{"id":68,"date":"2019-11-05T16:22:00","date_gmt":"2019-11-05T21:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=68"},"modified":"2020-12-11T16:38:31","modified_gmt":"2020-12-11T21:38:31","slug":"3-7-film","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/chapter\/3-7-film\/","title":{"raw":"3.7 Film","rendered":"3.7 Film"},"content":{"raw":"<div class=\"textbox textbox--learning-objectives\"><header class=\"textbox__header\">\r\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Learning Objectives<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>To discuss the benefits and drawbacks of film as a medium for science and risk communication.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>To describe features of films that have been used effectively for science and risk communication.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<img class=\"wp-image-583 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2019\/11\/Standing-rat-e1575498393869-989x1024.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"155\" \/>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\nPeople are naturally attracted to film, making it a powerful tool for communication. However, it is important to understand the benefits and drawbacks of this medium. Film is very good at catching people\u2019s interest and motivating them. It\u2019s likely not hard for you to think of a movie, video or even a commercial that moved you in some way. However, film is not the best for education. For people to really learn something , the information needs to be repeated over and over again; unfortunately, repetition would make for a boring film. Additionally, watching a film is a passive process and if you want your audience to learn complex concepts, you may need engage them in a more active way. The take home message is that film is really more about style than substance and should be used judiciously.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_567\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2019\/11\/Coral-Outcrop-Flynn-Reef.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-567\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2019\/11\/Coral-Outcrop-Flynn-Reef-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"A coral reef in bright and vibrant colours\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" \/><\/a> Film can grab our attention and take us on an emotional journey. The 2017 documentary Chasing Coral has won critical acclaim for its portrayal of coral reef decline as a result of climate change. Much of what makes this film so powerful is the intersection of imagery and science.[\/caption]\r\n<h1>Tips for the effective use of film as a communication medium<\/h1>\r\nIt is beyond the scope of this textbook or course to provide you with all the details on how to produce a good film. After all, people spend a whole degree, or even an entire career, learning this. For this reason, it is probably prudent to enlist the help of someone with some sort of expertise or training in this medium to help you. Our science film guru is Randy Olson and he provides some excellent tips on the basic principles of good science film-making.\r\n<h2>Show, don\u2019t tell<\/h2>\r\nFilm is a primarily visual medium, meaning that the images are the most important part, with the sound playing a supporting role. The hallmark of a good film is that you should be able to turn off the sound and understand the message just by watching the images. This is why long periods of footage featuring someone talking at the camera makes for a bad film.\r\n<h2>There needs to be a narrative<\/h2>\r\nFrom a 3-second commercial to a 3-hour drama, films need to have a compelling story. A film without a clear narrative is guaranteed to bore your audience. I bet you can recall being subjected to a number of story-less \u2018educational\u2019 videos in your academic career.\r\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--key-takeaways\"><header class=\"textbox__header\">\r\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Summary<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\r\n\r\n<strong>5 Steps of film narrative<\/strong>\r\n\r\nExposition (description of starting state) \u2192 Inciting incident (usually raises a question and creates suspense) \u2192 Exploration (audience does not know which way the story will go) \u2192 Climax (the truth is revealed) \u2192 Resolution (tension is released and the audience is left with some transcendent wisdom)\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h2>Incorporate tension<\/h2>\r\nThis is part of developing a good narrative but it bears repeating. You can\u2019t have a resolution (i.e., message delivery) without some sort of climax where the truth is revealed, and you can\u2019t have that climax without first creating some form of tension, whether it is suspense or conflict.\r\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--examples\"><header class=\"textbox__header\">\r\n<p class=\"textbox__title\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff\">Example<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\r\n\r\n<strong>Barnacles Tell No Lies<\/strong>\r\n\r\nHow do you get people interested in barnacles? Juxtapose barnacle facts with humour and sex appeal. Seriously! Watch <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=4n8LXpP1jq0\">Barnacles tell no lies.<\/a>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"wp-image-582 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2019\/11\/Seated-rat-e1575568791861-300x224.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"112\" \/>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h2>Juxtaposition can help to catch people\u2019s attention<\/h2>\r\nThis is when you bring together two unrelated themes or concepts to create something unique and memorable. Science films are often very serious and literal, but if you can contrast the dry science with something funny, silly, or even sexy, then you have the key to creating a really captivating film.\r\n<h2>Bring in details<\/h2>\r\nDetails and specifics make things memorable. If you think of your favorite movie, what you will probably remember are the details rather than generalities. It may seem counter-intuitive, but it is those details that actually drive the message.\r\n<h2>Don't forget to fulfill<\/h2>\r\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--sidebar textbox--examples\"><header class=\"textbox__header\">\r\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Example<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\r\n\r\n<strong>Fava Beans and a Nice Chianti<\/strong>\r\n\r\nIf you have watched Silence of the Lambs, you probably remember the pivotal prison scene between Hannibal Lecter and Dr. Clarice Starling. If not you need to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=99Ptctl5_qQ\">watch it<\/a>. Would it have been as memorable if Hannibal had said \u201cI\u2019m a cannibal so I ate him.