MatildaMedia Unit

The Big PictureWhile working on the novel ‘Matilda’ you will be doing the following:

Watching the film and making notes Focusing on the main character Matilda

Analysing the techniques used. Exploring how Matilda’s character is developed

Research themes present in the film Writing an extended essay

CRITICAL EVALUATION - ESSAY

How does the director of “Matilda” make the audience feel an emotion such as anger, happiness or sadness etc for a character?

You should discuss characterisation and media techniques

- To make sure you are able to complete this essay we will concentrate on character, the themes and also media techniques.

Camera TechniquesThere are 6 main shots describing how near or far the camera is from the subject.

Extreme Close Up - shows a very small part of the person (like eyes/mouth)

Big Close Up - shows whole face.

Close Up - shows part of the person in great detail (like a character’s face and shoulders)

Medium Shot - shows half the person

Full Shot - shows whole person. The head is at the top of the screen and the feet at the bottom)

Long Shot - shows whole person with some space around them.

Camera AnglesThere are four main angles that can be used:

High Angle Shot - positions the camera above eye level, looking down on the subject.

Eye Level Shot - neutral stand point.

Low Angle Shot - positions the camera below eye level, looking up at the camera.

Reverse Angle Shot - sees what the subject is seeing.

Match WHY you might use particular camera angle - think about the effect.

Camera Angle Effect

High Angle Shot Let’s audience see something from character’s viewpoint

Eye Level Shot Makes subject look weak and small

Low Angle Shot Creates a neutral impression

Reverse Angle Shot/over shoulder shot

Makes a subject look important and powerful.

Matilda

You will watch the opening sequence of the film which last 6 minutes. The opening few minutes are very important as the director has to introduce the setting, characters and plot while attempting to capture the interest of the audience.

Group 11. The first shot is unusual. What is the name of it? Why do you think the

director chose it? 2. Why do you think the director made the babies look so similar? 3. When you first see him, how do you know that Mr Wormwood is not a

nice man? 4. Why do you see two mums and dads with their babies before we see

the Wormwoods?

Group 25. Watch the Wormwoods waking to the car. How do you know they’re

not interested in their baby?6. How do the Wormwoods behave on the way home? What does this tell

us about them?7. Why does the camera zoom in on Matilda when she is left in the car?

How do you feel about Matilda when you see this? How do you feel about her parents?

8. How do you know that Matilda was an extraordinary baby? What did her parents think about this? How do you know?

Group 39. When the Wormwood family are leaving for the day, how does the

director make Matilda seem very small?10.Why do you think the director has shown the Wormwoods watching

television?11.How has the director made the Wormwoods seem big when they are

watching the television?12.How is Michael shown to be the same as his parents? How is Matilda

shown to be different?

Group 413.The director makes Matilda seem small as she goes to the library. How

does he do this? (Pay close attention to the camera angles)14.How can you tell that Matilda is happy in the library and loves to go

there?15.How much time does she spend there? How can you tell?16.How do you know she takes a lot of books home?

All groups17.Read over your answers and think about everything you have learned

about the characters from this opening sequence. With your group write down 10 facts that you have learnt about the characters.

Extension tasks

1. Explain what media techniques/camera angles you think were most important in this scene and why?

2. Describe the soundtrack used in this scene.

3. Re-write the narrator’s script for this scene. What would you have them tell the audience.

4. Create a storyboard to show the opening scene and what techniques are used. Try to have at least 4 boxes in your storyboard and describe the camera angles and soundtrack at these points.

5. Wordsearch