Key Terminology - 1G.C.S.E. Film Studies

Starter

•What is the actual translation for the word

mise-en-scene?

Todays Objectives• This week is recovering the key terminology covered in the first

half term as prep for the controlled assessment.• WALT• Understand the range of areas covered by mise-en-scene.• The impact and effect of camera shots and their movement• The impact of editing and the techniques being used.

• WILF• You to identify and analyse the range of criteria covered in mise-

en-scene and how different genres differ.• Analyse the impact of camera techniques on the audience.• Be able to identify the difference in editing pace and techniques.

Controlled Assessment

•What is the five minute extract you are intending on covering for your controlled assessment.

• I need the name of the film and the start and finish time of the extract.

Genre• Genre is a form of catergorsing a film based on reoccuring codes and

convetions.

• This means similar forms of narrative, or setting, locations, types of characters etc.

• There can be a range of types of genres :

• Horror• Comedy• Action• Western• Romance• Superhero

• To Name but a few.

Terms• Denotation – This means what something is.• An example the denotation of red is that it is a colour.

• Connotation – This means what it could mean.• An example of the connotation of the colour red in a vampire film

would be that it represents murder and death as well as blood that a vampire seeks to survive.

• Sample Scene• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N7VK7vHwnw&list=PLD80C

E53FDFEC7104&index=6

Mise-en-scene• It is a french term and means everything within the frame this

will include:

• Costume • Props• Setting – including the decoration and use of colour• Lighting• Even the way the actors move

• This becomes a very important element when analysing a scene as well as identifying characters as some films will have very unique mise-en-scene.

Mise-en-scene• Watch the following examples and identify the mise-en-scene

of these scenes.

• Understanding this is vital to your controlled assessment.

• You must identify the following elements of mise-en-scene and describe how they are creating meaning for the audience.

• Costume (this includes make-up) , Props, Lighting, Setting, decoration, movement of actors.

• Sample Scenes – Once Upon a Time in the West, Lost Boys, War of the Worlds

Mise-en-scene• You will have fifteen minutes to analyse each scenes.

• You are covering as a reminder:• Costume (this includes make-up) , Props, Lighting, Setting,

decoration, movement of actors.

• The films are: Once Upon a Time in the West, Lost Boys, War of the Worlds

Camera Shots• Open additional Powerpoint – Camera Angles

Camera Movement• The camera can be moved using a variety of methods of style

of camera work.

• Hand-held (Chronicle, Blair Witch Project or Paranormal Activity)• Steadicam – camera attached to the camera operator allows for

smoother movement than hand-held• Cinematic – using a variety of movements:

• Tracking• Jib / Crane• Tripod • All of the previous mentioned where required.

Camera Movement• Directors pick the types of camera work to convey a message

or an emotion to the audience.

• Fast camera movements are often to make action exciting.

• Slow could be to add or build tension or in a horror build suspense for the audience.

Sample• Sample Scene – Donnie Darko – this scene uses a lot of

cantered angles• In your table discuss the three questions

• Question• How does the camera work make you feel when watching the

scene?• What techniques are being used?• What might it be conveying about the character of Donnie?

Editing – creating meaning• The move from one shot to another is called a

CUT.

• The editing is how the story is told to the audience, keeping a wide shot is boring it creates visual interest for the audience.

• The edit will also draw and move to what is of interest to the viewer.

PaceThis is the speed of the cuts. It could be fast or slow, a film will often have a different pace

for different scenes depending on what is happening.

A conversation A fight

The pace will often increase when more dramatic things are happening.

Transitions• The use of an effect to move from one shot to

another

• Dissolve

• Fade to Black

• Wipe

Additional EffectsImages and graphics

Text

This is often used in foreign films to translate the language. It could also be used for a stylistic effect.

Example – BMWWhat impact does the use of onscreen text have on this film?Do you like the effect or dislike it (offputting)?

CGI• This can be used now for a variety of uses.

• Creating characters• Creating backgrounds / worlds / universe• Destroying things that would cost to much to do for

real or would never be allowed.

Practical Effects• There are a variety of practical effects.

• Fake Cuts / Wounds on skin• Prosthetics • Creature / monsters • Puppets• Animatronics

• A practical effect is anything the actor can interact with.

SIN CITY• A short video showing how they created sin city showcasing

the use of green screen and how they created the world of Sin City