World Cinema Definitions

Assignment #1

Task: Please study some basic film terminology (Blackboard) and provide the definition for each film term below. We will use these terms when analyzing the films assigned in this course. Make sure that you state what effect this type of shot/angle/technique produces on the viewer (e.g. a low angle shot: the character is shown at a low angle; the character appears strong, powerful, superior to other character, etc.).

1. high angle shot: The character appears weak, vulnerable, hurt, powerless, inferior to others

2. Close-up: A detailed view of a person or object (usually a head). A close-up shot allows the viewr to see the character’s emotions

3. Panning: Those movements of the camera that can scan a scene horizontally – are taken from a stationary axis point, with the camera mounted on a tripod. Tend to emphasize the unity of space and the connectedness of people and objects within that space

4. Kinetic symbolism: Some kind of movement that presents ordinary events with freshness and originality. The reading of such movement is usually symbolic.

5. the idea of stasis: Virtually nothing seems to be moving in an image, even the slightest motion can take an enormous significance

6. mise-en-scene: refers to everything that appears before the camera and its arrangement of visual compositional elements and movements within a given space – setting, actors, lighting, etc. In movies, it is defined by the frame that enclosed the images.

7. parallel editing: The alternation of shots of one scene with another at a different location; the scenes are happening simultaneously

8. 180° rule: guides the on-screen spatial relationship between a character and another character or object within a scene. An imaginary line called the axis connects the characters. The imaginary line allows viewers to orient themselves with the position and direction in a scene.

9. right-to-left movement: the villains move toward...