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Bonnie and Clyde Film: Scene Analysis Example

• Categories: Bonnie and Clyde

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Words: 785 |

Published: Jan 4, 2019

Words: 785 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Works Cited

• Pence, Aaron."Bonnie and Clyde." In Handbook of American Crime Films, edited by James Steffen, pp. 183-189. New York: Routledge, 2015.
• Kael, Pauline. "Bonnie and Clyde." The New Yorker, August 26, 1967.
• Sarris, Andrew."Bonnie and Clyde." The Village Voice, August 17, 1967.
• Wood, Robin. Bonnie and Clyde. BFI Film Classics, 1983.
• Cormier, Roger. "The Cinematic Significance of Arthur Penn's Bonnie and Clyde." Film Quarterly, Vol. 25, No. 1 (Autumn 1971), pp. 2-11.
• Dyer, Richard. "Bonnie and Clyde." In Heavenly Bodies: Film Stars and Society, pp. 102-128. London: Macmillan, 1986.
• Leitch, Thomas M. "Bonnie and Clyde." In American Cinema Now: Critical Histories, Contemporary Contexts, pp. 217-232. Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2000.
• Penn, Arthur. "Bonnie and Clyde." Criterion Collection, 1967.
• Smith, Paul Julian. "Bonnie and Clyde." In Desperately Seeking Susan: A Celebration of the Female Outlaw, pp. 119-134. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2001.
• Wood, Robin. "Bonnie and Clyde: Shooting the Outlaws." In Arthur Penn: American Dreamer, pp. 101-138. London: Faber and Faber, 2000.
• Crowther, Bosley."Bonnie and Clyde: A Violent and Exciting Film." The New York Times, August 13, 1967.

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How to Write a Scene Analysis

Writing a scene analysis requires a thorough understanding of not only the scene you choose to dissect but also the overall film or play. Scenes need to move the story forward and reveal information about the characters. When you break down a scene, you uncover the writer's intention as well as how the work resonates with you.

Watch the entire movie and choose the scene you wish to analyze. Pick something with an analyzable theme.

Focus on the scene you have chosen. Watch it a few times in a row.

Take notes on the scene. Study the way the characters interact and what that says about each character. Dissect the choice of camera angles and the scene's setting and overall purpose.

Formulate a hypothesis based on a fact you want to prove about the scene you chose.

Write an introductory paragraph stating your hypothesis as well as the relationship of this scene to the rest of the film.

Formulate three supporting paragraphs. Each one should bring to light a different point to prove your theory. Include quotes to strengthen your analysis.

Summarize the scene analysis in a conclusion paragraph. Tie together your points with the hypothesis and the theme of the film you have focused on.

• Do not get too specific, as you need enough information to write the paper. Start with a broader hypothesis, and break down the smaller parts to prove the more general idea.
• Remember that characters add to the theme as much as the words and actions do. Think about breaking down your supporting paragraphs to examine a different part of the scene in each. One section for character, one for setting and one for cinematography is an example.
• Typical scene analysis comes in the form of a five-paragraph essay. You can expand out your points if you need to write a longer paper.
• Pick a scene many are familiar with or at least a movie most can relate to. If someone has not seen or read what you are talking about, he will find it difficult to understand your point of view. If you want to choose something obscure, bring in a copy of the scene you have analyzed.

Things You'll Need

Pharaba Witt has worked as a writer in Los Angeles for more than 10 years. She has written for websites such as USA Today, Red Beacon, LIVESTRONG, WiseGeek, Web Series Network, Nursing Daily and major film studios. When not traveling she enjoys outdoor activities such as backpacking, snowboarding, ice climbing and scuba diving. She is constantly researching equipment and seeking new challenges.

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Film Writing: Sample Analysis

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Introductory Note

The analysis below discusses the opening moments of the science fiction movie  Ex Machina  in order to make an argument about the film's underlying purpose. The text of the analysis is formatted normally. Editor's commentary, which will occasionally interrupt the piece to discuss the author's rhetorical strategies, is written in brackets in an italic font with a bold "Ed.:" identifier. See the examples below:

The text of the analysis looks like this.

[ Ed.:  The editor's commentary looks like this. ]

Frustrated Communication in Ex Machina ’s Opening Sequence

Alex Garland’s 2015 science fiction film Ex Machina follows a young programmer’s attempts to determine whether or not an android possesses a consciousness complicated enough to pass as human. The film is celebrated for its thought-provoking depiction of the anxiety over whether a nonhuman entity could mimic or exceed human abilities, but analyzing the early sections of the film, before artificial intelligence is even introduced, reveals a compelling examination of humans’ inability to articulate their thoughts and feelings. In its opening sequence, Ex Machina establishes that it’s not only about the difficulty of creating a machine that can effectively talk to humans, but about human beings who struggle to find ways to communicate with each other in an increasingly digital world.

[ Ed.:  The piece's opening introduces the film with a plot summary that doesn't give away too much and a brief summary of the critical conversation that has centered around the film. Then, however, it deviates from this conversation by suggesting that Ex Machina has things to say about humanity before non-human characters even appear. Off to a great start. ]

The film’s first establishing shots set the action in a busy modern office. A woman sits at a computer, absorbed in her screen. The camera looks at her through a glass wall, one of many in the shot. The reflections of passersby reflected in the glass and the workspace’s dim blue light make it difficult to determine how many rooms are depicted. The camera cuts to a few different young men typing on their phones, their bodies partially concealed both by people walking between them and the camera and by the stylized modern furniture that surrounds them. The fourth shot peeks over a computer monitor at a blonde man working with headphones in. A slight zoom toward his face suggests that this is an important character, and the cut to a point-of-view shot looking at his computer screen confirms this. We later learn that this is Caleb Smith (Domhnall Gleeson), a young programmer whose perspective the film follows.

The rest of the sequence cuts between shots from Caleb’s P.O.V. and reaction shots of his face, as he receives and processes the news that he has won first prize in a staff competition. Shocked, Caleb dives for his cellphone and texts several people the news. Several people immediately respond with congratulatory messages, and after a moment the woman from the opening shot runs in to give him a hug. At this point, the other people in the room look up, smile, and start clapping, while Caleb smiles disbelievingly—perhaps even anxiously—and the camera subtly zooms in a bit closer. Throughout the entire sequence, there is no sound other than ambient electronic music that gets slightly louder and more textured as the sequence progresses. A jump cut to an aerial view of a glacial landscape ends the sequence and indicates that Caleb is very quickly transported into a very unfamiliar setting, implying that he will have difficulty adjusting to this sudden change in circumstances.

[ Ed.:  These paragraphs are mostly descriptive. They give readers the information they will need to understand the argument the piece is about to offer. While passages like this can risk becoming boring if they dwell on unimportant details, the author wisely limits herself to two paragraphs and maintains a driving pace through her prose style choices (like an almost exclusive reliance on active verbs). ]

Without any audible dialogue or traditional expository setup of the main characters, this opening sequence sets viewers up to make sense of Ex Machina ’s visual style and its exploration of the ways that technology can both enhance and limit human communication. The choice to make the dialogue inaudible suggests that in-person conversations have no significance. Human-to-human conversations are most productive in this sequence when they are mediated by technology. Caleb’s first response when he hears his good news is to text his friends rather than tell the people sitting around him, and he makes no move to take his headphones out when the in-person celebration finally breaks out. Everyone in the building is on their phones, looking at screens, or has headphones in, and the camera is looking at screens through Caleb’s viewpoint for at least half of the sequence.  

Rather than simply muting the specific conversations that Caleb has with his coworkers, the ambient soundtrack replaces all the noise that a crowded building in the middle of a workday would ordinarily have. This silence sets the uneasy tone that characterizes the rest of the film, which is as much a horror-thriller as a piece of science fiction. Viewers get the sense that all the sounds that humans make as they walk around and talk to each other are being intentionally filtered out by some presence, replaced with a quiet electronic beat that marks the pacing of the sequence, slowly building to a faster tempo. Perhaps the sound of people is irrelevant: only the visual data matters here. Silence is frequently used in the rest of the film as a source of tension, with viewers acutely aware that it could be broken at any moment. Part of the horror of the research bunker, which will soon become the film’s primary setting, is its silence, particularly during sequences of Caleb sneaking into restricted areas and being startled by a sudden noise.

The visual style of this opening sequence reinforces the eeriness of the muted humans and electronic soundtrack. Prominent use of shallow focus to depict a workspace that is constructed out of glass doors and walls makes it difficult to discern how large the space really is. The viewer is thus spatially disoriented in each new setting. This layering of glass and mirrors, doubling some images and obscuring others, is used later in the film when Caleb meets the artificial being Ava (Alicia Vikander), who is not allowed to leave her glass-walled living quarters in the research bunker. The similarity of these spaces visually reinforces the film’s late revelation that Caleb has been manipulated by Nathan Bates (Oscar Isaac), the troubled genius who creates Ava.

[ Ed.:  In these paragraphs, the author cites the information about the scene she's provided to make her argument. Because she's already teased the argument in the introduction and provided an account of her evidence, it doesn't strike us as unreasonable or far-fetched here. Instead, it appears that we've naturally arrived at the same incisive, fascinating points that she has. ]

A few other shots in the opening sequence more explicitly hint that Caleb is already under Nathan’s control before he ever arrives at the bunker. Shortly after the P.O.V shot of Caleb reading the email notification that he won the prize, we cut to a few other P.O.V. shots, this time from the perspective of cameras in Caleb’s phone and desktop computer. These cameras are not just looking at Caleb, but appear to be scanning him, as the screen flashes in different color lenses and small points appear around Caleb’s mouth, eyes, and nostrils, tracking the smallest expressions that cross his face. These small details indicate that Caleb is more a part of this digital space than he realizes, and also foreshadow the later revelation that Nathan is actively using data collected by computers and webcams to manipulate Caleb and others. The shots from the cameras’ perspectives also make use of a subtle fisheye lens, suggesting both the wide scope of Nathan’s surveillance capacities and the slightly distorted worldview that motivates this unethical activity.

[ Ed.: This paragraph uses additional details to reinforce the piece's main argument. While this move may not be as essential as the one in the preceding paragraphs, it does help create the impression that the author is noticing deliberate patterns in the film's cinematography, rather than picking out isolated coincidences to make her points. ]

Taken together, the details of Ex Machina ’s stylized opening sequence lay the groundwork for the film’s long exploration of the relationship between human communication and technology. The sequence, and the film, ultimately suggests that we need to develop and use new technologies thoughtfully, or else the thing that makes us most human—our ability to connect through language—might be destroyed by our innovations. All of the aural and visual cues in the opening sequence establish a world in which humans are utterly reliant on technology and yet totally unaware of the nefarious uses to which a brilliant but unethical person could put it.

Author's Note:  Thanks to my literature students whose in-class contributions sharpened my thinking on this scene .

[ Ed.: The piece concludes by tying the main themes of the opening sequence to those of the entire film. In doing this, the conclusion makes an argument for the essay's own relevance: we need to pay attention to the essay's points so that we can achieve a rich understanding of the movie. The piece's final sentence makes a chilling final impression by alluding to the danger that might loom if we do not understand the movie. This is the only the place in the piece where the author explicitly references how badly we might be hurt by ignorance, and it's all the more powerful for this solitary quality. A pithy, charming note follows, acknowledging that the author's work was informed by others' input (as most good writing is). Beautifully done. ]

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How to Analyze a Scene in a Film

Last Updated: October 6, 2023 Approved

This article was co-authored by Gavin Anstey and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising . Gavin Anstey is the COO at Cinebody. Cinebody is User-Directed Content software that empowers brands to create instant, authentic, and engaging video content with anyone on earth. Gavin studied Journalism at the University of Colorado Boulder, before launching a career in video production and software. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 11 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 334,231 times.

While you can analyze an entire film , you can also choose a scene from the movie and break it down even further. Before you choose a scene you want to analyze, watch the entire film first so you can understand what’s happening. Go over the scene you want to analyze multiple times so you can pick out the details and take notes on it. Once you have your notes, you can write a formal analysis essay about the scene.

