Camera work: a check list for analysing a film

Learning objective: to analyse the use of camera work to show the transformation in John Kitchin's world view

Success criteria:
1. I can identify a wide range of camera techniques used in the film Slomo.
2. I can describe specific uses of specific camera techniques in the film Slomo
3. I can explain the effect of the technique for each specific example
4. I can analyse how the audience is invited to respond to specific examples of camera techniques

Checklist for writing about camera techniques

• Identify technique
• Describe how it is used
• Explain the effect
• Analyse how the audience is invited to respond
• Link to two techniques to show combined effect
• Make sure your analysis shows understanding of the important ideas in the film

Exemplar to help with analysing camera work:

Extreme close up of a roller blade.  It is upside down as the camera focuses on the blade as the skater's foot is lifted up in the air.  The effect of the roller blade being in the air without sight of the rest of the body is that the blade is like a bird, moving freely through the air.  The background also reinforces the idea of freedom, as it is a beautiful beach.  This invites us to think of being relaxed (the beach) and powerful (the blade moving through the air).

Another technique which reinforces the idea of freedom through a simple life is the music, which is slow and simple, just the sound of a triangle being struck.