A Brief Explanation on Film Cinematic and Theatrical Elements

A power point presentation on cinematic and theatrical elements and the assignment for English class students in cinematography class.

1. Introducing Cinematic and
Theatrical Elements in Film
Based on John Golden’s article

2. Introducing Cinematic and Theatrical
Elements in Film: Film Production

3. The Design Team
1.The production designer is the head of the design team and is
responsible for the overall look and settings of the film.
2.The production designer works closely with the director to oversee
the team that creates the sets, costumes, makeup, and props.
3.The design choices made by this team can have a significant
impact on the audience's reaction to the film.
4.The design team includes:
●The art director, who constructs the sets
●The set decorator
●The costume designer
●The storyboard artist, who visualizes each shot of the film

4. The Director’s Crew
1.Supports the director in communicating with each of the
other departments.
2.A crucial aspect of a director's role involves issuing
directives to every department in order to ensure that every
element of the final product aligns with their vision.
3.The director is responsible for all creative aspects of a
movie.
4.The director usually helps hire actors
5.Decides on locations and plans the shots before filming
begins.
6.During filming the director oversees the actors and crew,
sets up shots and keeps the movie on schedule and on
budget.
7.The director is usually hired by a producer, unless he or
she is also producing the film.

5. The Photography Unit
●Headed by the cinematographer (also called the director of
photography or DP)
●In charge of the camera movements, focus, framing, and
lighting
●They determine the angles and types of equipment that will
best capture a shot.
●They also adjust the lighting in a shot, because that is an
important part of how the image looks.

6. The Sound Unit
●Sound mixers oversee all recorded sound, including dialogue,
effects, and atmosphere
●They plan with director/producer before filming to capture
sound effectively
●Check locations for potential sound issues prior to filming
●Ensure proper audio levels during takes, address any
problems
●Significant post-production sound work, including ADR
●Challenging environment, solve problems under pressure
●Sound mixers typically work on a freelance basis

7. The Cast
●Acting and portraying characters convincingly
●Developing and embodying their character's backstory and
arc
●Participating in rehearsals to prepare for filming
●Following director's guidance and maintaining performance
continuity on set
●Collaborating with other actors in scenes
●Engaging in post-production tasks like ADR (Additional
Dialogue Recording) when needed

8. Editor
●Editor assembles the footage (rushes) as it comes in
●Films are typically not shot in the order of the story
●Editor's job is to take non-sequential scenes and edit them into a
coherent whole
●During pre-production, editors work closely with the director to plan
the script
●Once filming begins, editors review the daily rushes:
- Check technical quality
- Assess developing narrative and performances
- Start editing together a rough assembly
●By the time filming is complete, editors will have spent extensive
time reworking and cutting the scenes to create the final edit

9. Cinematic Techniques

10. Cinematic Technique
●A "shot" refers to one uninterrupted image seen on screen in a finished film.
●Framing techniques like close-up, medium shot, and long shot create different
impressions.
●Camera angles like low-angle, high-angle, and eye-level also affect the viewer's
perception.
●Camera movements like pans, tilts, zooms, and dolly shots serve different purposes.
●Editing techniques like cuts, fades, and dissolves connect shots in different ways to
convey meaning.
●Editing choices like parallel editing and point-of-view editing can build suspense and
reveal character perspectives.
●The duration of shots, with long takes vs. short takes, can set the pace and tone.

11. Framing
1.Framing is one of the key decisions a director makes when designing a shot.
The main framing options are:
- Close-up: Shows only the actor's head and upper body, allowing for details
and emotions.
- Medium shot: Shows the actor from the waist up, balancing detail and
surrounding context.
- Long shot: Shows the actor's full body, revealing the setting but obscuring
facial expressions.
2.Close-ups can be used to show details, reveal emotions, emphasize important
objects, and convey intimacy or claustrophobia.
3.Long shots, as seen in Hitchcock's North by Northwest, can emphasize a
character's vulnerability and sense of being out of place in the surroundings.
4.Long shots and close-ups have trade-offs - long shots provide more context
but less detail, while close-ups offer more detail but less of the setting.
5.The medium shot is the most common framing in films and TV, providing a
balance between the two extremes.

