Category Archives: General

Moana Meets the Ocean

General

Camera

  • As Moana walks onto the beach, we can see the shadow of the birds on the sand. Why do you think the filmmaker does this?
  • The camera does a close up of the sea turtle. Why do you think this is used?
  • What type of camera shot is used as the magic of the ocean glistens towards Moana?
  • Ariel shots are used as Moana continues to pick up the shells. Why do you think this is? What else can we see?
Colour

  • Describe the colours you can see throughout the clip
  • How do they make you feel?
  • Do you think the colours used throughout the clip work effectively alongside the mood the filmmaker is trying to create?
  • Why do you think the filmmaker has chosen those specific colours for the shell Moana picks up on the beach?
Character

  • What dilemma does Moana face at the beginning of the clip? Why do you think she chooses to help the turtle?
  • How do you think the turtle may be feeling? Why?
  • What does this tell us about the character of Moana?
  • When she begins to pick up the shells, something unusual happens. What is it? Do you think Moana is aware of it?
  • Why do you think Moana’s father was scared?
Sound

  • What sounds can we hear at the beginning of the clip? Where have you heard these before?
  • We do not see or hear any dialogue between Moana and the turtle. If there was, what do you think each character would say? Why do you think the filmmaker has chosen not to include dialogue between the two characters?
  • As Moana experiences the magic of the ocean, we hear a lady’s voice singing. Describe the music. How does it make you feel? Does it suit what is happening in the clip?
  • Why do you think this music only plays during this part of the clip?
Story

  • Do you think Moana likes being near the ocean? Why?
  • Have you ever visited/watched/read about the ocean? What can you recall about it?
  • Is there anything in the clip that makes you think about our world today?
  • Why do you think the magic of the ocean pops Moana back on shore as her father is about to arrive?
Setting

  • Where do you think the clip is taking place?
  • Do you recognise the setting from anywhere you have been before or anything that you have seen before?
Task

The ocean is a beautiful part of our world but unfortunately there are many things that are harming it. Use a device to research and create a short clip persuading people to look after the ocean. Think about what you could try to persuade them to do.

Credit: Laura McEachran @MissLMacDonald

Coco

General

  • Why do you think the filmmaker uses a close up of the family picture at the beginning of the clip?
  • What camera shot is used when Miguel is blowing into the bottle?
  • Why do you think the filmmaker uses a montage of clips showing Abuelita’s hate towards music?
  • What jobs do you think Miguel’s family do for a living?
  • Look at the colours used in the clip. How do they make you feel?
  • Do you think the colours suit the music playing at the beginning? Why/why not?
  • The filmmaker uses a voiceover from Miguel. Why do you think he does this?
  • Where do you think this clip is set? Why do you think that? Have you seen anything from the clip before?
  • When Miguel is in the marketplace, the filmmaker uses a track camera movement. This is when the camera moves along with what it is filming. Can you spot the track camera movement?
  • Do you think Miguel and Dante are friends? Why do you think that?

Credit: Laura McEachran @MissLMacDonald

The Hunger Games

General

  • In the opening shot, Effie is wearing a very bright colour in contrast with her surroundings. What do you think this tells us about her character?
  • After Primrose’s name is announced, why do you think the camera focuses on Katniss?
  • How do you think Primrose would feel when her name is called out?
  • Why do you think the soldiers try to stop Katniss?
  • The filmmaker does not use any background music during this scene between Primrose and Katniss. Why do you think this is?
  • If you could include background music for this scene, what would it sound like? Can you think of any instruments or dynamics that would suit the scene best?
  • As Katniss walks up the stairs, the camera shifts to look as if it is from her point of view. Why do you think the filmmaker chooses to do this? Is it effective?
  • As she walks to the mic, we can hear natural sounds such as footsteps and body movements. Why do you think the filmmaker has chosen to highlight these sounds?
  • Do you think Effie’s personality and dialogue suits what is happening in this scene? Why/why not?
  • Why do you think the crowd make a gesture rather than clap?
  • As Peeta’s name is called, we begin to hear music. What instruments can you hear and can you describe how they are playing?
  • As Peeta and Katniss are asked to shake hands, a flashback scene is shown. Why do you think the filmmaker chose to do this? What does it tell us about the character of Peeta?

Credit: Laura McEachran @MissLMacDonald

Paddington 2

General

  • Why do you think all of the prisoners turn around when Paddington approaches Mr Knuckles?
  • Why do you think the character is called ‘Mr Knuckles’?
  • A shot of the policeman requesting a medic is used. Why do you think this is?
  • A low angle and high angled shot is used as Paddington is speaking to Mr Knuckles. Why do you think this is?
  • Do you think Mr Knuckles does like it when people complain?
  • Look at the colours used in this scene. Do you think the colours suit what a prison environment would possible look like? Why/why not?
  • An establishing shot of the prisoners is used as Paddington turns around. Why do you think they are reacting that way?
  • Why do you think the policeman requests a priest?
  • What kind of camera shot is used to reinforce Mr Knuckles anger?
  • The music changes as the sandwich goes into Mr Knuckles mouth. How does the music make you feel? Does it remind you of anything?
  • Do you think Mr Knuckles likes marmalade sandwiches?

