Elements of Filmmaking: Story & Production

• Film is a visual storytelling medium, using moving images and sound.
• It aims to entertain, inform, or evoke emotions, incorporating acting, cinematography, and music.
• Films are presented in genres such as drama, comedy, or action.

Elements of Filmmaking

• The key elements of filmmaking are story, screenplay, production design, and cinematography
• The narrative concept is the foundation of the movie extracted from the film's content
• This concept is present after the script completion and before production
• Key narrative elements of a film include Theme, Plot, Setting and Point of View
• The screenplay acts as the initial blueprint, guiding the film from pre-production to post-production, influencing decisions throughout filmmakers stages
• Scripts provide the structure and shape the narrative and visual storytelling.

Production Design

• Production design in film creates and manages the visual elements, including sets, costumes, props, and lighting to support storytelling.
• Set design creates physical spaces where scenes occur, constructing environments, rooms, and locations.
• Costume design selects clothing that defines character personalities, reflects time periods, and contributes to the films overall aesthetic
• Makeup and hair design create a specific look for characters, from special effects makeup to reflect a character's personality or time period.
• Props are objects used by characters or placed in the scene that adds detail, enhance storytelling, and create realism.
• Lighting uses light and shadow to create mood and atmosphere to support the emotional tone
• The Colour palette uses colours in sets, costumes and lighting to evoke emotions, support themes and create visual style.

Cinematography

• Cinematography captures visual images by manipulating camera angles, lighting, lenses, and special effects to enhance storytelling.
• Camera angles show the relationship between viewer and characters, conveying power or vulnerability.
• Eye level is the most common angle in filmmaking, and shows a neutral perspective
• The High Angle looks down on the subject, making them appear small or weak
• The Low Angle shot looks up, making subject appear dominant
• A Bird's Eye View is when the camera is directly above the subject creates detachment or surveillance
• A Worm's Eye View is an extreme Low-Angle, making a subject appear monumental
• A Dutch Angle is when the camera is tilted, conveying disorientation
• An Over-The-Shoulder Shot is when the camera is positioned behind character, highlighting a viewpoint.
• The Point-Of-View Shot shows exactly what a character sees, creating an immersive perspective
• Camera movements give films energy and impact the scene's rhythm
• A Pan is when the camera is rotated moving left to right.
• A Zoom is when the lens is adjusted to create proximity
• A Dolly Shot is when the camera moves smoothly typically on tracks to explore environment
• A Crane Shot is when the camera is mounted allowing for dramatic lifts
• A Handheld shot is when the operator holds camera creating a raw and immersive feel
• A Steadicam shot is when the camera is mounted on a stabilizing rig worn by an operator, allowing for complex shots
• The Arc is when the camera moves in a curved path which can emphasize different perspectives
• Push In/Out is when the camera moves forward or backward while focusing on subject, used to create emphasis.