Film Study Worksheet for an Informational
Documentary
Read the questions
before you watch the film so that you will know what to look for while you
watch. At breaks during the showing or at the movie's end, you will have an
opportunity to make short notes in the spaces provided. If you make notes while
the movie is playing, make sure that your note taking doesn't interfere with
carefully watching the film. You do not need to make any notes on the worksheet,
but after the movie is over, you will be required to fully respond to the
questions.
Complete the assignment by answering each question in paragraph form. Answers need to be complete and comprehensive, demonstrating that you paid attention to the film and thought about what was shown on the screen. You may use more than one paragraph if necessary. Be sure that the topic sentence of your first paragraph uses key words from the question. All responses should be in complete sentences using proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Complete the assignment by answering each question in paragraph form. Answers need to be complete and comprehensive, demonstrating that you paid attention to the film and thought about what was shown on the screen. You may use more than one paragraph if necessary. Be sure that the topic sentence of your first paragraph uses key words from the question. All responses should be in complete sentences using proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
1.
State the title of the film and the year it was released. Then briefly describe what the film is about.
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2. Identify the people, places,
events, or aspects of people, society, or nature that are the focus of this
film. Describe and clarify the
significance of each.
Notes:
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3.
List six facts described in the film that impressed you and explain how each
fact relates to the film’s premise or theme.
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4.
Nonfiction can enrich viewers in several important ways. Describe an aspect
of the film that showed you something you hadn’t seen before, caused you to
think in a new way, or helped you understand something more thoroughly than
before. In addition, describe how it
changed your thinking.
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5.
Was there anything that you saw or heard in the film that was unconvincing or
which seemed out of place?
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6. What particularly appealed to you in the
cinematic presentation of the film, such as the way in which particular scenes,
images, or sounds were presented?
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7.
If the filmmakers were to ask you how the film could be improved, what
would you tell them? Describe the changes
you would suggest in detail and the reasons for your suggestions.
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8.
If someone asked you whether you would recommend this film, how would you
respond? Fully explain your reasons.
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Additional notes:
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Updated 2016. © by TeachWithMovies.com, Inc. The public and
teachers are licensed to use this worksheet for personal and classroom
use. See
http://www.teachwithmovies.org/terms-of-use.html.
