Film Study

|Film as Genre| |Films by Title|

Film as Genre

Camera Angles
How are a three-shot, a canted angle shot, a dolly shot different from one another? Find the answers here.

The Director in the Classroom
This page contains links to sites with information about filmmaking, including desktop video.

Film in the Classroom
Pages at this site include The Language of Film, Adaptation, Literary Elements, Wrap Up Resources, and more. Handouts (storyboard, viewing log) require Adobe Reader or compatible application.

Finding Inspiration in Literature and Movies (FILM)
Curriculum materials to support a variety of movies, including Charlotte's Web, Because of Winn-Dixie, Prince Caspian, and Freedom Writers.

The Grammar of Television and Film
Extensive background information on camera angels, editing, sound, lighting, and much more.

Greatest Films
Interpretive, descriptive review commentary and historical background for hundreds of classic Hollywood and other American films in the last century, a wealth of film reference material of all kinds, a famous film quotations quiz, a complete Academy Awards (Oscars) History and detailed Film History - by decade, and hundreds of colorful, vintage film poster reproductions.

Movie Speeches
This archive from the American Rhetoric collection includes a variety of clips and scripts organized alphabetically by title of movie. Titles starting with the will be found under "T".

Studying Feature Films
This page includes a list of recommended feature films by genre and suggestions for analyzing and writing about films in general. Scroll down for a list of related links.

Through the Lens of Robert Capra
In this lesson, students will use guided reading techniques to learn about Capa's style and to discover the techniques that made him a great photographer. Students will also learn the basics of telling compelling stories through photos. In the culminating activity, each student will create a photo essay telling a story that has personal significance. This lesson from PBS is part of the American Masters series.

Using Documentary Film as an Introduction to Rhetoric
This extensive unit plan was prepared by classroom teachers and designed for AP classes. This 65-page document requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.

Films by Title

Film study lecture on About a Boy
Summary and extensive analysis of scenes. This 18-page handout requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.

Amazing Grace: Rise up with Grace and Courage
The 19-page discussion guide supports the 2007 movie about William Wilberforce. It is designed for students age 13-18 and requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.

An American Girl: Discover Your World
Summary and 16 activities to learn about the Great Depression, about journalism, and about taking action within the community. The 29-page teaching guide supports the 2008 movie Kitt Kittredge: An American Girl by Valerie Tripp. Access requires Adobe Reader or compatible application.

August Rush
A teaching guide with 8 activities designed for ages 8-13 to support the 2007 movie. This 25-page document requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.

Because of Winn-Dixie: Because of You
Six lessons building literacy skills and character. The 20-page document, which supports the 2004 movie, requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.

Becoming Jane
Eight activities with emphasis on literacy and character development. This 31-page guide requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
The discussion guide emphasizes point of view, friendship, obedience/conformity, and prejudice/discrimination. It also offers suggestions for post-viewing activities and additional Holocaust resources. This 16-page document requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.

Bridge to Terabithia: Building Bridges
Eleven activities to support the 2007 film version. The 34-page discussion guide requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access. It is designed for students ages 9-12.

Charlotte's Web: Become a True Friend
The 11 activities presented in the discussion guide use literacy skills to explore true friendship, appreciating diversity and embracing change, farm animals, and community service. The 36-page guide requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access. It is designed for students ages 8-12 and supports the 2006 movie version.

Clint Eastwood: an American Icon
"Using Eastwood as an example of an American film icon, students will learn about and understand the concept of icons by watching the American Masters episode Clint Eastwood: Out of the Shadows and by applying Guided Reading strategies to the essays and interviews featured on the American Masters Web site."

Cry Freedom
A thorough unit plan for the film.

Cry Freedom
This unit plan includes extensive background information.

Dead Poet's Society: Charisma or Conformity
A collection of learning activities to support the film.

Dreamer: Inspired by You
A rich resource to support the movie, with background information, literacy activities, writing topics, a puzzle, a recipe, and ideas for projects. The 42-page discussion guide requires Adobe Reader for access.

