CHAPTER

MUSIC AND OTHER PERFORMING

3 ARTS
_________________________________________________________________________________
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the chapter, the students shall be able to:
 Understand the nature, medium and organization of time arts; and
 Demonstrate appreciation of the various types of performing arts.
_________________________________________________________________________________

The performing arts range from vocal and instrumental music, dance and theatre to
pantomime, sung verse and beyond. They include numerous cultural expressions that reflect human
creativity and that are also found, to some extent, in many other intangible cultural heritage domains.
Music is perhaps the most universal of the performing arts and is found in every society, most
often as an integral part of other performing art forms and other domains of intangible cultural heritage
including rituals, festive events or oral traditions. It can be found in the most diverse contexts: sacred
or profane, classical or popular, closely connected to work or entertainment. There may also be a
political or economic dimension to music: it can recount a community’s history, sing the praises of a
powerful person and play a key role in economic transactions.
Dance, though very complex, may be described simply as ordered bodily movements, usually
performed to music. Apart from its physical aspect, the rhythmic movements, steps and gestures of
dance often express a sentiment or mood or illustrate a specific event or daily act, such as religious
dances and those representing hunting, warfare or sexual activity.
Traditional theatre performances usually combine acting, singing, dance and music, dialogue,
narration or recitation but may also include puppetry or pantomime. These arts, however, are more
than simply ‘performances’ for an audience; they may also play crucial roles in culture and society
such as songs sung while carrying out agricultural work or music that is part of a ritual. In a more
intimate setting, lullabies are often sung to help a baby sleep.
Film, also called motion picture or movie, series of still photographs on film, projected in rapid
succession onto a screen by means of light. Because of the optical phenomenon known as
persistence of vision, this gives the illusion of actual, smooth, and continuous movement.
Film is a remarkably effective medium in conveying drama and especially in the evocation of
emotion. The art of motion pictures is exceedingly complex, requiring contributions from nearly all the
other arts as well as countless technical skills (for example, in sound recording, photography, and
optics). Emerging at the end of the 19th century, this new art form became one of the most popular
and influential media of the 20th century and beyond.
This chapter introduces students to the elements, genre, and principles of organization of the
Performing arts:
o Music
o Dance
o Theater
o Film
 LESSON

1 MUSIC

The word music comes from the Greek word “mousike”, which means “art of the muses” In
ancient Greece the muses included the goddesses of music, poetry art and dance
It is the art of combining sounds of varying pitch to produce coherent composition that is
melodious, harmonious, intelligible and expressive of ideas and emotions.
It is the art of ordering, tones or sounds in succession, combination and temporal
relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity vocal, instrument or mechanical
sounds having rhythm, melody or harmony.
Music can be used to express common themes of the human experience, such as love, loss,
grief, anger, excitement, celebration, jealousy, etc.

Kinds of Music
a. Classical Music
 Classical music is the main form of music, and refers mainly to the music which prevailed in
the world before the 20th century.
 Classical music is a complex form of music and requires intensive training and knowledge.
 Classical music may also refer to the local and folk music of any particular country or region.
 In the world of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven are defined as classical music.

b. Rock Music
 Rock music came into existence in the rock and roll era of the 1950s.
 Rock music has its focus mainly on guitars, drums and heavy vocal’s.
 However, use of piano, synthesizers, saxophone, flute, mandolin and sitar has also been
witnessed in the modern rock era. These instruments are mainly used to create a deeper
impact.
 Elvis Presley and The Beatles are considered to be the pioneers of rock music.
 Over years, rock music has diversified into various genre like hard rock, metal rock,
progressive rock.

c. Heavy Metal
 Heavy metal music also known as “information music”, started off after the Second World
war.
 It includes various sub-genres, such as thrash metal, death metal, black metal and so on.
The most important requirement of a heavy metal band is the presence of at least one
electronic guitarist.
 There may be a few soft and subtle pieces, but most of the song are loud, fast and
aggressive with some heavy use of the guitar and drums, and lot of screaming, mostly in
death metal. Led zeppelin and Black Sabbath were some of the famous bands of this genre.

d. Jazz Music
  Jazz music owes its origin to the African America communities in the Southern United
States.
 Cornet, trumpet, saxophone, piano, and violin are the main instruments used in jazz music.
 Jazz music carries a strong and intricate rhythm and is a lot influenced by the blues in terms
of using components like blue notes and phrasing of a melodies.
 Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Freddie Hubbard were some of the most famous
jazz artist.

