FM1: Exploring Film Form: The MICRO Essay The FM1 unit focuses on the micro features of film and the construction of meaning and emotion. Understanding will be fostered through: • • •
Studying the MICRO features of film: mise-en-scene, performance, cinematography, editing and sound; Identifying how these construct meanings and contribute to the sensory impact of film; Reflecting on individual response to micro features as a means of exploring the relationship between film and spectator.
Throughout this unit, the emphasis is on the interaction between film and spectator.
The micro features of film: 1. Mise-en-scene includes setting, props, staging, costume and make-up, figure expression and movement and off-screen space. 2. Performance includes physical expression, vocal delivery and interaction between performers (with reference to issues of staging and choreography where relevant). 3. Cinematography includes photographic elements (e.g. camera position, colour, lens, depth of focus), lighting, framing and composition and special effects. 4. Editing includes the organisation of time, both within a sequence and across sections of the narrative and the organisation of space, especially in creating coherence for the spectator. The principal conventions of continuity editing, such as shot/reverse shot and the 180 degree rule. The uses of montage editing to compress time and communicate meaning to the audience. 5. Sound includes diegetic sound, non-diegetic sound and the variety of ways in which aural elements (e.g. speech, music and noise) are used in relation to visuals. The MICRO essay assesses AO2:
AO2
Apply knowledge and understanding of film. This knowledge and understanding will be shown through exploring and analysing films. The focus of the analysis is to show how the MICRO elements of film generate meanings and responses in the film audience.
The MICRO essay: An analysis of a film extract – 1500 words (30 marks) Candidates are required to explore how one or more of mise-en-scene, performance, cinematography, editing and sound construct meaning and provoke response in a film extract. Candidates are encouraged to support their work with illustrative visual material (screen grabs/print screens from the film extract) Recommended length of extract: 3-5 mins (depending on the complexity of the extract)
Things that Guy has learned from marking your DRAFT micro essays: 1. Your essays titles need to be specific. Just calling your essay ‘MICRO essay’ of ‘Film Essay’ is not enough. Your essay title must state the specific micro features and the name of the film. A good micro essay question: ‘An investigation into the ways in which cinematography and sound generate meaning for the audience in Looking for Eric (Loach, 2009). 2. Give the directors name and year of production for your film. Have your film title in italics. E.g The Dark Knight (Nolan, 2008). 3. The word limit is 1,500 words. The exam board allow a 10% tolerance above and below this. If your work is over 10% then I stop reading and stop awarding points. 1,500 words is plenty provided your essay is focused on some key micro aspects. 4. Give specific timings for your extract. State exactly when your extract appears in the film and how long your extract is. 5. If your extract is not the opening scene, then place your scene in the wider context of the film. What has happened before? 6. Give a brief introduction to the scene – what happens, why is the scene important for audience enjoyment and understanding? Golden Rules for analysing MICRO features – moving towards critical thinking: Identify Explain Interpret
Name the MICRO feature(s) Why they are there How the audience will understand or respond to the combination of MICRO elements