Film language is used to create meaning in media texts.
Learning intentions Students are learning to…
- Understand what montage means
- Explain how montage creates meaning in a media text
Success criteria (How do students know they have achieved success?)
I can…
- I can define montage
- I can identify the elements of montage in the Doc Martens Ad
- I can identify meaning created from montage in the Doc Martens Ad
Activities
Brainstorm
Teacher explains that montage means the way the text is edited (as opposed to a certain kind of rapid cutting).
Class watches Doc Martens Ad on Cystic Fibrosis and teacher talks students through structure/ pace/ cuts/ rhythm. For example there are frequent jump cuts back into the same shot from a slightly different angle making the sequence appear amateur and edgy. Additionally there is not a lot of silence or space in the advertisement, and the man talks quickly throughout the sequence creating a sense of energy. The ad tries to connect this edginess and energy with individuality and strength of character.
As a class brainstorm other ways the ad could have been edited: juxtaposition/ flashback/forward/ parallel action/ montage (rapid cutting) fast or slow motion/ transitions/stills/ jump cuts etc. teacher writes brainstorm on board.
Story boarding
Students are given a blank story board and asked to write their own Doc Martens Ad. Remind students that these ads suggest that the people who wear Doc Martens boots have strength of character and they might like to consider this when writing their own version. Students must write detailed directors notes outlining mis en scene, soundtrack and montage.
Before the lesson finishes teacher asks students to feed back to the class some of the ideas they have generated for their story board.
Homework
Students complete story board.
