Terms Flashcards
Linear
the events of the story unfolding in the order in which they occurred
Non-linear
where events are portrayed, for example, out of chronological order or in other ways where the narrative does not follow the direct causality pattern of the events featured, such as parallel distinctive plot lines,
Ambient Sound
Natural sounds used to establish a
location
Antagonist
the villain in a
story or the person the audience is
meant to dislike.
Binary opposites
Two things which are linked in some way but
are shown as being totally different to one
another
Breaking the 4th wall
When a character in a programme or film,
turns to the camera and talks directly to the
audience.
Canted frame
A shot where the camera is not level
and the picture appears ‘lopsided’
Connotation
The “hidden meaning” behind
something.
Contrapuntal sound
Sound (often music) which seems like it is
totally opposite in atmosphere to what is
actually going on.
Diegetic sound
Sound that could be heard if you were
a character in the film or TV
programme
Direct address
Where a media text talks directly to the
audience, usually in an attempt to draw
them in or “engage them”
Dissolve
A type of editing transition that involves one
shot fading out, while another shot fades in
Fade
The gradual darkening or lightening of
an image until it becomes black or
white.
Genre
Another word for “type”. There are
lots of different genres of film such as
horror, sci-fi and action.
Graphic matchup
Placing two video shots next to one another
that look very similar.
High angle
A shot where the camera is placed
high up, looking down on something or
someone.
High key lighting
Lighting which is bright and allows you
to see most or all of what is going on
Low angle
A shot where the camera is placed low
down looking up at something or
someone
Low key lighting
Lighting which is dark and allows you
to only see a small amount of what is
going on
Mainstream
Something that is considered popular
and is aimed at a large number of
people.
Mise-en-scene
Includes literally what you can See
Montage
A combination of moving images all next to
each other, normally to show the passing of
time or to put across a hidden message.
Narrative
Another word for the storyline or
plot of a film or programme
Narrative Enigma
Describes parts of a plot in a Film or TV
Programme which are told in a mysterious
way that encourages the audience to keep
watching to find out what happens, who
someone is, what is going on etc.
