Sample Answer for 2022, Sec C Q8: Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Essay Plan

Introduction:

• Mention that different types of shots can enhance the audience's understanding of the film.
• State that extreme wide shots and close-ups would be key in improving the viewing experience.

Body Paragraph 1: Extreme Wide Shots

• Idea: Helps the audience understand the setting and context.
• Example: When Ricky and Hec first enter the bush, the camera pulls back to show them as small figures in the vast New Zealand wilderness.
• Explain: This shot emphasises their isolation and the challenges of the wild, while also highlighting the beauty and freedom of nature.

Body Paragraph 2: Close-Ups

• Idea: Enhances understanding of characters in key moments.
• Example: In the scene where Hec decides to help Ricky run away, close-up shots focus on their faces.
• Explain: This shot captures their emotions, showing the seriousness of their decision and the bond forming between them, helping the audience connect more deeply with the characters.

Conclusion:

• Summarise how extreme wide shots and close-ups help show both the vastness of the setting and the emotions of the characters, improving the viewing experience.

Sample Answer

Title of Film	Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Director	Taika Waititi

In film, directors use various types of shots to enhance the audience's understanding of the story and the characters. As a director, I would use two key types of shots—extreme wide shots and close-ups—to improve the viewing experience and make important moments more stimulating. These shots help convey the setting and emotions in powerful ways.

Firstly, I would use extreme wide shots to show the vastness of the landscape and give the audience a sense of the characters' challenges. For example, in the film, wide shots could capture the breathtaking and wild New Zealand scenery, particularly when Ricky and Hec are deep in the wilderness. One key moment where this shot could be used is when they first set off into the bush. The camera would pull back to show them as tiny figures in a huge, untamed landscape. This would emphasise their isolation and convey to the audience how small and vulnerable they are compared to the wild world around them. It sets the tone for their adventure, showing both the beauty and the difficulty of surviving in nature.

Additionally, close-up shots are essential for capturing the characters' emotions and helping the audience connect with them. For instance, when Hec decides to help Ricky run away, close-up shots of their faces would capture their serious expressions, showing the bond that is starting to grow between them. By focusing on their faces, the audience can see the tension and fear in Ricky's eyes, as well as the determination in Hec's. This moment is important because it marks a turning point in their relationship, and the close-ups make it feel more personal and emotional.

Using both extreme wide shots and close-ups would enhance the audience's experience by showing the vastness of the setting and the depth of the characters' emotions. These shots help tell the story in a way that makes the audience feel more connected to both the characters and the world they live in.