223 Day5 Fall24

Filmmaking Roles

Different responsibilities held by individuals in the production of a film, covering various departments such as camera, direction, and production.

Director of Photography

Also known as the cinematographer; the head of the camera and lighting crews responsible for the look of the film.

Synopsis

A one or two-page narrative summary of a screenplay that includes key facts without commentary.

Character Arc

The transformation or inner journey of a character over the course of a story.

Inciting Incident

The event that sets the main plot into motion, introducing the central conflict.

Catharsis

The emotional release that audiences experience as they connect with characters' struggles.

Hamartia

A character's tragic flaw that leads to their downfall.

Three-Act Structure

A model for structuring a screenplay that includes setup, confrontation, and resolution.

Protagonist

The main character in a story, often facing challenges that drive the narrative.

Antagonist

A character who opposes the protagonist, creating conflict in the story.

Crisis

A critical moment in the story where the main character faces a significant obstacle.

Climax

The turning point in the narrative where the main conflict reaches its peak intensity.

Denouement

The final resolution or outcome of the story following the climax.

Pathos

A quality in a story that evokes feelings of pity, sympathy, or sadness in the audience.

Sample Film Clips

Short segments from films used for analysis or demonstration in class.

Surrogate Characters

Characters that represent someone or something else and often carry emotional weight in their stories.

Formal Action Analysis

An examination of the specific actions that constitute a narrative in a screenplay.

Character Function

The role that a character plays in the narrative, such as protagonist, antagonist, or supporting character.

Point of Attack

The moment at which the main action of the story begins.

Obstacles

Challenges or problems that the protagonist must overcome in the story.

Discovery Scene

A pivotal moment in the plot where crucial information is revealed to the characters.

Screenplay Formatting

The specific guidelines or conventions used for writing screenplays.

The Hero's Journey

A common narrative structure that involves a hero who goes on an adventure and returns transformed.

Reversal of Fortune

A significant change in a character's circumstances, often from good to bad or vice versa.

Voiceover

A production technique where a voice that is not part of the narrative is used to convey information to the audience.

Synaesthesia

A method in storytelling that engages multiple senses to create a more immersive experience.

Character Headings

A part of the screenplay that identifies who is speaking in the dialogue.

Montage

A film editing technique that combines a series of short shots to condense space, time, and information.

Conflict

The struggle between opposing forces in a story, driving the narrative forward.

Emotional Stakes

The personal significance or risk that a character faces in their journey.

World as Character

The concept that the setting of a story can act as an entity that influences the characters and plot.

Marginalization

The process through which certain characters or perspectives are deemed less important or excluded from the main narrative.

Spec Script

A screenplay written with the hope of selling it rather than for an assigned project.

Formal Action vs. Psychological Action

The distinction between the physical actions taken by characters and the internal motivations driving those actions.

Table Read

A process where actors read through the script aloud to understand the dialogue and pacing.

Aesthetic Distance

The gap between a viewer's understanding of a character's experience and the character's actual feelings.

Plot Structure Paradigm

A framework that organizes the components of a story into a coherent sequence.

Tension Building

The method of escalating conflict to create suspense and hold the audience's attention.

Resolution

The part of the narrative where conflicts are resolved and the story comes to a close.

Empathy in Storytelling

The technique of encouraging the audience to relate to and feel for the characters.

Filmmaking Departments

Various specialized groups within film production that handle different aspects of filmmaking.

Character Traits

Distinctive qualities or characteristics that define and differentiate characters.

Crafting Dialogue

The skill of writing spoken exchanges between characters that reveal their personalities and advance the narrative.

Visionary Filmmaking

The creative approach of a filmmaker that shapes the overall style and direction of a film.

Visual Storytelling

The art of conveying narrative through visual images and symbols rather than dialogue alone.

Cinematic Techniques

Specific methods employed by filmmakers to enhance storytelling through visual and auditory means.

The Industry Standard

The commonly accepted norms and practices within the film industry, particularly regarding screenplay formatting or production.