Aice Media Studies

 Film Elements

Along with the literary elements such as plot, setting, characterization, structure, and theme, which make up the text or screenplay, there are many different film techniques used to tell the story or narrative. Attention is paid to sound, music, lighting, camera angles, and editing. 

Film Facts

• Title of film
• Year film was produced
• Nationality
• Names of the actors
• Name of director

Genre

• What main genre does the film fall under? – romantic, historical, detective, thriller, adventure, horror, and science fiction.
• What sub-grouping does the film fall under? – action, comedy, tragedy, war and westerns.

Setting

Setting is a description of where and when the story takes place.

• Does it take place in the present, the past, or the future?
• What aspects of setting are we made aware of? – Geography, weather conditions, physical environment, time of day.
• Where are we in the opening scene?

Plot and structure

• What are the most important sequences?
• How is the plot structured?
• Is it linear, chronological or is it presented through flashbacks??
• Are there several plots running parallel?
• How is suspense built up?
• Do any events foreshadow what is to come?

Conflict

Conflict or tension is usually the heart of the film and is related to the main characters.

• How would you describe the main conflict?
• Is it internal where the character suffers inwardly?
• is it external caused by the surroundings or environment the main character finds himself/herself in?

When analyzing films for school work or projects, you may be asked to use some or all of the characteristics above. Link those elements together that seem most logical. Try to think of the film as a whole and how the elements mentioned above work together to bring out the main message of the film.