Film Analysis: Motifs, Narratives, and Editing Techniques

What are motifs?

Repeated elements that highlight a theme. (Visual, narrative, or sound patterns.)

What are examples of visual, narrative, and sound motifs?

Visual: mirrors in Black Swan. Narrative: training scenes in Rocky. Sound: Jaws theme.

What are parallels? and what is an example of a parallel in a film?

Similarities between characters, scenes, or ideas that highlight connections. Example: In The Lion King, Simba's journey parallels his father's life and leadership.

What are the diegetic and non-diegetic elements of films?

Diegetic: sounds or visuals characters can experience (dialogue, radio music). Non-diegetic: for audience only (background score, narration).

What are the principles of film form?

Unity, balance, rhythm, repetition, variation, development, and function.

What are the differences between realist and formalist films?

Realist: looks natural and true to life. Formalist: focuses on artistic or stylized presentation.

What is the difference between form and content?

Form = how the story is told; Content = what the story is about.

How can the formal elements of a film help you identify the theme?

Lighting, color, camera movement, or sound can express deeper meanings and help reveal themes.

What is the difference between story and plot?

Story = all events in order. Plot = how events are arranged and shown in the film.

What is the difference between topics and themes?

Topic = subject (love, war). Theme = message or idea (love conquers fear).

What are examples of obtrusive and unobtrusive craftsmanship?

Obtrusive: noticeable filmmaking (flashy editing). Unobtrusive: invisible, natural style.

What is the three-act model or narrative structure?

Act 1: Setup. Act 2: Confrontation. Act 3: Resolution.

What happens in each act and between each act?

Act 1 introduces characters and conflict; Act 2 builds tension; Act 3 resolves it. Transitions between acts raise stakes or shift goals.

What are common alternative or unconventional narrative structures?

Nonlinear stories, flashbacks, multiple perspectives, or circular storytelling.

What are point-of-view shots?

Shots that show exactly what a character sees.

What is the difference between suspense and surprise?

Suspense = you expect it and wait. Surprise = it happens suddenly without warning.

What are the different types of narrators and narration in films?

Omniscient (all-knowing), limited (one character's view), unreliable (not trustworthy).

What is the difference between round and flat characters?

Round = complex and changing; Flat = simple and one-dimensional.

What are film movements? and what are examples of film movements and their traits?

Groups of films with shared styles or goals. Examples: German Expressionism: dark, distorted sets. French Poetic Realism: moody, romantic but tragic stories.

What are the elements of mise en scène?

Setting, lighting, costumes, makeup, props, and actor movement.

What is blocking?

Where and how actors move or stand in a scene.

What is the difference between hard and soft light?

Hard light makes sharp shadows; soft light creates smooth, flattering shadows.

What is the difference between low-key, high-key, and natural-key lighting?

Low-key = moody/dark; High-key = bright/cheerful; Natural-key = realistic lighting.

What is three-point lighting?

Key light, fill light, and backlight used together to shape a subject.

What aspects of composition can one analyze?

Tight framing = trapped feeling; Loose framing = freedom or openness.

What are the traits of saturated and desaturated colors?

Saturated = bright, energetic; Desaturated = faded, sad, or nostalgic.

What are the differences between mise en scène in German Expressionist and French Poetic Realist films?

Expressionist = dramatic, emotional, distorted; Poetic Realist = realistic and romantic but melancholic.

What are the elements of cinematography?

Camera angles, movement, lenses, lighting, focus, exposure, and film stock.

How does cinematography affect the viewer's sense of space and time?

Framing and editing can make space feel big/small and time feel fast/slow.

What are the various shot types in films?

Close-up = emotion; Medium = conversation; Long shot = setting.

What are the various camera angles and why are they used?

High angle = weak; Low angle = powerful; Eye-level = equal.

What are the various camera movements and why are they used?

Pan, tilt, tracking, and zoom create emotion or pace.

What is a long take?

One continuous shot that builds realism or tension.

What are the four different types of lenses?

Wide-angle, normal, telephoto, and zoom — they change depth and motion perception.

What happens onscreen when using each lens type?

Wide exaggerates space; Telephoto flattens distance; Normal looks natural; Zoom adjusts magnification mid-shot.

What is deep focus cinematography?

Everything in the frame (foreground to background) is in clear focus.

What are the different kinds of focus used in films?

Shallow focus (one area sharp); Rack focus (focus shifts between subjects).

What is the gauge, grain, and speed of film stock?

Gauge = width; Grain = texture; Speed = light sensitivity (high speed = grainier but works in dark).

What are prosthetics?

Makeup or fake body parts used to change an actor's appearance.

What is the difference between special and visual effects?

Special effects = done on set; Visual effects = created digitally.

What are ellipses in film?

When time skips ahead (like "Three months later").

What are the various shot transitions?

Cut, fade, dissolve, and wipe.

What is The Kuleshov Effect?

Viewers connect two separate shots to create meaning.

What are traits of continuity editing?

Smooth, invisible cuts that make action easy to follow.

What are traits of discontinuity editing?

Jumps or strange cuts that draw attention to editing.

What is parallel editing?

Cutting between two actions happening at the same time.

What are duration, pace, and rhythm in editing?

Duration = shot length; Pace = editing speed; Rhythm = pattern of cuts.

What were early methods for synchronized sound?

Used records or sound-on-film systems to match dialogue and visuals.

What are foley artists?

People who create sound effects (footsteps, doors) after filming.

What is ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement)?

Actors re-record dialogue to fix or improve sound quality.

What are general characteristics of sound?

Pitch (high/low), loudness (volume), and quality (tone or texture).

What is ambient sound?

Background noise that makes a scene feel realistic.

What is the difference between simultaneous, asynchronous, and nonsimultaneous sound?

Simultaneous = matches action; Asynchronous = doesn't match; Nonsimultaneous = comes from another time.

What are the functions of music, sound effects, silence, and the human voice?

Music sets mood, sound effects add realism, silence builds tension, and voices add emotion or story info.