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A Beginner's LibGuide to Film Studies

This is a subject guide for general resources for the Film and Media Arts program.

The Six Components of Film Analysis (Yale University)

PART 1: BASIC TERMS

Comprises a list of terms utilized in film analysis: auteurdiegesiseditingflashback flashforwardfocusgenres, mise en scenestory/plotscene sequenceshot

PART 2: MISE-EN-SCENE

Discusses the concept of mise-en-scene: "The representation of space affects the reading of a film. Depth, proximity, size and proportions of the places and objects in a film can be manipulated through camera placement and lenses, lighting, decor, effectively determining mood or relationships between elements in the diegetic world."

Decor, Lighting, Space, Costume, Acting

PART 3: CINEMATOGRAPHY

Quality, Framing, Scale, Movement

PART 4: EDITING

Devices (transitions; matches; duration), Styles

PART 5: SOUND

Sound Editing, Source, Quality

PART 6: ANALYSIS

Combining parts 1-5, this section demonstrates examples of film analysis using Rocco and His Brothers (Rocco e i suoi fratelli, Luchino Visconti, Italy, 1960) and Il Grido (Michelangelo Antononi, Italy, 1957).