Murray Bridge High School
Holes
2003
Directed by Andrew Davis
Starring Shia LaBeouf, Sigourney Weaver, Jon
Voight, Patricia Arnquette and Tim Nelson
Student Work Pack
Name ________________________________________________
1
Murray Bridge High School
Unit Aims
The aim for the next four weeks is to compete an in-depth film study on Andrew
Davis’ 2003, Holes. We will be looking film techniques, characterisations, sound,
imagery, setting and other visual elements which contribute in portraying
central themes and ideas around blame, injustice, bullying, family and friends.
For this unit you will be required to write a creative or analytical text response
about 400-500 words in length; demonstrating your ability to understand and
analyse techniques and ideas.
Plot Summary
Stanley Yelnats IV is falsely accused of stealing Clyde ‘Sweet Feet’ Livingston’s
show donation to a local orphanage and will either go to jail or Camp Green Lake.
Stanley choose Green lake, where he is forced to dig large holes in the desert
each day, by order of the mysterious Warden and her assistants Mr Sir and Mr
Pendanski. But what the Warden is really trying to do is find buried treasure that
was cracked murderer Kissin’ Kate Barlow’s fortune long ago. But when Stanley
and his friend Zero escape, things get really bad… until they dig one last hole…
Core themes addressed in the film
 Perseverance, determination and struggling to overcome difficulties
 Family
 Friendship
 Bullying/abuse of power or position
 Blame, punishment and injustice
 Transformation
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Murray Bridge High School
Year 9 English Text Response
HOLES Task Sheet
Creative Response
Storyboard
For this task you will need to ask for the storyboard template from your teacher.
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
Create an alternate scene or extra scene that looks at one of the themes in the
film.
Include at least four different characters and justify why you selected them for
your scene.
You are required to illustrate your scene in 16-20 frames. Show effort.
Include detailed descriptions under each frame to explain what each shot is
depicting, the film techniques that would be used and use of sound effects.
Include a short write-up of about 200 words to hand up with your storyboard;
saying why you think this scene should be included in the film.
OR
Letter Writing
For this task you are required to write 2 letters.
1. Write an honest letter from Stanley to his parents about what’s actually going
on at Camp Green Lake. Use descriptive language, relating back to relevant
scenes in the film. 200-250 words
2. Write a response letter back to Stanley from his parent’s. How might they
react/what would they write back after receiving his letter? 200-250 words
OR Analytical Response
Write an essay on ONE of the questions below:
1. How does Holes explore important ideas and entertain viewers effectively?
2. Choose a character and discuss the ways in which they change throughout the
film.
Clearly identify which essay question you have chosen. Your essay must be
between 400-500 words.
DUE DATE:
3
Murray Bridge High School
Achievement Standard
Year 9 English
Receptive modes (listening, reading and viewing)
By the end of Year 9, students analyse the ways that text structures can be
manipulated for effect. They analyse and explain how images vocabulary choices
and language features distinguish the work of individual authors. They evaluate
and integrate ideas and information from texts to form their own
interpretations. They select evidence from the text to analyse and explain how
language choices and conventions are used to influence an audience. They listen
for ways texts position an audience.
Productive modes (speaking, writing and creating)
Students understand how to use a variety of language features to create differed
levels of meaning. They understand how interpretations can vary by comparing
their responses to texts to the responses of others. In creating texts, students
demonstrate how manipulating language features and images can create
innovate texts. Students create texts that response to issues, interpreting and
integrating ideas from other texts. They make presentations and contribute
actively to class and group discussions, comparing and evaluating responses to
ideas and issues. They edit for effect, selecting vocabulary and grammar that
contribute to the precision and persuasiveness of texts and using accurate
spelling and punctuation.
Grade In relation to the achievement standard, the student has demonstrated…
A
High level capacity to apply knowledge, skills and understandings in new contexts
Deep understanding of concepts and key ideas and connections between them
Outstanding development of skills
Comprehensive knowledge of content
B
Strong capacity to apply knowledge, skills and understanding in new contexts
Some depth of understanding or concepts and key ideas
High level development of skills
Thorough knowledge of content
C
Capacity to apply knowledge, skills and understandings in new contexts
Sound understanding of concepts and key ideas
Sound development of skills
Adequate knowledge of content
D
Capacity to apply knowledge, skills and understandings in familiar contexts
Some understanding of concepts and key ideas
Some development of skills
Basic knowledge of content
E
Beginning capacity to apply knowledge, skills and understandings in a familiar
context
Beginning understanding of concepts and key ideas
Initial development of skills
Initial knowledge of content
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Murray Bridge High School
Film Techniques
Aspect
Setting
Thinking point
Where/ when is it
set? Is it filmed on
set or location?
Does the setting
tell us anything
about the genre
(comedydrama/adventure)?
Imagery/
symbols and
motifs
Are images and
symbols repeated?
What effect do they
play in the film?
Evidence
Film
techniques:
Camera shots,
focus, angle,
movement
Editing
When and why
have certain
camera shots been
taken? I.e. Long,
mid and close
shots, angled shots
(from below,
above, the side)
etc.
How are
characters/ objects
positioned within
the frame?
How do scenes
transition from one
another? Fading,
abrupt cuts etc. The
use of slow
motion?
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Murray Bridge High School
Aspect
Lighting /
Colour
Thinking Point
Natural or
artificial? Where is
it coming from?
Intensity?
Shadows? What
atmosphere is
created?
Evidence
Flashbacks?
Sound
Voice-overs
Is there a voiceover? Who is
speaking? What is
its significance?
EXTENSION:
Diegetic
Describe voices of
characters, sounds
made by objects
within the frame.
What do they add
to the meaning of a
scene?
Non-diegetic
What sounds
occurring outside
the film world have
been added to the
film? What effect
do they play on a
scene? How do
music and other
non-diegetic
sounds impact the
audience and
portray the mood
of a scene?
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Murray Bridge High School
Characters
Key Quotes
Costume/hair
Characteristics/
Traits/
Attributes
Key Relationships
EXTENSION:
Flat/Round
character/ why?
Stanley
Zero
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Murray Bridge High School
Key Quotes
Costume/hair
Characteristics/
Traits/
Attributes
Key Relationships
EXTENSION:
Flat/Round
character/ why?
Mr Sir
The
Warden
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Murray Bridge High School
Key Quotes
Costume/hair
Characteristics/
Traits/
Attributes
Key Relationships
EXTENSION:
Flat/Round
character/ why?
Dr
Pendanski
X-Ray
Stanley’s
Parents
Madam
Zeroni
Kissin’
Kate
Barlow
Elya
Yelnats
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Murray Bridge High School
Themes
Find two examples of the following:

Blame and injustice
1.
2.

Bullying/abuse of power or position
1.
2.

Friendship
1.
2.

Family
1.
2.

Perseverance, determination and struggling to overcome difficulties
1.
2.

Transformation
1.
2.
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