Choosing and Watching the Scene

• For example, if you choose to watch the movie To Kill a Mockingbird , you may say the overlying theme is the balance of good and evil or how prejudice can affect a town.

Tip: The film may have multiple themes, so choose one that interests you to focus on and use it to apply to the scene you choose later.

• For example, if you want to analyze Jaws , you may choose the opening scene to see how music and cinematography affect the mood.
• Analyzing scenes that are just conversations between characters can be just as fun as focusing on a big action scene. With quieter scenes, you can discuss how the camera angles and dialog affect how someone interprets the conversations.

• Avoid taking any notes the first couple times you watch the scene so you can absorb as much of it as you can. After 2-3 viewings, you can start pausing the scene or writing down things you notice.

Analyzing Elements within the Scene

• For example, the events of the opening scene in Jaws are teenagers partying on a beach, two of the people leaving the group, one of them swimming in the water, and then getting grabbed by the shark.

Gavin Anstey

What are the main elements of a scene? Gavin Anstey, a video producer, tells us: "Lighting is always an important element. Is it natural lighting, or artificial? Lighting sets the mood of the scene. Next is the talent if they are in the scene. How good is the talent? The majority of communication isn't verbal language, it's body language . How does the talent evoke a feeling or emotion without saying anything? Finally, does the talent sound real and authentic ? Or do they sound cheesy ?"

• For example, the opening scene in Jaws introduces the shark to the viewer and shows that it’s a threat to humans in the water. Throughout the film, this sets up conflict since it takes place in a beach town.

• For example, in the shark attack scene from Jaws , you may notice the kids in the water having fun, but Chief Brody is tense and worried about everyone’s safety.

Tip: Pay attention to the characters’ costumes since they could give hints about the character’s intentions. For example, if the character is wearing dark clothes, they may be evil or they could be planning something sinister.

• For example, in the final scene of Inception , the spinning top is a symbol of uncertainty since the viewer isn’t sure whether the ending is real or a dream.
• Another example is the letter “X” or an X-shape in a scene of the film The Departed , which represents death.
• Even characters can be symbols. For example, the Joker in The Dark Knight can be a symbol of chaos or uncertainty.
• Not every scene will have specific symbols that relate to the rest of the film, so don’t worry about if you can’t find any.

• For example, if a character is standing and looking down at another character that’s sitting down, it could mean the standing character is more important or powerful than the other.
• If you’re watching the film on a computer, take screenshots from the scene so you can analyze the still frames.
• Look at how the scene’s lit and how the highlights and shadows affect the mood. Shots that are framed dark can make the scene mysterious but well let scenes may seem like a comfortable or exposed location. [7] X Research source

• For example, action scenes usually have a lot of movement and have multiple angles to keep the viewer excited. Conversely, horror scenes may have no camera movement and close-up shots to make a viewer feel tense while they’re watching it.
• Make note of when shots shift focus from an object or character to another.

• For example, if you have a shot of a desert followed by a shot of a glass of water, it may make you think about being thirsty.
• In another example, the editing in the opening scene of Jaws makes the viewer tense since they know the shark is getting closer but the woman in water doesn’t know about the danger.

• For example, the music at the beginning of Jaws helps to build tension since it keeps getting faster until the shark attacks.
• Wear headphones and play the scene if you’re able so you’re able to catch all of the discrete noises you may not have been able to hear otherwise.
• Make note of silences in the scene as well since they can be just as important as loud sounds.

Writing a Scene Analysis

• For example, a thesis for the opening scene in Jaws may be, “The opening shark attack from Jaws uses accelerating music, quick editing, and point of view shots to create tension.”

• Keep your introduction about 3-4 sentences long.

• Keep the summary paragraph about 4-5 sentences long before moving on.

• For example, if you’re talking about the opening scene in Jaws , your body paragraphs may discuss the music, the editing, and the point of view of the camera angles.
• Don’t use all of your notes you took from the scene since they won’t all fit with the thesis for your paper.

• For example, you may end an analysis on the opening scene of Jaws by discussing how the opening scene of the film influenced the horror genre.

Community Q&A

• Research what was happening in the world when the film was released to see if you can apply the events to the scene or theme of the movie. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
• Once you analyze the scene you picked, look up the scene or film online to see what others were able to discuss about it. You may be able to notice things that you hadn’t considered before. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://penandthepad.com/write-scene-analysis-8560037.html
• ↑ https://youtu.be/zogJ6isyK1k?t=189
• ↑ https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED096715.pdf
• ↑ http://filmanalysis.yale.edu/cinematography/#framing
• ↑ http://filmanalysis.yale.edu/mise-en-scene/#lighting
• ↑ http://filmanalysis.yale.edu/cinematography/#quality
• ↑ http://filmanalysis.yale.edu/editing/#devices
• ↑ http://filmanalysis.yale.edu/sound/
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/film-analysis/
• ↑ https://www.raindance.org/tell-me-everything-about-it-how-to-write-a-film-analysis-essay-correctly/

About This Article

To analyze a scene in a film, begin by watching the scene several times while taking notes on the director’s choices, from camera angles to character casting. Next, form a hypothesis about the scene based on your notes, like how the director’s choice of camera angles affects the point of view. Once you have a strong argument formulated, incorporate it into an introductory paragraph that includes the movie title, director, and the date it was released. Follow it with at least 3 paragraphs supporting your hypothesis, then tie it all together in your conclusion paragraph. For more examples of scene elements to include in your analysis, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Film Analysis

What this handout is about.

This handout introduces film analysis and and offers strategies and resources for approaching film analysis assignments.

Writing the film analysis essay

Writing a film analysis requires you to consider the composition of the film—the individual parts and choices made that come together to create the finished piece. Film analysis goes beyond the analysis of the film as literature to include camera angles, lighting, set design, sound elements, costume choices, editing, etc. in making an argument. The first step to analyzing the film is to watch it with a plan.

Watching the film

First it’s important to watch the film carefully with a critical eye. Consider why you’ve been assigned to watch a film and write an analysis. How does this activity fit into the course? Why have you been assigned this particular film? What are you looking for in connection to the course content? Let’s practice with this clip from Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo (1958). Here are some tips on how to watch the clip critically, just as you would an entire film:

• Give the clip your undivided attention at least once. Pay close attention to details and make observations that might start leading to bigger questions.
• Watch the clip a second time. For this viewing, you will want to focus specifically on those elements of film analysis that your class has focused on, so review your course notes. For example, from whose perspective is this clip shot? What choices help convey that perspective? What is the overall tone, theme, or effect of this clip?
• Take notes while you watch for the second time. Notes will help you keep track of what you noticed and when, if you include timestamps in your notes. Timestamps are vital for citing scenes from a film!

For more information on watching a film, check out the Learning Center’s handout on watching film analytically . For more resources on researching film, including glossaries of film terms, see UNC Library’s research guide on film & cinema .

Brainstorming ideas

Once you’ve watched the film twice, it’s time to brainstorm some ideas based on your notes. Brainstorming is a major step that helps develop and explore ideas. As you brainstorm, you may want to cluster your ideas around central topics or themes that emerge as you review your notes. Did you ask several questions about color? Were you curious about repeated images? Perhaps these are directions you can pursue.

If you’re writing an argumentative essay, you can use the connections that you develop while brainstorming to draft a thesis statement . Consider the assignment and prompt when formulating a thesis, as well as what kind of evidence you will present to support your claims. Your evidence could be dialogue, sound edits, cinematography decisions, etc. Much of how you make these decisions will depend on the type of film analysis you are conducting, an important decision covered in the next section.

After brainstorming, you can draft an outline of your film analysis using the same strategies that you would for other writing assignments. Here are a few more tips to keep in mind as you prepare for this stage of the assignment:

• Make sure you understand the prompt and what you are being asked to do. Remember that this is ultimately an assignment, so your thesis should answer what the prompt asks. Check with your professor if you are unsure.
• In most cases, the director’s name is used to talk about the film as a whole, for instance, “Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo .” However, some writers may want to include the names of other persons who helped to create the film, including the actors, the cinematographer, and the sound editor, among others.
• When describing a sequence in a film, use the literary present. An example could be, “In Vertigo , Hitchcock employs techniques of observation to dramatize the act of detection.”
• Finding a screenplay/script of the movie may be helpful and save you time when compiling citations. But keep in mind that there may be differences between the screenplay and the actual product (and these differences might be a topic of discussion!).
• Go beyond describing basic film elements by articulating the significance of these elements in support of your particular position. For example, you may have an interpretation of the striking color green in Vertigo , but you would only mention this if it was relevant to your argument. For more help on using evidence effectively, see the section on “using evidence” in our evidence handout .

Also be sure to avoid confusing the terms shot, scene, and sequence. Remember, a shot ends every time the camera cuts; a scene can be composed of several related shots; and a sequence is a set of related scenes.

Different types of film analysis

As you consider your notes, outline, and general thesis about a film, the majority of your assignment will depend on what type of film analysis you are conducting. This section explores some of the different types of film analyses you may have been assigned to write.

Semiotic analysis

Semiotic analysis is the interpretation of signs and symbols, typically involving metaphors and analogies to both inanimate objects and characters within a film. Because symbols have several meanings, writers often need to determine what a particular symbol means in the film and in a broader cultural or historical context.

For instance, a writer could explore the symbolism of the flowers in Vertigo by connecting the images of them falling apart to the vulnerability of the heroine.

Here are a few other questions to consider for this type of analysis:

• What objects or images are repeated throughout the film?
• How does the director associate a character with small signs, such as certain colors, clothing, food, or language use?
• How does a symbol or object relate to other symbols and objects, that is, what is the relationship between the film’s signs?

Many films are rich with symbolism, and it can be easy to get lost in the details. Remember to bring a semiotic analysis back around to answering the question “So what?” in your thesis.

Narrative analysis

Narrative analysis is an examination of the story elements, including narrative structure, character, and plot. This type of analysis considers the entirety of the film and the story it seeks to tell.

For example, you could take the same object from the previous example—the flowers—which meant one thing in a semiotic analysis, and ask instead about their narrative role. That is, you might analyze how Hitchcock introduces the flowers at the beginning of the film in order to return to them later to draw out the completion of the heroine’s character arc.

To create this type of analysis, you could consider questions like:

• How does the film correspond to the Three-Act Structure: Act One: Setup; Act Two: Confrontation; and Act Three: Resolution?
• What is the plot of the film? How does this plot differ from the narrative, that is, how the story is told? For example, are events presented out of order and to what effect?
• Does the plot revolve around one character? Does the plot revolve around multiple characters? How do these characters develop across the film?

When writing a narrative analysis, take care not to spend too time on summarizing at the expense of your argument. See our handout on summarizing for more tips on making summary serve analysis.

Cultural/historical analysis

One of the most common types of analysis is the examination of a film’s relationship to its broader cultural, historical, or theoretical contexts. Whether films intentionally comment on their context or not, they are always a product of the culture or period in which they were created. By placing the film in a particular context, this type of analysis asks how the film models, challenges, or subverts different types of relations, whether historical, social, or even theoretical.

For example, the clip from Vertigo depicts a man observing a woman without her knowing it. You could examine how this aspect of the film addresses a midcentury social concern about observation, such as the sexual policing of women, or a political one, such as Cold War-era McCarthyism.

A few of the many questions you could ask in this vein include:

• How does the film comment on, reinforce, or even critique social and political issues at the time it was released, including questions of race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality?
• How might a biographical understanding of the film’s creators and their historical moment affect the way you view the film?
• How might a specific film theory, such as Queer Theory, Structuralist Theory, or Marxist Film Theory, provide a language or set of terms for articulating the attributes of the film?

Take advantage of class resources to explore possible approaches to cultural/historical film analyses, and find out whether you will be expected to do additional research into the film’s context.

Mise-en-scène analysis

A mise-en-scène analysis attends to how the filmmakers have arranged compositional elements in a film and specifically within a scene or even a single shot. This type of analysis organizes the individual elements of a scene to explore how they come together to produce meaning. You may focus on anything that adds meaning to the formal effect produced by a given scene, including: blocking, lighting, design, color, costume, as well as how these attributes work in conjunction with decisions related to sound, cinematography, and editing. For example, in the clip from Vertigo , a mise-en-scène analysis might ask how numerous elements, from lighting to camera angles, work together to present the viewer with the perspective of Jimmy Stewart’s character.

