"How to Analyze a Movie"

This will show you what you need to think about when viewing a movie critically and what you may want to include in your review. They are in no particular order.

Steps


1.Costumes and props - What are they wearing? How does it fit the mood? Are the costume changes important and noticeable? How well did the props play in? Were they useful or too obtrusive?

2.Setting and Background - Does the setting fit the scene? Are the background actions distracting or do they steal your attention? Is it believable or way too fake?

3.Acting - Did you believe the characters? Not if you like them or not, but did they make you believe they were real?

4.Camera Techniques - What sort of shots does the director typically use and what is the impact of them?

5.Music - How does the music fit in? Is it distracting or too soft? Does it help move the movie along?

6.Pacing and Organization - Does the movie flow well or is it choppy? Too quick? Too slow? Was it in any sort of discernible order or was it confusing?

7.Writing - How was the story, plot, and dialogue? Did it keep you interested? Was it believable? Were you provided with all of the information you needed to follow along?

8.Back story - Was it a low budget or high budget film? What sort of work have the actors, producers, and directors done in the past?

9.Summary - Include a short, but helpful summary of the plot but be sure you don't give away the ending.

10.Opinion - Obviously, this is your review so make sure you make it clear what you thought of it. Maybe on a scale of one to ten or give it a grade. Make this part clear.

FILM ANALYSIS WORKSHEET

FILM ANALYSIS WORKSHEET

Name

1) Film title	2) Director, year
3) What happens, at the level of plot or narration, in this sequence?
4) List the elements present in the film, based on our discussion of literary elements present in other media.
5) After viewing, in a single sentence, state a possible overall theme (implicit meaning) of the film.

As you watch the film, record your observations in the boxes to the left. Complete the boxes on the right after viewing the film.

6) Cinematography. Note composition, camera movement, off-screen space, color, etc.	Meanings. Note the ways in which the formal element contributes to our understanding of the theme you’ve identified.
7) Misc. Use of props, sets, costuming, lighting, etc.	Meanings.
8) Editing. Pacing, rhythm, graphic matches, continuity, transitions, etc.	Meanings.

9) Sound. Music, effects, dialogue, intensity, motifs.

Meanings.