This is a comprehensive and detailed note on film style it's also an introduction to the 4 components of film style: mise-en-scene, cinematography, editing and sound.
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Film Style
TV is accessible, not exclusive (like some art). There’s a stigma attached to it.
Film is a form of (visual) communication that can be interpreted.
4 Components of film language / elements of stylistic
composition
1. Mise-en-scene
2. Cinematography
3. Editing
4. Sound
Inter-related and inter-dependent
1. Mise-en-scene
Comes from the theatre. Literally means “putting into the scene”.
Elements:
- Setting (including props)
- Costume (including makeup)
- Lighting (related to cinematography)
- Behaviour of figures (acting, movement and positioning)
Setting
Can be planned (created / made) or accidental (natural, pre-existing settings).
But always present.
Many realistic looking sets may in fact be constructed.
Setting tells us about the characters and draws our attention to certain things. Also indicates genre.
Scene can be realistic or fantastical: enhance realistic or unreal qualities of the film. The realm.
The where and when of the film: it’s broad context.
Alludes to nationality and sometimes ethnicity.
Props: when an element of the setting is used by a character and receives a narrative purpose. Tells
us about the character.
Colour: often where props, setting and costume work together to produce powerful symbolic
meanings.
Colours can have several meanings. Highly dependent on context.
Framing and composition: how things are arranged.
,Backgrounds comment indirectly on what’s in front of them.
Costumes and Makeup
Help immerse us in the world
Indicate context
Tells us about the characters
May play a narrative role (act as props)
Create a sense of realism or fantasy
May distract us from flaws in narrative structure or historical inaccuracies
Gender the actors
Lighting
Light, shadow and colour tell astory, but the significance of each is culturally and contextually
specific.
Lighting can also be a story-telling component as it creates mood.
3-point lighting
Looks natural, but is highly contrived
Creates a 3D appearance
- Key light = main source, most prominent (usually frontal)
- Fill light = side light. Softens the shadows and adds texture. Placed on the opposite side of
the key light.
- Back light: gives a sense of depth and dimensionality to the scene. Back light alone creates a
silhouette.
1. High-key illumination
Many light sources
Graduated / soft shadows
Gentle and flattering light
Low contrast fewer shadows
Reveals expressions and details within shadows
Creates a realistic presentation of everyday life
Often used in comedies, actions and dramas
, 2. Low-key illumination
One major light source with little / no fill light Hard lighting.
Creates a sharp contrast between light and dark areas.
Most of frame is underlit. Draws attention to lit areas.
Many shadows, which are deep and stark.
Shadows create mood and mystery.
Chiaroscuro effect with extreme patterns of light and shade.
Often used in horrors, film noirs, and thrillers.
Shadows
1. Cast Shadows: object casts shadows onto the surface of a different object
2. Attached Shadows: object casts a shadow onto itself
Notice the direction and source of the lighting.
Source is often not where viewer assumes it is. Director may use a window as a “motivator” for some
side lighting.
Framing & composition
Aspect ratios: depends on screen (computer, cinema, TV etc). Ratio of horizontal to vertical
dimensions. Remains constant throughout film. Standard = 1.85:1
Composition: getting the sense of the entire space in one shot. Everything is contained in the shot.
Camera doesn’t move much.
Static comp: more contained. Camera becomes like a fly on the wall. Has the appeal of voyeurism.
dynamic composition: allows you to physically follow the action
Gianetti’s 15 Points
1. Dominant: where our eye is first attracted to / the most important part of the frame. Why? Key
to interpreting the shot. Usually a person. Movement is often automatically dominant (less
distracting in long shots though). Isolated objects tend to be heavier than those in a cluster.
2. Lighting key: high or low key. Contrast. Combination of these?
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