To conduct this type of analysis, you could ask:

• What effects are created in a scene, and what is their purpose?
• How does this scene represent the theme of the movie?
• How does a scene work to express a broader point to the film’s plot?

This detailed approach to analyzing the formal elements of film can help you come up with concrete evidence for more general film analysis assignments.

Reviewing your draft

Once you have a draft, it’s helpful to get feedback on what you’ve written to see if your analysis holds together and you’ve conveyed your point. You may not necessarily need to find someone who has seen the film! Ask a writing coach, roommate, or family member to read over your draft and share key takeaways from what you have written so far.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Aumont, Jacques, and Michel Marie. 1988. L’analyse Des Films . Paris: Nathan.

Media & Design Center. n.d. “Film and Cinema Research.” UNC University Libraries. Last updated February 10, 2021. https://guides.lib.unc.edu/filmresearch .

Oxford Royale Academy. n.d. “7 Ways to Watch Film.” Oxford Royale Academy. Accessed April 2021. https://www.oxford-royale.com/articles/7-ways-watch-films-critically/ .

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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50 Film Analysis

Film analysis, what this handout is about.

This handout provides a brief definition of film analysis compared to literary analysis, provides an introduction to common types of film analysis, and offers strategies and resources for approaching assignments.

What is film analysis, and how does it differ from literary analysis?

Film analysis is the process in which film is analyzed in terms of semiotics, narrative structure, cultural context, and mise-en-scene, among other approaches. If these terms are new to you, don’t worry—they’ll be explained in the next section.

Analyzing film, like  analyzing literature (fiction texts, etc.) , is a form of rhetorical analysis—critically analyzing and evaluating discourse, including words, phrases, and images. Having a clear argument and supporting evidence is every bit as critical to film analysis as to other forms of academic writing.

Unlike literature, film incorporates audiovisual elements and therefore introduces a new dimension to analysis. Ultimately, however, analysis of film is not too different. Think of all the things that make up a scene in a film: the actors, the lighting, the angles, the colors. All of these things may be absent in literature, but they are deliberate choices on the part of the director, producer, or screenwriter—as are the words chosen by the author of a work of literature. Furthermore, literature and film incorporate similar elements. They both have plots, characters, dialogue, settings, symbolism, and, just as the elements of literature can be analyzed for their intent and effect, these elements can be analyzed the same way in film.

Different types of film analysis

Listed here are common approaches to film analysis, but this is by no means an exhaustive list, and you may have discussed other approaches in class. As with any other assignment, make sure you understand your professor’s expectations. This guide is best used to understand prompts or, in the case of more open-ended assignments, consider the different ways to analyze film.

Keep in mind that any of the elements of film can be analyzed, oftentimes in tandem. A single film analysis essay may simultaneously include all of the following approaches and more. As Jacques Aumont and Michel Marie propose in Analysis of Film, there is no correct, universal way to write film analysis.

Semiotic analysis

Semiotic analysis is the analysis of meaning behind signs and symbols, typically involving metaphors, analogies, and symbolism.

This doesn’t necessarily need to be something dramatic; think about how you extrapolate information from the smallest signs in your day to day life. For instance, what characteristics can tell you about someone’s personality? Something as simple as someone’s appearance can reveal information about them. Mismatched shoes and bedhead might be a sign of carelessness (or something crazy happened that morning!), while an immaculate dress shirt and tie would suggest that the person is prim and proper. Continuing in that vein:

• What might you be able to infer about characters from small hints?
• How are these hints (signs) used to construct characters? How do they relate to the relative role of those characters, or the relationships between multiple characters?

Symbols denote concepts (liberty, peace, etc.) and feelings (hate, love, etc.) that they often have nothing to do with. They are used liberally in both literature and film, and finding them uses a similar process. Ask yourself:

• In Frozen Elsa’s gloves appear in multiple scenes.
• Her gloves are first given to her by her father to restrain her magic. She continues to wear them throughout the coronation scene, before finally, in the Let It Go sequence, she throws them away.

Again, the method of semiotic analysis in film is similar to that of literature. Think about the deeper meaning behind objects or actions.

• Elsa’s gloves represent fear of her magic and, by extension, herself. Though she attempts to contain her magic by hiding her hands within gloves and denying part of her identity, she eventually abandons the gloves in a quest for self-acceptance.

Narrative structure analysis

Narrative structure analysis is the analysis of the story elements, including plot structure, character motivations, and theme. Like the dramatic structure of literature (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution), film has what is known as the Three-Act Structure: “Act One: Setup, Act Two: Confrontation, and Act Three: Resolution.” Narrative structure analysis breaks the story of the film into these three elements and might consider questions like:

• How does the story follow or deviate from typical structures?
• What is the effect of following or deviating from this structure?
• What is the theme of the film, and how is that theme constructed?

Consider again the example of Frozen. You can use symbolism and narrative structure in conjunction by placing the symbolic objects/events in the context of the narrative structure. For instance, the first appearance of the gloves is in Act One, while their abandoning takes place in Act Two; thus, the story progresses in such a way that demonstrates Elsa’s personal growth. By the time of Act Three, the Resolution, her aversion to touch (a product of fearing her own magic) is gone, reflecting a theme of self-acceptance.

Contextual analysis

Contextual analysis is analysis of the film as part of a broader context. Think about the culture, time, and place of the film’s creation. What might the film say about the culture that created it? What were/are the social and political concerns of the time period? Or, like researching the author of a novel, you might consider the director, producer, and other people vital to the making of the film. What is the place of this film in the director’s career? Does it align with his usual style of directing, or does it move in a new direction? Other examples of contextual approaches might be analyzing the film in terms of a civil rights or feminist movement.

For example, Frozen is often linked to the LGBTQ social movement. You might agree or disagree with this interpretation, and, using evidence from the film, support your argument.

Some other questions to consider:

• How does the meaning of the film change when seen outside of its culture?
• What characteristics distinguishes the film as being of its particular culture?

Mise-en-scene analysis

Mise-en-scene analysis is analysis of the arrangement of compositional elements in film—essentially, the analysis of audiovisual elements that most distinctly separate film analysis from literary analysis. Remember that the important part of a mise-en-scene analysis is not just identifying the elements of a scene, but explaining the significance behind them.

• What effects are created in a scene, and what is their purpose?
• How does the film attempt to achieve its goal by the way it looks, and does it succeed?

Audiovisual elements that can be analyzed include (but are not limited to): props and costumes, setting, lighting, camera angles, frames, special effects, choreography, music, color values, depth, placement of characters, etc. Mise-en-scene is typically the most foreign part of writing film analysis because the other components discussed are common to literary analysis, while mise-en-scene deals with elements unique to film. Using specific film terminology bolsters credibility, but you should also consider your audience. If your essay is meant to be accessible to non-specialist readers, explain what terms mean. The Resources section of this handout has links to sites that describe mise-en-scene elements in detail.

Rewatching the film and creating screen captures (still images) of certain scenes can help with detailed analysis of colors, positioning of actors, placement of objects, etc. Listening to the soundtrack can also be helpful, especially when placed in the context of particular scenes.

Some example questions:

• How is the lighting used to construct mood? Does the mood shift at any point during the film, and how is that shift in mood created?
• What does the setting say about certain characters? How are props used to reveal aspects of their personality?
• What songs were used, and why were they chosen? Are there any messages in the lyrics that pertain to the theme?

Writing the film analysis essay

Writing film analysis is similar to writing literary analysis or any argumentative essay in other disciplines: Consider the assignment and prompts, formulate a thesis (see the  Brainstorming Handout  and  Thesis Statement Handout  for help crafting a nuanced argument), compile evidence to prove your thesis, and lay out your argument in the essay. Your evidence may be different from what you are used to. Whereas in the English essay you use textual evidence and quotes, in a film analysis essay, you might also include audiovisual elements to bolster your argument.

When describing a sequence in a film, use the present tense, like you would write in the literary present when describing events of a novel, i.e. not “Elsa took off her gloves,” but “Elsa takes off her gloves.” When quoting dialogue from a film, if between multiple characters, use block quotes: Start the quotation on a new line, with the entire quote indented one inch from the left margin. However, conventions are flexible, so ask your professor if you are unsure. It may also help to follow the formatting of the script, if you can find it. For example:

ELSA: But she won’t remember I have powers? KING: It’s for the best.

You do not need to use quotation marks for blocked-off dialogue, but for shorter quotations in the main text, quotation marks should be double quotes (“…”).

Here are some tips for approaching film analysis:

• Make sure you understand the prompt and what you are being asked to do. Focus your argument by choosing a specific issue to assess.
• Review your materials. Rewatch the film for nuances that you may have missed in the first viewing. With your thesis in mind, take notes as you watch. Finding a screenplay of the movie may be helpful, but keep in mind that there may be differences between the screenplay and the actual product (and these differences might be a topic of discussion!).
• Develop a thesis and an outline, organizing your evidence so that it supports your argument. Remember that this is ultimately an assignment—make sure that your thesis answers what the prompt asks, and check with your professor if you are unsure.
• Move beyond only describing the audiovisual elements of the film by considering the significance of your evidence. Demonstrate understanding of not just what film elements are, but why and to what effect they are being used. For more help on using your evidence effectively, see ‘Using Evidence In An Argument’ in the  Evidence Handout .

New York Film Academy Glossary Movie Outline Glossary Movie Script Database Citation Practices: Film and Television

Works Consulted

We consulted these works while writing the original version of this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find the latest publications on this topic. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the  UNC Libraries citation tutorial .

Aumont, Jacques, and Michel Marie. L’analyse Des Films. Paris: Nathan, 1988. Print. Pruter, Robin Franson. “Writing About Film.” Writing About Film. DePaul University, 08 Mar. 2004. Web. 01 May 2016.

Film Analysis Copyright © 2020 by Liza Long; Amy Minervini; and Joel Gladd is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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How to Write a Film Analysis Essay: Format & Examples

Movie analysis essays offer a unique opportunity to take a closer look at narrative techniques and artistic aspects of filmmaking. A paper on this subject lets you explore themes, characters, cinematography, and other elements that make movies stand out. Students can improve their movie analysis abilities by reading our comprehensive guide! It has enough information to make you a movie critic in your own right.

Our team has covered the main film analysis essay components to help you thoroughly analyze movies. By the end of this read, you’ll understand how to pick the right motion picture and craft a film review that best captures its essence. The guide covers all the crucial steps for students to make a film analysis essay captivating and thought-provoking for readers. Let’s dive into cinema analysis and discover the secret behind excellent papers!

• 📽️ What Is a Film Analysis?
• 🎞️ Types of Movie Analysis

🎬 Film Analysis Template

• 🤩 11 Tips for Movie Analysis
• 💡 Film Analysis Essay Topics

🔗 References

📽️ what is a film analysis essay.

In a film analysis paper, students should closely examine the various elements of the picture. These include directing , writing , cinematography , acting , and setting . As with any critical paper, the subject is evaluated based on specific standards. Sometimes, a film may be compared to other entries in its genre or series, for example, Star Wars vs. Star Trek.

🎞️ Types of Movie Analysis Essays

Before making a movie analysis outline, it’s essential to understand what kind of essay you want to create. There are several popular types with unique goals and aims. Understanding the difference between them helps you choose the right one for the paper you want to write.

The most common types of movie analysis essays include:

• Semiotic Analysis. This type discusses the symbols and signs represented in a particular movie. With its help, you may uncover the meaning of objects or images repeated throughout the picture. It’s also possible to show connections between different examples of imagery in the film. For example, you may discuss the meaning of oranges in The Godfather .
• Narrative Structure Analysis. This common type of analysis lets you look deeper into the various story elements, such as plot, narrative structure, and characters. For example, you may use it to explore the story and setting of Psycho.
• Contextual Analysis. In a contextual analysis, you draw connections between the film and its cultural and historical context. This works well with documentary films or movies based on real events. For example, you can describe the atmosphere of the Cold War in Red Dawn and The Hunt for Red October .
• Mise-En-Scene Analysis . If you want to go into deep detail about the beauty and meaning of scenes or single shots, mise-en-scene analysis is right for you. It lets you take a look at individual elements and interpret them. For example, you may try to explain how various details of the surroundings were depicted in Akira Kurosawa’s Yojimbo. This analysis is as effective for short films as it is for feature-length ones.

