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Eduqas A-Level Film Studies > The Key Elements of Film Form: Performance > Flashcards

The Key Elements of Film Form: Performance Flashcards

1
Q

Filmmakers use a range of elements in constructing narrative meaning and generating response.
What are the five Key Elements of Film Form?

A

MSPEC

  • Mise en scene
  • Sound
  • Performance
  • Editing
  • Cinematography
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2
Q

What are the 4 Principal Elements of Performance?

A
  • The use of non verbal communication including physical expression and vocal delivery
  • The significance of the interaction between actors
  • Performance styles in cinema including method and improvisatory styles
  • The significance of casting
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3
Q

List 2 ways in which Performance is a Creative Collaboration.

A
  • The role of directing as a ‘choreography’ of stage movement
  • The relationship between performance and cinematography
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4
Q

List 4 ways that Performance Conveys Messages and Values.

A
  • Why different spectators –> different interpretations of the same performance
  • How performance –> used to align spectators and relates to interpretation of narrative
  • How performance –> contributes to ideologies of film
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5
Q

What are the 4 common things to think about when analysing how the Key Elements of Film Form (cinematography, mise-en-scene, sound, editing, performance) convey Messages and Values?

A
  • How [Camera shot / M-e-s / Editing / Sound / Performance] –> contributes to narrative development
  • How [Camera shot / M-e-s / Editing / Sound / Performance] –> generates multiple connotations and suggests a range of interpretations
  • Why different spectators –> different interpretations of the same [Camera shot / M-e-s / Editing / Sound / Performance]
  • How [Camera shot / M-e-s / Editing / Sound / Performance] –> used to align spectators and relates to interpretation of narrative
  • How [Camera shot / M-e-s / Editing / Sound / Performance] –> contributes to ideologies of film
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6
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form

What is aesthetic?

A

The style adopted by an artist or a film movement

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7
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form

What is production?

A

The period of actual shooting

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8
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form

What are auteurs?

A

Certain directors will have a strong aesthetic

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9
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form

What is pre-production?

A

The period prior to filming, where key decisions are made, including securing funding, selecting actors and creative personnel, choosing locations, building sets, designing costumes and determining the film’s aesthetic and planning the production schedule.

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10
Q

Core Study Areas: FIlm Form: Performance: Communication

Complete the cloze:
Performance includes both __________ and __________ performances with special attention being paid to ________ ________, _____ _____, _____ between performers and the specificity of performance for the __________.

A
  • Individual
  • Ensemble
  • Physical expression, vocal delivery, interaction
  • Camera
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11
Q

Core Study Areas: FIlm Form: Performance: Communication

Complete the cloze:

A film’s _______ and ________ aesthetic, generated through the ____________, _________, ________ and _______ will be reflected in the ___________ ___________ .

A
  • Visual
  • Aural
  • Cinematography, mise-en-scene, editing sound
  • Actors’ performance
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12
Q

Core Study Areas: FIlm Form: Performance: Communication

What 3 things about actors’ performances add to the storytelling and look of the film?

A
  • How they are placed within the frame
  • How they move within it
  • How they deliver their dialogue
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13
Q

Core Study Areas: FIlm Form: Performance: Communication

What 3 things will have an impact on how the film is cast and what style of acting will be used?

A
  • Film genre
  • Whether it is a Hollywood blockbuster or an independent film
  • The director’s vision and working methods
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14
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication: Verbal and non-verbal communication

What 3 visual/non-verbal things (and one more) help to build the audience’s understanding of a character and their relationship with others?

A
  • Figure
  • Expression
  • Movement
  • Appearance
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15
Q

Core Study Areas: FIlm Form: Performance: Communication: Verbal and non-verbal communication

What question should you consider when analysing “figure” in terms of an actor’s performance?

A
  • If they are sitting still, what pose have they assumed? How do the other characters and ingredients of mise-en-scene relate to them?
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16
Q

Core Study Areas: FIlm Form: Performance: Communication: Verbal and non-verbal communication

What question should you consider when analysing “expression” in terms of an actor’s performance?

A
  • What thoughts or feelings does the actor’s performance project?
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17
Q

Core Study Areas: FIlm Form: Performance: Communication: Verbal and non-verbal communication

What question should you consider when analysing “movement” in terms of an actor’s performance?

A
  • How do the actors move through the frame? Consider their speed, gracefulness or even their complete lack of coordination
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18
Q

Core Study Areas: FIlm Form: Performance: Communication: Verbal and non-verbal communication

Give 3 examples of appearance that are also relevant to help build an understanding of a character.

A
  • Neat or dishevelled
  • Young or old
  • Healthy or ill?
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19
Q

Core Study Areas: FIlm Form: Performance: Communication: Verbal and non-verbal communication

True or False: Non-verbal communication elements of performance are often more powerful than the elements used to deliver dialogue.

