ETV on Short Film Appreciation (II): Snap Chat Learning Activity Sheets (for Literature in English Students)

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ETV on Short Film Appreciation (II): Snap Chat

Learning Activity Sheets (for Literature in English Students)

This set of activity sheets is designed to support the learning and teaching of film in the Literature in English curriculum. It aims to promote critical viewing and enhance senior secondary students’ film appreciation and analysis skills.

This set of materials is designed with reference to the “Resource Materials on the Learning and Teaching of Film”, which can be accessed at the URL below:

https://www.edb.gov.hk/attachment/en/curriculum-development/kla/eng-edu/references- resources/Resource%20Materials%20on%20Learning%20and%20Teaching%20of%20Film.pdf

Teachers are highly encouraged to read the above, which covers the fundamentals of film study (i.e. the fictional, dramatic and cinematic aspects) and explains key cinematic terms and techniques, to understand the approaches to film analysis adopted in the learning activities.

This set of materials contains the following:

 Student’s worksheets

 Teacher’s notes (with suggested answers)

 A short film titled “Snap Chat”

They are intended for use by Literature in English teachers to introduce film as a literary genre to beginners. The materials can be used as a learning task in class or as supplementary materials to extend students’ learning beyond the classroom and promote self-directed learning.

The activities on the short film “Snap Chat” focus on:

 Effective note-taking to heighten awareness of the use of filmic techniques

 Description of audio-visual elements in a film

 Film analysis and critique with reference to the fictional, dramatic and cinematic elements of a film

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 Discussion of effects achieved by the use of filmic techniques in relation to theme, plot and character development

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Short Film 2: Snap Chat

Learning Activity 1: Taking Viewing Notes to Describe Effects

Taking viewing notes requires deep viewing. You have to focus your attention on cinematic techniques, as well as select and describe important details in the notes.

Watch the short film “Snap Chat” three times.

1. In the first viewing, try to understand the story (e.g. theme, plot and characters) and read the plot description in the left column.

2. In the second viewing, note down the audio elements (e.g. music, sound effects) and briefly describe them in the blue box.

3. In the third viewing, pay attention to visual elements (e.g. camera angles, shot lengths, movements, editing, special effects) and briefly describe them in the yellow box.

What happens

 Setting

 Plot

 Characters

 Actions

Audio-visual effects Audio elements:

 Music

 Sound effects

Visual elements

 camera angles, shot lengths, movements

 editing

 special effects - In the bedroom, a boy

hears his phone alarm ring and gets up.

- The title of the film

“Snapchat” appears.

- The boy checks his phone, takes pictures and sends text messages while brushing teeth and having breakfast.

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- The boy leaves home and takes photos of things he sees on his way to the ferry pier (e.g. the sky, trees, plants, a cat) and shares the images on Snapchat.

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- The boy boards a ferry and catches a glimpse of the girl sitting across the aisle.

- He finds the girl attractive and quickly takes a picture of the girl to send to his friends.

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- The boy sits with three friends at a table in a café, all looking at their phones and texting each other instead of talking face-to-face.

- The girl comes in and sits at another table with her friend. They start to chat about holidays and movies.

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- The girl goes to the counter to ask for a glass of water when the boy trips over something from behind and almost falls on the girl.

- The boy’s friends watch from behind and giggle. As the eyes of the boy and girl meet, one of his friends takes a photo of the scene and adds graphics to make up a story out of it.

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- The boy practices asking his dream girl out on a date in front of the mirror at home.

- The picture his friend has taken goes around his circle of friends on Snapchat and is further edited and distorted.

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- The girl is chatting with her friend. Her friend hears a message alert and looks at a picture she received on Snapchat. Both girls are shocked by the picture and wonder how and when it was taken.

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- The boy sits on a bench, playing with his phone and texting as usual

- A book is dropped near his foot and he bends down to pick it up.

Raising his head, he sees his dream girl standing in front of him.

- The girl confronts him with the picture, which he knows nothing about.

- The girl walks away in anger, leaving the boy speechless and just capable of responding with a quick photo of

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the girl and a text message “If only I could talk”

Learning Activity 2: Understanding and Appreciating the Film

The use of dramatic and cinematic elements often facilitates plot and character development as well as thematic conveyance.

Complete the questions in the table by considering both the content and techniques used in the film in connection. Refer to your viewing notes if necessary.

Plot 1. In 100 words, summarise what happens in the film.

_______________________________________________

2. What is the main conflict in the story? How is this conflict built up? Is the conflict resolved in the end?

_______________________________________________

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3. On what kind of note does the film end? Describe the ending and explain how cinematic techniques enhance the effects.

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4. How is the story told in the film? What editing style is adopted?

_______________________________________________

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_______________________________________________

Characters 5. Who are the main and supporting characters in the film?

Main:

Supporting:

6. Describe the relationship between the boy and the girl in the story.

_______________________________________________

7. How does the film establish the boy and the girl as two opposing characters to bring out their clash?

_______________________________________________

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_______________________________________________

Point of view 8. From whose point of view is the story told?

_______________________________________________

Setting 9. Where is the story set? Explain the significance of the setting.

_______________________________________________

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Theme 10.What is the main idea (i.e. theme) of the film?

_______________________________________________

11.What message can you get from the film?

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12.Select a static image in the film which best conveys the message of the film. Describe the shot.

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13.How does the use of sound effects help to bring out the theme and message of the film?

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