Minds On
What makes a movie unique?
Have you ever read or listened to a book and thought to yourself that it would make an amazing movie? How did you imagine it might look, sound, or feel? Could you imagine who the actors would be that would play certain characters? Did you think about the music that might be playing in the background or how the set would be designed?
Conventions and techniques used in movies
A movie is a media form that uses conventions and techniques to share a story. Think about movies as you examine this list. Compare what you know to the list of 11 conventions and techniques that are unique to movies.
Characters
Dialogue
Music
Sound Effects
Camera Movements
Lighting
Costumes
Set Design
Props
Special Effects
Transitions
Action
Analyzing a movie
Explore the first 5 minutes of the following movie. You can also choose to explore a movie of your choice. Consider the conventions and techniques presented in the Minds On. Which do you notice are used in the movie clip? Be sure to consider the following:
- Name of the movie
- Three techniques the movie uses
- How does each technique enhance the movie’s story or mood?
- What else do you notice about the movie?
Access the video "Odd Squad: The Movie" to answer the questions.
Use the fillable organizer Analysis of Odd Squad: The Movie or another method of your choice to record your information.
| Name of movie: | |
| Select at least three conventions or techniques the movie uses. Document your observations. How does the convention or technique used help to enhance the movie’s story or mood? | |
| Convention or Technique | My Observations |
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the Analysis of Odd Squad: The Movie.
Consolidation
Creating a movie proposal
Movies that are created based on a book are not always enjoyed by audiences. Many times, people will argue that the book version was far superior to the movie version. However, there are times where a movie will successfully use its unique conventions and techniques to enhance the story, making the movie version even more powerful than the original book itself.
Think of a story you are very familiar with, one that you believe would really come alive in movie form.
Consider inserting images, audio clips, or script snapshots to really highlight your movie proposal. Complete the My Movie Proposal Worksheet or another method of your choice to create your proposal.
Conventions and Techniques
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Characters Do you have someone in mind who you would like to cast in a certain role? What characteristics do you imagine the characters have? What do you think the characters might be wearing? How do your characters behave? What do your characters sound like? |
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Setting Where does your movie take place? How do you imagine the setting? Does your movie take place in multiple locations? |
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Music Do you have a theme song in mind? What kind of music would fit the mood of your movie? Do you imagine needing a live orchestra? Would there be music throughout? |
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Sound Effects How would sound effects help to establish the mood of your movie? Do certain characters have their own sound effects? |
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Transitions Do you want the transitions to be dramatic or subtle? When are transitions happening? Will music accompany your transitions? |
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Lighting Do you imagine the lighting to be dramatic in your movie? Are you considering using only natural lighting? Will your movie be filmed in the daytime or nighttime? Will your light sources be mainly from artificial or natural sources? |
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Dialogue Are your characters animals or people? How old are your characters (this may determine how they communicate)? Consider adding in a sample scene with dialogue here: |
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Camera Movement Will there be action shots? Are you imagining dramatic close-ups? Do you want your shots to be taken from far away (e.g., bird’s eye view)? |
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Props/Special Effects What kind of effects do you need in order to enhance your movie? Are there essential prop items that you need to make sure to have available? |
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Press the ‘Activity’ button to access My Movie Proposal Worksheet.
Once you have considered different conventions and techniques, complete the following overview for your movie proposal.
- Name of the book
- Proposed name of your movie
- Purpose of your movie
- Intended audience
- Three of the following areas to highlight: characters, setting, music, sound effects, transitions, lighting, dialogue, camera movement, props or special effects
Use the Areas to Highlight for My Movie Based on a Book organizer or record your overview using another method of your choice.
| Name of Book: | ||
| Proposed name of my movie: | ||
| Purpose of my movie: | ||
| Intended Audience: | ||
| Select at least three conventions and techniques from the grid below to highlight in your proposal. | ||
| Characters | Setting | Music |
| Sound Effects | Transitions | Lighting |
| Dialogue | Camera Movement | Props/Special Effects |
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the Areas to Highlight for My Movie Based on a Book.
Reflection
Reflecting on our learning helps us to be more independent media interpreters and creators. Reflect on your learning and respond to the following question:
Use the Reflecting on Convetions and Techniques of Movies organizer or another method of your choice to complete your reflection.
How does knowing about the conventions and techniques of movies help me to create my own movie?
Press the Activity button to access the Reflecting on Conventions and Techniques of Movies.
Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)Reflection
How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel...
Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.