\u201d instead of \u2018I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti\u2026.hisss!\u2019\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\nFilm is great for achieving the \u2018arouse\u2019 component of \u2018arouse and fulfill\u2019, but don\u2019t leave it there or you will be missing out on the real opportunity to deliver your message. You can both motivate and educate within a film or by making film one component of a larger communication strategy. For example, you could use film to generate audience interest before directing them to other resources (i.e., websites, in person talks or meetings, etc.) where they can receive additional information.\r\n<h1>Takeaways<\/h1>\r\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--key-takeaways\"><header class=\"textbox__header\">\r\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Key Takeaways<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Film is more about style than substance. While films can be engaging and memorable, the medium is not suitable for deep engagement and education about complex topics.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>A good film will make use of captivating visuals and memorable details to tell a compelling narrative.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n&nbsp;","rendered":"<div class=\"textbox textbox--learning-objectives\">\n<header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Learning Objectives<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\n<ul>\n<li>To discuss the benefits and drawbacks of film as a medium for science and risk communication.<\/li>\n<li>To describe features of films that have been used effectively for science and risk communication.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-583 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2019\/11\/Standing-rat-e1575498393869-989x1024.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"155\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2019\/11\/Standing-rat-e1575498393869-989x1024.png 989w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2019\/11\/Standing-rat-e1575498393869-290x300.png 290w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2019\/11\/Standing-rat-e1575498393869-768x795.png 768w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2019\/11\/Standing-rat-e1575498393869-65x67.png 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2019\/11\/Standing-rat-e1575498393869-225x233.png 225w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2019\/11\/Standing-rat-e1575498393869-350x362.png 350w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2019\/11\/Standing-rat-e1575498393869.png 1401w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>People are naturally attracted to film, making it a powerful tool for communication. However, it is important to understand the benefits and drawbacks of this medium. Film is very good at catching people\u2019s interest and motivating them. It\u2019s likely not hard for you to think of a movie, video or even a commercial that moved you in some way. However, film is not the best for education. For people to really learn something , the information needs to be repeated over and over again; unfortunately, repetition would make for a boring film. Additionally, watching a film is a passive process and if you want your audience to learn complex concepts, you may need engage them in a more active way. The take home message is that film is really more about style than substance and should be used judiciously.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_567\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-567\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2019\/11\/Coral-Outcrop-Flynn-Reef.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-567\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2019\/11\/Coral-Outcrop-Flynn-Reef-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"A coral reef in bright and vibrant colours\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2019\/11\/Coral-Outcrop-Flynn-Reef-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2019\/11\/Coral-Outcrop-Flynn-Reef-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2019\/11\/Coral-Outcrop-Flynn-Reef-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2019\/11\/Coral-Outcrop-Flynn-Reef-65x49.jpg 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2019\/11\/Coral-Outcrop-Flynn-Reef-225x169.jpg 225w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2019\/11\/Coral-Outcrop-Flynn-Reef-350x263.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-567\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Film can grab our attention and take us on an emotional journey. The 2017 documentary Chasing Coral has won critical acclaim for its portrayal of coral reef decline as a result of climate change. Much of what makes this film so powerful is the intersection of imagery and science.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h1>Tips for the effective use of film as a communication medium<\/h1>\n<p>It is beyond the scope of this textbook or course to provide you with all the details on how to produce a good film. After all, people spend a whole degree, or even an entire career, learning this. For this reason, it is probably prudent to enlist the help of someone with some sort of expertise or training in this medium to help you. Our science film guru is Randy Olson and he provides some excellent tips on the basic principles of good science film-making.<\/p>\n<h2>Show, don\u2019t tell<\/h2>\n<p>Film is a primarily visual medium, meaning that the images are the most important part, with the sound playing a supporting role. The hallmark of a good film is that you should be able to turn off the sound and understand the message just by watching the images. This is why long periods of footage featuring someone talking at the camera makes for a bad film.<\/p>\n<h2>There needs to be a narrative<\/h2>\n<p>From a 3-second commercial to a 3-hour drama, films need to have a compelling story. A film without a clear narrative is guaranteed to bore your audience. I bet you can recall being subjected to a number of story-less \u2018educational\u2019 videos in your academic career.