Intro to Film Studies

preproduction

The phase in filmmaking where initial planning occurs, including script development, casting, location scouting, and budgeting before actual shooting begins.

production

The stage in filmmaking where the actual shooting takes place, involving the execution of the script, direction, and performances by the actors.

postproduction

The final phase in filmmaking where editing, sound design, visual effects, and color correction are completed, along with the preparation for distribution.

cinematic conventions

Standard practices and techniques used in filmmaking to convey meaning, create atmosphere, and enhance storytelling, such as framing, lighting, and editing styles.

principles of film form

The foundational elements that shape cinematic language and structure, including narrative, mise-en-scène, sound, and editing techniques.

function

The specific role or purpose of elements or techniques within a film that contribute to its overall meaning or emotional impact.

similarity and repetition

The recurring motifs and patterns in a film that create coherence and support thematic development, enhancing viewer engagement and understanding.

difference and variation

The contrasting elements and unique deviations in a film that provide interest and complexity, allowing for differentiation among scenes or themes.

development

The progression and evolution of characters, themes, or narratives within a film, shaping the overall storyline and emotional resonance.

unity/disunity

The degree to which various elements of a film work together harmoniously or contrast significantly, contributing to an overall sense of cohesion or fragmentation in the narrative.

narrative

The structured representation of a series of events in a film, encompassing the plot, characters, and themes that convey a particular story. The narrative can be linear or non-linear, influencing how viewers engage with the unfolding action.

story

A structured sequence of events that conveys a message or theme within a film, typically involving characters facing conflicts and challenges.

plot

The blueprint or detailed outline of a film's story, focusing on the arrangement and sequence of events, as well as how they develop the narrative and engage the audience.

diegesis

The narrative construct that encompasses all elements within a film's world, including events, characters, and settings, as perceived by the viewer.

temporal order, frequency, and duration

are aspects of narrative structure that define the arrangement of events in a film, how often they occur, and the length of time they are presented.

exposition

The portion of a narrative that introduces background information, characters, and the setting, establishing the context for the story's events.

closure

The resolution of the narrative, providing a sense of completeness and answers to the story's conflicts, allowing the audience to understand the fate of the characters.

location shooting

The practice of filming on location in real-world settings instead of using a studio or constructed sets, which can add authenticity and realism to a film's visual narrative.

studio sets

The constructed environments used for filming in a controlled studio setting, providing a versatile backdrop for various scenes and allowing for greater control over lighting and sound.

hard lighting

A lighting technique that creates strong contrasts between light and shadow, emphasizing texture and detail in a shot. It is often used to create dramatic effects or highlight specific aspects of a scene.

soft lighting

A lighting technique that creates a diffused, gentle illumination, reducing harsh shadows and emphasizing texture in a visually pleasing manner.

frontal lighting

A lighting technique where the light source is directed towards the front of the subject, minimizing shadows and providing even illumination. It is commonly used to create a flat, straightforward representation of the subject.

back lighting

A lighting technique where the light source is placed behind the subject, creating a silhouette effect or enhancing depth by separating the subject from the background.

side lighting

A lighting technique where the light source is positioned to the side of the subject, creating strong shadows and highlights that define the subject's shape and texture.

top lighting

A lighting technique where the light source is positioned above the subject, creating dramatic highlights and shadows that enhance the contours and depth of the subject's form.

under lighting

A lighting technique where the light source is positioned below the subject, creating eerie effects by casting shadows upward and altering facial features.

key light

The primary light source used in a scene, often responsible for illuminating the subject and creating the overall mood. It is typically the strongest and most directed light in a lighting setup.

fill light

A secondary light source used in a scene to soften or illuminate shadows created by the key light. It helps balance the lighting and ensure the subject is evenly lit.

three-point lighting

A standard lighting method that uses three light sources: key light, fill light, and back light. This technique creates depth and dimension by illuminating the subject from multiple angles.

high-key lighting

A lighting style that aims to reduce the lighting ratio present in the scene, resulting in a bright and evenly lit image with minimal shadows.

low-key lighting

A lighting technique that emphasizes shadows and high contrast by using a key light that is much stronger than the fill light, creating a dramatic effect.

symmetrical composition

A visual arrangement in which elements are balanced on either side of a central axis, creating harmony and stability in the frame.

balanced composition

A visual technique where elements are arranged to create visual equilibrium in a frame, resulting in a pleasing and harmonious image.

