Film structure- The audiovisual design of a film and the techniques/processes used to create that. Includes the production process, roles of director and producer, composition of shots, and camera movement. The building blocks of film.
Ex from CK: The deep focus technique was used where both background and foreground remain distinguishable. This makes it some every detail matters and the extravagance of Kane's life is completely captured. Citizen Kane includes of story time that covers a lifetime, from childhood to death. Long shots used only when a person is dominated by their environment, like that Kane's were in their Xanadu palace.
Cinematography- The visual look of a film created through use of lighting, color, and camera angles that is used to express meaning and ideas. Different styles of film have made distinct choices in cinematography to produce and effect.
Ex from CK: Use of hard light, much like that of film noir, to establish a darker tone and the lack of true meaning and love in the life of Charles Foster Kane. Low angle shots used to convey power and status. When discussing Susan's singing career Kane's shadow completely swallows her image, showing his complete dominance over her and her free will.
Production Design- Placement of objects on set to convey meaning. Use of symbolism, costume, mattes, color, actors etc... to create a tone or set a scene. Lots of people work together to create this design and much of it is done prior to filming.
Ex from CK: Barbed wire switching to gate of Kane house provided a symbolism and mood that carried a viewer through the movie. The life Kane creates is in a way his prison. Snow globe at the beginning foreshadows meaning of rosebud, and its shattering is ominous. Costumes help convey wealth and position.
Acting- Actors become an important part of visual design through their facial express, body movement, and possible typage. Aspects of the production design can enhance actor impact which in turn enhances audience response. Acting is different on camera than in theatre and there are different approaches to acting.
Ex from CK: Classically trained theatre actors were used in order to gain a more true to life feel. Most of the actors had never before acted on film. These actors were people Welles had known well before Hollywood from a group he helped form called the Mercury Players. Their unknown status also helped center the focus on the storyline.
Editing- The way a film is edited can make or break it. Editing creates continuity and establishes relationships in screen through its use of transitions and cuts. There are many different functions and principles of editing as well as a long process that is used to edit the film.
Ex from CK: Montage is used throughout the film to show the deterioration of time in a condensed manner. The breakfast montage shows the breakdown of Kane's first marriage. First they sit close, talking and laughing, looking young and beautiful. Slowly all of these elements change till they look much worse off and are barely civil. Puzzle montage with Susan shows her getting lonelier and lonelier with nothing to do and no one to talk to. Use of dissolves at beginning to show many different scenes of an empty and bereft Xanadu.
Sound Design- The three main types of sound are Dialogue, Music, and Sound Effects. There are many different functions and codes of sound design that are used to create subtle and effectual meanings in film. The sound can be the most driving factor in a fit and has evolved over time to be increasingly complex.
Ex from CK: The musical score throughout the film changes as Kane ages. When he's young the music is loud and brassy, changing to become more somber and ominous as he ages. All of the different dialogues from people who knew Kane, as well as new reels, helps to reveal different aspects of Kane's character. Sound effects are used for psychological meaning, like the screeching tea kettle during the library sequence.
Ex from CK: The deep focus technique was used where both background and foreground remain distinguishable. This makes it some every detail matters and the extravagance of Kane's life is completely captured. Citizen Kane includes of story time that covers a lifetime, from childhood to death. Long shots used only when a person is dominated by their environment, like that Kane's were in their Xanadu palace.
Cinematography- The visual look of a film created through use of lighting, color, and camera angles that is used to express meaning and ideas. Different styles of film have made distinct choices in cinematography to produce and effect.
Ex from CK: Use of hard light, much like that of film noir, to establish a darker tone and the lack of true meaning and love in the life of Charles Foster Kane. Low angle shots used to convey power and status. When discussing Susan's singing career Kane's shadow completely swallows her image, showing his complete dominance over her and her free will.
Production Design- Placement of objects on set to convey meaning. Use of symbolism, costume, mattes, color, actors etc... to create a tone or set a scene. Lots of people work together to create this design and much of it is done prior to filming.
Ex from CK: Barbed wire switching to gate of Kane house provided a symbolism and mood that carried a viewer through the movie. The life Kane creates is in a way his prison. Snow globe at the beginning foreshadows meaning of rosebud, and its shattering is ominous. Costumes help convey wealth and position.
Acting- Actors become an important part of visual design through their facial express, body movement, and possible typage. Aspects of the production design can enhance actor impact which in turn enhances audience response. Acting is different on camera than in theatre and there are different approaches to acting.
Ex from CK: Classically trained theatre actors were used in order to gain a more true to life feel. Most of the actors had never before acted on film. These actors were people Welles had known well before Hollywood from a group he helped form called the Mercury Players. Their unknown status also helped center the focus on the storyline.
Editing- The way a film is edited can make or break it. Editing creates continuity and establishes relationships in screen through its use of transitions and cuts. There are many different functions and principles of editing as well as a long process that is used to edit the film.
Ex from CK: Montage is used throughout the film to show the deterioration of time in a condensed manner. The breakfast montage shows the breakdown of Kane's first marriage. First they sit close, talking and laughing, looking young and beautiful. Slowly all of these elements change till they look much worse off and are barely civil. Puzzle montage with Susan shows her getting lonelier and lonelier with nothing to do and no one to talk to. Use of dissolves at beginning to show many different scenes of an empty and bereft Xanadu.
Sound Design- The three main types of sound are Dialogue, Music, and Sound Effects. There are many different functions and codes of sound design that are used to create subtle and effectual meanings in film. The sound can be the most driving factor in a fit and has evolved over time to be increasingly complex.
Ex from CK: The musical score throughout the film changes as Kane ages. When he's young the music is loud and brassy, changing to become more somber and ominous as he ages. All of the different dialogues from people who knew Kane, as well as new reels, helps to reveal different aspects of Kane's character. Sound effects are used for psychological meaning, like the screeching tea kettle during the library sequence.