Film Analysis
Opening Scene
Opening
Sequence
Technique Analysis & Effect
Establishi This shot establishes
the time setting by
ng shot
using a widely
recognisable desktop
background from the
early 2000s. This shot
also introduces the
audience to the screen
life genre and
understand how the
story is going to be
Key Questions:
- How does the
opening shot
establish the
expectations of the
viewer?
Introduction of the Family
Techniq Analysis and Effect
ue
Close up
This mid shot of the
of
family
is
the
first
computer
time Margot is seen
screen
Mid shot
on screen. This
of the
establishes the three
family
main characters and
show the dynamic
First Day of Kindergarten
Technique Analysis and Effect
Temporal
Marker
(time
marker)
The alert that pops up
in the bottom of the
screen noting Margot’s
first day of school is a
temporal marker, telling
the audience that time
has passed. The ‘first
day of school’ becomes
a motif (recurring
First Days of School
Techniqu
es
Visual
Motif
Temporal
Marker
Analysis &
Effect
How does this
visual motif and
temporal marker
demonstrate the
experiences of
this family using
Piano
Techniqu Analysis & Effect
e
Recurring
image/them
e
Close ups
of
calendars,
images and
The recurring
nature of the
images and
references to
Margot and her
mother playing
Doctor’s Appointments
Technique
Analysis & Effect
Close up
of
calendar
alert
Close up
and
highlight
of the
doctor’s
The calendar alert
and email shows
the audience what
is happening
without
dedicating an
excessive amount
of time on the
Diagnosis
Techni Analysis & Effect
que
Close
up
The close-up of this
search informs the
audience that the mother
has been diagnosed with
lymphoma, a type of
cancer. This allows the
audience an insight into
Growing Up
Technique
Analysis & Effect
Remission & Relapse
Remission & Relapse
Techniques
Analysis & Effect
Coming
Home
• How does the director
convey meaning to the
audience in these three
stills?
Coming Home
Class notes:
Pam’s Funeral
Technique
Analysis
Opening Sequence
• Select 4 pieces of evidence we have analysed and use them to
write two correctly structured analytical paragraphs answering
our practice question:
“How does the film ‘Searching’ use “Screen Life” as
a method of storytelling? Make reference to specific
examples from the text.”