Film Lesson Plans

Invisible StoryTelling

Introduction

The main purpose of a mainstream Hollywood film is to tell you, the viewer, a story. But though all mainstream films are based around a plot or narrative idea and contain various scenes and sequences all of which contribute to the overall story, on a more fundamental level all films can be boiled down to just two core building blocks: the shot and the cut. As such, the use of camera and editing are crucial elements of moving image language. In the sections that you can link to below, we will explore both in closer detail.

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Useful Links

Film Education’s Study Guide on Cassablanca

Cross-Cutting

Introduction

Cross-cutting or intercutting is a primary narrative device of the continuity style. This technique pieces together sequences that occur at the same time but in different places in order to increase narrative tension.

The literary equivalent of this device is simple narrative transition such as “meanwhile” or “in another part of town”. Some films borrow these verbal clues by using inter-titles or voice-over narration.

Full Lesson Plan

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Useful Links

bfi’s Screenonline
bfi's Hitchcock’s Style
Film Education's Study Guide on Hitchcock

Video Extracts

Dance, Lexie, Dance (1997)
In this introductory sequence we cut back and forth between an industrial worker finishing his shift and his daughter preparing for his return. This sequence appears as question 1 on the exemplar online examination for Moving Image Arts AS. (00:21:00 to 02:30:00)

Stinger 5
This is a conventional example of the technique of cross-cutting. The story shifts back and forth between the soldiers on patrol and their base camp as they communicate on the radio and receive their orders.

Stinger 2
Film-makers can use cross-cutting to jump forward and backward in time. In this sequence, the director employs cross-cutting with slow motion to extend the suspense as the story flashes forward in time to show us the moment when the mother learns of her son’s death.

The Point of View Shot

Introduction

Point of view camera and editing is a key device through which filmmakers create audience identification with characters in a film. This technique is often used to place the audience in the position of the main character. The Point of View shot (POV) begins with a character looking off screen – we then cut to the object the character is looking at.

Full Lesson Plan

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Video Extracts

Flying Saucer Rock & Roll 4
As the heroine flees, we see the Point of View of the alien monster in hot pursuit.

Mortice 4
Film-makers will often employ camera movement with the Point of View shot. In this sequence, the camera tracks in on the knifes on the wall from the POV of the women, creating immediate suspense.