The Florida Project - AS 91473 - English 3.2
The Florida Project
English 3.2 Full Notes and Planning for External Exam
Quotes:
Human little movie when its internal worlds finally collide: Moonee’s self-willed magic
kingdom and her mother’s less-hopeful reality. Moonee, though, has the mark of a
survivor. “This is my favourite tree. It's knocked down but still growing.”
Director’s quotes:
“Through my films, I try to see a common thread in everybody. I think that’s important
- to show the universal stories that everybody around the world can identify with.
Going into this project, I knew kids were going to be kids, so that was something I
wanted to explore. That even kids in difficult circumstances - yes, they may be
aware, and yes, eventually it will take its toll…. I mean, there are studies that show
that kids who are transient; who don’t have secure surroundings, do worse in school
and lead down the same path as their parents into poverty. But at the same time,
when they’re at that age, they’re still playing the same games that I played in my
suburbs in [New] Jersey. (www.rookiemag.com).
Ideas:
Sisyphean existence: living hand to mouth. Classical allusion. It is to tease or
torment by offering something desirable but keeping it out of reach. For example,
Disney World is always in the background, but always out of reach for the kids.
Moonee must use her imagination rather than use money. She would go for
adventures…
The American Dream: if you work hard, you will achieve success.
,The Florida Project - AS 91473 - English 3.2
Step 1: Choosing the Question
● Read all the questions and think carefully about what the questions sya. It is
● At Level Three, all questions require you to argue a point of view. Think: How
true is this statement for film, in general (to what extent). How does the film I
have studied reflect the statement? Why does the film reflect the statement?
How and/or why does this film have modern relevance?
What I need to include?
● You must refer to film techniques. It is important to show that you are writing
about film and not poetry or novels. You can do this by using some of the
following: mise en scene, juxtaposition, cinematography, montage, lighting,
voice over, sound, music, dialogue, costume, colour, acting/body language
etc.
What else do I need to say?
● Give a personal response. Show how the film or the ideas connect to an
audience.
● Make a judgement about how effective the film is.
● Discuss how visual and verbal features work together to create effects.
● Discuss director’s purpose: create this setting to unsettle the viewer and make
them re-evaluate their own ideas regarding…
● Discuss how/why the film has relevance today.
How do I get excellence?
● Be original
● Have a strong argument that is convincing.
● Takes an unusual angle on the question.
● Uses a good, strong, sophisticated vocabulary.
● Shows high level analysis.
● Weave techniques and examples from the film to support the argument.
, The Florida Project - AS 91473 - English 3.2
Cinema verité: a style of ‘documentary’ filmmaking invented in the 1960s, which
shows people in everyday situations with authentic dialogue and naturalness of
action. It combines improvisation with the use of the camera to unveil truth or
highlight subjects hidden behind crude reality. It is sometimes called observational
cinema.
Psychological realism: a literary method in which a piece of fiction focuses on the
interior motives, psychological processes, and characters’ mental narratives instead
of simply telling a story.
Social commentary: the act of using literature to comment on aspects of society,
often done with the idea to promote change to a reader’s morals.
Slice of life drama: a narrative technique in which a seemingly arbitrary sequence
of events in a character’s life is presented, often lacking plot development, conflict
and exposition, as well as often having an open ending.
Neo realism: a film movement characterised by stories set amongst the poor and
the working class, filmed on location, frequently using non-professional actors.
Homage: to pay respect, or honour someone, or something.
Vignette: a brief evocative description account, or episode.
Hegemony: an internalised form of social control which makes certain views
‘natural’, or invisible so that they hardly seem like views at all, just ‘the ways things
are’. (Antonio Gramsci). Moonee and Halley are victims of hegemony. Wow. this is
my world. I don’t know any different.
Magical realism: a genre of fiction that expresses a primarily realistic view of the
real world while also, adding, or revealing ‘magical’ elements. (credit: Alex Freeman).
The last scene contains an element of magical realism: the situation is in their heads
as it’s what they want to happen.
