TFM 160 QUIZ #1 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
implicit v. explicit meaning (onions and ogres?) - Answers -implicit meaning = subtext,
meaning that lies underneath the surface, moral of the story
explicit meaning = obvious meaning, available on the surface of the movie
have layers just like onions and shrek lol
what is formal analysis and how does it differ from other types of analysis? - Answers -
Dissects the meaning of all elements and tools used by cinematic storytellers
Analytical approach mainly concerned w/ film as an art form
How do these elements weave together to communicate the meaning of a film?
Focuses on how a film uses cinematic language to convey meaning and tell a story
What are the defining characteristics that distinguish movies from other forms of art? -
Answers -The fact that movies move is the main differentiation between movies and
other forms of art
Constructed from individual shots (unbroken spans of action)
Shots can be edited together to control what the audience sees and how they see it
Movies can transport people through time and space
What do we mean when we describe cinematic language as "invisible"? What are some
of the reasons why cinematic language is invisible? - Answers -Cinematic language is
described as invisible because it connects the viewer to the story while simultaneously
concealing the means by which it does so
Techniques used in a movie that allow the audience to pick up meaning/messages
automatically without much thought
Ex: invisible cuts/editing, fade in/out represents time or setting change, low angle shots
portray power, etc.
What do we mean by cultural invisibility? How is this different from cinematic invisibility?
- Answers -Cultural invisibility is when a film favors stories and themes that reinforce
viewer's shared belief systems (main goal is to entertain, not provoke customers,
especially if you want to profit)
Reinforcing their audience's fundamental desires and beliefs
, Cinematic invisibility focuses more on form and cultural invisibility focuses more on
content
shot - Answers -unbroken span of action
cut - Answers -a direct change from one shot to another
editing - Answers -The process by which the editor combines and coordinates
individual shots into a cinematic whole
The joining together of discrete shots
close-up - Answers -A shot that often shows a part of the body filling the frame—
traditionally a face, but possibly a hand, eye, or mouth.
fade-out/fade-in - Answers -Transitional devices in which the first shot fades out
gradually to a black screen
The next shots fades in gradually, or becomes increasingly exposed
Usually used to convey the passage of time
Low angle shot - Answers -A shot that is made with the camera below the action and
that typically places the observer in a position of inferiority.
Cutting on action - Answers -A continuity editing technique that smoothes the transition
between shots portraying a single action from different camera angles
protagonist - Answers -the primary/main character whose pursuit of a goal provides the
main structural foundation to a movies story
motif - Answers -a recurring visual, sound, or narrative element that imparts meaning or
significance
theme - Answers -a shared, public idea such as a metaphor, myth, familiar conflict,
personality type, etc.
What is the difference between form and content? And why do works of art need both? -
Answers -form = the means by which a subject is expressed
content = the subject of an artwork
The two terms are often paired because works of art need them both. Content provides
something to express; form supplies the methods and techniques necessary to present
it to the audience.
implicit v. explicit meaning (onions and ogres?) - Answers -implicit meaning = subtext,
meaning that lies underneath the surface, moral of the story
explicit meaning = obvious meaning, available on the surface of the movie
have layers just like onions and shrek lol
what is formal analysis and how does it differ from other types of analysis? - Answers -
Dissects the meaning of all elements and tools used by cinematic storytellers
Analytical approach mainly concerned w/ film as an art form
How do these elements weave together to communicate the meaning of a film?
Focuses on how a film uses cinematic language to convey meaning and tell a story
What are the defining characteristics that distinguish movies from other forms of art? -
Answers -The fact that movies move is the main differentiation between movies and
other forms of art
Constructed from individual shots (unbroken spans of action)
Shots can be edited together to control what the audience sees and how they see it
Movies can transport people through time and space
What do we mean when we describe cinematic language as "invisible"? What are some
of the reasons why cinematic language is invisible? - Answers -Cinematic language is
described as invisible because it connects the viewer to the story while simultaneously
concealing the means by which it does so
Techniques used in a movie that allow the audience to pick up meaning/messages
automatically without much thought
Ex: invisible cuts/editing, fade in/out represents time or setting change, low angle shots
portray power, etc.
What do we mean by cultural invisibility? How is this different from cinematic invisibility?
- Answers -Cultural invisibility is when a film favors stories and themes that reinforce
viewer's shared belief systems (main goal is to entertain, not provoke customers,
especially if you want to profit)
Reinforcing their audience's fundamental desires and beliefs
, Cinematic invisibility focuses more on form and cultural invisibility focuses more on
content
shot - Answers -unbroken span of action
cut - Answers -a direct change from one shot to another
editing - Answers -The process by which the editor combines and coordinates
individual shots into a cinematic whole
The joining together of discrete shots
close-up - Answers -A shot that often shows a part of the body filling the frame—
traditionally a face, but possibly a hand, eye, or mouth.
fade-out/fade-in - Answers -Transitional devices in which the first shot fades out
gradually to a black screen
The next shots fades in gradually, or becomes increasingly exposed
Usually used to convey the passage of time
Low angle shot - Answers -A shot that is made with the camera below the action and
that typically places the observer in a position of inferiority.
Cutting on action - Answers -A continuity editing technique that smoothes the transition
between shots portraying a single action from different camera angles
protagonist - Answers -the primary/main character whose pursuit of a goal provides the
main structural foundation to a movies story
motif - Answers -a recurring visual, sound, or narrative element that imparts meaning or
significance
theme - Answers -a shared, public idea such as a metaphor, myth, familiar conflict,
personality type, etc.
What is the difference between form and content? And why do works of art need both? -
Answers -form = the means by which a subject is expressed
content = the subject of an artwork
The two terms are often paired because works of art need them both. Content provides
something to express; form supplies the methods and techniques necessary to present
it to the audience.
