EXPERIMENTAL FILM EXAM QUESTION CONTENT

 EXAM QUESTION : TO WHAT EXTENT AND IN WHAT WAYS CAN YOUR CHOSEN FILM BE DESCRIBED AS AN EXPERIMENTAL FILM   ( 20 marks )

Consider the following questions  and  techniques and include at least some of the following content .

You should be discussing  how and why the film uses some experimental or postmodern techniques and 

decide in a personal response how "experimental" the film actually is. 

 

Is Pulp Fiction an experimental film ?  

Is it non-narrative cinema or an art film ( like some purely experimental films ) NO 

Does it feature narratives and more traditional cinematic storytelling with some use of experimental techniques ?  YES / A BIT / TO SOME EXTENT

EXPERIMENTAL TECHNIQUES

FILM FORM AND NARRATIVE 

 Does the film contain any experiments or subversions of the rules of film form or narrative  structure or  enigmas ?  

LIST YOUR EXAMPLES

GENRE

Does the film just follow or does it play with or subvert any audience expectations or conventions of the crime genre ?

Consider ideas of stereotypical or familiar characters in crime movies, familiar stories and iconography  narrative structure and resolutions in crime movies  and how enigmas are usually resolved in the crime genre

POSTMODERNIST TECHNIQUES

Article on postmodernism in film : good summary of the main content

Is Pulp Fiction a postmodernist film ? Which postmodernist techniques does it use ?

What do these techniques add in terms of content or meaning ?

 

Intertextuality : For example, intertextuality.  Pulp Fiction has a huge variety of explicit and more subtle intertextual references. Does it make the film more realistic or change the meaning of the text in any way ? What doe these references add ?

Does it have a classic postmodern dark and ironic mood , with a casual attitude to violence ? Does the film have a single and clear meaning and resolution or a more ambiguous and fractured resolution ?

Eclecticism : Does the film have a range of influences from both high  culture ( e.g literature, European art film ) and low culture ( e.g comic books, American TV , action films ) ?

Are any whole scenes or stories complete pastiches or parodies of other films or genres or does Tarantino just use  intertextual references and occasionally steal plot ideas  ?  For example

Reflexivity : Does the film ( or any scenes ) draw attention to itself as a media text in a self-concsious way  e.g breaking the fourth wall ? I couldn't think of anything apart from some of the more extreme uses of framing and camera movement that feel "self-concsious"

FURTHER HELP

excellent examplar on how experimental the narrative is

A reddit discussion

video on some more "intertextual references" Tarantino makes in his films and general discussion of postmodernist originality

Opening scenes

Let's get into character : talking at work

Jack Rabbit Slims : 

 a place made of intertextual references

Ending ( ?)

EXPERIMENTAL FILM : Introduction

 Summarise  what is meant by " experimental" film , including examples of the experimental techniques  in film form and narrative  that have been used  by previous filmmakers.

Consider ideas such as audience pleasures, the influence of other art forms and art movements, the genre and type of film being made ,  and  the purpose of  using such techniques. Your examples should range from purely experimental " non-narrative" or art  films to techniques used in modern mainstream Hollywood films.

Try to find examples of how the "rules" and audience expectations of each element of film form and narrative can and have been broken. 

Use the information on the Experimental film blog to help

SILENT COMEDY : EXAM QUESTION 1

 

Explore how far your film option can be considered as either a realist or expressive cinema

( 20 marks )  30 minutes  

BLOG : Realist v Expressionist critical debate ( including Bazin )

your film option :  Keaton's 4 short films 1920-22

You should make reference to key sequences from at least 2 of the films

BUSTER KEATON : PAPER 2 : Silent Comedy Analysis part 2

 Summarise the following elements of both The High Sign  and Cops  with specific examples of scenes and moments from the films

