Film Terminology Flashcards
Director
controls the creative/artistic side of the film-making once the film has begun. S/he decides on
the style of the film. The director works closely with everyone involved on the film and his/ her name is
usually strongly associated with the film. (Steven Spielberg / Quentin Tarantino)
cinematographer
consults with the director about the different film techniques and shot types that
will be used, often working with a story board.
composer
A film composer creates the musical score that accompanies a film, which is called the film score. This music falls into three categories
Diegetic music
Music that can be heard by the characters in the depicted scene. For example, imagine a film character is attending a parade with marching bands. The music produced by those bands
is diegetic.
Non-Diegetic music
This is the most common form of film music, typically referred to as the underscore. This is music that a film’s characters cannot hear. Think of the tense vibrato strings when the foolish protagonist of a horror film enters the haunted basement. Or the swelling harp arpeggios when two lovers kiss in an old-fashioned romance.
setting
time and place of film
credits
often woven into the fabric of the film so that they contribute to the atmosphere being created, rather than just providing information.
tagline
the idea behind the tagline is to create a phrase that sums up the tone and premise of a film.
theme
Film communicates some sort of message. This may range from quite a simple message, to something quite complex. The form of the film itself (structure, visual style) may be designed to challenge the audience, while imagery and symbolism are common signposts to a deeper awareness of theme and meaning. It is thus vitally important that the director has linked all of the visual elements to the theme. In other words, they must support the story, and not create discord (unless, of course, this is done intentionally).
Thriller and suspense films
These are types of films known to
promote intense excitement, suspense, a high level of
anticipation, ultra-heightened expectation, uncertainty, anxiety,
and nerve-wracking tension.
Types of conflict?
- Inner
- Personal
- Extra-personal
Mise-en-scene
This commonly refers to the ‘set’, but it really applies to everything that is in front of the camera. The film-maker ‘composes’ the scene by arranging things in front of the camera and moving them around, and thus has great control over what effects are produced. This includes all the information contained in the shot or sequence and it helps us to learn more about the themes and characters in the film. When looking at the mise-en-scene, consider the characters, the set, lighting, colours, foreground, background, camera movement, sound effects etc.
When looking at mise-en-scene, what should one look on?
- focal point (main subject)
- Line - predominantly vertical, horizontal or diagonal lines
- Rule of thirds
- Depth of focus
- Foreground + Background
- Angle
- Shot
- Sound
- Use of space
- Framing of characters
- Lighting
- Props
- Set/s
- Characters
- Costumes
- Colour
Types of shots?
- Establishing shot/ extreme long shot
- Long shot
- Medium long shot
- Medium shot
- Medium close-up
- Close-up
- Extreme close-up
- Point of View shot
- Over the shoulder POV
- One shot
- Two shot
Effects of a long shot?
Establishes the setting, can make character feel small/powerless