Credit: Laura McEachran @MissLMacDonald

Avengers: End Game

General

  • Listen to the first 10 seconds of the clip. Do you think the soundtrack matches what is happening?
  • How does the music make you feel?
  • Look at the colours used in this clip. Do you think they represent what is happening well?
  • When Thor and Thanos are fighting, the camera pans to a close up of Thor’s hammer. Why do you think this is?
  • The music changes when Captain America takes the hammer. Why do you think this is?
  • What emotions do you as a viewer feel during this scene?
  • The filmmakers use an establishing shot of the battlefield. Why is this effective?
  • The camera pans along all of the Avengers. Why do you think the filmmaker chooses to do this?
  • If you were Thanos, how do you think you would feel at this moment?
  • Amidst all of the dark colours, Valkyrie’s horse is a white colour. Do you think this could represent anything?
  • Has the mood of the music changed? How does it make you feel now?
  • There is very little dialogue in this scene. Why do you think this is?
  • If you were remaking this scene, would you include any dialogue?

Credit: Laura McEachran @MissLMacDonald

Detective Pikachu

General

  • How do you think Pikachu feels when Tim calls him ‘partner’?
  • When the filmmakers use the establishing shot, where do we think this scene is taking place?
  • The soundtrack during this scene is very gentle. Why do you think the filmmaker chose to use this?
  • The filmmaker uses close ups of Tim , followed by close ups of Pikachu during Tim’s dialogue. Why do you think they do this?
  • How do you think Tim feels when more of the Pokemon return to help Pikachu?
  • As Tim and the Pokemon reach the stream, a crane camera movement is used. Can you spot it? (Hint: a crane camera movement is when the camera begins to move above ground level)
  • The filmmaker uses more establishing shots as Tim and the Pokemon walk on. Why is this effective in telling the story?
  • A low angle shot is used when Mewtwo arrives. Do you think this is effective considering how Mewtwo is moving in the scene?
  • Towards the end of the clip, there is a dutch shot used to convey disorientation. Can you identify when it is used?

Credit: Laura McEachran @MissLMacDonald

Pirates of the Caribbean

  • The filmmaker uses an extreme close up shot of Jack’s eyes. Why do you think they do this?
  • What can we infer by looking at the close up of Jack’s eyes?
  • What mood do you think the colours create during this scene?
  • The music changes as Jack moves around the ship deck. Why do you think it does this? How does it make you feel?
  • Why do you think the filmmaker uses an establishing shot of the ship rocking?
  • Why do you think the filmmaker chooses to use a close up shot of the pirates who are tied to the mast and then rotates the camera shot around?
  • A birds eye shot is used of the ship. Why do you think this has been used?
  • Do you think the music matches what is happening in the clip? How does it make you feel?
  • The sun sets as the ship sinks under the sea. Why do you think the filmmaker chooses to show these side by side?

Credit: Laura McEachran @MissLMacDonald

  • When Katie is throwing the ball to Duke, there is music playing quietly in the background. Do you think it matches what is happening in the scene?
  • Where do you think the clip is set? Do you think it is in a town/village/city etc?
  • Do you think Max is having actual dialogue with Katie? Why/why not?
  • Do you think the pets are happy to be at the vet? Why/ why not?
  • What can we infer about the cat Max speaks to in the vet?
  • Why do you think the cat’s owner has taken him to the vet?
  • How do you think Max feels as he looks around at the other animals?
  • Listen to the music playing during this scene. How does it make you feel? Why do you think the filmmaker has chosen this music?
  • There is no dialogue from Max as he enters Katie’s apartment after the vet. If you could add dialogue, what do you think he would say?

Credit: Laura McEachran @MissLMacDonald

Matilda

General

  • When Hortensia begins to tell Matilda and Violet about Trunchbull, the camera begins to zoom in. Why do you think it does this?
  • When we are first introduced to Trunchbull in flashbacks, we do not see her face. Why do you think this is? Do you think it’s effective?
  • The first camera shot of the ‘Chokey’ is a low shot. Why do you think the filmmaker chose to use this shot?
  • When Matilda first sees the Trunchbull, how do you think she’s feeling? How would you feel?
  • Look at what colours the Trunchbull is wearing. Do you think the colours help represent her character? Why/why not?
  • The filmmaker uses low shots when Trunchbull is speaking to Amanda. Why do you think this is?
  • What kind of character do you think Amanda Thripp is? Do you think she’s scared of Trunchbull?
  • When Amanda says ‘but’ to Trunchbull, music begins to play. How does this piece of music make you feel? Does it match what is happening in the clip?
  • Does the music change when Amanda lands in the flowers? If so, in what way? How does it make you feel now?

Credit: Laura McEachran @MissLMacDonald