Use of Film  Form

 use of cinematography ,lighting and framing : e.g  framing to fit the joke, use of 2d , naturalistic bright lighting

style of editing ( invisible/when necessary ) , use of cuts and special effects, 

use and role of mise-en-scene, e.g props and background used actively as part of narrative and jokes

 performance ( body language, facial expression , size and contrast in physique )

Buster Keaton's film persona

e.g aspirational everyman, romantic suitor or outsider clown , links to performance 



Representations

e.g gender roles , police, class, social institutions/rituals  such as marriage and religion



General Silent comedy  conventions

e.g use of stunts, chase scenes , falls, props, animals , slapstick humour, vaudeville tropes and routines e.g banana peel

Keaton's specific use of conventions and techniques

 "postmodern" techniques such as breaking fourth wall , cartoon gags , layering and building of jokes, subverting classic vaudeville routines and expectations, interest in technology/media 

Cultural  contexts and references 

e.g advertising, art , technologies, vaudeville, political and news events 

BUSTER KEATON : 'One Week' and 'The Scarecrow' analysis

Summarise the following elements of both One Week and The Scarecrow with specific examples of scenes and moments from the films


Use of Film  Form

e.g use of lighting and framing, style of editing , use of cuts and special effects, use and role of mise-en-scene, performance ( body language, facial expression , size and contrast in physique )


Buster Keaton's film persona

e.g aspirational everyman, romantic suitor or outsider clown


Representations

e.g women, marriage,police, class


Silent comedy  techniques

e.g use of stunts,chase scenes , falls, props, animals , slapstick humour, "postmodern" techniques such as breaking fourth wall , 


Cultural  contexts and references

e.g advertising, technologies, vaudeville,technologies

  

For those students who wish to film  their production work rather than just submit a script/storyboard,  make sure you complete an effective storyboard  or simple shot list to help plan effective shots to maximise your marks.  

You should also complete a production plan detailing specific  filming locations , dates , cast , props and costume requirement s to help you plan. 

Students who wish to focus on the script and storyboard please ensure you use the resources below for their final versions and make sure you follow the guidance . You can delete and resubmit earlier versions on moodle if you wish

RESOURCES TO HELP

EDUQAS marked example ( completed screenplay plus complete  storyboard and evaluative analysis) BAND 5/4

SCREENPLAY HELP 

EDUQAS Information about screenplay format plus example from Juno to complete

MORE SCREENPLAY HELP

General guidance and help about screenplay writing from the exam board

LINK to all other exam board resources

50 screenplays in various genres

Download or read examples to help with planning content 

PAN'S LABYRINTH : Pale man and ending analysis

 

Analyse how film form is used to create meaning and generate response in the pale man scene  of Pan's Labyrinth and the final scene:

 Focus on  how the narrative and  ideology and messages of the film  (such as  fascism v rebellion , the importance of disobedience , childhood v adulthood , male v female , the role of fantasy etc. )  are  represented and resolved using specific examples from the scenes. 

You can also analyse how references to art,culture,history etc are used to add meaning to the film.

LINKS

Pale man scene

Ending

Final scenes with some analysis

.

Make sure you include all of the following :

Cinematography ( including lighting and use of camera)

Editing (  invisible or stylised , pace, rhythm , sequencing of scenes and narrative )

Mise-en-scene ( setting , props, iconography , uniform and clothing etc. ) 

Sound ( diegetic /non-diegetic music , sound effects , voiceover etc)  

Performance  ( body language , physical performamce , facial expression ,casting , contrasts in  size and performance between actors/characters ) 

Have a look at the resources on the Pan's Labyrinth page to help 

Pan's Labyrinth opening scene analysis

Analyse how film form is used to create meaning and generate response in the opening scene of Pan's Labyrinth and at least one other scene from the first half of the film : look at how the " real world " and the underworld is represented and how they relate to each other using film form, the importance of fantasy and stories in opposition to fascism, how characters are introduced and what they represent,  key objects , settings and costume , body language , lighting , camera movement , use of music is setting mood and linking to motifs , themes and narrative etc.

