This document provides a basic introduction to the language of film. It discusses how films are constructed sequences of signs that create meaning when combined. It then describes some of the key technical components that make up the visual language of film, including mise-en-scene, shots, camera angles, camera movement, and editing techniques. It also discusses the aspects of sound and lighting that are important elements of film language.

1. The Language of Film
A Basic Introduction

2. • Like all other media texts films are constructs
• Film is a Primary media therefore films are
constructed in such a way that we are gripped
from the opening
• The LANGUAGE of FILM is a visual and aural
one
• Films are a sequence of signs that when combined
together create meaning

3. The Technical Components: The
Language
• The Mis en Scene
• The Shot
• The Edit

4. Aspects of the visual language to
consider.
• Mis en Scene
• Basically the set, what is worn, how the scene is created

5. Camera Shot
The Size of Shot
The Lens

6. Camera Angles
Low Angle Shot
High Angle Shot
Eye Level Shot

7. Camera Movement
The Zoom In
The Zoom Out
The Pan
The Tilt

8. Camera Movement
The Tracking Shot
Point of View

9. • Editing
• Creates pace: Slow editing has different
connotations than quick.

10. Editing
• Creating a transition in time and space
– Dissolve
– Straight cut
– Fade in- Fade Out
– Ellipsis

11. • Sound
• Diegetic
• The aspects of sound that are in the story within
the ad eg dialogue, sound effects
Non-Diegetic
• Sound that exist outside the story, eg voice over,
theme tunes
– Voiceover
– Creates anchorage whilst also adding to the dramatic
effect within the narrative of the ad.
– Famous voice feeds into prior cultural knowledge of the
audience

12. • Lighting
• Highkey
• Bright light, clean clear
• Connotations of purity up-beat clean
• Low Key
• Dull, shadows Mysterious, sinister etc
• Coloured Light
• Creates mood, has various connotations