e. Trance Music
 Trance music is characterized by fast beats, short melodic synthesizer phrases, and a
musical form that varies up and down throughout a track.
 Trance music is mostly played in clubs and discotheques, for listeners to groove and dance.
 The name trance suggests the hypnotic effect of this type of music, and quite often gets
associated with the use of drugs.
 Trance music is a combination of various forms of music such as industrial, techno, and
house.

f. Hip-hop Music
 Hip-hop music originated among the Black American during the 1970s, with a deep
influence from the Jamaican music.
 Hip-hop employs bass as the main instrument and includes rapping and audio mixing.
 Bob Marley and Robert Nesta Marley were the pioneers in popularizing hip-hop music.
 By 2000, hip-hop made its way to the world music charts, and now with the success of hip-
hop artist like Eminem, 50 Cents, Usher and Akon, Hip-hop is going places around the
globe.

g. Folk Music
 Folk music or traditional music mirrors the needs, desire, likes, dislikes and life of the local
people.
 Folk music mostly depicts the struggle for survival and culture of the people.
 Country music is a genre that has evolved out of folk music.
 Bob Dylan’s songs have become anthem for people fighting against social injustice.

h. Techno Music
 Techno, also known as fusion, is an electronic dance music influenced from the African
American styles like funk, electro and electric jazz.
 It was developed by a group known as “The Belleville Three”, initiated by Derrick May, Kevin
Sanderson and Juan Atkins in the suburbs of Detroit. Among the various styles of techno
that exists today, Detroit Techno is considered to be the base for all others.
 It is mainly an instrumental genre that uses instruments like synthesizers, drum machines,
multi-tracking and hardware sequencers for creating harmony.
Elements of Music
a. Tempo
 It is the speed or pace of a given piece.
 In classical music, tempo is typically indicated with an instruction at the start of a piece and
is usually measured in beats per minute.

b. Timbre
 Refers to quality of the sound being produced.
 Sound quality or tone color.
 It is characteristics that allows us to distinguish between one instrument and another, and
the difference between vowel sounds.

c. Melody
 A coherent succession of pitches. - Harvard Dictionary of Music
 PITCH or NOTE or TONE: when referred to in melody, these are the individual sounds that
comprise a melody. When you hum or sing or play a melody, you are performing a series of
pitches/notes/tones in succession.
 SCALE: a pattern of notes used to create a melody (this is what keeps melodies sounding
comfortable, familiar, and predictable rather than random and unpredictable). Most musical
scales are in MAJOR (sound happy) or MINOR (sound sad or maybe angry or scary)
 MELODIC CONTOUR: refers to the shape of the melody - like drawing an arrow to
accompany the direction of the melody. Melodies can go up or down or stay flat and repeat
the same note. When you sing along to a song, you’re creating a melodic contour with your
voice - a visual representation (drawing a line higher as the melody goes higher, or lower as
the melody drops lower) is a great way to communicate a lot of information about the piece
of music quickly.
 STEPWISE MOTION: is when melodies go one note up or down a scale. This sounds
simpler, easier, and more stable.
 LEAP MOTION: is when melodies go multiple notes up or down a scale. This sound more
unexpected, energized, and dramatic.

d. Rhythm
 The recurring patterns of notes from instrument. Also called a beat.
 A specific rhythm is a specific pattern in time; we usually hear these in relation to a steady
pulse, and mentally organize this pulse or tempo into meter (sometimes called a “time
signature”
e. Harmony
 The relation between the different notes played by the different instruments.
 Analogy: a harmonious society where everyone gets along with everybody else. Essentially,
harmonies must be created in such a way that no single note feels out of place.

f. Dynamics
 Refers to the modifications applied to the music.
 Loud or soft.
 A composition that has extremely soft passages as well as extremely loud passages is said
to have a large or wide dynamic range.
 Dynamics can change suddenly or gradually (crescendo, getting louder or decrescendo,
getting softer)
 Dynamics (volumes) are described in music with Italian words:

FORTISSIMO (ff) - very loud

FORTE (f) - loud
MEZZO FORTE (mf) - medium loud
MEZZO PIANO (mp) - medium soft
PIANO (p) - soft
PIANISSIMO (pp) - very soft
CRESCENDO (cresc.) - gradually loudening
DIMINUENDO (dim.) - gradually softening

g. Texture
 The density (thickness or thinness) of layers of sounds, melodies, and rhythms in a piece:
e.g., a complex orchestral composition will have more possibilities for dense textures than a
song accompanied only by guitar or piano
 Most common types of texture:
‫ ﻩ‬Monophony: A single layer of sound; e.g. a solo voice
‫ ﻩ‬Homophony: A melody with an accompaniment; e.g., a lead singer and a band; a
singer and a guitar or piano accompaniment; etc.
‫ ﻩ‬Polyphony: Two or more independent voices; e.g., a round or fugue.

