Macro Checklist

A macro reading is:

· A commentary on a longer film extract than the micro reading (about 10
minutes)

· Focused on the extrinsic meanings in an extract

· An explanation of an extract which has a verifiable function (it tends to
pick up or prepare for information outside the extract)

· An explanation of how meanings particular to generic character or story
are informed by expectations

· Aware of the choices made by the director

· Always has a focused title (on broad themes)

· Always aware of the title in its commentary

· Structured by the chronology of the extract

· Clear about how the spectator interacts with the unfolding of the extract
by drawing on knowledge beyond the extract itself

· Explanatory about meanings the spectator brings to the extract (rather
than knowledge taken from the extract - ie of genre)

· Mindful of sound, editing, camera movement, performance - explaining
how these reference preconceived meanings

· Exact about giving the word length

· Clear and concise

· Always ready to explain in detail how meanings are generated or closed
down as the extract progresses, shot by shot.

(Source unknown)

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)

Possible war film choices for micro or macro coursework essays

"The Green Berets" (1968): John Wayne and David Jansen. The US military obviously had a hand in this one! It's a great clip for ideology.


"Apocalypse Now" (1979) The Ride of the Valkyries. Robert Duvall rides in with his US cavalry to raid a Vietnamese village.

More from the same scene


The Tomahawk scene fight scene from "The Patriot". Mel Gibson and his young sons fight to save an older son being brought to a place of execution by the British. Gibson shocks his sons with the extent of his violence.


The take offs from "A Bridge Too Far" (1977)


The opening sequence to the "Battle of Britain" (1969)


The climax scene from the "Battle of Britain" (1969)


The Roman army arrives in "Spartacus" (1960)