Creating a high-quality, compelling essay isn’t just about being creative. It also needs structure and a systematic approach. You can’t write it right if you don’t know how to do it. So, we’ll take a closer look at each step of this process to make your journey more comfortable. Come with us and learn what makes a movie critique essay great.

Prepare for Writing the Film Analysis Paper

Before you begin your first draft, it’s vital to prepare for the film analysis. This process is divided into five stages. We’ve decided to provide some advice and ideas for each of them. Look closely at what should be done to better prepare for this task:

Movie Analysis Format & Structure

A well-organized film essay structure will help you properly present your ideas and arguments. That is why we have provided some advice on how you should format your essay.

There are several parts you should include when writing your film critique:

• Introduction . Any good piece of writing starts with a catchy introduction. It must give readers a small taste of what the paper will be about with unique insights and analysis. One look at it should be enough to hook your readers.
• Body . After writing the perfect intro, summarize the work you’ll analyze and focus on the crucial plot points. Then, provide an analysis of the motion picture at length. Check your outline to ensure you only talk about relevant aspects. When organizing each of your paragraphs , you should remember its purpose and try not to stray off topic.
• Conclusion . The last part of your paper should summarize the main points and present your final thoughts. Don’t haste and write the first thing that comes to mind. Ensure that the conclusion is as impactful as the introductory part.

Sometimes, students get too engrossed when watching a movie and leave out essential details. To make sure that doesn’t happen, follow this movie analysis template. It will help you retain information and avoid making mistakes.

🤩 11 Tips to Follow While Writing a Movie Analysis

A movie analysis essay writing requires exceptional attention to detail. We’ve come up with several terrific pieces of advice that will improve your writing skills regarding these assignments. They will work for you whether you’re analyzing a Tim Burton animated film or the legendary Titanic movie.

• Even if you’ve seen the work before, rewatch it. It will refresh your memories of it.
• Don’t rush things, and see the movie at least twice. Arrange your time to have the opportunity to refresh your memories of the plot details.
• Sometimes, it helps to work on the body of the paper before adding an introduction.
• Develop a clear thesis statement . It helps better organize the paper’s arguments.
• Closely investigate the audio and visual elements. They often help bring more nuance to the story and the film’s atmosphere.
• Don’t make the paper all about the plot. It should be an analysis and not a retelling of the entire story.
• To make the paper more professional, incorporate some technical jargon. For example, you may explain the techniques used by the camera crew or the editors.
• Do your best to remain objective. Your paper should analyze the movie elements and your opinions should be evidence-based.
• Compare the film to other genre entries. Try to tell how other works tackle the same subjects and utilize similar cinema elements .
• Check the structural integrity of the work. Comb the paper for any inconsistencies or sentences that seem to dangle in the air. Your text should be easy to follow.
• Finally, remember to edit. It’s important to polish the paper until you have all the facts, grammar, stylistics, and spelling in order.

💡 Interesting Topics for Film Analysis Essays

• Pandora’s Unobtanium: Analyzing James Cameron’s “Avatar”
• Truth and Its Consequences in “Liar Liar” Directed by Tom Shadyac
• The Feminist Revolution in “Mona Lisa Smile” by Mike Newell
• Blade Runner’s Cyberpunk Aesthetic: A Scene Analysis
• Society and Class Distinctions in “Pride and Prejudice” Movie
• Power, Loyalty, and Betrayal in “The Godfather” by Francis Ford Coppola
• The Heroine’s Journey into “The Wizard of Oz” by Victor Fleming
• Generational Saga “Mi Familia” by Gregory Nava
• Life Is Like a Box of Chocolates: A Cinematic Journey in ‘Forrest Gump’
• Transformation in “Dances with Wolves” by Kevin Costner
• Spirit of Nature and Childhood Innocence in “My Neighbor Totoro”
• Subversive Masculinity in “Fight Club” by David Fincher
• Intercultural Communication in “Lost in Translation” by Sofia Coppola
• Ethical Dilemmas and Family Bonds in “My Sister’s Keeper” by Nick Cassavetes
• Shakespearean Romance and Identity in “Shakespeare in Love” 

Three Brilliant Movie Analysis Examples

Theoretical knowledge will only take you so far. We suggest taking a look at several scene analysis essay examples. Check out these three creative samples with different analytical approaches:

• “Remember the Titans” Movie by Jerry Bruckheimer. Outstanding achievement can only be won through hardship. It doesn’t matter whether you’re fighting for equality or striving to win a football game. Each small event resonates in history. Jerry Bruckheimer’s Remember the Titans is a testament to the sacrifice and struggle people endure to make a difference. This essay analyzes the work using several scenes that capture its central message.
• The Analysis of Film “Wilby Wonderful.”   Interpersonal relationships remain a big issue from a psychological point of view for many despite the perceived ease of their maintenance. It causes many misunderstandings and conflicts people may inadvertently find themselves in. Daniel Maclvor’s Wilby Wonderful demonstrates these inadequacies in full view on the streets of the Canadian island town of Wilby. This essay analyzes the themes of self-denial and the consequences it brings.
• Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: 1994 Movie Analysis Essay.  1994’s Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, directed by Kenneth Branagh, is one of the many adaptations of the classic horror novel. Like the original story, it explores the consequences of man playing god. But, despite its star-ridden cast led by Robert DeNiro, the film doesn’t quite live up to its literary counterpart. This paper analyzes why the adaptation didn’t capture the spirit of the original.

We did our best to address all questions you might have had about film review writing. Feel free to use our guide and review essay examples to write excellent papers and share our articles with your friends.

• Resources – How to Write a Film Analysis. – Northwestern University
• Film Analysis. – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Film Writing: Sample Analysis. – Purdue University
• How to Write a Movie Review: 9 Essential Tips. – New York Film Academy
• Step by Step Guide to Writing an Essay on Film. – Film Threat
• How To Write a Critical Analysis in 5 Steps (With Tips). – Indeed
• Film Review. – Writing Studio, Duke University
• How to Write About Film: The Movie Review, The Theoretical Essay, and The Critical Essay. – University of Colorado Denver
• Film & Media Studies Resources: Researching a Film. – Bowling Green State University
• Questions for Film Analysis. – University of Washington

How to Write a Film Analysis Essay: Examples, Outline, & Tips

A film analysis essay might be the most exciting assignment you have ever had! After all, who doesn’t love watching movies? You have your favorite movies, maybe something you watched years ago, perhaps a classic, or a documentary. Or your professor might assign a film for you to make a critical review. Regardless, you are totally up for watching a movie for a film analysis essay.

Our specialists will write a custom essay specially for you!

However, once you have watched the movie, facing the act of writing might knock the wind out of your sails because you might be wondering how to write a film analysis essay. In summary, writing movie analysis is not as difficult as it might seem, and Custom-writing.org experts will prove this. This guide will help you choose a topic for your movie analysis, make an outline, and write the text.️ Film analysis examples are added as a bonus! Just keep reading our advice on how to get started.

❓ What Is a Film Analysis Essay?

• 🚦 Film Analysis Types

📽️ Movie Analysis Format

✍️ how to write a film analysis, 🎦 film analysis template, 🎬 film analysis essay topics.

• 📄 Essay Examples

🔗 References

To put it simply, film analysis implies watching a movie and then considering its characteristics : genre, structure, contextual context, etc. Film analysis is usually considered to be a form of rhetorical analysis . The key to success here is to formulate a clear and logical argument, supporting it with examples.

🚦 Film Analysis Essay Types

Since a film analysis essay resembles literature analysis, it makes sense that there are several ways to do it. Its types are not limited to the ones described here. Moreover, you are free to combine the approaches in your essay as well. Since your writing reflects your own opinion, there is no universal way to do it.

• Semiotic analysis . If you’re using this approach, you are expected to interpret the film’s symbolism. You should look for any signs that may have a hidden meaning. Often, they reveal some character’s features. To make the task more manageable, you can try to find the objects or concepts that appear on the screen multiple times. What is the context they appear in? It might lead you to the hidden meaning of the symbols.
• Narrative structure analysis . This type is quite similar to a typical literature guide. It includes looking into the film’s themes, plot, and motives. The analysis aims to identify three main elements: setup, confrontation, and resolution. You should find out whether the film follows this structure and what effect it creates. It will make the narrative structure analysis essay if you write about the theme and characters’ motivations as well.
• Contextual analysis . Here, you would need to expand your perspective. Instead of focusing on inner elements, the contextual analysis looks at the time and place of the film’s creation. Therefore, you should work on studying the cultural context a lot. It can also be a good idea to mention the main socio-political issues of the time. You can even relate the film’s success to the director or producer and their career.
• Mise-en-scene analysis . This type of analysis works with the most distinctive feature of the movies, audiovisual elements. However, don’t forget that your task is not only to identify them but also to explain their importance. There are so many interconnected pieces of this puzzle: the light to create the mood, the props to show off characters’ personalities, messages hidden in the song lyrics.

To write an effective film analysis essay, it is important to follow specific format requirements that include the following:

• Standard essay structure. Just as with any essay, your analysis should consist of an introduction with a strong thesis statement, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The main body usually includes a summary and an analysis of the movie’s elements.
• Present tense for events in the film. Use the present tense when describing everything that happens in the movie. This way, you can make smooth transitions between describing action and dialogue. It will also improve the overall narrative flow.
• Proper formatting of the film’s title. Don’t enclose the movie’s title in quotation marks; instead, italicize it. In addition, use the title case : that is, capitalize all major words.
• Proper use of the characters’ names. When you mention a film character for the first time, name the actor portraying them. After that, it is enough to write only the character’s name.
• In-text citations. Use in-text citations when describing certain scenes or shots from the movie. Format them according to your chosen citation style. If you use direct quotes, include the time-stamp range instead of page numbers. Here’s how it looks in the MLA format: (Smith 0:11:24–0:12:35).

Even though film analysis is similar to the literary one, you might still feel confused with where to begin. No need to worry; there are only a few additional steps you need to consider during the writing process.

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Starting Your Film Analysis Essay

There are several things you need to do before you start writing your film analysis paper. First and foremost, you have to watch the movie. Even if you have seen it a hundred times, you need to watch it again to make a good film analysis essay.

Note that you might be given an essay topic or have to think of it by yourself. If you are free to choose a topic for your film analysis essay, reading some critical reviews before you watch the film might be a good idea. By doing this in advance, you will already know what to look for when watching the movie.

In the process of watching, keep the following tips in mind:

• Consider your impression of the movie
• Enumerate memorable details
• Try to interpret the movie message in your way
• Search for the proof of your ideas (quotes from the film)
• Make comments on the plot, settings, and characters
• Draw parallels between the movie you are reviewing and some other movies

Making a Film Analysis Essay Outline

Once you have watched and possibly re-watched your assigned or chosen movie from an analytical point of view, you will need to create a movie analysis essay outline . The task is pretty straightforward: the outline can look just as if you were working on a literary analysis or an article analysis.

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• Introduction : This includes the basics of the movie, including the title, director, and the date of release. You should also present the central theme or ideas in the movie and your thesis statement .
• Summary : This is where you take the time to present an overview of the primary concepts in the movie, including the five Ws (who, what, when, where, and why)—don’t forget how!—as well as anything you wish to discuss that relates to the point of view, style, and structure.
• Analysis : This is the body of the essay and includes your critical analysis of the movie, why you did or did not like it, and any supporting material from the film to support your views. It would help if you also discussed whether the director and writer of the movie achieved the goal they set out to achieve.
• Conclusion: This is where you can state your thesis again and provide a summary of the primary concepts in a new and more convincing manner, making a case for your analysis. You can also include a call-to-action that will invite the reader to watch the movie or avoid it entirely.

