Film Appreciation

Films communicate in their own special way using -

The Language of Film!

1. Films Construct Meaning - 1 (a) Films are a construction - they convey messages / ideas / bias of the

film maker

Films communicate by using a selection and combination of production elements such as:

• Visual Imagery• Sound• Colour• Camera placement & Shot Type• Lighting and• Symbolism

1. Films Construct Meaning - 2

The producer will have in mind exactly what they want to communicate, therefore they will choose to record their raw material in a way

which is designed to strengthen their message.

1. Films Construct Meaning - 3

Films therefore are not a haphazard arrangement of production elements, but

like words in a book the production elements are specifically chosen to convey

meaning.

1. Films Construct Meaning - 4 The way in which a director chooses to combine

production elements may also enable the viewer to be manipulated to believe or think in a

particular way.

Viewing Exercise 1: Ferry Travel Extracts: 1. Positive view of Ferry Travel

2. Negative view of Ferry Travel

1. Films Construct Meaning - 5

Particular raw materials are combined during filming such that one element will support and

strengthen the other and underscore the intended meaning.

Video Extract: “Black Stallion” Boy meets Horse

Our UNDERSTANDING of CHARACTERS, SITUATIONS and EVENTS is a result of a films method of CONSTRUCTION

To enable the audience to become more involved in the story and aligned with particular characters various visual

techniques are used involving camera placement and shot type.

2. Audience Involvement through Camera Shots - 1

Films may require the Audience to be either Active or Passive

2. Audience Involvement through Camera Shots - 2

2. Audience Involvement through Camera Shots - 3

Viewing Exercise 2: Video Extract 1 - The Fast Car 1

Video Extract 2 - The Fast Car 2

A film which uses camera techniques to create an ACTIVE AUDIENCE will have a greater EFFECT / INFLUENCE on that audience.

Audience INVOLVEMENT and MANIPULATION will therefore be greater.

3. Framing and Screen Placement - 1

The Two-thirds Rule - Pleasing to the eye, Identification of Characters, Dominant position in frame

Strong Compositional Points

Low Horizonemphasises Openness, Freedom, Thought

High horizon line emphasises being closed in, trapped, problems

3. Framing and Screen Placement - 2

Low Horizon Openness, Fresheness, THOUGHT, HOPE High Horizon Down to Earth, RESTRICTED, TRAPPED Edges of Frame Barrier, Separation, LACK of UNDERSTANDING

Extract: “My Brilliant Career” (Opening Scene)

3. Framing and Screen Placement - 3

Framing and placement within the Screen help an audience tointerpret RELATIONSHIPS between characters and the FEELINGS,

ASPIRATIONS or PREDICAMENTof characters

4. Sound adds Meaning to Visuals - 1

Sound comprises four elements:WORDS

MUSICSFX

SILENCE

4. Sound adds Meaning to Visuals - 2

There are two classifications of sound in film:

Diegetic: Sounds adding realismeg. SFX, dialogue

Non-diegetic: Sounds adding meaningeg. Music, silence, unreal SFX

3. Sound adds Meaning to Visuals - 3(a) Dialogue explains feelings, emotions, motivations

Video Extract: “Blackmail” - Kitchen scene / Duel washroom walk

(b) Music creates MoodVideo Extract: “Black Stallion” - washed up boy meets horse

(c) SFX add realism and emphasise MeaningVideo Extract: “Too late to be Sorry” - (Clock) “Duel” ending

(d) Silence places the audience in the film so they have the same experience as the charactersVideo Extract: “Jaws” - underwater search / Castaway - island life

3. Sound adds Meaning to Visuals - 4

Sound constructs MEANING and helps an audience INTERPRET and EXPERIENCE what is seen

4. Colour reflects Mood- 1

Colour is used to emphasise the MOOD within a film. It can be added during filming with the

use of filters or by the use of colour in the DECOR, CLOTHING or OBJECTS within the

frame.

4. Colour reflects Mood- 2

Colour can also be added later in post-production using a mixing desk and adjusting

a scene by dialing in a colour wash to enhance the EMOTIONAL SIGNIFICANCE of

a SETTING

4. Colour reflects Mood- 3

Different colours in film imply different emotions. Some of the more common are:

BLUE: Cold, Night, Sadness, Death YELLOW: Enjoyment, Happiness, Life, Understanding

Video Extract: “Too late to be Sorry” (Hall and Letter sequence)

4. Colour reflects Mood- 4

Different colours in film imply different emotions. Some of the more common are:

BLACK & WHITE: Past, Underprivileged, Thoughts, HarshVideo Extract: “Somewhere in Time” - Opening scene

RED: Warmth, Love, Desire, Danger*See Extract under Lighting in next section!

4. Colour reflects Mood- 5

Colour is used to set a MOOD, add FEELING and reflect EMOTIONS. It communicates to the audience how they are to

FEEL about a character, SITUATION or location.

5. Lighting - 1

A FULLY LIT scene provides INFORMATION whereas MINIMAL LIGHTING, BACKLIGHTING

and SIDELIGHTING throw elements within the frame into MYSTERY or EVIL and add DRAMA to

the scene

5. Lighting - 2

Video Extract: “Somewhere in Time” (Hall of Fame) Lighting & RED “Fighting Back” (Deserted factory) (Significance of setting, light & birds)

Lighting helps create MOOD. Lighting also FOCUSES audience ATTENTION to a particular element within the scene. Lighting is

also used for DRAMATIC effect.

6. Meaning and Bias through Symbolism - 1

Symbols may be used to add meaning - You must look for them actively!

Settings, decor, objects and clothing are some symbols which may be used to give meaning.

Cat EVIL

Ceiling Fan DANGER

FLAMES Passion

BARRIERS Barriers

PATH Being Misled

Some Common Symbols:

6. Meaning and Bias through Symbolism - 2

Video Extracts:“My Brilliant Career”(Verandah sequence - pillars & pillow fight & garden path)

“Cry Freedom”(Meeting with Police Chief - garden path - don’t always believe what you hear - look for other clues to meaning!)

“Too late to be Sorry”(Boys bedroom scene & background picture)

6. Meaning and Bias through Symbolism - 2

Symbols are used within a film to GUIDE and CONVINCE an audience to THINK a particular way.

Symbols may convey VARIOUS meanings and thus gain meaning from the CONTEXT within which they are used.

To fully understand a film an audience must ACTIVELY look for and consider the meaning of symbols.

The Language of FilmTo really understand a Film remember

a film maker will use codes of communication• Visual Imagery • Camera placement & Shot Type• Sound • Lighting and• Colour • Symbolism

to convey ideas, moods and meanings. Actively look for these and your film viewing

will be raised to a new level.