Identify and Appreciate How Visual Genres Shape Texts and the Reader’s Experience of Them [R9] Choose a fi lm you have studied. Discuss two of the following fi lm techniques used in this fi lm. ❍ Costume ❍ Lighting ❍ Music ❍ Camera angles
Sample Answer (Higher Level)
Sing Street, directed by John Carney, uses lighting and camera angles very eff ectively throughout the fi lm. In the closing scenes of the fi lm, he uses lighting in an unexpected way. Conor and Raphina leave the house in the dark so they can embark on their important journey. They arrive at dawn just as the sun is about to rise. Traditionally, a director might use the sun rising as a metaphor, suggesting that a character’s life is about to get bet er and brighter. However, Carney lets them set off on their journey only to encounter mist and rain. The sun never rises. Conor and Raphina won’t overcome life’s obstacles that easily but they smile through the dark sky and rain. They are willing to try.
In these scenes the director also uses camera angles in a more traditional manner. He uses close- ups of Conor and his brother Brendan when they are hugging. These moments on camera catch the fullness of their emotion and love for one another. It is often hard for boys or brothers to show aff ection so these camera angles are very eff ective.
When Conor and Raphina’s boat almost collides with the ferry, the camera uses an overhead shot to show the migrants looking down on their lit le boat. Conor and Raphina are just another two people out of hundreds travelling that day in search of their dreams.
