Writing a Film Critique
The art of film-making is so much more than just telling a story. There are numerous elements of film available to a director to impact the viewer. For instance, if you closed your eyes and listened to a film you might know what the story is about but you would have a significantly limited experience.
Below is some film terminology and some questions that will aid you in writing your papers.
Plot: This is often confused with the storyline of the film. However, the plot is actually the sequence in which events occur in the film. The events in most films are presented in chronological order, but sometimes the director or screenwriter chooses to manipulate time and present the events out of sequence (such as It's A Wonderful Life, Memento, A Christmas Carol) employing techniques such as flashbacks and flash forward or split screen images.
How does Run, Lola, Run treat plot and storyline? What effect does this have on the viewer?
Editing: The craft of editing consists of choosing between two or more takes of the same shot. A shot is single piece of film, without breaks in the continuity of the action. It may be as long as 10 minutes or as short as 1/24 of a second (one frame). The art of editing involves deciding how long each shot should last and how it should transition into the next shot, as well as how it matches the soundtrack. Transitions can be slow (as a fade in or fade out) or fast with short shots creating a very abrupt rhythm.
What editing techniques are employed in Run, Lola, Run ? What effect does this have on the viewer?
Camera Distance: Most films use a variety of camera shots including long shot, medium shot and close-up, each having a different effect. There is also the effect created by changing from one type of shot to another without an edited cut (i.e. a zoom from a long shot to a close-up).
Can you identify some points in the film where the camera distance has an effect on you, the viewer?
Camera Angles: Film-makers utilize different camera angles for different effects. For example a high angle puts the viewer above the image. A low camera angle puts the viewer at the base of the image. How can these angles be employed to manipulate the viewer's experience?
How are camera angles used in Run, Lola, Run?
Sound: Aside from the sound of the spoken word, Film Sound includes all the sound effects in the film as well as the music. The sound effects might be noises like running water, car horns, or something as subtle as the sound of a flourescent light humming. The sound editor and the director make the choices of what sounds will be heard when, as well as how loud or soft the sound will be. The same goes for music. (Is the music in the film underscoring a scene playing softly in the background while words are being spoken? Is the music in the foreground...playing without words accompanying it? Is it just music or are their vocals on the foreground or background music? Are there themes in the music score that reoccur at certain times in the film? (i.e. Indiana Jones) If so what effect does this have?)
How are sound and music used in Run, Lola, Run to enhance the experience of the viewer?
Theme: The main theme is the overall meaning of the film. You should be able to state the theme in one sentence or less. For example the theme of Terminator 2 would be "good versus evil."
What is the main theme of Run, Lola, Run? How do the film-makers' choices support this theme.