Critical Analysis of a film
kerrding
FORMALELEMENTSoftheCINEMA6.pptxFORMAL ELEMENTS
of the
CINEMA
PRIMARY COMPONENTS
Camera
Composition
Mise-en-Scene
Editing
Sound
camera
MOTION
stationary
movement: camera remains in place: tilt or pan
movement: camera moves from one place to another: track, dolly, or crane
ANGLE
high vs low
DISTANCE
close up, medium, long
composition
“The composition of a scene through the film image is what distinguishes film from drama.”
single image = shot series of shots = scene (unity of time + place) series of scenes = sequence series of sequences = film
composition
photographic properties of a shot (image)
tone: range and texture of color (including b/w)
film speed: slow motion, fast motion
perspective: spatial relations established between objects and figures a. focus: deep, shallow, rack b. camera position - position (POV) from which something is seen: objective/subjective, psychological, cultural
mise-en-scene
literally: what is put before the camera (i.e. everything within the frame)
all properties of the cinematic image that exist independent of camera position and movement, as well as editing
INCLUDES: lighting, costumes, setting and sets, acting styles, arrangement of objects and figures
editing
the process by which two different shots are linked
different ways to join shots: cut, fade in/fade out, dissolve (wipe, iris in/out)
pace/rhythm: length of shots (TEMPORAL) in relation to other shots
for example, long takes, quick cuts
editing
continuity (or invisible) editing: Classical Hollywood narrative
=> establishing shot, shot/reverse shot, establishing shot
2. obtrusive editing:
=> jarring temporal and spatial shifts: disrupts sense of time and space
sound
ALIGNMENT WITH IMAGE
synchronous: sound and image match
direct: sound recorded when image is shot
dubbed: dialogue, sounds, noises, dialogue added in postproduction
asynchronous: sound and image do not match
RELATION TO NARRATIVE
diegetic: source of sound is within the world of the film nondiegetic: source of sound is outside world of the film
sound
continuity: unified atmosphere
montage: disjunctions and unexpected relations
ambient: background noises, sounds, dialogue around main action
overlapping dialogue
voice off: voice of character off screen (out of frame)
voice over: voice not heard or seen by characters
narrative cuing: motif associated with a characters or action