A
  • True
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20
Q

Core Study Areas: FIlm Form: Performance: Communication: Body codes

List the names of the 10 key communication methods from Argyle (quoted in Fiske, 2010). Indicate which of the 10 is a verbal (as opposed to non-verbal) method.

A
  1. Direct bodily context
  2. The proximity of one character to another
  3. The orientation of one to another
  4. General appearance
  5. Head movements
  6. Facial expressions
  7. Eye movement or contact
  8. Body posture/body language
  9. Gestures
  10. Aspects of speech
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21
Q

Core Study Areas: FIlm Form: Performance: Communication: Body codes

Give an explanation of Direct Bodily Contact communication method.

A
  • Are character touching each other, if so how? Combined with the positioning of characters this can reveal much about their relationship.
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22
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication: Body codes

Give an explanation of The Proximity of One Character to Another communication method. What is the name for this?

A
  • Are the characters close together or far apart? This will reveal how intimate these characters are and may change over the course of the film.
  • Proxemics
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23
Q

Core Study Areas: FIlm Form: Performance: Communication: Body codes

Give an explanation of The Orientation of One Character to Another communication method

A
  • Are the characters turned towards or away from each other? This could reveal whether they are working together or what they feel about one another.
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24
Q

Core Study Areas: FIlm Form: Performance: Communication: Body codes

Give an explanation of the General Appearance communication method.

A
  • Are they fat, thin, short? Are they well-dressed? how does their appearance compare with those around them?
25
Q

Core Study Areas: FIlm Form: Performance: Communication: Body codes

Give an explanation of the Head Movements communication method.

A
  • How is the actor using their head to express emotion or suggest meaning? A slow side-to-side shake of the head could indicate sorrow, whereas a fast one disagreement
26
Q

Core Study Areas: FIlm Form: Performance: Communication: Body codes

Give an explanation of the Facial Expressions communication method.

A
  • How are these being use to reveal emotions.
27
Q

Core Study Areas: FIlm Form: Performance: Communication: Body codes

Give an explanation of the Eye Movements or Eye Contact communication method.

A
  • Does a character look directly into the eye of another, or do they look down or up? What does this convey? How long is the eye contact held? Does the actor blink frequently or not all? What are they trying to achieve with the eye contact
28
Q

Core Study Areas: FIlm Form: Performance: Communication: Body codes

Give an explanation of the Body Posture/Body Language communication method.

A
  • Does the way the actor walk or hold himself, suggest a particular emotion such as pain or anger. Can you tell whether a character is confident or timid from the way they enter a room or sit? Is their body posture open or closed?
29
Q

Core Study Areas: FIlm Form: Performance: Communication: Body codes

Give an explanation of the Gestures communication method. What is another name for this?

A
  • How does the actor use their hands? Are they still or restless? Can you tell how pleased they are to see someone from their wave.
  • Kinesics
30
Q

Core Study Areas: FIlm Form: Performance: Communication: Body codes

Give an explanation of the Aspects of Speech communication method. What is another name for this?

A
  • An actor uses a range of techniques (pace, pitch, stress, volume, pause, accents) to deliver lines of dialogue, which will develop the characters and generate responses.
31
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Aspects of Speech

List 6 verbal communication techniques that actors draw on when delivering lines of dialogue.

A
  1. Pitch
  2. Stress
  3. Tone
  4. Volume
  5. Accent
  6. Pausing
32
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Aspects of Speech

What do the dramatic aspects of performance/speech help to do?

A
  • Helps bring the characters to life and express the required emotion and meaning.
33
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Aspects of Speech

Describe the difference in the way the actors speak in a film that strives for realism vs. a film that is highly stylised

A
  • In real life there are certain patterns of speaking that come naturally. People vary their volume and pace, they pause and stumble over words.
  • Highly stylised films might require actors to fully enunciate all words, or deliver them in an exaggerated tone.
34
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Aspects of Speech

What can the choice of delivery of speech ensure?

A
  • It will ensure that a character is well defined, believable and complements the film’s overall aesthetic.
35
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Pace or Tempo

What pace/tempo of dialogue would be used if what a character is saying is important? Why? What part of a film is a slow pace most likely to be used?

A
  • The pace is generally slower so the audience can take it in.
  • At the beginning of a film as the audience is getting to know the setting character and direction of the story.
36
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Pace or Tempo

What does a fast paced tempo of dialogue suggest? An even paces? A slow paced?

A
  • A face paced tempo suggests high energy or extremes of emotions.
  • An even paced tempo suggest control and self confidence.
  • A slow pace paced suggests deep thoughts, indecision or loneliness.
37
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Pitch

What is pitch with regards to dialogue? Describe the relationship between pitch and gender.

