Unit 12
Activity 1
Characteristics of silent cinema
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Comment 1
Transitions or intertitles are the text that was shown
between some scenes in silent films to help people
understand the story better. They used short
sentences, with exclamations or questions.
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Comment 2
Since there was no dialogue in a silent film, you had
to use your imagination. In order to understand the
film, you needed to put your brain to work to think
of what the characters were saying, what they were
doing, and what their opinions were.
Comment 3
People are chased by wild animals or by the police.
People get into fights with someone much, much
larger and stronger than them. It's universally funny
and not dependent on any one language. This is
called “slapstick” comedy, after the wooden object
used to make a slapping sound when an actor
pretended to hit another actor.
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Comment 4
The projection speed was also connected to the
tempo of the music. In today's cinema, this is
sometimes used in action movies for fight scenes, to
make the situation appear more dangerous, and the
hero or heroine even braver, stronger, and faster.
Comment 5
Overacting means being particularly expressive in your
performance because you can't talk and you will need
to explain to the people what you are going to do with
your gestures, movements, and facial expressions.
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Comment 6
Because the films were in black and white, actors wore
make-up to enhance contrast and make their
expressions even more noticeable. Also, the quality
and definition of the image was often very poor.
Because of the lack of dialogue, comedy in silent films
was often created by situational and action comedy.
Comment 7
Projection speed is one of the most important
characteristics of silent cinema. It was used to share a
feeling of quickness. Old movies in silent cinema were
shot in slow motion and then edited in fast motion.
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Comment 8
In silent movies, the accompanying music was
essential, because it underlined the tone of each
sequence and illustrated the movement of the
actors. This was usually done live by a pianist or an
orchestra, often improvised, but some films have
official, specially composed music scores.
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Questions
Path A
Focus on comments 1, 2, 5 and 6.
1-A
Identify the characteristics of silent movies.
For each characteristic, explain the technique
used, the reason why and the objective of it.2-A
Think about the last movie you saw at the
cinema or on TV. What is different? What is the
same?
Useful vocabulary
Typically, silent movies
were…
Actors often / sometimes...
In order to + V, they…
It made… look quicker / more expressive…
The objective / aim was to…
The last movie I saw was...
Actors often / sometimes...
In order to + V, they…
It made… look quicker / more expressive…
The objective / aim was to…
The last movie I saw was...
Path B
Focus on comments 3, 4, 7 and 8.
1-B
Identify the characteristics of silent movies.
For each characteristic, explain the technique
used, the reason why and the objective of it.2-B
Think about the last movie you saw at the
cinema or on TV. What is different? What is the
same?Useful vocabulary
Actors often / sometimes…
In the past, silent movies used (+ technique)…
They resorted to… The situation appeared + V
It aimed at + V-ing... So as to + V, they used…
Recently, I watched…
Just as in silent movies, there were...
In the past, silent movies used (+ technique)…
They resorted to… The situation appeared + V
It aimed at + V-ing... So as to + V, they used…
Recently, I watched…
Just as in silent movies, there were...
Let's talk this out!
Group work
Mediation
3
What is similar? What is different?
4
Are there elements of silent movies which are still
used in today's cinema? Why or why not?
5
Do you like silent cinema? Why or why not?
Useful vocabulary
While / Whereas silent films…
modern films…
In the past, actors would + V… , but today actors…
I'm keen on / not so keen on…
I find it + adj…
It makes me laugh / feel bored…
In the past, actors would + V… , but today actors…
I'm keen on / not so keen on…
I find it + adj…
It makes me laugh / feel bored…
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Anagram solving
Which characteristic of silent movies is hidden in each anagram? Tip: the first letter is given.
O C A R V E T I N G
I T E E N T L T S I R
S T A S K C L I P
A C Y M A N C O N P I G M S I C U
P C O R N I E J O T S D E P E
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Exprimer l'obligation
- L'auxiliaire modal must
- Toujours suivi de la base verbale sans to.
- Ne se conjugue pas (pas de -s ni de -ed).
- Les expressions modales
- Permettent d'exprimer l'obligation au passé ou au futur.
- Se conjuguent.
- Contiennent un to.
- Trouvez, dans les commentaires précédents, deux façons de parler d'obligation au passé. Connaissez-vous-en d'autres ?
•
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Over to you!
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