Make sure you include all of the following :

Cinematography

Editing

Mise-en-scene

Sound

Performamce

BFI VISUAL ESSAY 

CITY OF GOD: Close analysis of opening scene ( and one other )

Analyse how  the opening scene ( including the transition to the 1960s)  and one other scene in   City of  God creates meaning and  audience response using all of the key elements of film form. How are the narratives and ideologies in the  rest of the film foreshadowed  and  introduced ?



Cinematography ( e.g cold and worm lighting, camera movement, framing )


Editing ( e.g use and meaning of transitions, narrative structure, rhythm and pace of cuts )


Mise-en-scene ( e.g key props and motifs, background and setting  )


Sound ( e.g use of music, diegetic/non-diegetic sound effects,use of voiceover )


Performance ( e.g  nonverbal communication, verbal tone , physical actions ,facial expressions)



( Ideological themes ( e.g violence,community,escape. past v present )

BRITISH CINEMA : exam question

 How are the ideological themes and issues in your chosen films resolved ? ( 40 )

Focus on at least one key scene in each of your chosen films in your answer. 

Submit your answer on moodle by 12:20pm  on Thursday

SHAUN OF THE DEAD : narrative resolution

 1   Analyse how the narrative enigmas and issues that Shaun has had to deal with and confront (in order to develop as a character )  are  resolved  in the film.  These may include

Relationship  with family ( particularly his stepfather )

Friendship with Ed 

Relationship with Liz

General lifestyle choices

 

Focus on the key scenes which resolve these issues and  use specific examples of film form and the film's use of various  genre conventions  to support your points

SHAUN OF THE DEAD : Opening scene

OPENING SCENE

1   Analyse how the opening scene of  of Shaun of the Dead ( in the pub)  uses film form to introduce its themes of  relationships and  friendship and creates some of the the narrative enigmas and issues that Shaun will have to solve and resolve in the film

These may include :  

 Shaun's relationship with Liz....what and who are  the barriers to their relationship succeeding and how is this shown in the opening ? What does Shaun need to fix ?    Who is deciding this ?

Shaun's friendship with  Ed ...is this friendship positive or is it holding Shaun back ?

plus

Relationship with family ?

Shaun's own personal development ?

Look at examples of camera shots. framing , key mise-en-scene , editing ,performance and other elements of film form. 

2   Create a list of  characters , settings and objects present or discussed in the opening scene that can  represent the  binary opposites  of  working class and middle class culture and aspirations   e.g

Working class                                                            Middle class

Pub                                                                             Restuarant    

 Pint                                                                            Glass of wine

  Ed                                                                               Davs and Di             

Where does Shaun fit in ?

                                        

 Link to AS Level 2021-22 blog

https://coulsdonasfilm21.blogspot.com/

TRAINSPOTTING : ANALYSIS OF NARRATIVE RESOLUTION

Analyse how the narrative resolution of the film explores and resolves its  themes and binary oppposites 

 ( friendship, betrayal, escape , family life, alienation, addiction , past v future , masculinity , responsibility v freedom, individuality v society, etc. ).



You should focus here on the final sections  of the film and on Tommy's narrative and fate and particularly  Renton's attempts to escape and his final betrayal. Look at how film form is used to guide audience response and alignment in key scenes and the language used in the closing voiceover.

Is there a moral or message to Trainspotting or is it ambiguous about the themes and characters ? 

How does Renton exemplify this ?

Cold turkey , Tommy

London

Tommy's funeral

Sick boy's deal

Ending

Closing voiceover text 

PROGRESS EXAM QUESTION PAPER 1 B : Wednesday June 9

PAPER 1 SECTION B  AMERICAN CINEMA AFTER 2005  

How far do your chosen films ( No Country for Old Men and Captain Fantastic ) demonstrate the importance of visual and soundtrack cues in influencing spectator response? Refer in detail to at least one sequence from each film ( 40 marks )

50 minutes

Compare and contrast how visual and soundtrack elements ( cinematography, editing, mise-en-scene,  music, sound effects, ) are used in  both films to influence how  audiences are aligned or encouraged to feel about characters and the narrative of the film .

