3 Aspects of Film3 Aspects of Film

Literary ElementsLiterary Elements Dramatic ElementsDramatic Elements Cinematic ElementsCinematic Elements

Literary ElementsLiterary Elements

DEFINITION: The aspects of film that are shared with DEFINITION: The aspects of film that are shared with literature.literature.

Film Focus = the scriptFilm Focus = the script

Character DevelopmentCharacter Development Story Structure, Plot, and ConflictStory Structure, Plot, and Conflict SettingSetting Point of View (POV)Point of View (POV) Symbols, Foreshadowing, flashbackSymbols, Foreshadowing, flashback Mood and Theme (can be created through Mood and Theme (can be created through

cinematic and dramatic aspects as well)cinematic and dramatic aspects as well)

Questions to ask when Questions to ask when viewing on a Literary viewing on a Literary

Level:Level: Who are the characters?Who are the characters? What is the setting?What is the setting? What is the plot?What is the plot? From whose point of view is the From whose point of view is the

story told?story told? What is the filmWhat is the film’’s theme?s theme? Are there any symbols or recurring Are there any symbols or recurring

images?images?

Dramatic ElementsDramatic Elements

Questions to ask when Questions to ask when viewing on a dramatic viewing on a dramatic

level:level: How effective is the acting? Why?How effective is the acting? Why? How does the set affect How does the set affect

understanding and enjoyment of the understanding and enjoyment of the story?story?

How are the costumes and makeup How are the costumes and makeup effective in establishing a character?effective in establishing a character?

Cinematic ElementsCinematic ElementsDEFINITION: Elements unique to film (requires some DEFINITION: Elements unique to film (requires some

knowledge of technical terms)knowledge of technical terms) Visual images:Visual images: camera angles, camera placement, camera angles, camera placement,

frame, composition, focus, etc.frame, composition, focus, etc. Editing:Editing: placement of scenes, cutting scenes placement of scenes, cutting scenes Sound:Sound: speech, voice over, sound effects, music, etc. speech, voice over, sound effects, music, etc. Special Effects:Special Effects: Illusions in film. Created on-set

through mechanical effects and in-camera optical effects.

Visual Effects: Film involving images created created and/or manipulated outside of a live action shoot. and/or manipulated outside of a live action shoot. Often used to create environments which look Often used to create environments which look realistic, but would be dangerous, costly, or simply realistic, but would be dangerous, costly, or simply impossible to capture on film. impossible to capture on film. Added post-production. For example: computer generated For example: computer generated imagery (CGI)imagery (CGI)

Questions to ask when Questions to ask when viewing on a cinematic viewing on a cinematic

level:level: At what moments did you notice At what moments did you notice

effective(intentional) camera angles, framing, effective(intentional) camera angles, framing, shot composition, etc? How did it related to shot composition, etc? How did it related to plot, character, theme, etc?plot, character, theme, etc?

How did the editing impact the film? How did the editing impact the film? Consider pacing, # of edits, length of scenes, Consider pacing, # of edits, length of scenes, etc.etc.

Did you notice any audio effects? What music Did you notice any audio effects? What music was in the film? What was the effect?was in the film? What was the effect?

Describe any special/visual affects you Describe any special/visual affects you noticed. noticed.

Your TaskYour Task Name three(3) specific film reviewers and Name three(3) specific film reviewers and

cite the publications through which they cite the publications through which they review their films.review their films.

Find an example of a well done film review Find an example of a well done film review and explain why it’s a quality example. and explain why it’s a quality example. Include:Include: Publication, Reviewer, Film Title, Year of Publication, Reviewer, Film Title, Year of

PublicationPublication Use three quotes from the film review to Use three quotes from the film review to

reinforce three different qualities that make it an reinforce three different qualities that make it an effective review.effective review.