HOW TO WRITE A FILM ESSAY

Introduction Paragraph
State the title and director of the
film.
Use words from the question to
outline the topic of the essay.
State the three points you will
make in the main body
paragraphs.

SEXY Paragraphs x 3

S = State your point

E = Example; give a film technique
example from the text that proves this
point
X= Explain how this example links with
your point
Y= You expand this point out to links
with the real world.

Conclusion Paragraph
Re-state your topic and main
points
Make a final summing up
statement about your topic and
how it relates to real life.
Achieved

Describe an important scene in the text.

Explain how verbal and/or visual features were used in this scene to show it was
important.

In the film The Blind Side directed by John Lee Hancock an important scene was where
Michael is interviewed by the college sport investigator. She thinks that the Tuohys helped
him so that he would play for Ole Miss, the college football team they support. This scene is
important because it is where Michael has to really think about his situation and his place in
the Tuohy family. It leads to a turning point for him. The verbal and visual techniques used
to show this were close up, low angle and dialogue.

Firstly, the director used close up to show us this scene was important. In this scene the
close up is of Michaels hands as he rubs then on his knees under the table while the
investigator aggressively interviews him. This shot is important because we also see it in
other parts of the movie when Michael is nervous or upset. It is a small movement and only
those who really know him would know what it means. This helps make the scene important
because we know it is a serious situation Michael has to cope with and we wonder what he
will do. He has not had to deal with something like this on his own and it could change his
future.

Secondly, the director uses low angle to show us this scene was important. For example we
see the investigator from Michaels point of view as she is leaning over him and asking him
why he thinks the Tuohys helped him. This is important because traditionally Michael is seen
as the one bigger than everyone else but this shows he is can be just as scared and
vulnerable as anyone else. This helps show us the scene is important because Michael is
going to have to be mentally strong and think for himself. She is an adult and he is used to
being told what to do but he needs to stand up for himself in this scene.

Lastly, the director uses dialogue to show us this scene is one of the most important in the
whole movie. In this scene, when Michael angrily confronts Leigh-Anne about why she
helped him he says, Dont you lie to me!. This is important because this was one of the
first things Leigh-Anne said to Michael when she asked him where he was going. He is
turning it back around to show he is angry that she may have not been honest with him. It
helps show the importance of this scene because Michael is now using words to stand up for
himself.

The scene with the investigator is one of the most important in the film because it is where
Michael has to think for himself and stand up for himself. It forces him to think about his
future and why all these good things have happened to him. When everything is resolved he
can move on with his life.
Merit
Blue additions reflect NCEA standard (Y10 Excellence).

Describe an important scene in the text.

Explain how verbal and/or visual features were used in this scene to show it was important.

Everyone has an important moment where they have to decide what they believe in and stand up for
themselves. In the film The Blind Side directed by John Lee Hancock an important scene was
where Michael is interviewed by the college sport investigator. She thinks that the Tuohys are
boosters who only helped him so that he would play for Ole Miss, the college football team they
support. This scene is important because it is where Michael has to really think about his situation
and his place in the Tuohy family. It leads to a turning point for him and shows not only how far he
has come. However it also shows how the preconceptions of others could threaten his future.
Hancock used to close up, low angle and dialogue to highlight the significance of this scene and to
get the audience drawn into the tension of the moment.

Firstly, Hancock used close up to show us the pressure Michael was under. In this scene the close
up is of Michaels hands as he rubs his knees under the table while the investigator asks him a
series of aggressive and pointed questions. The director has included this shot because he has used
it in other parts of the movie when Michael is nervous or upset. It is a small movement and only
those who really know him would know what it means. However we quickly realise that this moment
has more riding on it than other times when he has been nervous so this is going to be an important
turning point for him and we want him to make the right decisions. It also shows us that he is
different to the stereotype of an angry young man as he does this rather than be violent and lash
out.

Secondly, the director uses low angle to show us the tension within this scene. During this scene
low and high angles are used to show that the investigator is trying to intimidate Michael. For
example we see her from his points of view as she leans over him and asks why he thinks the Tuohys
helped him. She is using both her physical location and her tone of voice to try and make him tell
her what she thinks she knows already. This is important because traditionally Michael is seen as
the one bigger than everyone else but this shows he is can be just as scared and vulnerable as
anyone else. It also shows that the women has her own ideas about his situation and is trying to
force him to agree. This illustrates the idea of people making judgement before they know the
situation, just like people did about Michael himself.

Lastly, the use of dialogue within this scene shows us how far Michael has come. Throughout the
film Michael does not say much and Leigh-Anne does most of the talking. In this scene, when
Michael angrily confronts Leigh-Anne about why she helped him he says, Dont you lie to me!.
This is important because this was one of the first things Leigh-Anne said to Michael when she first
meet him and asked him where he was going. Michael has turned her words on her and shown that
at this point in time he may not trust her. It is important because although he is angry with Leigh-
Anne she is the one who has made him confident enough to confront her. She has helped him voice
his feelings and figure out who he is.

The scene with the investigator is one of the most important in the film because it highlights how
people can make incorrect judgements and need to take the time to figure out what is really going
on. On the outside Michaels situation with the Tuohys may seem unusual and people are judging
them. This scene shows how easily people in power can manipulate others but this scene ultimately
makes Michael realise he really is just part of the family.
 Essay Topics

These range from easy to hard and are taken from a Year 11 exam.

Read them all and choose your topic. Circle it.

Write your essay question into the topic box of your plan; EXSACTLY as it is
written below.

Highlight or underline the words from the topic that you will repeatedly use in
your essay.

TOPICS
1. Describe at least ONE character who played an interesting role
in the film.
Explain how film techniques were used to show you the
character(s) was interesting.

2. Describe at least ONE important event at (or near) the end of

the film.
Explain how film techniques were used to show you the event(s)
was important.

3. Describe at least ONE idea that you thought was important in

the text(s).
Explain how film techniques were used to show you the idea(s)
was important.

4. Describe at least ONE important conflict in the film.

Explain how the director used film techniques to make the
conflict(s) help you understand an idea in the film.

Film techniques could include:

lighting special effects dialogue
costumes / props music
editing sound effects