Richard Fashola Codes and Conventions of Films

Mr Sleeman Film Research

The world of film is diverse and massive, each film has its own unique selling point which attracts potential audience members however no matter what genre or country the film may be from it each film is controlled by the codes and conventions of film which is crucial to how the film is made and presented to the audience. Codes and conventions can usually be split into three different categories which are technical, verbal and symbolic. However in the essay I will be focussing mainly on the technical side and how it can be used in storytelling. Codes and conventions are usually determined by what kind of genre the particular film is, for example a Horror film codes & conventions will be different to that of an Action Film. The codes & conventions are in place to keep the audience interested and engrossed in what they are watching whatever the film may be, codes & conventions of the technical side can keep the viewer constantly engaged by using a multitude of different shots and angles. They can be used to also tell a story to the audience, Different angles and different shots can be put together for a variety of reasons concerning the story they can be used to slow down the narrative, to fasten up the narrative, to make the audience feel a certain type of emotion; there are many ways in which the camera can unfold a story to the narrative. For example in an Action-Adventure film such as Casino-Royale the shots Quick-cutting between each other when James bond is chasing the African fugitive in the beginning opening of the scene. This is to create climax and to keep the audience on the edge of their seat, anticipating for something to happen. It sucks in the audience into the film and keeps the wondering, whats going to happen next keeping them constantly engaged in the action. In terms of story-telling the quick-cutting is increasing the pace of the scene as the camera keeps cutting back to each character with James bond being the predator and the fugitive being the prey. It again rapid idly increases the action happening on scene; however the audience is usually so focused in on whats happening on the screen that they forget that the transitioning between shots is playing a major role on the audience and how it is keeping them on the edge of their seats. Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZxNbAwY_rk Seamless cutting is effective in creating a easy to understand and straightforward story for the audience, this is because the transition between shots is smooth and flows naturally making the action on screen much easier to understand. The audience never usually notice the clean-smooth shots unless you are specifically observing and looking out for the editing. Seamless editing may not be as bold as jump cuts as such but is crucial to the understanding of a scene. An example of this is in Eastenders the TV drama where Seamless editing is essential to the understanding of drama and conflicts happening on screen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78q8ysdL9Es Jump cutting is essential in the modern word of filmmaking; Jump cutting is when a single shot of the same item cuts to a different position or shot varying slightly to the previous shot, Jump cutting is fundamentally cutting out time and making it seem a quicker than it actually is in real life world time. Jump cuts add a sense of fast forwarding the scene, unseen to the eye and for this reason jump cuts is very effective in story telling as jump cuts still allow the story to flow, while cutting out the bits which are not necessary or add anything to that particular scene. A good example of jump cutting is in a music video called pop off by maxsta where jump cutting is frequent throughout the whole video as it can go from him holding the mic, to him jumping around in the room. Richard Fashola Mr Sleeman Film Research

Richard Fashola http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pO8BKuCQpCI

Mr Sleeman Film Research

Continuity Editing is somewhat similar to seamless editing as they are both smooth to the eye allowing the films narrative to unfold without any major cuts which may disrupt the viewer or to distract them from the story-telling on the screen. Continuity editing is used in order for the audience to be 100 percent focussed in the story and draw them into the films narrative deeper and deeper. Continuity editing is mainly used in confrontations between humans, such as arguing which can be used very effectively as the camera will subtly switch angles from each person. All this is used in order to make the viewer more concerned about the story, than the techniques used. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L16DjjzZMw Motivated shot Motivated shot is used in mainly action films, Drama and Horror films however they can be used in any genre of film. Motivated shot is often motivated by a certain action happening on screen which the camera will instantly cut to which usually a reaction, a dialogue or music cue is happening. It shows the audience what is happening on screen and illustrates to the viewer just how important that objects on screen is whatever it may be. This immediately catches the audiences attention and keeps their eyes glued onto the screen, keeping them focussed on what is un-ravelling on screen and increases the story-telling technique as it makes everything much more exciting. In terms of a motivated shot happening for a music cue, this can be when the action on screen reacts immediately almost simtunously to the music beginning. An example of motivated shot is if a person escapes from a car on fire, then the car immediately explodes so the camera cuts to the persons reaction or a shot of the exploding car. . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9zW9_LL5xg Montage Editing Montage Editing is not as widespread as the other Editing Techniques yet, however it is getting more popular. Montage is when a lot of information such as images or short clips are edited together in a short sequence in order to condense time which the directors may not have and cutting out the bits which may not be necessary in the film or TV show to still tell the same story. Montages are very effective in romantic films as it can show a married couple who started going out when they are young, and shows them grow together through the ages. A montage usually have a very overwhelming effect on the viewers emotions, making them feel whatever emotion the director wants them to. Montages are very good in story telling as they keep the story interesting and keeping the viewers engaged with the unfolding narrative. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v81osfu1K0o