You can also explore issues such as active/passive spectatorship , audience expectations , and  ideological themes .

This exam is handwritten but you may consult previous notes to help with key content

                                  

 

TRAINSPOTTING : film form in the overdose/withdrawal scene

Focus on the Overdose and Withdrawal scenes below to answer the following question in a written report

Overdose

Withdrawal

 

How is film form  used in these scenes  to explore and develop the film's social/emotional / narrative themes and the  relationships between characters ? ( e.g the widespread nature of heroin use in Edinburgh, Renton's  emotions and  relationships with family and friends ) 

Look at some of these themes  in terms of binary oppositions  ( e.g Renton v Begbie , family v independence , heroin v life)  

EXAM QUESTION 1 B No country for old men/ Captain Fantastic

 Exam question :  How far do your chosen films demonstrate the importance of visual and soundtrack cues in influencing spectator response? Refer in detail to at least one sequence from each film ( 40 marks )

Create a first draft of this exam answer ,  explaining the main points  you would make , including analysis of your chosen scenes ( at least one for each film ).

Compare and contrast how visual and soundtrack elements ( cinematography, editing, mise-en-scene,  music, sound effects, ) are used in  both films to influence how  audiences feel about characters and the narrative of the film .

You can also explore issues such as active/passive spectatorship , audience expectations , and  ideological themes .

Aim for 800 words at this stage :  you can use content and points from your previous blog tasks to help you.

                                            DEADLINE :  Friday May 7th

 

NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN : ENDING and RESOLUTION

FINAL SCENES 

                                                            

                                                              The pool
         

                                                               Bell arrives

                                                                 

                                                                   Final conflict ?

 


                                                                           Coin toss 2  (  Carla Jean)

                                                                          Chigurh's accident





                                                               Ending dream scene  ( Sheriff Bell)

Do you find the ending of the film to be a  satisfying resolution ?  Summarise how the three main  characters' narratives are resolved (or not ) and how this relates to the themes of the film   

Why do you feel the Coen Brothers decided to have their main protagonist killed offscreen , and then avoid a final climax between Sheriff Bell and Chigurh ?   Consider the effect on the audience in terms of expectations of genre and narrative,  and the  themes of  law and order v criminality , good v evil , heroism, chance, masculinity  etc. and how the characters relate to each other and  see themselves.

 Who represents the force of good in the film ? What does the film's final scenes with Chigurh/ Carla-Jean and Sheriff Bell suggest about the battle between good and evil  , chance and fate , past and future , and Bell's hopes, fears and attitudes ? Why make Bell's dream monologue the final scene ?

Use examples of film form to support your points

NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN : OPENING SCENES

 Summarise and explain the following elements about the opening scenes  of No Country for Old Men  which introduce the characters of Bell and Chigurh

                                               Opening ( Sheriff Ed Tom Bell )

                                 Opening ( Sheriff Ed Tom Bell/Chigurh ) ( low quality)


                                                            

                                                     The discovery  ( Llewellyn Moss)

                                                    

Spectatorship


What elements of film form are used  in the opening scenes to align audiences to be positioned with Sheriff Bell and Lleweyn Moss ( and any other characters )and how is film form used to avoid alignment, especially with Chigurh  ?  e.g use of closeups , POV shots , camera framing and angles ,voiceover etc.

 How much do you learn about the personality , background , ambitions ,lifestyle and fears of each character in these scenes? 

Ideological themes


What moral or social themes are introduced in the opening scenes , including binary oppositions ( e.g chaos v order?) Who does the audience feel allegience and empathy with and why ?
 

No COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN : Intro

 

Anton Chigurh

Llewellyn Moss

Sheriff Ed Tom Bell

  
Do you see any connections in the setting and the characters to traditional Western conventions ?

How do you feel their stories will be resolved ?