Chapter 4 Narrative Form

Exposition The dense amount of detail/information conveyed in the opening scenes of a film Backstory The details of a character’s past that emerge as the film unfolds, and which often explain a character's motivation.

Diegetic Material A term used for any narrative, sound, or visual element not contained in the story world. (Ex: credits, score) Non- Diegetic Material A term used for any narrative, sound, or visual element contained in the imagined world of the story- (Characters see or hear it)

Running time/Screen time The length in minutes for a film to play in it’s entirety. Running time vs. Real time- When a film is REAL TIME it’s running time is the same as if it were filmed “live” Point of Attack The first event the audience sees in the film

Fabula A chronological and complete account of all the events in a narrative. (The story as it happened chronologically including backstory) Syuzhet The selection and ordering of narrative events presented in a film. (The story as shown)

Chapter 5 Mise en Scene

Mise En Scene Definition: Integrated design of a film that is composed of: – Setting – Human Figure – Lighting – Composition

Setting Establish time and place Introduce themes & ideas Create mood Three ways to create setting: On location Soundstage CGI

Human Figure Casting Figure Placement & Movement Costumes & Props Makeup

Typecasting: The practice of repeatedly casting actors in similar roles across different films Method Acting: A style of stage acting developed from the teachings of Stanislavski which trains actors to get into character through the use of emotional memory.

Figure Placement /Movement: Two Planes: Foreground/Background High /Low Connotations: Foreground/higher shows dominance power or oppression Background/lower shows submission, or vulnerability. Same plane = equitable relationship- balance.

Composition The arrangement of all visual elements in the frame

Elements of Composition Balance & Symmetry – Balanced symmetrical shots Imply harmony & order – Imbalanced or asymmetrical shots suggest lack of equilibrium

Elements of Composition Lines & Diagonals Diagonal = Anxiety (Visually strongest of the three) Vertical = Strength (2nd strongest impact) Horizontal= Peace (3rd)

Diagonal Composition Diagonal = Anxiety (Visually strongest of the three)

Vertical Vertical = Strength (2nd strongest impact)

Horizontal Horizontal= Peace (3rd)

Framing – Loose: Figures have a lot of space in the shot; Implies freedom or isolation – Tight: Lack of space around figure contributes to sense of constriction. Implies entrapment or intimacy.

Foreground & Background Light & Dark

Color – Saturated – strong & vivid – Desaturated – less pure- contain more white, washed out