unbalanced composition

A visual arrangement where elements are intentionally placed in a way that creates tension or instability, often drawing the viewer's attention to a focal point.

shallow-space composition

A technique where the depth of the frame is limited, often focusing on foreground elements and creating a sense of closeness or intimacy.

deep-space composition

A visual technique that utilizes the depth of a scene to create a sense of three-dimensional space, often emphasizing distance and perspective.

shot

The basic unit of film, representing a single continuous recording from a camera, which can vary in duration, framing, and angle.

scene

A sequence of continuous action in a film, typically taking place in a single location or involving a single event, often contributing to the narrative progression.

high-contrast cinematography

A visual style that uses stark differences between light and dark areas to create dramatic effects, often enhancing mood and emotion in a film.

low-contrast cinematography

A visual style characterized by minimal differences between light and dark areas, resulting in a softer, more muted image that may evoke a calm or subdued atmosphere.

saturated colors

A style in cinematography where colors are intense and vivid, often enhancing visual appeal and emotional impact. d

desaturated colors

A cinematographic style where colors are muted or softened, resulting in a more subdued and understated visual appearance, often used to convey a certain mood or thematic depth.

underexposure

A technique in photography and cinematography where an image is intentionally exposed to less light than needed, resulting in a darker image with more shadow and reduced detail.

overexposure

A cinematographic technique where an image is excessively exposed to light, resulting in a bright and washed-out appearance, often creating a surreal effect.

fast-motion

A filmmaking technique that speeds up the action, making time appear to pass more quickly, often used to create a sense of urgency or comedic effect. sl

slow-motion

A film technique where time is made to appear to pass more slowly than in real life, often achieved by filming at a higher frame rate and then playing it back at a standard rate.

wide-angle lens

A type of camera lens that has a short focal length, allowing for a wider field of view, often used to capture expansive scenes or to create a sense of depth in an image.

normal lens

A standard camera lens with a focal length that closely matches the human eye's perspective, typically around 50mm on a full-frame camera, providing a natural view of subjects without distortion.

telephoto lens

A type of camera lens with a long focal length that allows for magnification of distant subjects, often used for wildlife photography or sports, creating a shallow depth of field.

zoom lens

A type of lens with variable focal lengths, allowing photographers to zoom in or out on subjects without changing the lens, providing versatility in framing.

depth of field

The distance between the nearest and farthest objects in a scene that appear acceptably sharp in an image. It can be shallow, isolating a subject from the background, or deep, keeping more of the scene in focus.

rack focus

A filmmaking technique that involves changing the focus of the lens during a shot to direct the viewer's attention from one subject to another within the same frame.

superimposition

A technique in film where two or more images are layered together in the same frame, often used to create a visual narrative or represent memories or thoughts.

mask

A filmmaking technique used to control which parts of the frame are visible, often by blocking out certain areas to create a specific composition or effect.

low-angle shot

A camera angle shot from below the subject, making it appear larger or more imposing, often used to convey power or dominance.

high-angle shot

A camera angle shot from above the subject, making it appear smaller or weaker, often used to convey vulnerability or submission.

canted framing

A technique where the camera is tilted to one side, creating an uneven horizon line. This shot often conveys disorientation or tension in a scene. \

extreme close-up shot

A shot that tightly frames a subject, typically focusing on a specific detail such as a person's eyes or an object, used to emphasize emotions or important elements. c

close-up shot

A shot that captures a subject's face or a specific object, typically filling the frame to highlight details and emotions.

medium close-up shot

A shot that frames a subject from the chest or shoulders up, providing a balance between detail and context.

medium shot

A shot that frames the subject from the waist up, often used to show body language and interactions while still conveying some background context.

medium long shot

A shot that frames a subject from the knees or waist up, allowing for a combination of subject and background details.

long shot

A shot that typically frames a subject from a distance, capturing the entire body along with significant background elements, often used to establish context and setting.

extreme long shot

A shot that captures subjects from a great distance, often used to showcase expansive landscapes or establish the setting of a scene.

pan

A camera movement that pivots horizontally around a vertical axis, allowing the viewer to follow action or survey a scene.

tilt

A camera movement where the camera is rotated vertically on a fixed axis, allowing the viewer to see the subject from a higher or lower angle.

tracking shot

A shot in which the camera moves alongside the subject, often following it as it moves, creating a dynamic perspective. cr

crane shot

A cinematic technique where the camera is mounted on a crane, allowing it to move up, down, or around, often creating dynamic perspectives.

