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How to Analyse... ...film, music, text Rachel Maissan [email protected]

How to Analyse......film, music, text Rachel Maissan [email protected]

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Page 1: How to Analyse......film, music, text Rachel Maissan rmaissan@jmc.edu.au

How to Analyse......film, music, text

Rachel [email protected]

Page 2: How to Analyse......film, music, text Rachel Maissan rmaissan@jmc.edu.au

Introductions

EBM FTV AUD MUS 3DAN VET

Tri 1

Tri 2

Tri 3

Tri 4

Tri 5

Other

Page 3: How to Analyse......film, music, text Rachel Maissan rmaissan@jmc.edu.au

What’s the difference?

Description is... Analysis is...

• ‘the act or an instance of describing; the process of being described.

• ‘a spoken or written representation (of a person, object or event).

• ‘a state[ment of] the characteristics, appearance, etc. of’

The Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary 4th edn 2008

• ‘a detailed examination of the elements or structure of a substance etc.

• ‘a statement of the result of this.’

The Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary 4th edn 2008

Page 4: How to Analyse......film, music, text Rachel Maissan rmaissan@jmc.edu.au

What is Analysis?• The Art of Analysis according to John Germov:

▫ ‘Knowing the right question to ask is half the answer’ ~Lord Byron, (2000, pg. 36)

▫Must critically question your material▫Assess strengths and weaknesses of the theories and

research (critical analysis)▫Need to constantly question ‘why?’ of what you

read/view/hear when doing analysis▫Compare alternative views proposed by authors you

find in your research▫This takes time!▫ Investigate different points of view, take nothing for

granted, give reasons for your opinions on a topic

Page 5: How to Analyse......film, music, text Rachel Maissan rmaissan@jmc.edu.au

• The Art of Analysis cont.▫Be aware of alternative views and address them▫You should take a side in your analysis based on the

evidence (don’t sit on the fence)▫Your opinion comes through in the research you

reference and side you choose, but you want to present an informed opinion rather than a biased one

▫Always use researched, credible evidence to back up your statements/opinions

▫Keep an open mind to avoid bias (think about what aspects of the topic you may be biased about before you start)

▫Practice makes perfect

Page 6: How to Analyse......film, music, text Rachel Maissan rmaissan@jmc.edu.au

But watch out for...

•The Art of Analysis cont.▫Can’t just summarise your topic▫Beware of common sense – it changes over

time and culture (once it was common sense to think world was flat or that sun rotated around Earth)

▫Only use lecture notes as a starting point for understanding the topic and research (don’t need to be referenced because they’re personal communication, not entirely reliable)

Page 7: How to Analyse......film, music, text Rachel Maissan rmaissan@jmc.edu.au

Handy Hints• Consider the following questions to help determine the

strengths and weaknesses of the information you uncover:▫ Is the information up to date?▫ Is the information country specific?▫ What is the academic discipline base of the information?▫ If research findings are presented, do you find them

persuasive? Could alternative conclusions be drawn?▫ Do other studies come to different conclusions? If different

research findings emerge, how might these be explained?▫ What aspects of the research bothered or impressed you?▫ What is the author’s argument? What assumptions does the

author make?▫ What key theories and issues are addressed? Are some

theories or issues neglected?

Page 8: How to Analyse......film, music, text Rachel Maissan rmaissan@jmc.edu.au

Analysing film clips

WHY?

Page 9: How to Analyse......film, music, text Rachel Maissan rmaissan@jmc.edu.au

Some film terminology

•Shot type•Camera movement•Mise en scene•Lighting •Sound•Title graphics•Editing

Page 10: How to Analyse......film, music, text Rachel Maissan rmaissan@jmc.edu.au

Analysing music

WHY?

Page 11: How to Analyse......film, music, text Rachel Maissan rmaissan@jmc.edu.au

Some music terminology

•Melody•Instrumentation•Contrast•Tonality•Rhythm•Repetition•Harmony•Texture•Form

Page 12: How to Analyse......film, music, text Rachel Maissan rmaissan@jmc.edu.au

Analysing text/lyrics

WHY?

Page 13: How to Analyse......film, music, text Rachel Maissan rmaissan@jmc.edu.au

References• Duncan, L 2006, De-mystifying Musical Analysis, viewed on 17/05/2013

<http://www.asme.sa.edu.au/LD%20demsystifying%20analysis.pdf>. • Englishbiz 2013, Analysing Moving Image Texts: ‘Film Language’, viewed on

15/05/2013 <http://www.englishbiz.co.uk/downloads/filmanalysis.pdf>. • Film Education n.d., Terminology, viewed on 15/05/2013

<http://www.filmeducation.org/resources/primary/teaching_with_film/film_in_the_classroom/terminology/>.

• Get Great Marks for your Essay by John Germov 2000, Allen and Unwin, 2 edn, Crows Nest NSW

• Library of Congress n.d., Teacher’s Guide: Analyzing Motion Pictures, Washington DC, viewed on 15/05/2013 <http://www.loc.gov/teachers/usingprimarysources/guides.html>.

• Library of Congress n.d., Teacher’s Guide: Analyzing Sheet Music and Song Sheets, Washington DC, viewed on 15/05/2013 <http://www.loc.gov/teachers/usingprimarysources/guides.html>.

• Library of Congress n.d., Teacher’s Guide: Analyzing Sound Recordings, Washington DC, viewed on 15/05/2013 <http://www.loc.gov/teachers/usingprimarysources/guides.html>.

Page 14: How to Analyse......film, music, text Rachel Maissan rmaissan@jmc.edu.au

Questions?Comments?Suggestions?

Rachel [email protected]