Basics of Film Analysis

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms related to film analysis, including concepts from mise-en-scène, cinematography, editing, and sound.

Mise-en-scène

The arrangement of everything that appears in the framing of a shot, including actors, sets, props, and lighting.

Cinematography

The art of photographing and lighting a film, encompassing camera work, composition, and movement.

Editing

The process of selecting and combining shots to create a coherent sequence in a film.

Sound

The auditory elements in films, which can be diegetic (audible to characters) or non-diegetic (not audible to characters).

Diegetic Sound

Sound that originates from the world of the film and can be heard by the characters.

Non-diegetic Sound

Sound that does not originate from the film world, such as a film's soundtrack, which characters cannot hear.

Leitmotif

A recurring musical theme associated with a character, setting, or emotion.

Blocking

The precise staging of actors in a scene to convey relationships and focus.

Shot Composition

The arrangement of visual elements within a shot, including actors, props, and background.

Depth of Field

The distance between the nearest and farthest objects in a shot that appears in focus.