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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.

Credits

Much of this page's content is drawn from the Film Analysis guide by folks at Yale University, specifically Mariano Prunes, Michael Raine, and Mary Litch. Thank you for your work.

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).