Film Class / Viewing Notes and Observations
Modern Times Charlie Chaplin 1936 B&W 87 Charlie Chaplin, Paulette Goddard
Title: Director: Year: B&W/ color: Minutes: Actors:
Mark elements for discussion and write observations.
LITERARY ELEMENTS
Conflicts: internal, external
Characterization: words, thoughts,
actions
Setting: time, place
Dialogue: volume, pitch, tone, accent,
rhythm/ speed (staccato, slow)
Symbols: objects that represent
something else
Motif: recurring object, phrase or idea
Allusion: reference to something
outside the work itself
Allegory: a work in which characters
and events represent spiritual,
moral, or political ideas
THEATRICAL ELEMENTS
Costumes: color, type, fabric
Props: anachronistic, obvious/ subtle
Sets: onstage/ on location, era, weather
realistic/ stylistic, weather, hr., etc.
Acting: exaggerated/ realistic,
body language, mannerisms
CINEMATIC ELEMENTS
Shot type: establishing, long, medium,
CU, extreme close-up (ECU)
Angles: high, low, eye-level,
Dutch/canted
Editing: cut, fade, dissolve, flashback,
crosscutting, eye-line match
Sound: diegetic, internal diegetic,
non-diegetic, voice-over (VO)
Lighting: low-key, neutral, high-key,
location of light source
Camera Movement: dolly/ tracking,
trucking, boom/ crane, pan, tilt,
zoom

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AFTER VIEWING THE ENTIRE FILM: Write a One-Paragraph Review
Look back over your notes and reflect on the movie. In ONE COMPLETE PARAGRAPH, provide a personal reaction to the film.
Your personal reaction should include:
1.
2.
1-2 sentence plot summary in your own words as an introduction.
1-2 sentence review of the film (it is good, bad, thrilling, boring, visually stunning but a poor plot, etc.)
1-3 sentences of what you liked best about the film (using specific examples from the film).
1-3 sentences of what you liked least about the film (using specific examples from the film).
A final rating out of 5 stars (“In summary, I give Casablanca 4 ½ stars out of 5.”