Sound Effects and background noise
Most films contain what are termed diegetic and non-diegetic sounds. Diegetic sounds belong to the world of the film and include voices, sounds and any music that is within the narrative, for example a radio playing music or a juke box or even a bomb ticking could be an example of a diegetic sound. Non-diegetic sound is when music or a certain sound is not involved within the narrative/script. An example could be tensed music being played in a horror film signifying a sense of foreboding and apprehension amongst the viewers.
Music can increase the power of a flow of images in three main ways:
- It can supply/add the emotional dimensions of a film
- It can supply/add the factual dimension of a film(hints the time and place)
- It can supply /add to the aesthetic dimensions of a film.
Mise en scene
The term mise-en-scene translated literally from the French means ‘placed in the scene’. It was first used in the theatre and referred to the way in which a director arranged theatrical elements and events on stage. In film studies it is used to describe everything that can be seen in a single shot, such as the following
- Setting
- Props and costumes
- Performance
The term also includes the way in which these elements are placed and lit. A number of film theorists have extended mise-en –scene to include how a scene is recorded by the camera. For example, the way in which the characters are framed, the position of the camera and whether it is mobile or static.
Iconography
An icon can be an image of a person or an object which comes to represent a particular meaning for a social group.
In the twentieth century the swastika became the symbol of the nazi party signifying horror and oppression to millions of people. In earlier civilisations, however, similar symbols represented fertility and the spirit of good.
Images of Marilyn Monroe and the virgin Mary are also used as icons, each idealizing a different type of womanhood.
Many religious symbols represent many different religions, the cross, the star of David etc.
Dialogue and music
Dialogues can be presented in many different languages and styles. There are many different dialects used in television to fit that time or place, films from different times will include a different dialect for example films set in the past ‘Pride and prejudice’, the dialect and language used was very old English to represent that era making the film more realistic. The music used in the film would be very much of that time too, the music would be very classical emphasising that era. However in contrast to modern day programmes aimed at children, the language used would be very simplistic allowing children to understand the programme, the music would be extremely lively keeping the children entertained.
Language Style.
People adopt different speech registers in different situations. Some are more formal than others. Newsreaders use very formal language to signify importance and great meaning as serious issues are raised.
The language styles are very varied in terms of genre, in a family film for example Shrek, the language would be comedic and very colloquial to appeal to all ages. In gangster films the language will tend to be more harsh, rigid and firm to signify intimidation and threat.
Costume/Appearance/Performance
Costumes are major codes in narrative. They give off many connotations. For example Al Pacino in the ‘The Godfather’ is always dressed with excellence ad great sophistication to signify his power, wealth, command and importance. Therefore costumes are used symbolically.
The costume used in old English films are very traditional, e.g. women in their tight corsets and men in their smart and well kept suits.
Much of the meaning created in a scene originates from the performance. For example in Armageddon a powerful role was needed for saving the world as well as being a father figure, Bruce Willis played this role with great stature, elegance, importance connoting his significance in the film, however if a very weak and timid character was to be placed instead of Bruce Willis, that character would not be respected enough from the viewers point of view and would not play any importance.
Equilibrium
Todorov, a Bulgarian literary theorist, suggested that most narrative start with a state of equilibrium in which life is ‘normal’ and happy. This state of normality is disrupted by an outside force, which has to be fought against in order to return to a state of equilibrium. The model can easily be applied to a wide range of films.
The problem formula
Establishing A Elaboration of Resolution of Problem problem Problem
The problem is found and then elaborated and is then resolved. This formula can be used for many different genres.
Disruption and resolution
Analysing narrative structure follows from the idea that most narratives have a common structure, starting with the establishing of a plot, theme or problem: for instance, the murder by an unknown person at the beginning of a detective series. This is then followed by the development or elaboration of the problem, an enigma, an increase in tension, perhaps with the main suspect being murdered or new characters or ‘twists’ being introduced. Finally comes the resolution of the plot theme or situation, in which the problems are conventionally solved. This resolution may happen when the detective reveals all and the murder is exposed.
Climax
A narrative is built around a cause-effect chain; certain events take place that cause a climax, the highlight of the film, the best moment. The climax could be in any genre, an example could be a fairytale, when the price and princess are finally bought together. In romantic comedy, the two couples are bought together after all their struggles and problems. In a horror genre the murderer is found out.
Cause and effect
The technique of cause and effect moves along the narrative, for example, something is caused a murder in the area and then the effect of that cause would be that then that particular area or place would then live in fear, people will be more cautious and weary.
Motivation
Motivation is where a certain character helps move along a narrative. For example Shrek’s mission was to find the princess. The audience with Shrek move along in the narrative to complete his mission. Shrek provides motivations or reasons for the narrative. If there were no characters to motivate the narrative then it would stay stationary and very uninteresting.
Use of Time and space.
The main techniques to show passing of time are:
- Compression-we see on screen the seasons rapidly changing, or the time in the day. The portrayal of day to night.
- Ellipsis-A long series of events is cut down to a few significant shots.
- Freeze frame- A still image appears on screen and a narrator or voice-over tells us that years have passed by.
- Slow motion- time can be stretched and emphasis given to a scene through slow motion.
- Flash backs – the filmmaker can make us travel back in time.
Space is important in filmmaking because characters are shown from different camera angles. They way in which the characters are shot can give out many meanings to the viewers. We can also get a point of view shot showing the audience what the character can see, it puts us in their position and also allowing us to feel more involved in the narrative.
Alternative narratives
An alternative narrative structure is one that is ‘different’ in either content or form. It may ignore or change codes and conventions, or it may treat the various different components in unusual or unexpected ways.
For example pop videos are considered alternative by some older people, the use of different camera angles and special effects could be a bit off putting .
