Film Study Worksheet – English Language Arts
Read the questions before you watch the movie so that you will have the questions in mind while watching. At
a break during the movie or at the film’s end, you may make short notes in the spaces provided. You do not
need to take notes and no grade will be given on the notes. If you take notes while the movie is playing, make
sure that your note taking doesn’t interfere with carefully watching the film. Some students find that it is best
not to take any notes until after they have finished watching the movie.
After the movie is over, answer all of the questions. You do not need to restate the question. All responses
should be complete sentences using proper grammar and correct spelling. Questions need to be answered
completely and comprehensively, demonstrating that you paid attention to the movie and thought about what
was shown on the screen.
EXPOSITORY PHASE
1. Where is the story set and what is the time period? __________________________________________________
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2. Who is the protagonist and what is he or she like? __________________________________________________
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3. What is the conflict that is driving the protagonist to act? _____________________________________________
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4. Is there a backstory or is there a subplot? If so, describe them. ________________________________________
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COMPLICATION PHASE
5. Describe three events that unfold requiring the protagonist to act in order to try to resolve the conflict.
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RESOLUTION
6. What is the climax or moment of highest tension and how is the conflict resolved? ________________________
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7. What aspects of the protagonist’s character led to this resolution? ______________________________________
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8. Describe any outside forces that contribute to the success or failure of the protagonist. _____________________
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THEMES
What lessons from this film can viewers apply to their own lives? Consider both the central conflict and the backstory
(both the plot and the subplot). Describe the lesson, the dialogue that relates to this lesson, and how the personality traits
of the characters taught this lesson. There may be less than three lessons in the film, but try to find three.
Lesson No. 1: ______________________________________________________________________________
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Lesson No. 2: _______________________________________________________________________________
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Lesson No. 3: _______________________________________________________________________________
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ARTISTIC ELEMENTS
9. Explain how literary elements, the devices of fiction, such as motif, symbol, foreshadowing, flashback, echoing,
irony, or choice of language affect plot progression, assist in character development, or convey meaning.
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10. Do you find any archetypes in this story, such as the hero, the mentor, the trickster, the mother, the father, or the
child? If so, describe the attributes of two characters that partake of an archetype and their role in the story.
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11. How did music, lighting, or camera work establish tone or illuminate meaning?
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