In this assignment, students in Introduction to Film and Media Studies performed shot-by-shot analysis of a film scene using GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) images in place of traditional short-by- shot analysis formats. Why use GIFS? Because they not only force students to deconstruct a film scene into its segmented layers of time and place, into individual shots and even frames (using Photoshop software, in this case), but also make the semiotic codes (e.g. use of lighting, camera distance) apparent through the repetition of movement in the completed GIF. The complete GIF can be embedded in an essay on a course site, allowing the reader to compare interpretations and analysis with the moving image, not just the still of a screen capture. This assignment was supported by a workshop in which students learned the step by step process of creating GIFs before being asked to create their own
