FM4 - Revision

1. Micro Features
Overview
Revision TASK:
Using your A3 Analysis sheets, Key Scene Analysis sheets and the resources available in
the FM4 – Section A Page, YOU MUST establish HOW the micro features presented in
EACH text help construct the following:
•Narrative – For example the “straight line” (Athol Fugard) of Tsotsi’s life and how this
is represented to the spectator; HOW ‘The Setup’ (Syd Field) is represented in ALL 4
Texts – for example the archival footage of the riots in Paris accompanied by a
meaningful non-diegetic soundtrack in La Haine; The order (Linear? Non-Linear) of the
narrative in City of God; The representation of ‘villainy’ (Propp) in ALL 4 Texts
•Narrative Themes – Violence, “Decency”, Redemption, Lack of Matriarchal/Patriarchal
figure, Poverty, Neglect, Romance – Is there a classic Prince falls for princess (Propp)
character representation, Crime, Prejudice, Discrimination, Rich vs. Poor, Powerful vs.
Powerless and “Ghetto mentality” – Fight for survival.

2. Sound Cinematography
Editing Mise-en-scene
• Diegetic Dialogue
• Non-Diegetic Sound (Voiceover,
Soundtrack)
• Synchronous/Asynchronous Sound
• Shot Types
• Camera Movement
• Camera Angles
• Composition
• Pace of transitions (Cuts)
• Eye Line Match
• Length of Take
• Setting (Location)
• Props
• Lighting – High Key? Low Key?
• Costume
Example
1. Is Toto’s (Salvatore Abruzzese) betrayal of Maria the defining example of
HOW the text “shatters any romantic myths about the gangster genre”
(Michael Covino - 2009)?
2. Is this an act of ‘villainy’ (Propp) OR is this the defining ‘disequilibrium’
(Todorov) in the text?
Micro Features – HOW do they construct the narrative?

3. Sound Cinematography
Editing Mise-en-scene
Narrative
• Syd Field Narrative
Theory
• Vladimir Propp –
Narrative Functions
and Characters roles
• Todorov’s 3 Part
Narrative
• Linear (Beginning –
Middle – End) OR
Non-Linear
(Flashbacks/forwards)
structure

4. Sound Cinematography
Editing Mise-en-scene
Narrative
• Syd Field Narrative
Theory
• Vladimir Propp –
Narrative Functions
and Characters roles
• Todorov’s 3 Part
Narrative
• Linear (Beginning –
Middle – End) OR
Non-Linear
(Flashbacks/forwards)
structure

5. Sound Cinematography
Editing Mise-en-scene
Narrative
• Syd Field Narrative
Theory
• Vladimir Propp –
Narrative Functions
and Characters roles
• Todorov’s 3 Part
Narrative
• Linear (Beginning –
Middle – End) OR
Non-Linear
(Flashbacks/forwards)
structure

6. Sound Cinematography
Editing Mise-en-scene
Narrative
• Syd Field Narrative
Theory
• Vladimir Propp –
Narrative Functions
and Characters roles
• Todorov’s 3 Part
Narrative
• Linear (Beginning –
Middle – End) OR
Non-Linear
(Flashbacks/forwards)
structure

7. COMPARISON
Once you have completed your overview, YOU MUST identify any similarities/differences in the construction of the
Narrative through the micro features deployed by the Directors.
Extension – YOU COULD think about HOW the locations and the figures of authority impact the Narrative for the
spectator as well.