Film Studies Terminology 1

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Aesthetics

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The specific 'look' of the film, including style. Example: 'sci-fi' look with a blue/green color palette and low-key lighting in "Attack The Block."

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Auteur

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From the French 'author.' A director with control over the film's style. Example: Richard Ayoade's style in "Submarine."

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Cinematography

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Aspects of camera angles, distance, and movement, including color, lighting, and texture. Example: landscape shots in "Rabbit Proof Fence."

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Context

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When, where, how, and why the film is set. Example: "Slumdog Millionaire" shows life in India during rapid globalization.

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Generic conventions

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Methods and ingredients necessary for a film's style/category. Example: use of spaceships in Spielberg’s "E.T."

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Diegetic sound

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Sound part of the film world, like car horns or birds singing. Example: Justin Hurwitz’s score in "Whiplash."

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Non-diegetic sound

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Sound added in post-production to create atmosphere. Example: choral music in "Tsotsi."

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Genre

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The style or category of the film. Example: "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" as sci-fi, "Grease" as a musical.

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Iconography

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Images or symbols associated with a subject. Example: Gansel’s use of wave action mimicking the Nazi salute.

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Indie/independent

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Films independent of mainstream Hollywood, often with low budgets and unknown casts. Example: "Juno" cost $7 million.