You can find a great critical analysis template at Thompson Rivers University website. In case you need more guidance on how to write an analytical paper, check out our article .

Writing & Editing Your Film Analysis Essay

We have already mentioned that there are differences between literary analysis and film analysis. They become especially important when one starts writing their film analysis essay.

First of all, the evidence you include to support the arguments is not the same. Instead of quoting the text, you might need to describe the audiovisual elements.

However, the practice of describing the events is similar in both types. You should always introduce a particular sequence in the present tense. If you want to use a piece of a dialogue between more than two film characters, you can use block quotes. However, since there are different ways to do it, confirm with your supervisor.

For your convenience, you might as well use the format of the script, for which you don’t have to use quotation marks:

Get an originally-written paper according to your instructions!

ELSA: But she won’t remember I have powers?

KING: It’s for the best.

Finally, to show off your proficiency in the subject, look at the big picture. Instead of just presenting the main elements in your analysis, point out their significance. Describe the effect they make on the overall impression form the film. Moreover, you can dig deeper and suggest the reasons why such elements were used in a particular scene to show your expertise.

Stuck writing a film analysis essay? Worry not! Use our template to structure your movie analysis properly.

Introduction

• The title of the film is… [title]
• The director is… [director’s name] He/she is known for… [movies, style, etc.]
• The movie was released on… [release date]
• The themes of the movie are… [state the film’s central ideas]
• The film was made because… [state the reasons]
• The movie is… because… [your thesis statement].
• The main characters are… [characters’ names]
• The events take place in… [location]
• The movie is set in… [time period]
• The movie is about… [state what happens in the film and why]
• The movie left a… [bad, unforgettable, lasting, etc.] impression in me.
• The script has… [a logical sequence of events, interesting scenes, strong dialogues, character development, etc.]
• The actors portray their characters… [convincingly, with intensity, with varying degree of success, in a manner that feels unnatural, etc.]
• The soundtrack is [distracting, fitting, memorable, etc.]
• Visual elements such as… [costumes, special effects, etc.] make the film [impressive, more authentic, atmospheric, etc.]
• The film succeeds/doesn’t succeed in engaging the target audience because it… [tells a compelling story, features strong performances, is relevant, lacks focus, is unauthentic, etc.]
• Cultural and societal aspects make the film… [thought-provoking, relevant, insightful, problematic, polarizing, etc.]
• The director and writer achieved their goal because… [state the reasons]
• Overall, the film is… [state your opinion]
• I would/wouldn’t recommend watching the movie because… [state the reasons]
• Analysis of the film Inception by Christopher Nolan .
• Examine the rhetoric in the film The Red Balloon .
• Analyze the visual effects of Zhang Yimou’s movie Hero .
• Basic concepts of the film Interstellar by Christopher Nolan.
• The characteristic features of Federico Fellini’s movies.
• Analysis of the movie The Joker .
• The depiction of ethical issues in Damaged Care .
• Analyze the plot of the film Moneyball .
• Explore the persuasive techniques used in Henry V .
• Analyze the movie Killing Kennedy .
• Discuss the themes of the film Secret Window .
• Describe the role of audio and video effects in conveying the message of the documentary Life in Renaissance .
• Compare and analyze the films Midnight Cowboy and McCabe and Mrs. Miller .
• Analysis of the movie Rear Window .
• The message behind the film Split .
• Analyze the techniques used by Tim Burton in his movie Sleepy Hollow .
• The topic of children’s abuse and importance of trust in Joseph Sargent’s Sybil .
• Examine the themes and motives of the film Return to Paradise by Joseph Ruben .
• The issues of gender and traditions in the drama The Whale Rider.
• Analysis of the film Not Easily Broken by Duke Bill.
• The symbolism in R. Scott’s movie Thelma and Louise .
• The meaning of audiovisual effects in Citizen Kane .
• Analyze the main characters of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo .
• Discuss the historical accuracy of the documentary The Civil War .
• Analysis of the movie Through a Glass Darkly .
• Explore the core idea of the comedy Get Out .
• The problem of artificial intelligence and human nature in Ex Machina .
• Three principles of suspense used in the drama The Fugitive .
• Examine the ideas Michael Bay promotes in Armageddon .
• Analyze the visual techniques used in Tenet by Christopher Nolan.
• Analysis of the movie The Green Mile .
• Discrimination and exclusion in the film The Higher Learning .
• The hidden meaning of the scenes in Blade Runner .
• Compare the social messages of the films West Side Story and Romeo + Juliet .
• Highlighting the problem of children’s mental health in the documentary Kids in Crisis .
• Discuss the ways Paul Haggis establishes the issue of racial biases in his movie Crash .
• Analyze the problem of moral choice in the film Gone Baby Gone .
• Analysis of the historical film Hacksaw Ridge .
• Explore the main themes of the film Mean Girls by Mark Walters .
• The importance of communication in the movie Juno .
• Describe the techniques the authors use to highlight the problems of society in Queen and Slim .
• Examine the significance of visual scenes in My Family/ Mi Familia .
• Analysis of the thriller Salt by Phillip Noyce.
• Analyze the message of Greg Berlanti’s film Love, Simon .
• Interpret the symbols of the film The Wizard of Oz (1939).
• Discuss the modern issues depicted in the film The Corporation .
• Moral lessons of Edward Zwick’s Blood Diamond .
• Analysis of the documentary Solitary Nation .
• Describe the audiovisual elements of the film Pride and Prejudice (2005) .
• The problem of toxic relationships in Malcolm and Marie .

📄 Film Analysis Examples

Below you’ll find two film analysis essay examples. Note that the full versions are downloadable for free!

Film Analysis Example #1: The Intouchables

Raising acute social problems in modern cinema is a common approach to draw the public’s attention to the specific issues and challenges of people facing crucial obstacles. As a film for review, The Intouchables by Oliver Nakache and Éric Toledano will be analyzed, and one of the themes raised in this movie is the daily struggle of the person with severe disabilities. This movie is a biographical drama with comedy elements. The Intouchables describes the routine life of a French millionaire who is confined to a wheelchair and forced to receive help from his servants. The acquaintance of the disabled person with a young and daring man from Parisian slums changes the lives of both radically. The film shows that for a person with disabilities, recognition as a full member of society is more important than sympathy and compassion, and this message expressed comically raises an essential problem of human loneliness.

Movie Analysis Example #2: Parasite

Parasite is a 2019 South Korean black comedy thriller movie directed by Bong Joon-ho and is the first film with a non-English script to win Best Picture at the Oscars in 2020. With its overwhelming plot and acting, this motion picture retains a long-lasting effect and some kind of shock. The class serves as a backbone and a primary objective of social commentary within the South Korean comedy/thriller (Kench, 2020). Every single element and detail in the movie, including the student’s stone, the contrasting architecture, family names, and characters’ behavior, contribute to the central topic of the universal problem of classism and wealth disparity. The 2020 Oscar-winning movie Parasite (2019) is a phenomenal cinematic portrayal and a critical message to modern society regarding the severe outcomes of the long-established inequalities within capitalism.

Want more examples? Check out this bonus list of 10 film analysis samples. They will help you gain even more inspiration.

• “Miss Representation” Documentary Film Analysis
• “The Patriot”: Historical Film Analysis
• “The Morning Guy” Film Analysis
• 2012′ by Roland Emmerich Film Analysis
• “The Crucible” (1996) Film Analysis
• The Aviator’ by Martin Scorsese Film Analysis
• The “Lions for Lambs” Film Analysis
• Bill Monroe – Father of Bluegrass Music Film Analysis
• Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Harry Potter’ Film Analysis
• Red Tails by George Lucas Film Analysis

Film Analysis Essay FAQ

• Watch the movie or read a detailed plot summary.
• Read others’ film reviews paying attention to details like key characters, movie scenes, background facts.
• Compose a list of ideas about what you’ve learned.
• Organize the selected ideas to create a body of the essay.
• Write an appropriate introduction and conclusion.

The benefits of analyzing a movie are numerous . You get a deeper understanding of the plot and its subtle aspects. You can also get emotional and aesthetic satisfaction. Film analysis enables one to feel like a movie connoisseur.

Here is a possible step by step scenario:

• Think about the general idea that the author probably wanted to convey.
• Consider how the idea was put across: what characters, movie scenes, and details helped in it.
• Study the broader context: the author’s other works, genre essentials, etc.

The definition might be: the process of interpreting a movie’s aspects. The movie is reviewed in terms of details creating the artistic value. A film analysis essay is a paper presenting such a review in a logically structured way.

• Film Analysis – UNC Writing Center
• Film Writing: Sample Analysis // Purdue Writing Lab
• Yale Film Analysis – Yale University
• Film Terms And Topics For Film Analysis And Writing
• Questions for Film Analysis (Washington University)
• Resources on Film Analysis – Cinema Studies (University of Toronto)
• Does Film Analysis Take the Magic out of Movies?
• Film Analysis Research Papers – Academia.edu
• What’s In a Film Analysis Essay? Medium
• Analysis of Film – SAGE Research Methods
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Have you ever read a review and asked yourself how the critic arrived at a different interpretation for the film? You are sure that you saw the same movie, but you interpreted it differently. Most moviegoers go to the cinema for pleasure and entertainment. There’s a reason why blockbuster movies attract moviegoers – cinema is a form of escape, a way to momentarily walk away from life’s troubles.

It’s an interesting point of view. Thank you for your opinion, Sourav!

EXCELENT COVERAGE!

Thank you, Mike!

Hi Rebecca,

Glad you liked the post. Sure thing, feel free to share the link with your audience!

All the best.

Film Analysis Example With Key Steps to Write an A-Grade Paper

Compared to music, painting, literature, and many others, film is a relatively new form of art. The earliest surviving film is believed to be the Roundhay Garden Scene, introduced in 1888, creating an entirely new age of art. And just like any other kind of art, it drew a lot of attention and opinions from the audience. Thus, soon after its release, the first-ever film critique paper was released by The Optical Lantern and Cinematograph Journal in the early 1900s.

Not many know this, but early writing on film aimed to prove that cinematography is an actual art in the first place. One of the most famous manifestations of this proclamation was introduced in 1911 by Ricciotto Canudo, arguing that cinema is the “Sixth Art.”

A lot has changed since that time. As cinematography was expanding, somewhere in the late 1930s, audiences became more influenced by print resources providing criticism and analysis of movies. That’s how film analysis became widespread and even integrated into the academic landscape.

Today, film analysis is a common type of academic assignment facing students of different academic levels and majors. Handling this form of writing is uneasy due to a number of reasons. Most importantly, a movie analysis requires an incredibly deep analysis that goes far beyond a film’s plot.

If you are struggling with this assignment, this guide is here to help you ace it. Read on to learn what a film analysis is and how to write one step by step, and find a winning film analysis example for inspiration.

What Is a Film Analysis?

A film analysis essay requires you to watch and assess a specific movie. The analysis must consider different characteristics of a film, such as its genre, structure, contextual meaning, sound, editing, etc. The paper is typically presented in the form of a rhetorical analysis. Logic and strong argumentation with examples are the keys to success in this type of work.

Writing a Movie Analysis Essay

Writing a film analysis requires you to watch a movie and evaluate different parts of it that create a complete piece. This involves delving into such specs as lighting, camera angles, setting, costumes, and other choices.

A simple way to handle this task is to find a professional writer and ask them to write my essay . However, if you want to ace it yourself, the first step is watching a movie.

Watching the Film

For everyone wondering how to start a film analysis essay, the answer is pretty simple — by watching a movie that you are going to analyze. Later in this guide, we will give you a complete film analysis example based on the Waltz with Bashir film. But first, let’s start with a few tips on how to watch a movie effectively before you can start writing your analysis.

When writing a film analysis, you will need to watch a film multiple times.

Here are some key tips to watch it critically:

• Give it your undivided attention when watching for the first time;
• When watching a movie for the second time, focus on its different aspects, such as dialogue, acting, etc.;
• Take notes with timestamps on the most important moments that you notice;
• Consider watching a film on mute to evaluate the visual part.

When making an analysis of such a complex documentary piece like Waltz with Bashir the movie, you should consider watching it more than three times to make more observations.

