‘‘Braveheart’Braveheart’Cinematic Techniques and Bonus pointsCinematic Techniques and Bonus points

Cinematic Techniques - Cinematic Techniques - RepresentationRepresentation RepresentationRepresentation is the way that characters are presented. is the way that characters are presented.

The director can influence the audience’s feelings The director can influence the audience’s feelings towards characters using this cinematic technique. towards characters using this cinematic technique.

The The representationrepresentation of characters is created using: of characters is created using:– The attitudes or actions of the characterThe attitudes or actions of the character– The character’s costumeThe character’s costume– The language used by the characters (Quotations)The language used by the characters (Quotations)– The set and props surrounding the characterThe set and props surrounding the character– Camera anglesCamera angles

RepresentationEffect

Shows his restlessness and fear. Highlights the tension Mornay feels.

Jump cuts

Blue face paint. Reinforces the idea that Wallace fights

for Scotland. He murders for a cause

Blood splattering. Suggests Mornay’s

fear of a bloody death.

Effect

Prolongs the tension of the scene, thereby emphasising Mornay’s intense fear as Wallace attacks.

EffectShows the power and ferocity of Wallace as he sits on his horse towering over Mornay. By contrast, Mornay seems vulnerable and powerless.

EffectPuts us in Mornay’s position as the canon ball swings towards him. Reveals Mornay’s terror and raises tension.

Mornay’s Nightmare

Slow motio

n

Point of view

Low Angl

e

Riding through fire. Makes Wallace

seem demonic, but also suggests he is

invincible.

Menacing eyes. Reveals Wallace’s ruthlessness and determination.

Image Imag

e

Image

Image

Cinematic SoundCinematic Sound

Diegetic soundDiegetic sound – Sound that we think is part of what’s happening on the Sound that we think is part of what’s happening on the

screen for example, horse’s hooves, the sound of thunderscreen for example, horse’s hooves, the sound of thunder

Non-diegetic soundNon-diegetic sound– Sound that we know is not part of what’s on screen, such as Sound that we know is not part of what’s on screen, such as

music (unless there's an orchestra in shot!) and voiceover. music (unless there's an orchestra in shot!) and voiceover.

There are There are twotwo types of types of cinematic sound. cinematic sound.

Camera TechniquesCamera TechniquesCopy the following camera techniques into Copy the following camera techniques into

your notes. A set of descriptions will your notes. A set of descriptions will follow. Try to match these with the follow. Try to match these with the techniques you have copied down. techniques you have copied down.

ZoomZoom PanPan Wide-angle shot Wide-angle shot Low-angleLow-angle High-angleHigh-angle Point-of-view shotPoint-of-view shot

Close UpClose Up Extreme Close UpExtreme Close Up Long ShotLong Shot Extra Long ShotExtra Long Shot Selective FocusSelective Focus Soft FocusSoft Focus SpinsSpins

Zoom Zoom - The camera moves in close and pulls back from the subject - The camera moves in close and pulls back from the subject PanPan - The camera swings across the scene, showing everyone in the action and - The camera swings across the scene, showing everyone in the action and

what they are doing what they are doing Wide-angle shotWide-angle shot - The camera pulls back to show a broad field of action - The camera pulls back to show a broad field of action Low-angle ShotLow-angle Shot - The camera is below its subject, looking up at it. This would make - The camera is below its subject, looking up at it. This would make

the subject seem important and powerful the subject seem important and powerful High-angle shotHigh-angle shot - The camera is above its subject, looking down at it. This would - The camera is above its subject, looking down at it. This would

make the subject seem little or insignificant make the subject seem little or insignificant Point-of-view shotPoint-of-view shot - The camera sees what the character sees, to give that person’s - The camera sees what the character sees, to give that person’s

perspective perspective

Close UpClose Up - The camera moves in to a specific part of a person or object - The camera moves in to a specific part of a person or object Extreme Close UpExtreme Close Up - The camera moves in to show detail on a character’s face, for example- The camera moves in to show detail on a character’s face, for example Long Shot Long Shot - The camera shows all of a fairly large subject and much of its surroundings - The camera shows all of a fairly large subject and much of its surroundings Extra Long ShotExtra Long Shot - The camera is at its furthest distance from the subject, and is used to emphasis the - The camera is at its furthest distance from the subject, and is used to emphasis the

background background Selective FocusSelective Focus - The camera only focuses on part of the action and the remainder of the scene - The camera only focuses on part of the action and the remainder of the scene

appears blurred in the backgroundappears blurred in the background Soft FocusSoft Focus - The camera is used to blur sections of the image to create a particular mood or - The camera is used to blur sections of the image to create a particular mood or

atmosphere atmosphere SpinsSpins - The camera turns around, following the action of its subject- The camera turns around, following the action of its subject

MontageMontage

Montage is the cinematic technique that relates to the Montage is the cinematic technique that relates to the way that different images are assembled to build up a way that different images are assembled to build up a particular impression using the order and transition of particular impression using the order and transition of the scenes.the scenes.

CutCut - One image is suddenly replaced by another, - One image is suddenly replaced by another, without a visible transition. without a visible transition.

Montage is used to:Montage is used to:– link bits of action together into an understandable story link bits of action together into an understandable story – make the audience feel certain emotions make the audience feel certain emotions – control and show the passage of time.control and show the passage of time.

Questions to consider…Questions to consider…1.1. What does William’s reaction to the McGregors tell What does William’s reaction to the McGregors tell

you about his initial thoughts and feelings regarding you about his initial thoughts and feelings regarding the situation he has plunged himself and his village the situation he has plunged himself and his village into by avenging Murron’s death?into by avenging Murron’s death?

2.2. Consider his speech just before he burns the first Consider his speech just before he burns the first fort. What is William’s motivation for trying to regain fort. What is William’s motivation for trying to regain Scotland’s freedom? Scotland’s freedom?

