Documentary Film Analysis Worksheet
Step 1. Pre-viewing
Title of Film:
Date Released
Principle filmmaker(s)
Why did you select this particular film for this assignment?
What do you think you will see in this motion picture? List three concepts or ideas that you might expect to see based on the title of the film or what you already know about this film.
Concepts/Ideas
1.
2.
3.
Step 2. Viewing
Type of documentary (check where applicable):
__________ Advocacy for social concerns
__________ Biography
__________ Career Profile
__________ Community History
__________ Research/Factual
__________ “How To”
__________ Training/Orientation
__________ Investigative
__________ News/Special Events
___________Skits & Spoofs
__________ Travel/tourism
__________ Nature
Physical qualities of the film: Describe all that apply.
Music
Live action
Narration/voice Over:
Background noise/Special effects
Animation
Color/Black and white
Interviews (Who did the filmmaker interview and for what purpose?)
Dramatizations
Note how camera angles, lighting, music, narration, and/or editing contribute to creating an atmosphere in this film.
What is the mood or tone of the film? What emotions does the film evoke in it’s viewers?
Step 3. Post-viewing (or repeated viewing)
Circle the things that you listed in the previewing activity that were validated by your viewing of the motion picture, then answer the following:
What is/are the central message(s) of this documentary? Be specific. Use examples from the film to support your choice.
Discuss the bias in the film (point of view of the filmmakers).
Consider the effectiveness of the film in communicating its message. As a tool of communication, what are its strengths andweaknesses?
How do you think the filmmakers wanted the audience to respond?
Does this film appeal to the viewer's reason or emotion? Explain the role of each in this piece.
How does it make you feel?
Write a question to the filmmaker that is left unanswered by the motion picture.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
Directions. Review these questions prior to viewing the film and then after the film formulate your responses to these questions. YOU MUST WRITE IN COMPLETE, GRAMMATICALY CORRECT SENTENCES OR POINTS WILL BE DEDUCTED! This is a word document so you can type as much as you would like, if you need more room than I provided you have the ability to expand your response. There are actually 10 questions you need to answer, please make sure you read these carefully and appropriately respond.…
- 665 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
This report is about how films work. In this report, I will give examples from the book and movie called ‘The Outsiders’. I will be using examples from ‘The Outsiders’ because the film has a lot of examples on camera movements, for example, close-ups, camera turning around, downward views, colored screen, camera edits, etc., and how films work.…
- 330 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
In this analysis I will be discussing themes which occur throughout the film, including their meaning and significance. I will also be looking at comparative themes in other films.…
- 3070 Words
- 13 Pages
Better Essays -
symbolize diversity and question the state of a society. The truth is the major element of the film,…
- 1982 Words
- 8 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Thousand years ago many honor-based societies had laws that citizens should follow and obeyed those laws. The laws were about if somebody murdered someone, stole something or disobeyed some other law, they could be punished by going to jail, being whipped or death. Ancient Greece had one of the fundamental honor based societies in the history. In this society hierarchy played an important role and divided people into social classes. For instance women and men were not equal and women had few rights. Moreover, the main task of women was to stay at home and did not have right to participate at public events. Men had dominant role in public and social events.…
- 714 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Even though this book portrays a good message to a lot of people, I would of rather just watched the documentary. I would highly regard you not to read this book because there are just so many bland and non-important parts. This book is flat out annoying and a very boring read. Take my advice with this good topic, and just watch the…
- 265 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
* How are those features related to the film as a whole? Pay attention to details and how they affect the film…
- 1769 Words
- 8 Pages
Powerful Essays -
These are just some of the questions which might arouse you when you are viewing, or studying, a film. And, clearly, your capacity to answer these questions will be aided by knowledge – knowledge of film and the film techniques a composer might employ.…
- 476 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
life. In this film, the use of special effects, sound, and the setting play a big role in supporting the…
- 658 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
—Analysis of How Light And Shadow To Perform Emotion And Create Atmosphere In The Film…
- 1065 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
• Go to the list and pick your film. You must view the entire film. If you can’t access films because of deployment, geographic location, or other reasons, please let your instructor know so they can give you an alternate assignment.…
- 256 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
The film produces the central idea that the choices we make in our lives will greatly impact our future. The decisions the characters made in this film, cost them their lives. This film also produces the idea that world needs order and balance. The main character is trying to restore the world back to the way it is supposed to be. The characters who were murdered, made their own choices that led to their unwilling death. The film shows you to respect what you accomplish on your own and do not make awful choices it will lead to your downfall.The main character is symbol of basically what could occur to the ungrateful people in this world. There are two different kinds of people, the ones who struggle and the ones who do not. People generally…
- 698 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
4. What features of the film are accurate to OUR understanding, and what features aren't?…
- 461 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Complete a film matrix worksheet for each movie the team reviews by filling out each category shown and answering all of the questions below.…
- 443 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
On the surface, this is a quirky questing film about perseverance and enlightenment through apathy. But the movie contains an unnerving atmosphere that pokes and prods and tells viewers that something else is going on under the…
- 929 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays