Deconstructing Pleasantville
Focus on selected scenes to highlight filmmaking technique
1. TWO PERSON DIALOGUES - INTRODUCING A TWIST OR TWO
Focus on this important and VERY COMMON filmmaking practice. Re-view the following scenes to see Two Person Dialogues in action in the film Pleasantville
i. The scene at 5 minutes 40 seconds.
ii. The one above, and then at 26.55 (see later, question 2C)
iii. Multi-person dialogue (see later, at 48.45, in the Soda Shop)
Answer this Task Question:
- How do filmmakers actually shoot dialogue scenes like this (how do they set up their camera and film the action, prior to editing later?
Part 2 - Write the following heading, and the sub-heading question:
2. SOUNDTRACK - USING MUSIC TO ENHANCE THE MEANING
- How is music used in Pleasantville to add to the film's meaning and the exploration of its themes?
View these scenes and analyse the use of music:
A. One patriotic entrance to school - at 20 mins 20 secs into the film (see also Reece Witherspoon's great film acting in this scene.)
Copy and Answer this Task Question under the heading; Soundtrack Music in the Entering the School scene
- What type of music accompanies this scene, and why do you think it was chosen?
B. Two visits to Lover's Lane
i. at 30 mins 45 secs
ii. at 37.15
Copy and Answer this Task Question under the heading: Soundtrack Music at Lover's Lane:
- Describe the contrasting music used in these two scenes, and outline how it contributes to the meaning in the film at these points. (Think of what has developed for the young people of Pleasantville from first scene to the next)
C. Three scenes at Bill's Soda Shop
i. at 26.55 (see also the Two Person Dialogue here. How did they shoot that?)
ii. at 38.30
iii. at48.45
Copy and Answer this Task Question under the heading: Soundtrack Music in the Soda Shop scenes
- How does music support the creation of meaning and show the changes that have occurred, in these three scenes?
PRODUCTION EXERCISE OPTIONS - CHOOSE ONE
All students must choose one of these options, and individually do the PRE-PRODUCTION for it.
The Pre-production documents required are:
a. Synopsis - a brief paragraph outlining what occurs in the scene, written in third person, present tense (e.g. "David is a young, hirsute, very handsome teacher about to enter his first class for the day when he suddenly stops, and seems to have a moment of deep thought. He turns and begins walking back the way he came, weaving his way in and out of students...")
b. Screenplay - using correct screenplay format write the dialogue and action for the scene.
See the button below for a link to a good screenplay format document.
c. Storyboard - draw/create at least 6 shots you would use in shooting this scene.
1. TWO-PERSON DIALOGUE WITH A TWIST
Write, plan and shoot a two-person dialogue scene with a third person listening in, then joining in. Use carefully-selected music to accompany the scene, and colour somewhere in the shot to create meaning. As the scene gets more intense in its emotion, your camera moves in to tighter, closer shots.
2. SAME SETTING, DIFFERENT MOMENT
Write, plan and shoot three scenes that occur in a repeating setting, but over three different times and with three different moods or feelings. Use different music in the background of each scene to enhance the meaning. Colour must also make meaning in your scene.
3. THE COURAGE TO SAY IT!
Write, plan and shoot a scene that emulates David "talking to" the girl at the start of Pleasantville. Colour must also make meaning in your scene.
Who could the speaker be, and who could he/she be talking to?
A teenager confessing a misdemeanour to a parent, or a friend.
A criminal confessing a crime to a cop.
A fan talking to their hero.
Any two people you like...
4. MULTI-PERSON DIALOGUE
Write, plan and shoot a multi=person dialogue scene, using silences and sound pauses, still and moving shots, and music to create meaning. Colour must also make meaning in your scene. As the scene gets more intense in its emotion, your camera moves in to tighter, closer shots.
5. STUDENT CHOICE - BUT A RELEVANT ONE
Students are able to choose their own scene from Pleasantville that inspires a short production exercise, They must justify the choice and get permission before proceeding. The requirement is still to write, plan and shoot, and to use colour and sound to add to meaning.
FORMATS:
SCREENPLAY
You must write in correct storyboard format. For this, either download the excellent screenwriting software, Celtx, to your own computer. Alternatively, use the Preshil Professional Screenplay Format document shared with you on google docs. (See David for instructions on using this.)