12. Angles
1.Camera angle is another key directorial decision after framing. The main angle
options are:
- Low-angle shot: The camera is positioned below the subject, making the
subject appear larger and more powerful. Orson Welles used this in Citizen Kane
to emphasize the main character's larger-than-life status.
- High-angle shot: The camera is positioned above the subject, making the
subject appear smaller and more powerless. Hitchcock used this in Rear
Window to convey the protagonist's vulnerability and lack of control.
- Eye-level shot: The camera is positioned at the same level as the subject,
which is the most natural and neutral angle.
2.While low-angle and high-angle shots carry strong visual implications, the
eye-level shot is the most commonly used, as it reflects the typical human
perspective.
3.Switching between angle types, such as from low-angle to eye-level, can signal
changes in a character's power or emotional state.

13. Camera Movement Within a Shot
1.Common camera movements within a single shot include:
- Pan: Horizontal left-to-right or right-to-left movement, reflecting natural
scanning.
- Tilt: Vertical up-and-down movement, like looking up at a tall object.
- Zoom: Adjusting the camera's focus to reveal details or show wider views.
2.These movements occur while the camera body remains stationary, allowing
directors to guide audience attention and create specific effects.
3.The movements mimic natural human eye/head motions, making the visuals
feel more immersive.
4.Directors strategically employ these techniques to control pacing, emphasis,
and emotion within a scene.
5.A dolly shot refers to any camera movement, such as on tracks, from a
helicopter, or on someone's back. Dolly shots move the audience with the
action, preventing the viewer from feeling like a mere spectator.

14. Editing
An Editor is often referred to as the film’s storyteller, connecting the images that
the director shot into a cohesive and coherent narrative. There are several
ways that an editor can connect images:
1.Cuts: The quickest way to transition between shots, creating an
instantaneous change that can be jarring or smooth.
2.Fades: The image slowly fades to black/white/color, signaling the
passage of time or the end of a narrative section. Fades have a slow,
pensive mood.
3.Dissolves: The current image slowly fades out as the next image fades
in, overlapping for a period. Dissolves connect images in a smooth,
rhythmic fashion.
Editors use these techniques to construct a cohesive narrative from the
director's filmed footage, guiding the audience's experience.

15. Film Editing Techniques
1.Parallel Editing/Cross-Cutting. Film Editing Techniques: Cross-Cutting 101:
- Cuts between scenes happening simultaneously but in different locations
- Builds suspense and makes connections between events for thematic purposes
2. Point-of-View Editing:
- Shows the audience what a character is seeing or thinking
- Allows the viewer to empathize and identify with the character
3.Shot Duration:
- Typical Hollywood shot is 5-8 seconds
- Long takes feel more realistic, allowing viewers to explore the scene
- Short takes direct attention, creating a faster, more energetic pace
4.Editing choices, while often subtle, have a significant impact on the overall film
experience.

16. Sound
●Types of film sound:
○ - Diegetic sound: Originates from
within the movie environment (e.g.,
character dialogue, sound effects)
○ - Non-diegetic sound: Does not
originate from within the movie
environment (e.g., background
music, narration)
○- Internal diegetic sound: Heard only
by a specific character (e.g.,
character's thoughts)
●Functions of film sound:
○- Enhances the visuals and story
○- Can be used realistically to move
the plot forward
○- Can be used emotionally to
heighten suspense, evoke feelings,
etc.
●Importance of sound:
○- Sound is as essential as the visuals
in creating the overall film
experience
○ - Turning down the volume can
significantly diminish the viewer's
connection to the film
○- Directors carefully choose the type
and use of sound to convey their
intended effects
●Sound can multiply the impact of the
visuals,creating a more immersive and
impactful experience for the audience.

17. Lighting
1.Lighting sets the mood and atmosphere of a scene:
●Low-key lighting with shadows and contrast creates a
sense of mystery, suspense, and horror
●High-key lighting with brightness and openness evokes
a more positive, upbeat tone
2.Lighting can characterize and reveal information about
characters:
●Side lighting on a character can hint at their secrets or
internal conflicts
●Front lighting on a character suggests purity, honesty,
and heroism
3.Lighting is a crucial cinematic technique directors use to
convey emotions and messages.
4.Films share artistic elements with other mediums like theater,
so understanding theatrical components can also provide
insight into filmmaking.

18. Group Assignment
1.Form a group of 4
2.Choose a technique in film making to discuss.
●Framing, angles, and camera movement
●Editing choices and length of takes
●Soundtrack and music
●Color and Lighting
3.Describe some at least 5 significant features, and explain their effects.
4.Select several short examples from a movie to discuss
5.Discuss the technique assigned to your group
6.Present the information from the article that relates to your topic to the class
7.Illustrate your presentation with examples. (You may not present examples
showing violence or sex and to screen the examples in advance.)