Brainstorming Ideas

After watching your film multiple times and collecting your notes, you need to define what exactly you will be writing in your paper. Before you do this, it could be a good idea to check a good film analysis example (or a few) to understand what the final piece should look like and gain some inspiration. After this, you need to consider different aspects of a movie to understand what to include in your paper.

Here are a few ideas of what you could consider:

• Genre — Define what’s the genre of a film and what elements confirm that it belongs to that genre;
• Cinematography — Study and evaluate the visual part of a film, such as settings, colors, camera angles, and other visual elements that create the atmosphere of a film;
• Characters — Analyze and assess characters, their development, conflicts, motivations, etc. And define how they contribute to the narrative.

Some other things that you can consider include symbolism and themes, narrative structure, social and cultural impact, directorial style, etc.

Of course, analyzing all these aspects on your own can be a challenge. Luckily, if it gets too tough, you can always find professionals on EssayService to satisfy your request.

Film Analysis Essay Types

There are several different ways to approach a movie analysis essay. Respectively, there are several types of this paper.

In this part of our guide, we are going to tell you about the most common types of film analysis to help you find an approach that perfectly aligns with your vision and task requirements.

Cultural/Historical Analysis

As the name suggests, this type of work focuses on analyzing a film from a historical or cultural point of view. It assesses how a movie reflects or comments on the period in which it was produced and what cultural (as well as social or political) impact it made during that time.

Semiotic Analysis

This type of analysis focuses on deeper, hidden meanings of the symbols in a film. Typically, movies contain a variety of different symbols. Moreover, some directors tend to use certain symbols repeatedly as their signature thing. Finding and analyzing these symbols requires exceptional attention to detail, but it can be a great way to approach the task.

Mise-en-Scene Analysis

In French, “mise-en-scene” means “setting the stage.” This type of film analysis essay analyzes all distinctive features of a movie, including the set design, lighting, audiovisual elements, etc. Your goal, in this case, is to define the main distinctive features and explain how they complement a movie — for example, lighting creates a certain mood, music evokes a certain emotion, etc.

Narrative Analysis

This type of analysis focuses on the narrative. It evaluates a movie’s plot, themes, and motives. If you choose it, you need to identify the three primary elements of narration — setup, confrontation, and resolution and assess how well a film discloses them. Also, this type of paper can include character analysis.

How to Write a Film Analysis Step-by-Step

If you were assigned to write a film analysis and are struggling with this task, the first step to solving this problem is creating a step-by-step plan of action. In this part of our guide, we are going to give you a plan that you can rely on in this situation.

As you should already know, the academic writing process consists of multiple stages. The same is true for writing an analysis essay. Here are the steps for tackling this task:

• Making a detailed outline;
• Coming up with a thesis statement;
• Writing an introduction;
• Writing body paragraphs;
• Writing a logical conclusion.

Now, let’s look at each of these steps in detail to help you get started.

Step 1: Writing a Film Analysis Outline

Writing an outline is the first step after actually watching a movie you are going to analyze.

Before writing an outline, be sure to study the instructions provided by your professor. Pay attention to the assignment requirements, such as word count, and keep them in mind while making an outline.

Once you are clear on the instructions, start making an outline. Use the notes you already have and organize them into logical paragraphs. Note down the core things that you want to include in your paper in your outline. Get as detailed as possible.

Step 2: Formulating a Film Analysis Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a crucial element of your paper. It must be clear, straight to the point, and logical in order to capture the reader’s attention.

In a thesis, you need to outline the core idea of your analysis and prompt the reader on what you are going to discuss in your paper. To write it, focus on three core points:

• Film expectations;
• Author’s point of view;
• Your own opinion about a film.

Based on these points, formulate a concise statement that reveals the central idea of your analysis.

Step 3: Writing a Film Analysis Introduction

An introductory paragraph performs several roles — it grabs the reader’s attention and informs them about a film.

How to write a film analysis introduction? Typically, you want to start an intro with a hook. It can be a quote, rhetorical question, shocking fact, or any other trick that will get your readers interested.

Next, after a hook, you should provide general background info, such as a movie title, director, release date, cast, and so on.

After providing a general background, dive deeper. Explore the specific features of a film and provide valuable insights to spark readers’ interest. Then, state your thesis.

Step 4: Writing Body Paragraphs

The body is the biggest part of your paper, where you are going to break down a movie into its different features and elements, analyzing each of them. Typically, first, you’ll want to analyze every creative element separately and then make a comprehensive analysis of all of them.

What film features should you focus on? Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all film analysis example or structure that you must follow. Every movie consists of a variety of creative elements that you can use for your analysis. And you will need to pick the features that you find the most significant.

Namely, you can consider writing about:

• Directing manner — Analyze what tools and patterns the director used and how they are different (or similar) to their other works;
• Scenario — Analyze the script and how it complements the overall atmosphere of a movie. Also, assess the script clarity, novelty, narrative, etc.
• Characters and acting — Evaluate how characters are presented in a film, how they change, and how good the acting is.
• Sound and visual — Analyze music, visual effects, settings, costumes, and other features of a movie.

While assessing all these features in your paper, don’t forget to add logical transitions between them. And if you are still hesitating about whether you can handle the task, hire a professional writer to ace it with no effort. 

Step 5: Writing a Killer Conclusion

Once the rest of your paper is ready, it’s time to give it a sense of closure with a good conclusion. A conclusion should not make any new statements or provide additional information. Instead, it should finalize everything you’ve discussed in your essay and logically link back to your thesis statement. And there should be a logical transition to the conclusion from your body paragraphs.

Crafting a conclusion is the final stage of the writing process. So, now that you have a step-by-step plan of action, let’s see how to write a solid movie analysis essay based on a real example.

Top 15 Film Analysis Essay Topics

The choice of a topic is nearly 50% of success in film essay writing. So before we give you an actual film analysis example, let us give you some good topic ideas that can inspire you to write your own paper:

• The potential hazards of artificial intelligence discussed in Ex Machina .
• How the traumatic disorder of the protagonist is treated in Waltz with Bashir .
• The power of dialog in The Silence of the Lambs .
• Analysis of the moral dilemma in Gone Baby Gone .
• The themes of war in Waltz with Bashir the movie.
• How the directing manner was changing in Harry Potter movies.
• Characters’ analysis in Marvel’s The Avengers film.
• Analysis of the significance of visual elements in A Space Odyssey by Stanley Kubrick.
• Analysis and interpretation of hidden symbolism in The Wizard of Oz (1939).
• What is the primary message in the film Juno ?
• Themes and symbols in the Interstellar movie.
• Explore the problem of toxic relationships in Sleeping With the Enemy .
• Analysis of Tim Burton’s directing patterns in Sleepy Hollow .
• Valuable lessons provided in the Pride and Prejudice film (2005).
• The themes of fathers and sons’ relationships in The Pursuit of Happiness.

Film Analysis Example

Now that you know the steps to writing a movie analysis, let us give you some inspiration for your paper. Below is a film analysis example based on Waltz with Bashir the movie.

The purpose of documentary movies is to document real life, whereas the purpose of animated movies is to create life. Somehow, the film Waltz with Bashir managed to combine these two genres to deliver a powerful message. The film is a 2008 animated war docudrama by Ari Folman that unfolds the events of the 1982 Lebanon War. What tools did Folman use to convey his message? And did he manage to resonate with the audience?

The film maintains a simple story. The protagonist is the filmmaker who sets off on a journey to regain his lost memories of the experience of being a soldier during the war. The character collects interviews from different participants of past events, and gradually, these interviews connect the dots and build up the complete story.

One of the brightest features of Waltz with Bashir is its animation and directing techniques. The main trick is the use of hyperreal rotoscope animation techniques similar to those we’ve seen made by Richard Linklater. Live-action footage has been transformed into a bizarre dreamscape that’s somewhere between two and three dimensions.

Aside from a powerful plot and animation, Waltz with Bashir delivers its extratextual, rhetorical-heavy atmosphere with the help of its soundtrack. The movie leverages an instrumental score by Max Richter, recognizable pop songs, covers, and original ballads. The film employs audio elements to pull the reader right into the action of the scenes.

Together, a simple yet powerful plot, unique directing techniques, and hard-hitting music helped the film deliver all the terror of the war to the audience. At the same time, according to Waltz with Bashir film reviews, the director managed to emphasize the important topics of morality — “One man’s personal experience with the 1982 invasion of Lebanon becomes a stimulating and provocative meditation on responsibility and morality…”

How to write a film analysis essay like a pro?

A good film analysis essay offers readers a 360-degree view of a film. It should go deeper than just your opinion on a movie. Instead, it should help readers look at it from different angles.

Ideally, your essay should answer several core questions:

• What is the key goal of the movie? Was it achieved?
• Does it speak effectively to its target audience?
• What primary conflicts are there?
• What important topics does it raise?

What is the main purpose of writing a film analysis?

Movies do much more than just tell a story. They raise different important topics, teach audiences valuable lessons, provoke certain feelings, and bring an important message. To achieve all these goals, a big team of people makes certain choices related to the script, settings, directing manners, and other features of a film.

A film analysis essay strives to critique and analyze a movie from various angles. It aims to extract other value from a film, except for entertainment and leisure.

A film analysis essay is a common type of assignment in schools and colleges. Despite its commonness, this task turns out to be a real challenge for many students.

There are many challenges that you might face while working on this task. First and foremost, it requires a very in-depth analysis and critical assessment of different creative features of a film, which is hard to do on your own.

Luckily, after reading this guide, you know exactly how to write a film analysis like a pro. Use the steps, tips, and tricks from this article to write your own A-grade film analysis. And don’t hesitate to use our movie analysis example for inspiration. Good luck!

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Scene Analysis Essays

A girl walks home alone at night, the babadook, and y tu mamá también, popular essay topics.

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Scene analysis: explanation, structure and example

The scene analysis describes the interpretation of literary texts the genus drama . Along with epic and lyric poetry, drama is one of the main genres of literature. The action in the drama is based on suspense and gets through dialogues , monologues and promoted non-verbal means.

Write scene analysis for a drama

If you are supposed to write a scene analysis, it is your job to Analyzing excerpts from a drama . This usually means a scene or an act.

Basically, the present text is based on his contents and the linguistic form to analyze and interpret. After reading your scene analysis, readers should be able to place the scene in the overall context of the drama and understand its importance to the work as a whole.

Structure of a scene analysis

Like many essay forms, the scene analysis is divided into three main sections : introduction, body and conclusion.

When writing your scene analysis, you can remember the following Construction orientate:

• Introduction: basic information
• Contents: Summary, context, structure into sections of meaning and constellation of figures
• Language: choice of words, syntax, style and rhetorical figures
• Ending: Main insight, dramatic function

In the introduction is about providing readers with the most important basic information lead to the topic. It makes sense to include key information such as title, author, type of drama, main characters, brief synopsis of the content, and the scene to be analyzed. The introduction should be as possible short and factual be.

It is very roughly divided Bulk your scene analysis in two sections : On the one hand you grasp it contents together, break it down into meaningful sections, embed the scene in the overall context of the drama and go into the constellation of characters. On the other hand, the linguistic analysis .

in the final part a scene analysis are the essential insights from the analysis part in 3-4 sentences played back. In addition, it is made clear which Status occupies the scene in relation to the overall context of the drama.

Tips for preparing a scene analysis

Before you start writing your scene analysis, it can be helpful to determine in which Series and on which way you want to proceed. you need one schedule around work in a structured way to be able to One has Orientation to the outline the scene analysis in introduction , Bulk and Ending proven.

You can do the following:

• Look at the task exactly on.
• Read the excerpt to be analyzed task-related and carefully. You can underline important points .
• collect background information about the work: genre, topic, author, time of origin, place and time of the action, etc.

introduction

After you have familiarized yourself with the text excerpt, you can use the basic information for the introductory part of your scene analysis. These include: title , author , Publishing year , kind of drama , theme a , main character n , scene of action and time and the passage.

