Film language is used to create meaning in media texts.
Learning intentions Students are learning to…
- Understand what film language means
- Understand what mise en scene means
- Explain how mise en scene creates meaning in a media text
Success criteria (How do students know they have achieved success?)
I can…
- I can define film language and mise en scene
- I can identify the elements of mise en scene
- I can identify meaning created from mise en scene
Activities
Teacher models
Show students one of the still frames from yesterday.
Teacher defines film language and mise en scene (in the frame) and illustrates examples of camera angles and shots/ composition/ colour/ shot content/ props/ focus/ body language. Determining what effect these have on the way we read the photograph. For example using the still frame of the girl with the tattooed face in the Dr. Martens Ad you might discuss how the close up of her looking directly at the viewer not only details the tattoos but suggests strength of character and defiance; that the intense yellow gives the shot an edgy feeling suggesting individuality; that the lack of focus suggests movement and energy, again giving the shot an edgy feeling.
Group work
Group students and the teacher gives each group a still photograph (cut from magazines/ newspapers). Groups have five minutes to analyse the photo in terms of mise en scene before swapping their photo with the next group. One students should be assigned to writing down notes. Depending on the size of the class students will look at four or five photos.
One representative from each group will be asked to discuss one photo with the class until all photos have been discussed.
Homework
Find a photograph of your choice and write a paragraph or two explaining how the mise en scene creates meaning in that photograph.
