Cinema
Writing about film Words to avoid: Movies, flicks and motion picture are casual words used by the public to describe films When writing formal or academic pieces use the word “film” When typing, the title of the film should be in italics. When writing by hand it should be in quotation marks.
Writing about film NOT in first person - The director made me feel sympathy for the main character NOT second person The director makes you feel sympathy for the main character ALWAYS in third person - The director encourages the audience to feel sympathy for the main character
Writing about film To avoid repetition: Alternate between the director’s name, “the filmmaker”, “the director” etc. Alternate between “the audience”, “the viewer” etc E.g. Speilberg manipulates the audience… The filmmaker positions the viewer… The director utilises a range of techniques…
Writing about film Tom Hanks plays Forrest Gump, an endearing and innocent character with a below average IQ. Forrest Gump, played by Tom Hanks is an endearing and innocent character with a below average IQ. Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) is an endearing and innocent character with a below average IQ.
Writing about film Don’t say: “The film uses sound and music to create an eerie atmosphere” The film didn’t direct itself!
Writing about film Avoid abbreviations and casual everyday language in formal writing. The movie doesn’t get obvious and boring. It is a really good film with lots of wicked scenes. Try to be sophisticated when describing the film The filmmaker displays subtlety and skill. This outstanding film showcases the director’s ability to manipulate the audience in a range of compelling scenes.
Basic Film Terms Shot – a continuous piece of filming without interruption An Edit – a break in the film where one shot finishes and the next begins 4 common types: Cuts Dissolves Fades Wipes
Basic Film Terms A Scene – a collection of shots arrabged through editing in a specific order The Frame – border or edge of the screen Framing – the art of deciding what audience will see Diegesis – everything contained within the world of the film e.g. sounds made by the characters
Basic Film Terms Non-diegetic elements - parts of the film that are external to the world of the film. e.g. soundtrack, credits
Film Terms Narrative – the storyline of the film. The sequence of events placed in the correct order to make meaning Genre – set of narrative and stylistic “rules” common to a “type” of movie. Rules which audiences are familiar with and filmmakers adhere to e.g. Western
Film Terms Intertextuality – reference to another film to deliberately evoke the audiences memory of that film Classic Hollywood Cinema – style of filmmaking pioneered by filmmakers in the US. It is the dominant style in Western cinema Arthouse cinema – independent films that deliberately defy the conventions of classic Hollywood cinema
Film Style Mise-en-scéne all the visual elements within the frame Cinematography the art of photographing moving images Editing – art of putting shots together in a desired sequence Sound – all the audio elements within the film E.g. dialogue, sound effects, soundtrack
Moving Images Making short films
Basic Film Terms Shot – a continuous piece of filming without interruption An Edit – a break in the film where one shot finishes and the next begins. There are four common types of edits: Cuts Dissolves Fades Wipes
Cuts
Cuts
Dissolves
Dissolves
Fades
Fades
Wipes
Wipes
Basic Film Terms A Scene – a collection of shots arranged through editing in a specific order The Frame – border or edge of the screen Framing – the art of deciding what audience will see Diegesis – everything contained within the world of the film e.g. sounds made by the characters
Basic Film Terms Non-diegetic elements - parts of the film that are external to the world of the film. e.g. soundtrack, credits
Film Terms Narrative – the storyline of the film. The sequence of events placed in the correct order to make meaning Genre – set of narrative and stylistic “rules” common to a “type” of movie. Rules which audiences are familiar with and filmmakers adhere to e.g. Western
Film Terms Intertextuality – reference to another film to deliberately evoke the audiences memory of that film Classic Hollywood Cinema – style of filmmaking pioneered by filmmakers in the US. It is the dominant style in Western cinema Arthouse cinema – independent films that deliberately defy the conventions of classic Hollywood cinema
Film Style Mise-en-scéne all the visual elements within the frame Cinematography the art of photographing moving images Editing – art of putting shots together in a desired sequence Sound – all the audio elements within the film E.g. dialogue, sound effects, soundtrack
Camera Angles EL – Eye level: horizontal, on the same level. HA – High angle: above the subject looking down. LA – Low angle: below the subject looking up.
What camera angle has been used here? High angle shot (HA) What effect does it have? It makes the person seem small and insignificant.
What camera angle has been used here? Eye level shot (EL) What effect does it have? It makes the actors seem equal in stature and importance
What camera angle has been used here? Eye level shot. What effect does it have? It makes the person seem small and insignificant.
What camera angle has been used here? Low angle shot. What effect does it have? It makes the person seem huge and overpowering.
Cinematography Establishing shot: orients the audience into the world of the film, slowly drawing them into the plot without effecting the progression of the story: it is a solid foundation from which to build the plot.
Camera Work Close up: causes the audience to feel uneasy, and to focus their attention fully on the subject of the shot.
Camera Work
Camera Work
Tilted frame/dutch shot creates a disorientating sense of unease
High angle shot
High angle shot
Low angle shot
Crane shot
POV shot