This document outlines key film terminology and concepts for a G.C.S.E. Film Studies class. It defines diegetic and non-diegetic sound, and provides examples of how each can be used and analyzed in films. It also explains different narrative structures like linear, non-linear, and circular narratives. Additionally, it introduces Todorov's narrative theory of equilibrium, disequilibrium, and new equilibrium. Students are assigned to analyze sound usage and narrative format in film scenes and clips using these concepts.

1. G.C.S.E. Film Studies
Key Terminology - 2

2. Starter
•Name three transitions
used in editing – the
movement from one shot
to the next?

3. Todays Objectives
• WALT
• Understand the terminology and methods of describing
sound.
• What are the different forms of narrative are?
• What is Todorov narrative theory?
• WILF
• Identify and analyse the impact of sound using terminology
appropriately.
• Identify the different narrative formats.
• Apply Todorov theory to a film.

4. Controlled Assessment
• What film have you chosen?
• What is the timing of the scene?
• I need to prepare these for next week

5. Sound
• In your groups name a film that used a memorable
piece of music?
• What about the music made it so memorable?
• What impact did it have in the film for the
audience?

6. Sound in Film
• This is divided into two forms for film:
• Diegetic
• Non Diegetic

7. DIEGETIC SOUND
Sounds that can be heard in the diegesis (the world) of the film.
Dialogue, explosions, music on a car radio etc.
Example – Shaun of the Dead
Ten minutes describe the various diegetic sounds used within the scene
Sound within this category can not be added, it is worth noting however
that even if the sound was created in post production like a gun shot if
it belongs in the world of the movie then it remains diegetic sound.

8. NON-DIEGETIC SOUND
Sounds that are outside the diegesis (the world) of the film.
Soundtrack, External voiceover
• Many films will use narrators like Stand By Me or the
Shawshank Redemption
• Example – Team America
• Ten minutes identify the use of non-diegetic sound.

9. Example
• Clip – Opening scene – Stranger than Fiction
• Analyse the use of both diegetic and non-diegetic
sound within the scene?
• What is the diegetic?
• What is the non-diegetic?
• How are they interacting and what impact are they
having?

10. Other types of sound
• What are these forms of sound:
• Synchronous
• Asynchronous
• Contrapuntal
• Five minutes discuss and feedback, give an example of
how this could be used within film.

11. Narrative
• The forms of narrative
• Linear narrative – Begins at the start moves to the middle
and then to the end.
• Non Linear – May begin in any order, middle then
beginning and then end, e.g. Pulp Fiction, 500 Days of
Summer or Kill Bill
• Circular – begins at the end and then tells story in linear
fashion returning to the end.
• Episodic – story told in chapters the chapters may follow
characters and then not be in order.

12. Examples
• Watch the two scenes?
• Individually in your books
• What are the narrative formats?
• How do you know this?
• You will feedback and discuss – you have ten minutes.

13. Macro Features for Narrative
• Story - the chronological order that events occur.
• Plot – how the audience are shown these events

14. Todorovs Narrative Theory
• Todorov theory is that all stories follow this order:
• Equilibrium
• This is how the story will begin the place and characters are
in their normal routines.
• Disequilibrium
• Something happens to disrupt this order – this could be any
event such as war or a villain. This has to be resolved by the
hero.
• New Equilibrium
• A new equilibrium is established after the hero resolved the
conflict.

15. More detailed.
• More detail
• Between the disequilibrium and the restoration of
equilibrium there can also be:
• Recognition – aware of what happens and drama
develops.
• Attempts to repair – heroes try and there maybe a plot twist
or climactic point. They are temporary prevented from
restoring the harmony.

17. Two new terms
• Parody – to use elements from an existing film / text
but to make it funny – Last Action Hero / Scary
Movie
• Homage – to copy elements from an existing film
because you admire the movie – Be Kind Rewind

18. Next week
• You are going to present to the class your five
minute film sequence.
• You need to explain why you feel this sequence is a
good choice for analysis for your controlled
assessment – consider the terminology for textual
analysis we have recovered the last two weeks.
• You verbal explanation should be short 2-3 minutes.