Connecting IB Learner Profile to Film Studies

Knowledgeable – Being knowledgeable of media content and contexts can be useful in writing and reviewing film, and theory aspects of the course 

Risk-takers – Taking risks during practical exercises could lead to overall better products, such as certain camera angles within a short film 

Balanced – Putting an equal amount of effort into each section of the course means that the final products will always be well-rounded and not lacking in specific areas 

Open-minded – Students who are more open to experimentation and other people’s ideas could end up with more impressive work as a result of trying something new 

Reflective – Going back to old work and evaluating where you went wrong helps to improve your abilities within the course 

Caring – Useful for creating a meaningful product, as it may relate closer to a student who cares about their work and puts effort into it 

Principled – Being principled and having a sense of morality could help in deciding whether a piece of work is friendly to audiences, or could cause a conflict 

Communicators – Those who can efficiently communicate with their team during a production typically end up with a better product, and faster 

Inquirers – Seeking to learn more about the course will leave a student with more knowledge on the subject, and will therefore improve their quality of work if they take it into account 

Thinkers – Being able to contemplate elements of your work is a useful skill, linking back to reflection on where you have or might go wrong, or how to do specific tasks 

Categorising Film

Art Films 

Battleship Potemkin 

The Shape of Water 

Alphaville 

Mainstream Film 

A Bug’s Life 

The Breakfast Club 

The Wizard of Oz 

Love, Simon 

Once Upon a Time in The West 

Historically Significant Film 

Fitzcarraldo 

Battleship Potemkin 

The Seven Samurai 

What Makes A Film ‘Good’?

Throughout the history of film and filmmaking, there are certain examples that – thanks to their composition and writing – have dominated their era; be it ‘Citizen Kane’ and Orson Welles’ revolutionization of cinematography with his use of wide angle lenses and rear projection, or Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Psycho’; with a powerful plot-twist, a bone-chilling musical score, and a performance rivaling that of even modern film. In this essay I will be comparing micro and macro aspects of the hit flick ‘Morbius’ to what truly defines a film as ‘good’.


Micro elements of a film surround the process of production, effects, editing, audio mixing and cinematography. The use of micro elements within a movie can impact the mood, create tension within a scene or the narrative, and set the pace for scenes involving combat, fast-paced movements and slow-motion shots. Take this for example; the combat scenes presented within ‘Morbius’ – where the titular character tears through eight mercenary characters, in a combination of slow-motion and quick action shots that provide gory detail to his movements whilst still retaining the breakneck speed of his vicious attacks. Director Daniel Espinosa also made use of dark, moody lighting, deep cyans and crimsons throughout production to further accentuate aspects of the horror genre, the editing maintaining the pace of the main plot and subplots. In addition, Swedish composer Jon Ekstrand creates an eerie, ominous score that raises tension, enhances the action within the film, and keeps an audience engrossed through dramatic moments involving flashbacks and scenes that have a more intimate setting. The CGI throughout the film is also impeccable, displaying realistic transformations as the two ‘pseudo-vampires’ move and change form throughout the picture, keeping a viewer absorbed in the narrative.


Macro elements of film involve the actors’ performance, writing, setting, and plot. These factors are more the deciding factors in how ‘good’ a film truly turns out to be, the word ‘macro’ referring to being larger. Examples of these factors within ‘Morbius’ include actor Jared Leto’s method acting processes – placing himself in similar stresses to his role, losing weight to portray his character with more authenticity, and regaining it after the character’s transformation, typically resulting in leaving an audience with a more realistic, grounded version of the character portrayed. The setting also has another important role; the use of more nighttime scenes toward the final acts of ‘Morbius’ adding to the frightening environment that built up during its runtime, showcasing the vibrant, yet brooding atmosphere of New York City. Furthermore, the dramatic plot of the film strays from the source material, following a dying scientist struggling to find a cure for a rare blood disease that has been plaguing him and many others since birth, only then for said cure to come with superhuman abilities – and a grave cost; an overwhelming desire to feed on human blood. The plot poses a conflict of mortality against morality, and how far a ‘good man’ might go to survive in an unforgiving world where his only sustenance is those around him.


In conclusion, what truly makes a film ‘good’ is a balance between both micro and macro elements and originality, not so much that it ‘needs’ to revolutionize the film world, but enough to move and inspire their audience, and deliver its message effectively, concisely, and while producing a truly invigorating experience that leaves audiences wanting more.