Definitions

Why learn how to read films:

•    Emotional experience
•    Entertainment
•    Learn story
•    Visually connect with characters
•    Historic events
•    Perspective –> human condition
•    Relate to characters

Is Cinema or film a text:

• story
• characters
• setting
• sound
• images

Cinema is a visual art form. cinema is not literature. A film is not a novel.
- However, a film is a text, just as a play, poem or novel is a text.
- Although the storyline is essential, when reading a film you must be able to examine, interpret and analyse the visual elements and style.


Elements of film - Alice in Wonderland:

Shot types:
Setting, lighting, characters, dialogue, sound

Props:
Colour scheme, objects,
























A shot is a continuous piece of filming without interuption from the time the camera is turned on and starts filming until it is turned off

EDIT:
- An edit is a break in the film where one shot ends and the next shot begins
- The four common types of edit are:

• Cuts
• Dissolves
• Fades
• Wipes (occasionally)

Edit types are selected carefully to suit the genre of the film and emotional intention of the shot!


A SCENE:
- A scene is a collection of shots, arranged through editing, into a specific order.