Language of Film

Show don't tell

Whāinga ako: Lesson Goals

To understand the idea of "show don't tell" and apply this to how we perceive characters in film

Mahi - Work

To get something out of a film we need to be engaged with it. That is why people tend to stick to certain genres or types of storytelling.

Discussion:

Many people say they watch movies for escapism. What does this mean?
Do you watch many movies? What reason do you watch them for?
Can you add any other reasons why people watch films?
What is your favourite genre?

Cinematic Language

Is the combination of methods, strategies and skills that filmmakers choose to convey the central message and the main ideas of the story that they are trying to tell. Basically, storytelling by using images to control the mood of the viewer.

To manipulate the viewer into liking/hating a certain character or to feel a certain emotion, the screenwriter or director might consider things like:

colour (cool vs warm colours)
camera movement
camera framing
lighting
sound
actors performance

What is 'Show Don't Tell'?

When the screenwriter or director decides to use the above techniques to tell a story rather than using a voice to explain.

They are showing the audience something rather than telling them what to think/feel. Audiences are expected to put the evidence together themselves. This makes the story more interesting!

Attachment to a Character

Because of the way they used show don't tell so well in Up, we know so much about the characters and their back story without anyone telling us anything.

Cinematic language is very important when introducing a character.

"Show Don't Tell" is about using actions to reveal character traits and emotions instead of just describing them with words.

First impressions are important in real life as well as on screen- it gives us key clues about a character and sets the audience up to like or dislike them.

Forget what you already might know about Jack Sparrow...

The Introduction of Jack Sparrow: Language of Film

Example answers

The introduction of Jack Sparrow is a key scene for us to understand things about the character. Are we supposed to like him? Can the audience trust him?

See if you can piece together the evidence that the filmmaker has left for you...

Please note: The extension task and the next section Script Writing: Show Don't Tell both use Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl as examples so you could watch this whole movie while talking through conventions etc. It is on Disney+