Witness by Peter Weir Notes
NOTES ON MODULE B, WITNESS BY PETER WEIR, 1985
Introduction: * Engage in a detailed analysis of a text * Understanding of how the ideas, forms and language of a text interact within the text and may affect those responding to it. * Students will need an understanding of film techniques and of the police drama genre.
Important aspects to know: * Visual techniquesenhance understanding of characters * Editing techniquescreate suspense, establish characters, create atmosphere, position viewers to respond in a particular way * Narrative structureplot points and conventions of story telling * Mise en scene elementsconvey directors purpose * Themestolerance; good and evil; isolation; nature of love; conflict; traditionalism; individuality; tradition; reality & appearance; violence & nonviolence, justice, freedom & commitment.
Camera angles: * High anglestaken from above to make a character look small, lost, inferior * Low anglestaken from underneath the character looking up towards them to make them look imposing, superior or threatening * Point of view shotA shot made from the camera position close to the line of sight of one of the characters, implying that we are seeing what he/she sees. * Two-shotA shot of two people together- implies unity, and can be contrasted with the shot/reverse shot method * Shot reverse shotreporting a conversation or argument by cutting from one person to another and back again-shows conflict increasing dramatic tension. * To a film maker or director, the choice of images and where the camera is placed, are often more important than the words the characters say, in expressing meaning. * The filmmaker must edit his material, in this case images and sounds. * A filmmaker can choose to film his scene from different angles, in long shot or in close up etc., and they can convey different meanings to an audience. * Long shot means the camera is a long way from the filmed subject.
Introduction: * Engage in a detailed analysis of a text * Understanding of how the ideas, forms and language of a text interact within the text and may affect those responding to it. * Students will need an understanding of film techniques and of the police drama genre.
Important aspects to know: * Visual techniquesenhance understanding of characters * Editing techniquescreate suspense, establish characters, create atmosphere, position viewers to respond in a particular way * Narrative structureplot points and conventions of story telling * Mise en scene elementsconvey directors purpose * Themestolerance; good and evil; isolation; nature of love; conflict; traditionalism; individuality; tradition; reality & appearance; violence & nonviolence, justice, freedom & commitment.
Camera angles: * High anglestaken from above to make a character look small, lost, inferior * Low anglestaken from underneath the character looking up towards them to make them look imposing, superior or threatening * Point of view shotA shot made from the camera position close to the line of sight of one of the characters, implying that we are seeing what he/she sees. * Two-shotA shot of two people together- implies unity, and can be contrasted with the shot/reverse shot method * Shot reverse shotreporting a conversation or argument by cutting from one person to another and back again-shows conflict increasing dramatic tension. * To a film maker or director, the choice of images and where the camera is placed, are often more important than the words the characters say, in expressing meaning. * The filmmaker must edit his material, in this case images and sounds. * A filmmaker can choose to film his scene from different angles, in long shot or in close up etc., and they can convey different meanings to an audience. * Long shot means the camera is a long way from the filmed subject.