The Florida Project
English 3.2 Full Notes and Planning for External Exam
Quotes:
Human little movie when its internal worlds finally collide: Moonee’s self-willed magic
kingdom and her mother’s less-hopeful reality. Moonee, though, has the mark of a
survivor. “This is my favourite tree. It's knocked down but still growing.”
Director’s quotes:
“Through my films, I try to see a common thread in everybody. I think that’s important
- to show the universal stories that everybody around the world can identify with.
Going into this project, I knew kids were going to be kids, so that was something I
wanted to explore. That even kids in difficult circumstances - yes, they may be
aware, and yes, eventually it will take its toll…. I mean, there are studies that show
that kids who are transient; who don’t have secure surroundings, do worse in school
and lead down the same path as their parents into poverty. But at the same time,
when they’re at that age, they’re still playing the same games that I played in my
suburbs in [New] Jersey. (www.rookiemag.com).
Ideas:
Sisyphean existence: living hand to mouth. Classical allusion. It is to tease or
torment by offering something desirable but keeping it out of reach. For example,
Disney World is always in the background, but always out of reach for the kids.
Moonee must use her imagination rather than use money. She would go for
adventures…
The American Dream: if you work hard, you will achieve success.
,The Florida Project - AS 91473 - English 3.2
Step 1: Choosing the Question
● Read all the questions and think carefully about what the questions sya. It is
● At Level Three, all questions require you to argue a point of view. Think: How
true is this statement for film, in general (to what extent). How does the film I
have studied reflect the statement? Why does the film reflect the statement?
How and/or why does this film have modern relevance?
What I need to include?
● You must refer to film techniques. It is important to show that you are writing
about film and not poetry or novels. You can do this by using some of the
following: mise en scene, juxtaposition, cinematography, montage, lighting,
voice over, sound, music, dialogue, costume, colour, acting/body language
etc.
What else do I need to say?
● Give a personal response. Show how the film or the ideas connect to an
audience.
● Make a judgement about how effective the film is.
● Discuss how visual and verbal features work together to create effects.
● Discuss director’s purpose: create this setting to unsettle the viewer and make
them re-evaluate their own ideas regarding…
● Discuss how/why the film has relevance today.
How do I get excellence?
● Be original
● Have a strong argument that is convincing.
● Takes an unusual angle on the question.
● Uses a good, strong, sophisticated vocabulary.
● Shows high level analysis.
● Weave techniques and examples from the film to support the argument.
, The Florida Project - AS 91473 - English 3.2
Cinema verité: a style of ‘documentary’ filmmaking invented in the 1960s, which
shows people in everyday situations with authentic dialogue and naturalness of
action. It combines improvisation with the use of the camera to unveil truth or
highlight subjects hidden behind crude reality. It is sometimes called observational
cinema.
Psychological realism: a literary method in which a piece of fiction focuses on the
interior motives, psychological processes, and characters’ mental narratives instead
of simply telling a story.
Social commentary: the act of using literature to comment on aspects of society,
often done with the idea to promote change to a reader’s morals.
Slice of life drama: a narrative technique in which a seemingly arbitrary sequence
of events in a character’s life is presented, often lacking plot development, conflict
and exposition, as well as often having an open ending.
Neo realism: a film movement characterised by stories set amongst the poor and
the working class, filmed on location, frequently using non-professional actors.
Homage: to pay respect, or honour someone, or something.
Vignette: a brief evocative description account, or episode.
Hegemony: an internalised form of social control which makes certain views
‘natural’, or invisible so that they hardly seem like views at all, just ‘the ways things
are’. (Antonio Gramsci). Moonee and Halley are victims of hegemony. Wow. this is
my world. I don’t know any different.
Magical realism: a genre of fiction that expresses a primarily realistic view of the
real world while also, adding, or revealing ‘magical’ elements. (credit: Alex Freeman).
The last scene contains an element of magical realism: the situation is in their heads
as it’s what they want to happen.