Everyone's Hero: Just Keep Swinging
Activities to help build postive self-concept, to explore historical background, and to create and share stories. The 27-page guide requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.

Flicka: Set Your Dreams Free
Based on My Friend, Flicka by Mary O'Hara, these 13 activities support the 2006 movie version and emphasize both personal responsibility and concern for the environment. Access to this 46-page guide requires Adobe Reader or compatible application.

Field of Dreams
Ideas for analysis and evaluation.

Film as Film: Additional Movies and Literary Theories for Classroom Use
Ideas for teaching with Field of Dreams, Gladiator, Pleasantville, Sleepy Hollow,Thelma and Louise, and What Dreams May Come. This 3-page document requires Adobe Reader for access.

Forrest Gump
This analysis suggests a variety of approaches to the film.

Glory Road: Choose your Road
Eight activities emphasizing personal integrity, civil rights, and leadership. The 30-page discussion guide requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.

Gracie
Students work on setting and achieving goals, coping with tragedy and establishing positive family relationships. The 22-page discussion guide requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.

Happy Feet: Find Your Beat!
Eight activities using literacy skills to explore self-expression in music and dance. The 28-page discussion guide requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.

The Horse Whisperer
Suggestions for approaches to the film.

I, Robot, Film as Text
A variety of analysis activities culminating in a literary essay. This 9-page document requires MS-Word or compatible application for access.

Journey to the Center of the Earth: Embark on Your Journey
This extensive guide, which supports the 2008 movie starring Brendan Fraser, begins with a disclaimer regarding differences between the movie and the original text. It includes 14 activities (some with handouts) in 4 modules, including storytelling, vocabulary, everyday science, and community action. This 28-page document requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.

Jurassic Park: an Information Literacy WebQuest
Students evaluate the quality of Web sites. Familiarity with Jurassic Park is not essential.

Memento
This 16-page document requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.

Of Mice and Men: Film as Text
Analysis of film techniques, character relationships, and setting, along with other activities building to a Webquest in which students produce a collage. This 8-page document requires MS-Word or compatible application for access.

The Pianist
This 13-page document requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.

Prince Caspian: Becoming a Leader
This curriculum, designed for ages 9-14, focuses on building leadership skills. The first module, however, focuses comparing the book and the 2008 movie and includes vocabulary development. Subsequent modules emphasize teamwork, patience, strength and determination, and learning from the past. Accessing the packet requires Adobe Reader or compatible application.

Ratatouille: Realize Your Dreams
Post-viewing activities to support the 2007 movie. The 19-page discussion guide requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.

Saving Shiloh: Searching for Answers
A variety of activities to support reading the book and/or viewing the movie, including literacy, health, and community service. The 33-page discussion guide requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.

The Secret Life of Bees
The 39-page discussion guide includes research into bees and other insects, the civil rights movement, gender equity, and the importance of love and home. Adobe Reader required for access.

The Seeker: Find Your Destiny
The 2007 movie The Seeker is based on The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper. The 26-page discussion guide offers post-viewing literacy and character development activities for students ages 11-15. Adobe Reader required for access.

Snow Falling on Cedars
Students compare Snow Falling on Cedars with To Kill a Mockingbird. The handouts at this site require MS-Word or compatible application for access.

Stand and Deliver
A collection of learning activities designed for grade 10.

Star Wars
A guide to writing about the film.

ESL/EFL Listening Comprehension Lesson for the Movie Super Size Me
This lesson uses two carefully-selected clips to build listening and discussion skills.

Tinker Bell
The 13-page discussion guide includes cross-curricular questions: comprehension, science, getting along with under, understanding self, and community activities. Adobe Reader required for access.

Titanic
A guide to writing about the film.

The Ultimate Gift: Your Gift to Others
The 36-page teacher guide supports the 2006 movie based on the book by Jim Stovall. It includes 12 activities, one related to each gift. Adobe Reader or compatible application required for access.

Whale Rider
Several approaches to the film and some for the book.

White Squall
A guide to writing about the film.