Film Studies, TOW Set 1 (Weeks 1-3)

VFX

Visual Effects - the process by which imagery is created or manipulated outside the context of a live-action shot in filmmaking and video production

Fade

a dissolve transition that gradually moves to or from an image to or from black

Lap Dissolve

a gradual transition in which one shot fades out as the next shot fades in. When a lap dissolve is used, both shots overlap for a moment of time

Matte Shot

a form of VFX editing in which a landscape or large set piece made up by a matte painting is used as part of the framed image. Usually surrounding the characters present on the screen.

Double-exposure

a photographic technique that mainly involves combining two exposures to create a single image. The technique yields very interesting results and allows the photographer to produce ghost images and mirror images that tell a story in a unique way that can't be achieved with a single photo

Stop-motion

(animated) filmmaking technique in which objects are physically manipulated in small increments between individually photographed frames so that they will appear to exhibit independent motion or change when the series of frames is played back

3 Act Structure

a narrative model that divides a plot up into three sections (see handouts for more)

Character Arc

the transformation or inner journey of a character over the course of a story / film

Flashback

showing the subjective experience of a character by showing a memory of a previous event

Voice Over (VO) Narration

The voice of an unseen narrator speaking or of a visible character expressing unspoken thoughts

Cut

an editing device used to transitions from one shot or scene to the next.

Match Cut

cut from one shot to another where the composition of the two shots are matched by the action or subject and subject matter.

Frame

a single image of film or video. Framing (a shot) involves composing the visual content of a series of frames as seen from a single point of view

Shot

a series of frames that runs for an uninterrupted period of time

Montage

a series of separate images, moving or still, that are edited together to create a continuous sequence