Introduction to Film Techniques for the SBA

Welcome! If you are reading this, you are likely preparing for your School-based Assessment (SBA). For Literature in English, the SBA is a major component worth 20% of your final grade. It requires you to write an analytical study of about 2000 to 2500 words based on a film or filmmaker.

One of the most important things to remember is that a film is not just a "story on a screen." It is a piece of art constructed using specific tools. To get a high mark, you cannot just talk about what happens (the plot); you must explain how the filmmaker uses film techniques to create meaning, mood, and character. Don't worry if you aren't a "movie buff"—once you learn these basic techniques, you will start seeing them everywhere!

Note: For more on how to structure your writing, see the chapter "Essay structure and use of textual evidence."


1. Mise-en-scène: What is in the Frame?

Mise-en-scène is a fancy French term that basically means "everything placed in the scene." If a director wants us to feel a certain way, they carefully choose what we see in the background and on the actors.

Key Elements to Look For:

  • Setting and Props: Where is the scene taking place? Is the room cluttered (showing a messy mind) or empty (showing loneliness)?
  • Costume and Makeup: What a character wears tells us about their status, personality, or even their "mask." For example, a character wearing a bright red dress in a grey city stands out as a symbol of rebellion or passion.
  • Lighting:
    • High-key lighting: Bright and even, often used in happy or "safe" scenes.
    • Low-key lighting: Lots of shadows and contrast, often used in mysteries or thrillers to create a sense of danger or the unknown.
  • Color Palette: Does the film use "warm" colors (reds, yellows) to feel cozy or "cold" colors (blues, greys) to feel clinical and sad?

Key Takeaway: Ask yourself, "Why is this object here?" or "Why is the room this color?" The director didn't choose it by accident!


2. Cinematography: How is it Filmed?

Cinematography refers to the way the camera is used. This is the "eye" through which we see the story.

Shot Sizes (The Distance):

  • Close-up: Focuses on a character's face. Purpose: To show intense emotion or a secret reaction.
  • Long Shot: Shows the character's whole body and their surroundings. Purpose: To show the relationship between the person and their environment.
  • Establishing Shot: A very wide shot at the start of a scene. Purpose: To tell the audience where we are (e.g., a big city or a lonely island).

Camera Angles (The Perspective):

  • Low Angle: The camera looks up at a character. Purpose: Makes the character look powerful, heroic, or threatening.
  • High Angle: The camera looks down at a character. Purpose: Makes the character look small, weak, or vulnerable.
  • Eye-level: The camera is neutral. Purpose: To make the audience feel like an equal observer.

Camera Movement:

  • Pan: The camera moves horizontally (left to right).
  • Tilt: The camera moves vertically (up or down).
  • Tracking/Dolly Shot: The camera follows a character as they move. This makes the audience feel like they are walking alongside the character.

Quick Review: A Close-up combined with a Low Angle might make a villain look terrifyingly powerful and close to the audience!


3. Sound: What do we Hear?

Sound is half the experience of a film. In your SBA, you should distinguish between two main types of sound.

Diegetic vs. Non-diegetic Sound:

  • Diegetic Sound: Sound that the characters can hear in their world (e.g., a car engine, a radio playing in the room, footsteps).
  • Non-diegetic Sound: Sound that only the audience can hear (e.g., the background music/score, a narrator’s voiceover).

Why does it matter? Music (non-diegetic) tells the audience how to feel. If a character is walking down a hallway and we hear "scary" violins, we know something bad is about to happen, even if the character doesn't!


4. Editing: How is it Put Together?

Editing is the "rhythm" of the film. It's how the director moves from one shot to the next.

  • Pacing: Fast cuts (many short shots) create excitement, confusion, or energy (like in an action scene). Long takes (one shot that lasts a long time) create tension or a sense of calm.
  • Transitions:
    • Cut: An instant change from one shot to another.
    • Dissolve: One image fades into another. This often suggests a connection between the two images or the passing of time.

Did you know? Editing can be used to show what a character is thinking. We might see a shot of a character’s face, then a cut to a memory, then a cut back to their face. This tells us they are reminiscing without using any words.


5. Connecting Techniques to the SBA

When writing your SBA, you must avoid simply listing techniques. You need to use the "Technique + Effect" formula.

Common Mistake: "The director uses a close-up of the protagonist's face." (This is just a description.)

Better Approach: "The director uses a close-up of the protagonist's face during the climax to capture her internal conflict, allowing the audience to see her hesitation through her subtle facial expressions." (This is analysis.)

SBA Checklist:

  • Word Count: Aim for 2000 to 2500 words.
  • Language: The film must be originally made in English.
  • Scope: Do not focus your main analysis on the set films (like Vertigo or Life of Pi) or film adaptations of your set novels/plays. Use a different film for your SBA!
  • Focus: Balance your essay by looking at content (the story), filmic techniques (what we learned above), and socio-cultural background (the history or society behind the film).

Summary Table: Film Techniques at a Glance

Category Technique Common Effect
Mise-en-scène Low-key lighting Creates suspense, mystery, or fear.
Cinematography High angle shot Makes a character appear weak or isolated.
Sound Non-diegetic music Sets the emotional tone for the audience.
Editing Fast-paced cuts Builds excitement, urgency, or chaos.

Don't worry if this seems like a lot to learn! Start by watching your chosen film once for the story, then watch it a second time specifically looking for just one technique (like lighting or camera angles). You'll be an expert in no time!