When writing your introduction, you can use the prepared bullet points as a guide. You must be careful to include the key information in ordered order to bring into a continuous text. In the case of dramas, it can also be important not only to the year of publication, but also to the period of origin and the premiere enter into.

in the Bulk then he will contents of the scene and reproduced in their own words. It is important to distinguish between what is important and what is less important. The main focus of your scene analysis should be on the Analysis of the linguistic design and lay the dramatic communication.

Unlike epic texts, the action in the drama especially in monologues and dialogues so in the figure speech .

In examining dramatic language, first choice of words , Sentence ba and , style and rhetorical figures examined more closely. It is necessary to question which basic functions the people involved fulfill with their statements.

Your summary of the content begins with the fact that you content core get to the point of the scene. enough for that 1-2 sets .

Then you break down the scene sections of meaning . These are interwoven in terms of content and thus one theme belonging. In order to determine the different sections of meaning, you can look at the appearance and departure of characters, the alternation of speech and counter-speech as well as elements that trigger and structure the action.

Basically you can contact the W-questions orientate:

• who occurs in the scene?
• What happens in what order?
• Where are the figures?
• When does the action or interaction occur?
• As do the characters behave?
• why do the characters behave this way?

Then you arrange the scene in the overall context of the drama. You look at what before and after happened in the scene to be analyzed. At this point you can already think about which ones meaning the scene for all the drama Has.

In your summary of the content, you should make sure that in the present tense and not to write in the past tense. You should avoid quotations at this point.

Now it’s a matter of describing which ones characters occur in the scene and how their relationship to each other.

You can ask yourself the following questions:

• It is about main or secondary characters ?
• which Social status do the figures have?
• It follows from this balance of power ?
• which values ​​and attitudes represent the characters?
• Connect them relationship of trust ?

If in the scene to be analyzed too many characters at once occur, it may be useful a sociogram to create. You keep all the figures on a separate sheet of paper and connect them with arrows. You can use color to distinguish between positive and negative relationships. This allows you to see the social relationships within the character constellation at a glance.

Then you can start with the most important part of your scene analysis: the Analysis of linguistic peculiarities . Basically, the closer you work to the text, the better. The statements that you make in this part should always be taken with a Citation substantiate

First you can answer the following questions to get an overview of the scene:

• Is it one monologue or a dialog ?
• How are they parts of speech distributed among the interacting characters?
• What information do they give you stage directions about the expression and body language the figures?

Once you have clarified these things, you lead to linguistic analysis above. You start with the areas choice of words , style , sentence construction and rhetorical medium out.

It may be useful to go through the scene to be analyzed and colored underlining to do.

You can linguistic style of the characters: Do they speak colloquial language or do they use a lot of technical terms? Does this fit your social class? Regarding the sentence construction you can analyze whether the words are in the grammatically correct order or whether there are breaks in the middle of the sentence.

at rhetorical means you can especially rhetorical questions, repetitions, exclamations, allusions, ellipsis or irony respect, think highly of. Once you have found a rhetorical device, you can ask yourself: How works the stylistic device in the appropriate place?

in the final part is it important to the core statement your analysis in 3-4 sentences to get to the point. You can ask yourself what makes the scene unique in relation to the whole drama.

The ending also allows you to get closer to the Generic characteristics of the scene, drama or epoch enter into. Maybe you even had one additional question to? Then the final part is the right place to answer this question. background knowledge n about the author, the epoch or the creation of the work can be an advantage.

Formulations for writing scene analysis

Now you are prepared to write your scene analysis and can start working in a structured way. The following formulations can help you with that.

• The drama was written by and was released in . It was premiered.
• The drama deals with the topic.
• The scene to be analyzed is about .
• This scene is about .
• The conversation between and is about .
• Conduct the dialogue.
• and play a key role in the conversation.
• The scene in which .
• The present scene is from the act of the drama. So she is part .
• The scene is particularly important for the course of the drama because .
• The conversation is dominated by while tending to hold back.
• The shares of speech are evenly distributed between and .
• The shares of speech are distributed unevenly in favor of.
• The conversation is guided by intention.
• is of the opinion that .
• represents a turning point in the dialogue.
• The stylistic device serves to illustrate .
• The use of in this scene illustrates that .
• Evidence for this interpretation can be found in line.
• The wording «» in line allows the interpretation that .
• In summary, based on the previous analysis, it can be stated that .
• For the drama as a whole, the scene is important in that .
• In drama, dialogue fulfills the function.

Example of a scene analysis

Take a closer look at the following example to get a feel for what a scene analysis can look like. It is a scene analysis of the 8th scene of the 1st act of Lessing’s drama «Emilia Galotti».

If you would like to see a summary of the content of the drama or would like to find out more about one of Lessing’s most famous dramas in general, you can take a look at the article on «Emilia Galotti».

In the introduction You name your scene analysis first title , author and Publishing year. Then you grab it contents of drama short and sweet together. At the end of your introduction, you tell your readers which ones scene You analyze and what it is about.

The drama «Emilia Galotti» comes from Gotthold Ephraim Lessing and became 1772 released. In the piece is about the bourgeois Emilia Galotti, who is promised to Count Appiani. However, the Prince of Guastalla has also fallen in love with her. He has Emilia kidnapped to win her over.

But Emilia would rather die than marry the prince and thereby lose her virtue. In the following the 8. Appearance of Act 1 analyzed, in which Camillo Rota would like to discuss state affairs with the prince.

To in yours Bulk to transfer, you now grasp the contents of the scene to be analyzed and at the same time arrange them in the overall context of the drama. At this point you can also access the figure constellation enter.

The prince lightly wants to sign a death warrant, but Camillo Rota has the presence of mind to do so…

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Scene Analysis Essay Examples

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Cinema , Public Relations , Actions , Audience , Crime , Film , Police , Movies

Published: 01/21/2020

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“A Fish Called Wanda” is a comedy film about a jewel heist and its actions. There are different actors who play different roles in ensuring the enhancement of the movie. Their roles lay out the actions set for the development of the storyline. Each actor has different scenes that play a momentous role towards the victory of the movie as an award winning motion picture. The protagonist, George Thomason and his right hand man, Pile Ken have plans for a jewel heist. They enlist the help of a con artist, Wanda Gershwitz, and a weapons specialist, Otto West. The heist is a success, but their getaway is ambushed by the presence of an eye witness who saw the thieves during their escape from the robbery. This dissertation is an analysis of a scene that enhanced the film and led to its success.

Part 1: Shot by Shot Breakdown of the Scene

The scene begins with Otto walking Archie out of the building into the runway with a waiting airplane while pointing a gun at him. Otto threatens to harm the latter if he does not cooperate. The latter beckons Archie to enter the barrel filled with oil. When he does not heed to this command, Otto shoots him in the right thigh. Upon entry into the barrel, Otto begins rambling about how he is the planet’s filth. While Otto is not keen on this development, Archie notices the bulldozer and a conversation ensues. Otto accuses Archie of disliking winners. In a separate shot, Ken approaches Otto from the left side of the screen with a bandage on his eye. He declares his desire to have revenge against Otto, but the latter laughs it off mockingly. Otto diverts his attention back to Archie, but notices that the cement on the ground on which he is standing has dried off, thereby implanting him in the ground; he is immobile. With the bulldozer closing in on him, Otto begs Ken not to harm him. In the meantime, Archie has escaped from the oil filled barrel and is running to safety. Ken has some demands that Otto is not willing to fulfill. Desperate and seeing that Ken is still driving the bulldozer towards him; Otto belittles Ken’s confidence and preempts him. Ken runs Otto over into the smudge of cement underneath. Archie, observing this ordeal, scampers to safety in the airplane. Inside, he finds a distraught Wanda who welcomes him with affection.

Part 2: Scene Analysis

The vitality of this scene is evident because Ken has come to get his revenge on Otto for turning him in to the law enforcement agents. Ken and Otto had performed the heist together. It was a breach of trust for Otto to turn him in to the police. This scene is vital in the development of the movie and increasing the audience’s interests. Each use of cinematography enhances the scene by connecting the actions together and indicating the consequences of each actor’s actions in the film. When Ken ran Otto over, it was an indication of the consequences he faced for selling him out to the police. This sends a strong message that each character has to be ready to bear the consequences of the choices they make during the movie production role. This scene fits into the movie’s bigger picture because it is an indication of the consequences that an individual faces based on their actions. The motif of the film is that there are consequences for all the choices that the actor’s make. Just like there were consequences for the diamond heist, there were consequences that Otto had to face when he chose to sell Ken out to police. The director ensures that he has up-close shots of the scenes that have importance to the audience as well as those that will enhance the storyline. All the screen shots are used to put emphasis on the conversations between the characters. The use of conversation and retrospect gives the audience an in-depth understanding of the film. This scene is an enhancement and explanation of previous scenes in the movie. It is the connection between preceding and upcoming scenes in that it is an explanation of the events that took place earlier in the movie and the manner with which they affect the following scenes. The vitality of the three characters is emphasized in the conversation they have and the manner with which their actions affect the actions of the movie. Otto and Ken had planned a heist together, but Otto betrays this trust by reporting Ken to the police. This scene gives an explanation of how Ken had his revenge on Otto and how these actions affect any upcoming scenes. It is evident that all actions have to be met with consequences. The above described scene is an indication of the consequences that one faces after making certain decisions. The lighting in a film, the camera action and character roles define a movie and aid in the delivery of the film’s message to the audience. Scenes are the bridge between individual actions from the protagonists and the main message that the movie hopes to pass across to the audience.

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Analysis of the mise en scène technique Essay (Movie Review)

Introduction, background of the technique, mise in scène in the godfather-the horsehead scene, reference list.

Mise en scène is a French phrase that first found usage in theatre, and it means to place on stage (Giannetti, 2010). At its inceptions, the phrase was used to describe the architectural design and the placement of different set items on stage as well as the lighting and movement paths of the characters. In film, the term is used to describe all the items that appear in front of the camera.

These include the sets, props, actors, lighting and costumes. The movement of the actors on the set is also included in the definition of mise en scène (Giannetti, 2010).

In film, the lighting of the set determines how well the items and characters on set will be captured. The camera angles will also help to define the three-dimensional aspect of the set, which is used to make the viewer able to relate better with particular scenes (Toland, 1941). This essay seeks to analyze the mise en scène technique, with its application in the film the Godfather used to show its effectiveness.

When analyzing a film, mise en scène offers the point from which to start. The phrase was used in the 1950s by critics in Les Cahiers du Cinéma , a French film journal, to analyze the placement of items on a scene and its effectiveness. Then, focus was mainly placed on the events happening in the scene before the entry of the cameras.

The films created at the time were melodramatic and this was well-presented by the arrangement of items in particular scenes. Over time, film has evolved to take a naturalistic approach, with this change effected in the mise en scène.

The technique mise en scène is important in the development of movies because it helps the viewer understand more about a particular shot and its relevance in the film, while at the same time weaving the entire elements of plot together. If well applied, the viewer can pick out the mood of a scene even before the actors go on to express it. For instance if a particular scene is going to involve the actors in some amount of romantic activity, the lighting and the items on the set should easily draw the viewer to switch to this particular mood.

The technique is associated with Film Noir, a film production style that mainly places emphasis on dark tonal qualities and urban settings. It is also linked to most, if not all the film movements, but its features most in the Cinema Novo and the American New movement. When analyzing the mise en scène of a particular film, a number of items have to be taken into consideration. These are briefly explained below:

Set design-The set is one of the principal items that guide the mood of a particular scene (Giannetti, 2010). Depending on the placement of items on the scene, the viewer can pick varied feelings about what is happening or what is going to happen next, hence making him/her relate properly with the scene.

Lighting-The strength, direction and type of lighting contribute immensely to the mood that the viewer will pick from a particular scene (Giannetti, 2010). The lighting will also help defined the time of day, the season and also contributes to the way colors are presented in the film.

Space-The size of the space in which a particular scene is established affects the relayed message because it helps defined the relationship between different elements in the setting of the story (Kolker, 2012).

Costume-The design and color of clothes that are selected for the actors in a particular scene help distinguish the characters’ situations apart from each other (Giannetti, 2010). For instance, a homeless man will be easy to tell apart from the owner of a company by just looking at their clothes.

