Introduction

Films have a language of their own

Filmlanguage : a set of collectively

generated conventions - stories told
through the medium of images,
actions, sounds and words.

visual
language has its own
grammar and syntax
 Communicating visually requires

keen observation, creativity, technical

know how, experience

Clue to human psychology- understand

nuances of perception, artistic sensibility

Understanding of visual language- its

grammar/syntax
A film or video camera has a lens that
focuses an image of the subject/ object
onto a light- sensitive piece of film or
electronic chip

Similar to that of a still camera

So, how to capture movement?

Are moving pictures really moving? Or has

it anything to do with illusion of
movement?
 Seeing movement from still pictures is
understood to be possible because of a visual
phenomenon called persistence of vision

the disposition of any image to remain

momentarily on the eye's retina after it is no
longer seen

a sequence of individual still pictures, when set in

motion, gives the illusion of movement
A film or video camera records a
sequence of still images (frames) in
rapid succession

In
film, standard frame rate is 24 frames
per second (24 fps)

When the images are then displayed one

after another on a screen rapidly, we
perceive motion.
 technologicalregulation of the film
apparatus which allows a certain
number of still images(frames)

topass through the film gate at a set

rate each second (18 frames per
second to 24 fps)
 Still photography moving pictures

short tableau kind of staged events( short films)

joining of different shots (editing) to
form scenes and sequences

the logical interrelations of shots and sequences

to create meanings to many more
developments & sophistications (sound, music,
special effects and what not?)
 Daguerre and Niepce (1839)
Marey and Muybridge- photographing movement(
1870-80s)
Edison & Dickson the motion picture camera
Kinetoscope (1889)
Lumiere Brothers- making & projecting short films
to the public (1895)
Georges Melies- trick films (1897)
Edwin S. Porter- editing (1902)
Griffeth- the base for film structuring (1908-1914)
 Arrangingvisual elements in a frame to
make the image visually appealing and
complete- to fulfill viewer's expectations

Grouping,patterns, shapes, and forms

put together artistically makes good
composition

Badcomposition has a disturbing effect

on the eyes and the viewer's mind
 Having a single point of interest
within a frame
Selective seeing, pointing the
camera at the scene of action
Placing the subject properly in
the frame
May begin using a rectangular
cut-out (4 by 3) to get frames!
 Following certain principles of design-
grouping
balance
ratio and proportion
rule of thirds
lines and curves
figure and ground
harmony and contrast
light
colour
Grouping and organization- principle of
unity:
Distribute elements within a frame to achieve
balance
Arrange objects within a frame so that they
look grouped and not scattered/unrelated
Group
if they belong together
If they have compatibility in terms of size,
shape, colour
 Distributingelements within a frame
to achieve some equilibrium
arrange objects so that anything
large on one side is balanced by
something of importance on the
other side
A chess piece Queen can be
balanced by other pieces on the
opposite side of the image
 The ratio and proportion of a
composition plays a v. important role
in its appeal
The principle called the golden
section (the divine proportion 1:
1.618 shows up in architecture,
paintings, photography
.and in nature
 Frame is divided into three parts
both horizontally and vertically and
the points where lines intersect
Positioning the main subject of
interest on any one of the four
intersections
 Vertical
straight lines - formality and
height (a row of tall trees)

Horizontal lines lend stability

Diagonal lines- dynamic and exciting

Curved
lines beauty, elegance,
movement, rhythm
 Figure and ground- the shape and the
base/context

Harmony and contrast- balance both

Light- to illuminate, to lend texture/ depth/

shape etc.

Colour- to establish atmosphere, mood, to

change the quality and meaning of an image