Elements of a Movie Elements of a Movie Genres Plot Theme Actors Camera Angles Lighting Sound Genres Action- Similar to adventure Protagonist usually takes risk, leads to desperate situations (explosions, fight scenes, car chases). Adventure- Protagonist journeys to epic or distant place Accomplishes something important. Comedy- story with funny or comical events intended to make audience laugh. Crime- story about crime. Can also be account of criminal s life. Often falls into action or adventure genres. Drama- film intended to be more serious than humorous. Focuses on in-depth development of realistic characters. Considered the opposite of comedy. Historical- story about real person or event. 1
Horror- Story told to deliberately scare or frighten audience, through suspense, violence or shock. Romance- Emotion driven Focus on relationships between characters Thriller- Mix of fear and excitement. Borderline horror fiction at times. Vocabulary Plot: Main events presented in an interrelated sequence. Made up of a series of incidents Plot Diagram 1. Exposition 3 4 5 Occurs at beginning Characters introduced. Introduced to the main conflict, the initial incident (main problem). 1 2 6 2
2. Initial Incident Reveals conflict of story. Reasoning of characters actions Protagonist attempting to correct situation. 3. Rising Action Developing conflict(s) Building of interest or suspense Important Vocabulary Three Types of Conflict Protagonist: Central character, good or bad Their MOTIVATION is to achieve or accomplish goal Antagonist: Force which operates against protagonist, trying to prevent the protagonist from achieving the goal Conflict: Struggle between two opposing forces 1. Person vs. Person- between protagonist and other character. 2. Person vs. Environment- between the protagonist and nature, society, or circumstances. 3. Person vs. Themselves- the protagonist experiences internal conflict dealing with their thoughts or emotions. 3
Important Vocabulary Complications: incident or a series of incidents (additional problems) that interfere with plans of protagonist. Crises: moments of intense conflict Short Story Vocabulary Climax: When action comes to its highest point of conflict. Suspense: device captivating audience, increasing attention to know what will happen next 4. Climax Occurs during main crisis of the story Turning point of the story. Usually main character comes face to face with a conflict. Main character will change in some way. 5. Falling Action Loose ends of plot tied up. Outcome of the conflict(s) revealed. 4
Three Types of Story Outcomes 1. Happy Ending: conflict resolved in protagonist s favour. 2. Unhappy Ending: conflict not in favour of protagonist 3. Indeterminate Ending: conflict not clearly resolved. Short Story Vocabulary Resolution: The story s action after climax until the end of the story. Conclusion of story. 6. Resolution Putting It All Together Ending/conclusion 1. Exposition 2. Initial Incident 3. Rising Action 4. Climax Beginning of Story Middle of Story 5. Falling Action 6. Resolution End of Story 5
Characters are categorized based on THREE criteria Round- complex and have many visible personalities. Flat- minor characters with a single quality in their personality. Realistic- motivations, actions, speech or mannerisms resemble real people Stereotyped- follow a predetermined pattern of characterization. Dynamic- undergo significant change (growth) during the story. Static- remain virtually unchanged throughout the story. Vocabulary Theme: The story s main ideas. The message the writer intends to communicate by telling the story. Ideas that underlies the unifying generalization about life and human nature. It is an implied meaning 6