identified in Question 1 work together to enhance the audience’s engagement with a character and/or relationships between characters in the narrative. (5 marks)

Editing What is editing? What is sound editing? What is montage? What is a transition? What is a cut? What is pace in editing? This is another area where you should be using LOTS of key terminology, such as in the questions above.

Key scenes What was the key scene for editing in Psycho? What was the key scene for editing in Edward Scissorhands?

Psycho key scene: The shower scene Edwards Scissorhands key scene: Edward sees Jim and Kim for the last time (1:28:14 – 1:31:48)

Revising on Editing You developed a lot of class notes on editing. I made you do this for a reason. Editing is a big area – there’s lots of key terminology, and the editing techniques can change several times even within one scene. If you lost your notes, go back to the PPs on the Assignments Drive.