LESSON PLAN: Film is a unique storytelling medium

Subject: English Literature / Date: / Topic: Introducing the unique storytelling medium of film / Grade: 12 / Time: 30–40 minutes
Objective(s): Get learners to appreciate the multi-media, multi-dimensional, multi-layered nature of storytelling in film.
Teacher / Resources / Learners
Introduction
Ask the class to write down answers to the questions below:
1 What are the opening credits of a film? How are they presented? What information do they include?
2 What are the closing credits of a film? How are they presented? What information do they include? / Notebooks or writing paper / Learners write down their answers to the questions. If they don't know the answers, they can think about the questions while they watch the two clips you show them.
Body
1 Show learners the opening credits of any film. Get them to review their answers to question 1 above.
2 Show learners the closing credits of any film. Get them to review their answers to question 2 above. / A DVD player
A television or laptop computer
A DVD of a film to show the opening and closing credits of that film / Learners jot down notes, then review their answers to the previous questions. They might note that:
The opening scenes (pictures) reveal something of the content and setting of the film and the soundtrack and colour scheme begin to set the mood. Superimposed on the pictures is text giving the title, the actors, the director and the producer of the film. The font style of the text tells a lot about the genre of the film that awaits us.
After the final shot, the screen fades to black. The theme music or another key tune plays. The names of the actors and their characters roll on the screen, followed by the names and the jobs of various film crew members.
Conclusion
Ask learners whether they would find as many names in the credits for a novel or play.
Explore with the class what this reveals about film as a storytelling medium. / Whole class discussion on what their findings reveal about film as a storytelling medium. They might say that the story is told through words, pictures, sounds, movements, music, colour, camera angle etc.

© Oxford University Press Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd 2013. From Oxford Practical Teaching English Literature: How to teach Grades 8–12. You may modify, print and photocopy this document solely for use in your classes.