A
  • Pitch is the relative highness or lowness of the tone of a voice, men will generally havea lower pitch than women.
38
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Stress

What is stress with regards to dialogue? How is stress achieved in dialogue?

A
  • Stress is used to place emphasis on key words or phrases; this can be achieved by stretching a word out, pausing or delivering the word/line with a greater force.
39
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Volume

How is volume used in dialogue?

A
  • Volume is used to place empahsis and as an indication of the emotional energy of a character or their setting.
40
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Pauses

What are the 7 most significant reasons that pauses are used in dialogue?

A
  1. End of a thought
  2. Searching for the right word
  3. To take a breath
  4. For emphasis
  5. Being distracted
  6. Waiting for a response
  7. Dawning realisation
41
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Pauses

Complete the cloze:

__________, combined with _________ or ___ _________, develop the ________ at each stage of the narrative and create further _______ for the audience.

A
  • Pauses
  • Gestures
  • Eye movements
  • Character
  • Meaning
42
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Pauses

What might too many pauses indicate?

A
  • Weakness or confusion.
43
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Pauses

Why might long pauses be used in dialog?

A
  • It draws attention to the technique and may make the audience aware they are watching actors deliver lines of dialogue.
44
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Accents

What is the most noticeable element of dialogue delivery?

A
  • Accents are the most noticeable
45
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Accents

Complete the cloze:

An accent can be ____________, __________ and _____ appropriate.

A
  • Geographically, historically and class appropiate.
46
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Accents

List some reasons why different accents would be used in a film.

A
  • Regional accents evoke different responses, and can be used as a short cut to a character and setting.
47
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Performance Style

List and define the 3 styles of performance.

A
  • Realism (subtle): independent; social realist; docu-drama
  • Classicism (naturalistic): mainstream; Hollywood
  • Formalism (overt/stylistic): art film; expressionistic.
48
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Performance Style: Realist

How should a realist performance style “feel”? What 2 types of actors may be employed to achieve this?

A
  • Feel authentic

- Actors that are natural on camera and may often employ non-professional.

49
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Performance Style: Realist

What 2 types of acting techniques are most often used in realist films?

A
  • Improvisation and method acting
50
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Performance Style: Classical

Describe the Classical acting style.

A
  • Characters are usually played by well-known actors who bring with them a certain set of social and moral values that audiences respond to.
51
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Performance Style: Formalist

Describe the Formalist acting style.

A
  • It may be ‘over-the-top’, appearing arch or highly stylised.
52
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Performance

What are the two acting styles that can be used to create believable characters? Which one is the tool of the director, and which one is the tool of the actor?

A
  • Improvisation and method acting
  • Improvisation is the tool of the director and dictates the overriding performance style for all actors
  • Method acting is seen as tool of the actor.
53
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Performance: Improvisation and Method Acting

In Improvisational Acting, over a period of time, the actors work with the director to develop their characters. What 3 types of understanding can actors gain about the characters they are portraying?

A
  • The process allows the actor to inhabit that character and gain insights into what their life was like before the story being told.
  • They will learn how they would respond in a certain situation.
54
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Performance: Improvisation Acting

What 2 approaches to cinematography are usually used with Improvisational Acting?

A
  • The cinematography is often hand-held to allow the camera to follow the action, or a simple fixed shot capturing the scene as it unfolds.
55
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Performance: Improvisation Acting

Complete the cloze:

___________ and ___________ in the _______ is encouraged by some filmmakers into order to provide a sense of __________ and ___________.

A
  • Ad-libbing and improvising
  • Moment
  • Authenticity and Momentum
56
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Performance: Method Acting

What is Method Acting, what did it evolve from?

A
  • An actor would attempt to replicate the experiences of their character as much as they can prior to and during the production
  • ## When an actor would explore the emotional inner life of the character to create a verbal and physically realist performance
57
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Performance: Method Acting

When would a method actor be in character? What might they do?

A
  • Prior to and during production

- Go to extreme lengths of weight gain or weight loss for a role.

58
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Performance: Improvisation Acting

CASE STUDY
Describe some features of Improvisation in a clip of “Secrets and Lies”.

A

Position of two actors means that they spend more time looking out and don’t make much eye contact. When they do make eye contact, they turn away –> They are not comfortable with each other.

Cynthia is restless shown by –> she tugs on her coat with trembeling fingers smokes a cigarette.

Hortense shown as being in control by –> her controlled gestures and her line delivery is more restrained.

59
Q

Core Study Areas: Film Form: Performance: Communication and Style: Performance: Method Acting

CASE STUDY
Describe some features of Method Acting in a clip of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”.

A
  • Observation in a psychiatric hospital
  • Staying in character between scenes
  • Living Oregon State Hospital while in production
  • Film included non-professional actors

Eduqas A-Level Film Studies (11 decks)

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