Richard Fashola

Mr Sleeman Film Research

Richard Fashola

Mr Sleeman Film Research

Parallel Editing is one of the most successful ways of keeping the audience on the edge of their seats, keeping them glued on to the screen and especially in confusing them into what is happening, but in a effective way as this is creating a twist. Parallel Editing is the technique of alternating between two different locations in the same scene happening almost simultaneously. This is effective in story telling as this keeps the viewer constantly engaged all the time while keeping them wondering as to what is going on screen which is keeping their brain continuously guessing at all times. Parallel Editing also creates a nice twist in a film and can change the whole narrative instantly, which is what audiences want to see; they want to see something different. 180 degree Rule The 180 Degree rule must be stuck to at all times, no matter the situation. The 190 degree rule is that the camera must remain on the same side that the director starts filming with from the beginning in order to not cause confusion among the audience and for the scene to make sense. The rule is that the camera should never cross the imaginary line unless it is done on purpose to cause a special effect to confuse or to make the audience aware that something is not right about that particular scene. This is effective in story-telling as this allows the narrative to flow naturally and logically without the audience being confused at any time, it allows the narrative to make more sense. An example of the 180 degrees rule is that two people are talking to each other on the screen then the camera must stay on the side that they started filming on, they cannot cross the imaginary line. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Jhsks1Ci0U Transitions There are many different transitions that can be used in film, Transitions are done in post production work and this is where different scenes or shots are combined together to make the film viewable by the public and for the film to make sense. Transitions are fundamental to a film, as this is how the film will be presented to the audiences so it is important to include an array of transitions in any film. Transitions are important to the story-telling of the film as transitions can tell the story to the audiences just by themselves and the better the transitions; the more the audience will be engaged with the film. Some of the Transitions in a film A dissolve is when the first shot is on screen and the 2nd shot begins to appear on top of it gradually, more and more until the 2nd shot is fully visible. This is effective as this is used to link two scenes together or even two people together. A dissolve can be used to show time moving on, a different location used and that a character of the film has changed. A fade is editing where the image gradually fades of the screen and disappears, while leaving a white or black screen behind. A fade to black can be used for the ending of the film; however it can also be used to suggest that time has moved on or a particular situation has ended. A fade to white can suggest that the person may be entering a dreamlike state or that they may be moving on to an afterlife.

Richard Fashola

Mr Sleeman Film Research

Richard Fashola

Mr Sleeman Film Research

A simple cut is the most basic of the cuts and is the least used as it is the oldest form of cut available. A cut is the move form from one thing to another which can tell the audience a lot of things about what is happening on screen. An example of this can be if a woman is day dreaming at her desk at work, then cuts to a scene of a man. This can suggest that she may dreaming about the man. A wipe which is not common in the big blockbuster films of Hollywood, however it is still effective and is starting to make a comeback into films. A wipe is where one image is wiping another off the screen which is common in the older films. A wipe suggest that whatever scene/character pushes the other one off is more important and more powerful. Wipes can come in many directions which can be up, down, sideways and can even come in shapes. First Filmmakers: Lumire brothers Georges Mlis Robert W.Paul Edison Company George Albert Smith Cecil Hepworth First Film to be made: The Horse in Motion (1878) First Tape recorder: Invented in min 19030s Germany Five films which include Digital Video: Once upon a time in Mexico Spy Kids Star wars Episode 1: The phantom Menace Star wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones Avatar First film to Include Digital Video: Star Wars Episode 1: The phantom Menace

Richard Fashola

Mr Sleeman Film Research