RESOURCE: Thinking Film

[Frank W. Baker]

This resource, Thinking Film, is from UK's Film Education: This teaching tool comprises a download of extracts from feature films which illustrate the various components of film language, mise en scène, sound, cinematogrpahy, editing and directing.

Used in conjunction with the accompanying specification-focused activities, this resource takes students through the conventions of film language with explanations of the different elements and exercises incoporating a variety of critical and creative tasks.

The film extracts download also contains interviews with key production personnel who explain how they create meaning in fims, from director Paul Greengrass (The Bourne Ultimatum) to composer Alex Heffes (The Last King of Scotland, Touching the Void). This resource thus presents both a theoretical approach as well as a creative perspective on film lanugage.

Supporting materials on this site include a video introduction to the resource, as well as all the student activity sheets in both Word and PDF format, and full Teachers’ Notes.