3.3. Describe Edward’s interaction with his son when they Describe Edward’s interaction with his son when they discuss Wallace’s initial uprising in Scotland. Why discuss Wallace’s initial uprising in Scotland. Why does this deepen the audience’s dislike for this does this deepen the audience’s dislike for this character?character?

4.4. Why does Robert the Bruce admire Wallace?Why does Robert the Bruce admire Wallace?5.5. How does the Bruce’s father describe Wallace and How does the Bruce’s father describe Wallace and

Edward and what are his feelings towards each of Edward and what are his feelings towards each of these characters?these characters?

6.6. How do we know that Isabelle is in an How do we know that Isabelle is in an unhappy marriage to Edward’s son?unhappy marriage to Edward’s son?

7.7. How do the volunteers treat William in How do the volunteers treat William in

8.8. During the deer hunting scene, explain During the deer hunting scene, explain how the camera angles are used to how the camera angles are used to convince the audience that Steven is trying convince the audience that Steven is trying to kill Wallace. to kill Wallace.

9.9. During the latter stages of this section of During the latter stages of this section of the film, how do you think that William the film, how do you think that William feels about his role as leader of the feels about his role as leader of the rebellion? rebellion?

10.10. Have his feelings changed since the start, Have his feelings changed since the start, and if so, why do you think this is? and if so, why do you think this is?

Essay TipsEssay Tips

Capital letters are required for the start of sentences and Capital letters are required for the start of sentences and proper nounsproper nouns

Apostrophes are required for contractions (when a word has Apostrophes are required for contractions (when a word has been made shorter – “don’t”, or to show ownership, - been made shorter – “don’t”, or to show ownership, - “William’s wife”“William’s wife”

A lot = two separate words!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!A lot = two separate words!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Avoid just telling the story – you have to be brief with this. Avoid just telling the story – you have to be brief with this.

The bulk of your essay should focus on analysis.The bulk of your essay should focus on analysis. Think about the way that you construct your sentences!Think about the way that you construct your sentences! Re-read your work, to ensure that it makes sense. Re-read your work, to ensure that it makes sense. Media essays require you to use film language:Media essays require you to use film language:

– Shot, scene, sequenceShot, scene, sequence– AudienceAudience– DirectorDirector– Always use third personAlways use third person

Essay SequencingEssay Sequencing Every essay should start with an introduction, Every essay should start with an introduction,

and end with a conclusionand end with a conclusion Each paragraph should Each paragraph should

– begin with a topic sentencebegin with a topic sentence– define the technique that you are focussing ondefine the technique that you are focussing on– And where possible use a quotation following the And where possible use a quotation following the

PEE format (point, evidence, explanation/opinion)PEE format (point, evidence, explanation/opinion)

Your task is to place these sections of the Your task is to place these sections of the battle scene essay in order. You should work battle scene essay in order. You should work on this task in pairs. on this task in pairs.

Explain what cinematic techniques are used to enhance your understanding and

enjoyment of the battle scenes in ‘Braveheart’.

In your essay you should cover the following techniques:•Representation•Camera Angles and Shots•Sound•Montage (Editing)

In pairs, try to write a plan for this essay. You will first need to work out what aspects of the film (hint: you will discuss with respect to the four techniques above).

Essay 2 – Battle Scenes

Points to rememberPoints to remember

ALWAYS refer back to the wording of the ALWAYS refer back to the wording of the question at the beginning and end of each question at the beginning and end of each paragraphparagraph

Check your work for technical accuracy – Check your work for technical accuracy – spelling, punctuation, grammar, correct spelling, punctuation, grammar, correct sentence structuressentence structures

Ensure that you provide analysisEnsure that you provide analysis Try to include quotationsTry to include quotations

Nature of Freedom for WallaceNature of Freedom for Wallace Beginning – wanting peace and a familyBeginning – wanting peace and a family Lack of freedom - his dreams are ripped away from Lack of freedom - his dreams are ripped away from

him through the murder of Murrinhim through the murder of Murrin Revenge for Murrin’s murder and his desire for Revenge for Murrin’s murder and his desire for

freedom, catapult him into a war for freedomfreedom, catapult him into a war for freedom Despite the fighting and the betrayal, Wallace’s Despite the fighting and the betrayal, Wallace’s

desires are still clear: “I want a home, and children desires are still clear: “I want a home, and children and peace, [but] it’s all for nothing if you don’t have and peace, [but] it’s all for nothing if you don’t have freedom”freedom”

This is made clear at the end when during the This is made clear at the end when during the execution scene Wallace focuses on a child, to remind execution scene Wallace focuses on a child, to remind him of his reasons for fighting, and then latterly on him of his reasons for fighting, and then latterly on Murrin when she re-appears just before he is executedMurrin when she re-appears just before he is executed

Significance of the sword – a force of Significance of the sword – a force of goodgood First seen during funeral of father with Argyll, where its use First seen during funeral of father with Argyll, where its use

is encouraged “First learn to use this (head), then I’ll teach is encouraged “First learn to use this (head), then I’ll teach you how to use this (sword)”you how to use this (sword)”

The sword is used as a symbol of the crucifix during The sword is used as a symbol of the crucifix during Murrin’s funeral, after having been used to avenge her Murrin’s funeral, after having been used to avenge her deathdeath

Used to swear Wallace in as the guardian of ScotlandUsed to swear Wallace in as the guardian of Scotland Finally it is used during the final scene to show the success Finally it is used during the final scene to show the success

of the Scottish cause, after they win their freedom at of the Scottish cause, after they win their freedom at Bannockburn, under the Scottish King Robert the Bruce.Bannockburn, under the Scottish King Robert the Bruce.