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--key-takeaways\">\n<header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Summary<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\n<p><strong>5 Steps of film narrative<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Exposition (description of starting state) \u2192 Inciting incident (usually raises a question and creates suspense) \u2192 Exploration (audience does not know which way the story will go) \u2192 Climax (the truth is revealed) \u2192 Resolution (tension is released and the audience is left with some transcendent wisdom)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Incorporate tension<\/h2>\n<p>This is part of developing a good narrative but it bears repeating. You can\u2019t have a resolution (i.e., message delivery) without some sort of climax where the truth is revealed, and you can\u2019t have that climax without first creating some form of tension, whether it is suspense or conflict.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--examples\">\n<header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<p class=\"textbox__title\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff\">Example<\/span><\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\n<p><strong>Barnacles Tell No Lies<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>How do you get people interested in barnacles? Juxtapose barnacle facts with humour and sex appeal. Seriously! Watch <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=4n8LXpP1jq0\">Barnacles tell no lies.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-582 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2019\/11\/Seated-rat-e1575568791861-300x224.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"112\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2019\/11\/Seated-rat-e1575568791861-300x224.png 300w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2019\/11\/Seated-rat-e1575568791861-768x573.png 768w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2019\/11\/Seated-rat-e1575568791861-1024x764.png 1024w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2019\/11\/Seated-rat-e1575568791861-65x49.png 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2019\/11\/Seated-rat-e1575568791861-225x168.png 225w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2019\/11\/Seated-rat-e1575568791861-350x261.png 350w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/855\/2019\/11\/Seated-rat-e1575568791861.png 1580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Juxtaposition can help to catch people\u2019s attention<\/h2>\n<p>This is when you bring together two unrelated themes or concepts to create something unique and memorable. Science films are often very serious and literal, but if you can contrast the dry science with something funny, silly, or even sexy, then you have the key to creating a really captivating film.<\/p>\n<h2>Bring in details<\/h2>\n<p>Details and specifics make things memorable. If you think of your favorite movie, what you will probably remember are the details rather than generalities. It may seem counter-intuitive, but it is those details that actually drive the message.<\/p>\n<h2>Don&#8217;t forget to fulfill<\/h2>\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--sidebar textbox--examples\">\n<header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Example<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\n<p><strong>Fava Beans and a Nice Chianti<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you have watched Silence of the Lambs, you probably remember the pivotal prison scene between Hannibal Lecter and Dr. Clarice Starling. If not you need to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=99Ptctl5_qQ\">watch it<\/a>. Would it have been as memorable if Hannibal had said \u201cI\u2019m a cannibal so I ate him.\u201d instead of \u2018I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti\u2026.hisss!\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Film is great for achieving the \u2018arouse\u2019 component of \u2018arouse and fulfill\u2019, but don\u2019t leave it there or you will be missing out on the real opportunity to deliver your message. You can both motivate and educate within a film or by making film one component of a larger communication strategy. For example, you could use film to generate audience interest before directing them to other resources (i.e., websites, in person talks or meetings, etc.) where they can receive additional information.<\/p>\n<h1>Takeaways<\/h1>\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--key-takeaways\">\n<header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Key Takeaways<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\n<ul>\n<li>Film is more about style than substance. While films can be engaging and memorable, the medium is not suitable for deep engagement and education about complex topics.<\/li>\n<li>A good film will make use of captivating visuals and memorable details to tell a compelling narrative.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"media-attributions clear\" prefix:cc=\"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/ns#\" prefix:dc=\"http:\/\/purl.org\/dc\/terms\/\"><h2>Media Attributions<\/h2><ul><li about=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Coral_Outcrop_Flynn_Reef.jpg\"><a rel=\"cc:attributionURL\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Coral_Outcrop_Flynn_Reef.jpg\" property=\"dc:title\">Coral outcrop on Flynn Reef<\/a>  &copy;  <a rel=\"dc:creator\" href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/User:99of9\" property=\"cc:attributionName\">Toby Hudson<\/a>    is licensed under a  <a rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/\">CC BY-SA (Attribution ShareAlike)<\/a> license<\/li><\/ul><\/div>","protected":false},"author":801,"menu_order":11,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-68","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":54,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/68","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/801"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/68\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2203,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/68\/revisions\/2203"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/54"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/68\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=68"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=68"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=68"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/missionmessagemedium\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=68"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}