hand-held camera

A filming technique where the camera is held in the operator's hands rather than being mounted on a stable platform, resulting in a more spontaneous and intimate feel.

split-screen imagery

A filmmaking technique that displays two or more separate images on the screen simultaneously, allowing for multiple perspectives or narratives to unfold at the same time.

long take

A shot that lasts significantly longer than the conventional editing pace, often used to create a sense of real time and immerse the viewer in the action.

straight cut

A basic editing technique where one shot is directly cut to another without any transition, maintaining the continuity of time and space.

fade out/in

A gradual transition where an image slowly disappears to black or slowly appears from black, often used to signal the beginning or ending of a scene.

dissolve

A gradual transition between two shots where one image fades out as another fades in, blending the two together. This technique is often used to signify a passage of time or a change in location.

wipe

An editing transition where one shot is replaced by another through a moving boundary line, creating a visual effect that can indicate a change in time or place.

iris-out/in

An optical transition that gradually reveals or obscures the image in a circular shape, often used to focus on a specific subject or to indicate the passage of time.

graphic match

A technique in film editing that creates a visual connection between two shots by matching their composition or elements, often used to suggest a thematic or narrative link.

flashback

A narrative device that interrupts the chronological flow of the story to show events from the past, providing context or background to the current plot.

flash-forward

A narrative device that jumps forward in time to show events that will happen in the future, often used to build anticipation or provide insight into characters' motives.

elliptical editing

A film editing technique that emphasizes a compression of time by cutting out unnecessary parts of a scene, thereby speeding up the narrative and enhancing dramatic effect.

jump cut

A type of editing that creates a sudden transition between two shots, often used to skip ahead in time or to create a jarring effect that can elicit a strong emotional response.

overlapping editing

A technique where a shot overlaps with the previous one, extending or blending time and improving the narrative flow.

continuity editing

A system of editing that ensures a seamless flow of time and space in a film, allowing the audience to easily follow the narrative and maintain spatial and temporal coherence.

180 degree rule

A guideline in film editing that states two characters in a scene should maintain the same left/right relationship to one another, ensuring spatial consistency and clarity for the viewer.

establishing shot

A shot that sets up the context for a scene by showing the relationship between characters and their environment, often used at the beginning of a scene.

re-establishing shot

A shot that reaffirms the spatial relationships previously established in a scene, providing context and continuity as the action unfolds.

shot/reverse-shot editing

A technique in film editing that alternates between two characters, typically during a conversation, to provide different perspectives and maintain dialogue flow.

eyeline match

A film editing technique where two shots are edited together to show a character looking at something off-screen followed by a shot of what they are looking at, creating a sense of spatial continuity.

match on action

A film editing technique where a cut is made during an action, allowing the movement to continue seamlessly in the next shot, enhancing the illusion of time and space.

crosscutting

A film editing technique that alternates between two or more scenes happening simultaneously in different locations, creating suspense and enhancing narrative tension.

accelerated editing

A film editing technique that involves increasing the speed of cuts to create a sense of urgency or intensity, often used in action sequences.

loudness

The perceived volume of sound, measured in decibels, that affects the emotional impact and clarity of a film's audio track.

pitch

The perceived frequency of a sound, determining how high or low it is, which influences the mood and atmosphere of a film's audio.

timbre

The quality or color of a sound that distinguishes different types of sound production, influencing the mood and texture of a film's audio.

rhythm

The pattern of sounds and silences in a film's audio that contributes to its pacing and emotional flow, shaping the viewer's experience.

fidelity

The degree to which the sound in a film accurately represents its source, affecting the realism and immersion of the audio experience.

sound envelope

The change in sound characteristics over time, including attacks, sustain, decay, and release, which shapes the dynamic range and emotional impact of audio in film.

diegetic and nondiegetic sound

Diegetic sound refers to audio that originates from within the film's narrative world, such as dialogue or sound effects that characters hear. In contrast, nondiegetic sound consists of audio that is not part of the film's world, like the film score or voiceovers.

external/internal sound

External sound is audio that originates from outside the characters' perception in the film's narrative, while internal sound is heard only by a specific character, often reflecting their thoughts or feelings.

onscreen and offscreen sound

Onscreen sound refers to audio that is synchronized with visual elements within the frame, while offscreen sound refers to audio that originates from a source outside the visible frame, contributing to the narrative without being seen.