Student Resources
Study Skills: How to study film
Film studies as a subject requires you to undertake:
- Detailed identification and analysis of film language and meaning.
And the study of:
- film concepts and theory.
In film studies this can be separated into micro and macro elements; we could also refer to it as:
- Text (film language techniques and their effects, genre, narrative)
And
- Context (authorship, institution, audience, representation, ideology etc.)
The ability to do this successfully relies on the development of particular study skills — which will also be useful across your other subjects.
Developing a system of study:
Whichever film you are studying, the following categories are a useful way of organising your knowledge and ideas:
- Film Language (techniques and effects)
- Meaning and message
- Context.
Film Language
The identification of film language techniques is a very important foundation for your wider understanding of the film.
Identifying film techniques is an example of primary research and involves detailed study of specific aspects of the chosen film.
First viewing
Before you make detailed notes, start your study be asking more general questions about the film style e.g.:
- Is a particular colour dominant?
- Is the
- Does there seem to be a predominance of long shots or close ups etc?
These types of general questions will help you to decide which areas to focus on in your more detailed analysis of techniques.
Sequence analysis
The sequence should be chosen for a reason:
- Is it typical of the film's use of a particular technique?
- Is it important narratively?
- Does it clarify the message of the film?
Note taking
To identify the techniques you need to make focused and selective notes. Decide which aspects you are going to study and only make notes on that technique. Some people find that using a table is helpful.
Sample analysis: Film language techniques in the opening sequence from The Descent (Marshall, 2004)
| Technique | Example |
|---|---|
| Framing | Variety of extreme close up and long shots. Reverse zoom shot in the hospital corridor. |
| Lighting | As Sarah stands in the hospital corridor a green light surrounds her. |
| Costume | Hospital gown, wild hair and staring eyes. |
These notes could then be developed to consider the effect of the technique on the audience and the way in which they contribute to the meaning:
| Technique | Example | Effect/Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Framing | Variety of extreme close up and long shots. Reverse zoom shot in the hospital corridor. |
The close up on the rushing water and the faces of the women emphasise the mood of exhilaration. Disorientating effect on the audience. |
| Lighting | As Sarah stands in the hospital corridor a green light surrounds her. | It is not clear if this is a real experience or not, links to horror genre for first time. |
| Costume | Hospital gown, wild hair and staring eyes. | Represents Sarah's grief (madness?), links to the horror genre with reference to Carrie. |
Beyond the effects and meaning created by the film language you need to consider the way in which films may also:
- Reflect and comment on society,
- Put forward an argument,
- Represent particular groups or places.
This is still connected to techniques e.g.: the frequent use of close ups of the two main characters in Dirty Pretty Things humanises the central characters and makes us feel close to them (important in terms of representing refugees in a positive way).
However you will also need to consider relevant theoretical approaches:
- Representation: Gender, age, country, race etc.
- Ideology
The study of theoretical approaches is secondary research. You will need to read and make notes on the different approaches to be sure that you understand them. Remember, once you have understood the theory you will then be able to apply it to any film — you do not need to look for work on your specific film.
Context
Film language techniques, messages and context overlap and affect each other. Context would include:
- Institution (including budget, stars, distribution etc.)
- Audience
- Time and place of production
- Authorship
This diagram, a mind map, is one way of outlining — and keeping track of — your findings and analysis. A mind map can also help you to see the way in which the different areas overlap.
The Next Stage
It may be that you do need to study all the areas of the diagram above, or you may want to focus on a particular area; again a mind map can help you to identify an approach to structure your study.