Intro to Film Terms & Vocabulary Chapter 1-2

Criteria of a Classic Film Technological Achievement/ Innovation Marked Influence on the craft of filmmaking Universal Themes Social/Political/Cultural Significance, Defines an era Embodies a genre

Star-system System for marketing films by creating and promoting stars as objects of admiration.

Narrative Fiction Film Film concerned with telling a story, in which characters help convince the audience that the unfolding events of the story are real.

Avant-garde film: “experimental /underground cinema” The goal is artistic invention. Films have limited distribution and usually seen at art museums, universities, etc. Example- Pleasures of Montauk – Jonas Mekas

Motif Any narrative, visual, or sound element that is repeated and thereby has significance and reflects some insight to the story, characters, or themes of the film Motif Podcast

Process to Determine Motif: 1.Identify 2. Track 3. Interpret/Propose Meaning

Colors Phrases Visual Elements/Items Music Types of Motif:

Parallel A similarity established between two characters or situations that invites the audience to compare the two. It may involve visual, narrative, and/ or sound elements

Shot The building block of a scene. An uninterrupted sequence of frames that viewers experience as they watch a film. Ends with a cut, fade, dissolve, etc.

Cut An abrupt transition that occurs when Shot A is instantaneously replaced by Shot B. A cut joins two non-consecutive frames of film.

Turning Points A narrative moment that signals an important shift of some kind in character or situation.

Intertextual Reference A narrative, visual, or sound element that refers viewers to other films or works of art. Sometimes called homage.

Product Placement An agreement made between filmmakers and those who license the use of commercial products to feature those products in films, generally as props used by characters.

Film Analysis Descriptive Claim – A neutral account of the basic plot and style of the complete film, a part of the film, or a group of films.

Film Analysis Evaluative Claim – A statement that asserts a judgment that a given film or group of films is good or bad based on specific criteria.

Interpretive Claim A statement that presents an argument about a film’s meaning and significance. Presents themes and ideas Needs to be well supported by details from the film Film Analysis

Activity (graded) Get into a group of five or fewer: Choose any movie that you’ve all seen. In complete sentences write: 1.Descriptive Claim 2.Evaluative Claim 3.Interpretive Claim Make sure everyone’s name is printed neatly on your paper.