MOON, DIRECTED BY DUNCAN JONES:
RESPONSE TO VISUAL TEXT ESSAY
In visual texts, characters are developed through aspects such as set,
props, positioning and movement of actors, costume / make-up,
framing, lighting, camera techniques, and sound.
Analyse how a character is developed in a visual text you have studied.
NCEA Level 2 Visual Text exam, 2009
PLANNING IS CRITICAL – do not start writing until you can be certain you have three distinct
points that allow you to analyse this element of our film, supported by sensible evidence.
The first important idea you need to consider is what character you want to write about. Even
though, strictly speaking, our film only has one character, you may choose to write about Old Sam,
New Sam or even Gerty.
The topic is asking you to discuss the way a character is DEVELOPED. It is important to unpack what
this means – what is meant by the idea of character development, in films or other texts? Write this
idea in your own words below.
Character development is:
The topic has some nice ideas of ways in which characters are developed in visual texts. You need
to be able to link these techniques to the development of your character in three distinct ways.
What is it that we understand further about the character through these techniques?
Answering this question will be the analysis in the paragraphs of your essay. You need to have three
distinct ways in which character is developed, attributing each of these points to a specific technique
that you discuss in terms of an example from the film.
Once you have decided on your character, think of three instances in the film where you consider
Duncan Jones presents development of your character. For the purposes of your planning, I am
calling these instances “events”, even though they may be things as simple as watching Old Sam on
the treadmill. You should present these in chronological order in your essay, as the events that
shape your character all contribute to who he becomes by the end of the film. Plan your ideas on
the following page:
Event 1 that helps develop my character:
How this helps develop him:
Event 2 that helps develop my character:
How this helps develop him:
Event 3 that helps develop my character:
How this helps develop him:
You now need to think back to the list of techniques suggested in the topic. For each of your events,
make links to a technique that helps to further your understanding of the character. You may
choose to discuss more than one technique to create a stronger argument, but you need to ensure
you do this in a concise way in your finished essay.
Event 1 technique:
Example:
Event 2 technique:
Example:
Event 3 technique:
Example:
For each of your ideas, you now need to plan your paragraphs. REMEMBER:
 It is a good idea to rewrite the topic using text/character/technique specific terms. This is a
good thing to have at the top of the first page of your essay, rather than the generic topic you
were first given. It helps you to go back to this, helping you ensure you are on track to
address all of the topic in your writing.
 You will need to give some background information on the premise of the film early in your
essay – this could be in the form of a concise, prepared sentence or two in your introduction
that you could then use in other essays.
Write a draft of a concise sentence or two explaining the premise of the film here:

TEEPEE
o Topic sentence – the basis of your argument for this paragraph – that a technique
helps to further your understanding of a character at a point in the film
o Explanation/expansion – further detail on the idea about your character that is being
presented and why this point appears at this stage of the film
o Evidence/example – the instance of the NAMED technique from the film you are
discussing (you must use the name of the technique, e.g. dialogue, close up camera
shot)
o Purpose – e.g “Duncan Jones’ use of this technique helps us understand the nature of
what it means to be human, through the eyes of ……….” The big idea behind the
technique
o Effect – the HOW part of your paragraph that links your technique to the development
of your character
o Evaluation – how successful was the presentation of this idea? How did you personally
feel about what you learnt? Could you relate to it? Does this remind you of an issue
you have seen in the media? Use a variety of these kinds of responses in your essay to
keep your reader interested
You are developing an argument in your essay. Speak assertively. Use interesting and varied
vocabulary. Vary your sentence structures. Address all of the topic!
Conclude strongly, with an insightful point about the overall significance of your character, both to
the film and to us as an audience who are left considering what it means to be human.
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