Film Techniques Explained | Poster + Film Detectives Activity Pack

Teach students to read a film the way they read a book. This pack pairs a seven-page poster explaining 18 key film techniques with a three-page activity pack where students spot shots, choose camera angles, storyboard a scene and make editing decisions.

Written by Clare Madden, secondary English teacher and author of the Touchstones Junior Cycle English series.

**Film Techniques poster: 7 pages, 18 techniques**

- **Genre and mise-en-scène:** film genre, mise-en-scène, colour palette

- **Camera angles:** camera angle, high angle, low angle, eye-level angle

- **Shots:** shot, close-up, establishing shot, full shot

- **Editing:** film editing, montage, cross-cutting, bridging

- **Sound:** soundtrack, sound effects, voice-over

Every technique has:

- Pronunciation ("say it: meez-on-SEN")

- A clear definition and an example from a film students know

- Etymology and morphology, showing where the word comes from

- Three "use it in a sentence" models

The poster ends with a **Quick check** matching quiz, with answers. Display it on the wall, or give it out as a reference sheet when studying any film.

**Film Detectives activity pack (3 pages, 5 activities)**

1. **Be the Camera Operator** (15 mins, pairs): choose a high, low or eye-level angle for each shot, explain the effect on the audience, then film one on a phone

2. **Shot Spotter** (10 mins, individual): name the shot type or angle from six descriptions and find the clue

3. **Storyboard It** (25 mins, groups of 3): plan and sketch a six-shot scene called *The Lost Dog Comes Home*

4. **In the Edit Room** (10 mins, pairs): pick the right editing or sound technique for each job

5. **Exit Ticket** (5 mins): a quick multiple-choice check

**Teacher notes and answers:** suggested timing (about 65 minutes), tips for using a short film clip, a Literacy Boost support suggestion, and answers for Activities 1, 2, 4 and 5.

**Who it's for**

- English classes aged 12–14 (Junior Cycle, KS3 or similar) studying a film or comparing film and text

- An introduction before starting a film unit

- Older students who need a refresher on film terminology for written answers

**Format:** two print-ready A4 PDFs (poster, 7 pages; activity pack, 3 pages), in full colour.