Reading Film: An Overview Summary

Movies are a visual medium, meaning viewers get information from looking at they way the movie looks. There are a variety of elements filmmakers use to convey information about the characters and setting of the movie. Social status, personalities, and lifestyles are shown through the characters' appearance, from their clothing to their makeup. Relationships can be seen through camera angles, and the camera itself can become a character's point of view. Filmmakers use editing to create suspense and excitement, while dialogue give information such as plot, character motivations and personalities, and location. Music helps to bring emotion and mood to the surface. Though we take movies for granted, a lot of time and effort is spent on these subtle but powerful details in order to bring together a compelling story. I thought this article was very interesting, although I already knew much of the information.