Film Literacy

Everybody thinks they understand how to make a film. They have seen TV and Film for their entire lives, they have studied film analysis and different shot in English... how hard can it be? Actually - pretty hard.

Like writing, film-making has a grammar, and a structure that, without, makes it hard to understand, so before we make a film, we need to understand the components, and how they fit together.

Have a look at the three 1 minute films below - what are the component parts that give them meaning?

So.... WHAT'S IN A MOVIE?

A lot of things help you understand and enjoy a movie story. 

They include:

• what’s in each shot, and how big it is

• where the camera is, and whether it moves 

• what sounds you hear 

• how the shots are joined together in sequences.

• These things are all part of film language. 

• Understanding film language will help you use film to tell stories.

There are two sections to review - the film language basics - the grammar of film making, and how to put that into practice, there is a practical exercise for each.

There are two sections to review - the film language basics - the grammar of film making, and how to put that into practice, there is a practical exercise for each.