English film study

Red Curtain Cinema- A style of filmmaking that combines realistic settings with exaggerated, theatrical and symbolic elements

Red Curtain Cinema characteristics- Exaggerated characters, bright colours, theatrical costumes, music, dance, symbolism and heightened emotions

Red Curtain Cinema in Strictly Ballroom- The film uses exaggerated characters, colourful costumes, dramatic dancing, music and theatrical settings

Extreme Long Shot (ELS)- Shows a large amount of the setting and makes characters appear small within their environment

Long Shot (LS)- Shows the whole character and some of the surrounding setting

Medium Long Shot (MLS)- Shows a character from approximately the knees upwards, focusing on body language and action

Medium Shot (MS)- Shows a character from approximately the waist upwards and is commonly used for conversations

Medium Close Up (MCU)- Shows a character from the chest or shoulders upwards, allowing facial expressions to be seen clearly

Close Up (CU)- Focuses closely on a character's face or an important object to emphasise emotion or detail

Extreme Close-Up (ECU)- Focuses on a very small detail, such as an eye or object, to create intensity or emphasis

Two-Shot- Shows two characters together to emphasise their relationship or interaction

Over the Shoulder Shot (OTS)- Shows one character from behind another character's shoulder, often during a conversation

Point of View Shot (POV)- Shows what a character is seeing so the audience experiences the scene from their perspective

High Angle Shot- The camera looks down on a character, which can make them appear weak, vulnerable or powerless

Low Angle Shot- The camera looks up at a character, which can make them appear powerful, dominant or intimidating

Eye Level Shot- The camera is positioned approximately level with the character's eyes, creating a natural and neutral perspective

Dutch Angle- A tilted camera angle used to create feelings of confusion, instability, tension or uneasiness

Camera Movement- Movement of the camera used to follow action, reveal information or direct the audience's attention

Pan- The camera moves horizontally from left to right or right to left while remaining in one position

Tilt- The camera moves vertically upwards or downwards while remaining in one position

Zoom- The lens changes magnification to make a subject appear closer or further away

Tracking Shot- The camera physically moves through the scene, often following a character or object

Dolly Shot- The camera physically moves towards or away from a subject

Central Placement- Positioning a character or object in the centre of the frame to make it the main focus

Off Centre Placement- Positioning a character away from the centre of the frame to create emphasis, balance, imbalance or meaning

Left Side Placement- Positioning a character on the left side of the frame, which can influence the audience's attention and how they interpret the character's relationship with the space

Right Side Placement- Positioning a character on the right side of the frame, which can influence the audience's attention and how they interpret the character's relationship with the space

Soft Focus- An image where the subject appears slightly blurred or less sharply defined

Sharp Focus- An image where the subject appears clear and highly defined

Warm Colours- Reds, oranges and yellows

Effect of Warm Colours- Can create feelings of energy, excitement, passion, warmth or intensity

Cool Colours- Blues, greens and purples

Effect of Cool Colours- Can create feelings of calmness, sadness, distance, isolation or coldness

High Key Lighting- Bright, even lighting with few strong shadows

Effect of High Key Lighting- Can create a cheerful, open, safe or light-hearted mood

Low Key Lighting- Lighting with strong contrasts between light and shadow

Effect of Low Key Lighting- Can create mystery, tension, danger, seriousness or uneasiness

Front Lighting- Light shines directly towards the front of the character, making their face clear and reducing shadows

Backlighting- Light comes from behind the character and can create a silhouette or emphasise their outline

Side Lighting- Light comes from the side, creating stronger shadows and contrast across the character's face

Costume- Clothing and accessories used to communicate a character's personality, role, social status, culture or development

Make Up- Used to communicate a character's personality, age, mood, social role or theatrical style

Plot- The sequence of events that make up the story of a film

Strictly Ballroom Plot- Scott Hastings challenges the strict rules of competitive ballroom dancing and works with Fran to perform their own style despite pressure from the Federation

Main Theme- The importance of individuality and remaining true to yourself

Individuality- Being different from others and expressing your own personality, ideas and identity

Conformity- Following rules, expectations or behaviour accepted by a group

Scott Hastings- A talented, rebellious and passionate dancer who wants to express himself instead of following the Federation's rules

Fran- A shy but determined dancer who becomes more confident and helps Scott discover the importance of passion and individuality

Barry Fife- The controlling chairman of the Federation who represents rules, conformity and pressure

Shirley Hastings- Scott's ambitious and controlling mother who wants him to succeed and follow the expectations of competitive dancing

Doug Hastings- Scott's supportive father who understands his desire for freedom and individuality

Tina Sparkle- Scott's original dance partner who is competitive, glamorous and focused on traditional ballroom dancing

Rico- Fran's father who values passion, culture and traditional dancing and helps Scott understand expressive dance

Scott's Main Conflict- Scott struggles between following the Federation's rules and expressing himself through his own dancing

Dancing as a Symbol- Dancing represents freedom, individuality, passion and self-expression

Film Techniques- The visual and audio methods filmmakers use to communicate ideas, emotions, character and themes

Purpose of a Camera Shot- To control what the audience focuses on and how much information they receive about a character or setting

Purpose of a Camera Angle- To influence how powerful, vulnerable, important or threatening a character appears

Purpose of Lighting- To establish mood, atmosphere and meaning within a scene

Purpose of Colour- To influence the mood and emotions of the audience

Purpose of Costume and Make-Up- To communicate information about a character's personality, identity and role

Overall Message of Strictly Ballroom- You should have the courage to be yourself and follow your passions instead of allowing rules or other people's expectations to control you