1. TWO PERSON DIALOGUES - INTRODUCING A TWIST OR TWO
Focus on this important and VERY COMMON filmmaking practice. Re-view the following scenes to see Two Person Dialogues in action in the film Pleasantville
i. The scene at 5 minutes 40 seconds.
ii. The one above, and then at 26.55 (see later, question 2C)
iii. Multi-person dialogue (see later, at 48.45, in the Soda Shop)
Answer this Task Question:
- How do filmmakers actually shoot dialogue scenes like this (how do they set up their camera and film the action, prior to editing later?
Part 2 - Write the following heading, and the sub-heading question:
2. SOUNDTRACK - USING MUSIC TO ENHANCE THE MEANING
- How is music used in Pleasantville to add to the film's meaning and the exploration of its themes?
View these scenes and analyse the use of music:
A. One patriotic entrance to school - at 20 mins 20 secs into the film (see also Reece Witherspoon's great film acting in this scene.)
Copy and Answer this Task Question under the heading; Soundtrack Music in the Entering the School scene
- What type of music accompanies this scene, and why do you think it was chosen?
B. Two visits to Lover's Lane
i. at 30 mins 45 secs
ii. at 37.15
Copy and Answer this Task Question under the heading: Soundtrack Music at Lover's Lane:
- Describe the contrasting music used in these two scenes, and outline how it contributes to the meaning in the film at these points. (Think of what has developed for the young people of Pleasantville from first scene to the next)
C. Three scenes at Bill's Soda Shop
i. at 26.55 (see also the Two Person Dialogue here. How did they shoot that?)
ii. at 38.30
iii. at48.45
Copy and Answer this Task Question under the heading: Soundtrack Music in the Soda Shop scenes
- How does music support the creation of meaning and show the changes that have occurred, in these three scenes?
PRODUCTION EXERCISE OPTIONS - CHOOSE ONE
All students must choose one of these options, and individually do the PRE-PRODUCTION for it.
The Pre-production documents required are:
a. Synopsis - a brief paragraph outlining what occurs in the scene, written in third person, present tense (e.g. "David is a young, hirsute, very handsome teacher about to enter his first class for the day when he suddenly stops, and seems to have a moment of deep thought. He turns and begins walking back the way he came, weaving his way in and out of students...")
b. Screenplay - using correct screenplay format write the dialogue and action for the scene.
See the button below for a link to a good screenplay format document.
c. Storyboard - draw/create at least 6 shots you would use in shooting this scene.
1. TWO-PERSON DIALOGUE WITH A TWIST
Write, plan and shoot a two-person dialogue scene with a third person listening in, then joining in. Use carefully-selected music to accompany the scene, and colour somewhere in the shot to create meaning. As the scene gets more intense in its emotion, your camera moves in to tighter, closer shots.
2. SAME SETTING, DIFFERENT MOMENT
Write, plan and shoot three scenes that occur in a repeating setting, but over three different times and with three different moods or feelings. Use different music in the background of each scene to enhance the meaning. Colour must also make meaning in your scene.
3. THE COURAGE TO SAY IT!
Write, plan and shoot a scene that emulates David "talking to" the girl at the start of Pleasantville. Colour must also make meaning in your scene.
Who could the speaker be, and who could he/she be talking to?
A teenager confessing a misdemeanour to a parent, or a friend.
A criminal confessing a crime to a cop.
A fan talking to their hero.
Any two people you like...
4. MULTI-PERSON DIALOGUE
Write, plan and shoot a multi=person dialogue scene, using silences and sound pauses, still and moving shots, and music to create meaning. Colour must also make meaning in your scene. As the scene gets more intense in its emotion, your camera moves in to tighter, closer shots.
5. STUDENT CHOICE - BUT A RELEVANT ONE
Students are able to choose their own scene from Pleasantville that inspires a short production exercise, They must justify the choice and get permission before proceeding. The requirement is still to write, plan and shoot, and to use colour and sound to add to meaning.
FORMATS:
SCREENPLAY
You must write in correct storyboard format. For this, either download the excellent screenwriting software, Celtx, to your own computer. Alternatively, use the Preshil Professional Screenplay Format document shared with you on google docs. (See David for instructions on using this.)
STORYBOARD
You can do either hand-drawn, or digital storyboards.
For tips and directions on Storyboarding, look at the Year 9 Media unit called Auteur Study - Hitchcock, and see the page called Developing Skills. There are many great links and tips there.
You can do either hand-drawn, or digital storyboards.
For tips and directions on Storyboarding, look at the Year 9 Media unit called Auteur Study - Hitchcock, and see the page called Developing Skills. There are many great links and tips there.