What is a macro essay?

A Macro reading is:

· A commentary on a film extract of about 10 minutes

· Focused on the extrinsic (outside) meanings in an extract

· An account of the function of an extract (it may
pick up previous story information or prepare for
information to come)

· An explanation of how meanings arise from character
or story type - how these create expectations

· Aware of choices made by the director

· Focused on Genre and Narrative

· Always aware of your title

· Structured by the chronology of the extract

· Detailed about how meanings are created or closed down
as the extract progresses, shot by shot

· Clear about how the spectator interacts with the unfolding
of the extract by drawing on general knowledge (i.e. of genre)

· Explicit about what meanings the spectator brings to the
extract

· Mindful of sound, editing, camera movement, performance -
explaining how these refer to conventions or typical events
(i.e. that occur in specific genres - the gun fight, the car chase)

· Clear and concise especially in its brief conclusion

· Exact about word length at the end (about 1200)