Lesson+1+-+Film+Metalanguage

=__**Metalanguage: The Grammar of Film**__=


 * Lesson on film conventions such as shots, angles and editing**


 * Purpose:** The purpose of this lesson is to teach students how to identify film conventions and explain what the use of those conventions may mean.


 * Objectives:**
 * 1) Identify the following conventions of film: shot, angle, edit
 * 2) Determine elements of those film conventions
 * 3) Understand why a director may choose to use a particular shot, angle or cut.


 * Lesson Plan Procedure**

The teacher will show the included PowerPoint presentation on the Grammar of Film. As each term is revealed students will be asked to take notes on their vocabulary sheets and think of reasons that a director may choose to use a particular convention. They will also be asked to think of other examples in which that convention is used. Students will report their findings as part of a class discussion. The conventions covered in the PowerPoint are:
 * 1) Shot
 * 2) Extreme Long Shot
 * 3) Long Shot
 * 4) Medium Shot
 * 5) Close Up
 * 6) Extreme Close Up
 * 7) Angle
 * 8) Bird's Eye View
 * 9) High Angle
 * 10) Low Angle
 * 11) Eye Level
 * 12) Oblique Angle
 * 13) Editing
 * 14) Continuity Editing
 * 15) Eyeline Matching
 * 16) Cut
 * 17) Matched Cut
 * 18) Jump Cut
 * 19) Shot Reverse Shot
 * 20) Cross Cut

Students will then break off into six groups. Two groups will focus on shots, two will focus on angles and two will focus on editing. The class will watch a short film or clip of the teacher's choosing and then discuss their group's assigned element in the context of that clip. As the students work the teacher will go around and observe each group, checking for understanding of each film element, participation and completion of the vocabulary worksheet. Once the groups have finished the teacher will have a representative from each group share what they found with the class. Students will then be instructed to hang on to their vocabulary worksheets and notes as we will refer to these terms again and again as we move through the unit.

LA.910.6.4.1: The student will use appropriate available technologies to enhance communication and achieve a purpose (e.g., video, digital technology)
 * Sunshine State Standards:**

LA.910.2.2.4: The student will identify and analyze the characteristics of a variety of types of text (e.g., references, reports, technical manuals, articles, editorials, primary source historical documents, periodicals, job-related materials, practical/functional text)

LA.910.5.2.1: The student will select and use appropriate listening strategies according to the intended purpose (e.g., solving problems, interpreting and evaluating the techniques and intent of a presentation);

LA.910.6.4.1: The student will use appropriate available technologies to enhance communication and achieve a purpose (e.g., video, digital technology)

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