Filmstock- The usage of different color styles as well as different stock grain helps accentuate a particular feel, while at the same time help define the time period in which the film is set (Giannetti, 2010).

Aspect ratio-The dimensions of the rectangular bounds that are used to present the image help define the way the viewer will appreciate the presentation and relevance of items in the scene (Giannetti, 2010).

It is late in the night. Mr. Woltz is sleeping when he wakes up to the feel of some wetness on his beddings. He is initially not concerned and only gets concerned when he flaps open the rest of the beddings only to realize that there is more blood. Eventually the scene unfolds to reveal that the blood is actually from the head of a dead horse, strategically placed to cause the scare. The composition of the scene, in the move The Godfather is very well thought-out and it helps produce the scary effect that the director Francis Coppola, had in mind.

The dorminant in the shot is the Mr. Woltz himself and he immediately garners the attention even amidst a number of items, some of which make the background. The artificial lighting shining on his body makes him stand out. After the image of Mr. Woltz, the camera shifts to drive the attention of the viewer to the blood in the beddings and on his hand, which provides the main subsidiary contrast. The eye searches this out because of the intrinsic interest it holds in the development of the plot.

After the beddings, the eye shifts to the items in the background, which include a bedside stool that has a number of items lying on top of it. Because of the lighting design and placement of the centre of attraction, it is difficult to clearly define these items because they are almost out of focus. These items appear in the shot to offer some 3-D effect and a balance.

The angle of the shot and the structure of the composition indicate a high level of stability. The density of the shot is average and the viewer can easily make out the two main elements: Mr. Woltz and the blood. With these two items taking prominence in the scene an appreciable amount of tension is created, which is enough to keep the viewer waiting for the next development.

Because of the tension that is created by the structure of the shot, the viewer is easily drawn into the unfolding without the conscious thought of the director’s intrusion. The lines of the shot are almost fully horizontal, with everything except the beside-lamp (in the background) assuming a horizontal orientation.

The character placement in the shot complements the shots stability. The shot is short and tightly framed with the main character occupying more than half of it. The placement of the character running across the bottom half of the shot makes the shot bottom heavy, which essentially makes it very stable.

The form of the shot is closed because the camera focus was fixed on a particular individual. Compared with the other elements in the shot, Mr. Woltz takes all the prominence in the scene making all other elements appear inconsequential. In addition, the staging position of the main character gives prominence to his individual personality, because we can see his face, which guides the viewer to draw conclusions about his character.

The eeriness of the moment is well presented by use of artificial lighting, which helps heighten the tension in the shot to almost surreal levels. The lens used is of the hard focus type and it helps the viewer identify with the main purpose of the scene from early on. The focus is deep and follows the natural way that the eye would have perceived things had the viewer been on the set.

In the party scene (above), Vito Corleone is seated on one corner and an unknown person comes to whisper something to his ear, alerting him of some upcoming danger. In a shot from the scene, Vito appears to be keenly listening to the message being conveyed to him. In the shot, the Vito is dorminant and he takes up almost three quarters of it. The shot itself is very stable given that the characters in the scene are balance out the bottom and middle parts.

Artificial lighting was used in the shot to create the intense mood that the director wanted to bring out. The shot is also tightly framed, with the two characters having very little room to move in. Looking at the shot from the positions of the actors, Vito was taken from a full-frontal position, while the unnamed character is taken from a three-quarter turn, confirming his anonymity.

In summary, the shots under study have been of contrasts, with the elements contained in it bearing stark contrast. The strength of Mr. Woltz and the blood in the shot is contrasted with the dullness of the background items. The Thematic association of the elements in the shot is also in contrast. Mr. Woltz appears almost composed on face value but the way he handles the blood on his beddings seems to have given him some slight scare.

In the second shot, Vito Corleone commands a presence by occupying almost three quarters of the screen space. The other character has been subordinated by the amount of attention and screen space allotted. The lighting in shot has also been used effectively to create the desired mood. As defined by this scene, the entire film underscores the strengths of the Godfather in a complex and ambivalent way.

This essay had set out to give a study of the film technique mise en scène. For this purpose, a background check was provided, with some of its key constituents evaluated. The discussion then shifted to the film the Godfather , where the presentation of the technique was highlighted. It should be noted that even though the analysis was based on one shot, the same breakdown can apply in many other shots, like the ones attached below.

Giannetti L. (2010). Understanding movies (12th ed.). Massachusetts, USA: Allyn & Bacon

Kolker, R. (2012). “Mise en scene”. Film Form and Culture . pp. 1-33.

Toland, G. (1941). How I broke the rules in Citizen Kane . Popular Photography, 8 (55), 90-91.

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IvyPanda. (2019, November 19). Analysis of the mise en scène technique. https://ivypanda.com/essays/analysis-of-the-mise-en-scene-technique/

"Analysis of the mise en scène technique." IvyPanda , 19 Nov. 2019, ivypanda.com/essays/analysis-of-the-mise-en-scene-technique/.

IvyPanda . (2019) 'Analysis of the mise en scène technique'. 19 November.

IvyPanda . 2019. "Analysis of the mise en scène technique." November 19, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/analysis-of-the-mise-en-scene-technique/.

1. IvyPanda . "Analysis of the mise en scène technique." November 19, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/analysis-of-the-mise-en-scene-technique/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Analysis of the mise en scène technique." November 19, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/analysis-of-the-mise-en-scene-technique/.

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Home / Samples / Crime / Essay Example: Forensic Victimology and Crime Scene Analysis

Essay Example: Forensic Victimology and Crime Scene Analysis

Title: Exploring the Interplay of Forensic Victimology and Crime Scene Analysis

Introduction

Forensic victimology and crime scene analysis are integral components of the criminal investigation process, each playing a crucial role in unraveling the complexities of criminal incidents. The intersection of these disciplines provides investigators with a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics surrounding a crime, facilitating a more nuanced approach to solving cases. This essay delves into the intricate relationship between forensic victimology and crime scene analysis, shedding light on how these disciplines collaborate to unveil the narrative behind criminal acts.

Forensic Victimology: Unraveling the Victim’s Story

Forensic victimology is a multidisciplinary field that aims to understand the victim’s background, behavior, and interactions within the context of a crime. It goes beyond traditional victim identification, delving into the intricacies of the victim’s life to provide investigators with a holistic perspective. By employing psychological, sociological, and criminological frameworks, forensic victimologists strive to answer questions related to motive, offender-victim relationships, and the victim’s vulnerability.

In the initial stages of an investigation, forensic victimologists gather information about the victim’s demographics, lifestyle, and relationships. This data forms the foundation for constructing a victim profile, enabling investigators to identify patterns and potential motives. Victimology also explores the concept of risk, evaluating why a particular individual became a target and what circumstances contributed to their victimization.

Understanding the psychological aspects of victimology is equally crucial. Examining the victim’s mental state, potential trauma, and any pre-existing vulnerabilities provides valuable insights into how the crime transpired. By employing victimological analyses, investigators can identify red flags, helping to connect the dots and develop a comprehensive understanding of the crime.

Crime Scene Analysis: Deciphering the Silent Witness

Simultaneously, crime scene analysis acts as the silent witness to a crime, preserving crucial evidence that can offer insights into the dynamics of the incident. Crime scene analysts meticulously document and analyze physical evidence, ranging from blood spatter patterns to the positioning of objects at the scene. The goal is to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to, during, and after the crime.

One of the fundamental principles of crime scene analysis is Locard’s Exchange Principle, which posits that every contact leaves a trace. By meticulously examining the crime scene, analysts can uncover a wealth of information, including the type of weapon used, the number of perpetrators, and potential points of entry or exit. This information not only aids in reconstructing the timeline of the crime but also contributes to establishing the modus operandi of the offender.

Moreover, crime scene analysis extends beyond the physical aspects to encompass behavioral evidence. Understanding the behavioral patterns exhibited by the offender during the commission of the crime provides additional layers to the investigative process. Factors such as staging, ritualistic behavior, and the disposal of evidence can offer valuable insights into the offender’s mindset, contributing to the development of a comprehensive offender profile.

The Synergy of Forensic Victimology and Crime Scene Analysis

The collaboration between forensic victimology and crime scene analysis is pivotal in enhancing the investigative process. The victim’s narrative, as uncovered through victimological analysis, and the silent witness of the crime scene converge to form a comprehensive understanding of the crime. This synergy enables investigators to connect the dots, bridging the gap between the victim and the offender.

One key aspect of this collaboration is the identification of motive. Forensic victimologists, armed with knowledge about the victim’s lifestyle and relationships, can provide valuable insights into why a particular individual may have been targeted. Crime scene analysts, on the other hand, focus on the physical evidence to corroborate or refute these insights. For example, if the victim had a tumultuous relationship with someone, the crime scene may reveal signs of forced entry or a struggle, aligning with a motive rooted in personal conflict.

The temporal dimension is another critical factor in this collaboration. Victimological analyses often shed light on the routine and habits of the victim, helping to establish a timeline leading up to the crime. Crime scene analysts corroborate this information by examining the scene for temporal markers, such as the progression of rigor mortis or the presence of time-sensitive evidence. By aligning victimological timelines with the forensic analysis of the crime scene, investigators can reconstruct the sequence of events with greater accuracy.

The integration of victimology and crime scene analysis is particularly potent when dealing with cases of serial offenders. Understanding the victimological patterns across multiple incidents allows investigators to identify similarities and patterns. Simultaneously, crime scene analysis helps establish a link between seemingly unrelated crimes, potentially leading to the identification and apprehension of a serial offender.

Furthermore, the collaboration between these disciplines is instrumental in the identification of modus operandi and signature aspects of a crime. Victimology provides context to the offender’s choices, while crime scene analysis unveils the execution of these choices. By combining these perspectives, investigators gain a comprehensive understanding of how, why, and when the crime occurred, facilitating the development of targeted investigative strategies.

Case Studies: Unveiling the Collaborative Power

To illustrate the collaborative power of forensic victimology and crime scene analysis, consider the infamous case of the BTK (Bind, Torture, Kill) Strangler, Dennis Rader. Rader terrorized the Wichita, Kansas area for over three decades, committing ten murders between 1974 and 1991. The synergy between victimological insights and crime scene analysis played a pivotal role in his eventual capture in 2004.

Forensic victimologists meticulously analyzed the patterns of victim selection, noting that Rader targeted individuals with specific characteristics, such as a link to a particular church or a shared surname. This victimological analysis provided a framework for narrowing down potential suspects. Concurrently, crime scene analysts combed through the scenes of the crimes, identifying modus operandi elements that were consistent across the various incidents.

The breakthrough came when Rader sent letters to the media and authorities, detailing the specifics of his crimes. This communication served as a bridge between victimology and crime scene analysis. The letter contained information about the crimes that only the killer could know, offering a validation of the victimological insights and crime scene analysis.

In another case, the collaborative approach proved instrumental in the investigation of the Green River Killer, Gary Ridgway. Ridgway targeted prostitutes in the Seattle-Tacoma area, leaving a trail of victims between 1982 and 1998. Forensic victimologists worked diligently to understand the vulnerabilities that made these women targets, while crime scene analysts combed through dump sites to identify patterns and signatures.

The synergy between victimology and crime scene analysis allowed investigators to identify clusters of victims and specific geographic locations frequented by the killer. This collaborative effort ultimately led to Ridgway’s arrest in 2001, showcasing the power of combining victimological insights with meticulous crime scene analysis.

Challenges and Future Directions

While the collaboration between forensic victimology and crime scene analysis has proven invaluable, several challenges persist in the field. One such challenge is the need for interdisciplinary cooperation among investigators, forensic experts, and victimologists. Establishing effective communication channels and breaking down silos between these disciplines is essential to maximize the synergistic potential.

Moreover, advancements in technology present both opportunities and challenges. The increasing reliance on digital evidence and the complexities of cybercrimes add layers of intricacy to the investigative process. Forensic victimologists and crime scene analysts must adapt to these evolving landscapes, integrating digital forensics into their toolkit to stay ahead of sophisticated offenders.

The ethical considerations surrounding victimology also warrant attention. Respecting the privacy and dignity of victims is paramount, and

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