h. Form
 The organization and structure of a composition and the interrelationships of musical events
within the overall structure.
 LESSON

2 DANCE
 Comes from an old German word “danson” which means “to stretch”
 The movement of the body in a rhythmic way, usually to music and within a given space, for the
purpose of expressing an idea or emotion, releasing energy, or simply taking delight in the
movement itself.
 A dance is an art form or activity that utilizes the body and the range of movement of which the
body is capable. Unlike the movements performed in everyday living, dance movements are not
directly related to work, travel, or survival. Dance may, of course, be made up of movements
associated with these activities, as in the work dances common to many cultures, and it may
even accompany such activities. But even in the most practical dances, movements that make
up the dance are not reducible to those of straightforward labor; rather, they involve some extra
qualities such as self-expression, aesthetic pleasure, and entertainment.
 It is a powerful impulse, but the art of dance is that impulse channeled by skillful performers into
something that becomes intensely expressive and that may delight spectators who feel no wish
to dance themselves. These two concepts of the art of dance—dance as a powerful impulse
and dance as a skillfully choreographed art practiced largely by a professional few—are the two
most important connecting ideas running through any consideration of the subject. In dance,
the connection between the two concepts is stronger than in some other arts, and neither can
exist without the other.

Types of Dance
a. Ballroom Dance
 Type of dance which are generally performed in pairs,
originated in Germany, but is now a popular act
followed in various dance styles. Today, the
popularity of ballroom dance is evident, given the
innumerable shows and competitions worldwide that
revere dance, in all its form.
 Ballroom dancing is one of the most entertaining and
elite styles of dancing. In the earlier days, ballroom
dance was only for the privileged class of people.
 Some forms of ballroom dances are:
‫ ﻩ‬Waltz. The waltz is danced to melodic, slow music and is an equally beautiful dance form.
The waltz is a graceful form of dance, that requires fluidity and delicate movement.
This graceful and slow two persons dance was first introduced in mid-19th century and
was greatly popularized by the music of the famous composer Johann Strauss. Today this
dance represents gold standard and the most famous dance of the ballrooms around the
world.
‫ ﻩ‬Tango. Originally created in the Argentinean region of Rio de la Plata, this dance is today
known by many of its variations (Argentine tango, Uruguayan tango, Finish Tango and two
types of Ballroom tangos - standard and American) and the fascinating sensual and energetic
style.
Like all ballroom dances, the male has to lead the female partner. The choreography of
this dance is what sets it apart from other styles.
 ‫ ﻩ‬Cha-cha-cha. This incredibly rhythmic dance created in Latin America managed to meld
together both the slow and very energetic movements, making it an instant hit among the
dancers around the world.
‫ ﻩ‬Jive. This is another lively form of ballroom dance. This dance is among the five dances that
belong to the Latin American dance styles. Seen as a dance style that had taken the 30s and
40s (dancers moved mostly to jazz music) to perfect and pass on years later, still keeping it
just as upbeat like it was back in the days.
‫ ﻩ‬Paso Doble. This lively dance is an International Latin dance style with less emphasis on hip
movement. The basic structure of this Latin dance is based on the sounds and the
movements used in Spanish bullfights.
‫ ﻩ‬Rumba. This sensual dance is based on slow hip movement. This dance is known for the
beauty of the steps that are coordinated on a slow rhythm.
‫ ﻩ‬Samba. Samba is a famous dance and musical genre that originated form the coast of Africa
and land of Brazil. This beautiful and energetic dance has also many forms. The steps may
differ in Samba that is danced as per the ballroom style and the traditional style samba
choreography.
‫ ﻩ‬Lambada. Sexy and stylish, the lambada is a Brazilian dance that is performed as a couple or
even in groups. This dance was particularly in the limelight because of the famous track
‘Lambada’ by a music group ‘kaoma’.

b. Folk Dance/Ethnic Dance

 A dance that has

cultural or regional
significance.
 A type of dance that
portray the beliefs,
interests, habits,
customs and
practices of nature.
 Folk dances represent musical, cultural heritage, reflections
of daily life or ethnic history of people who live in a certain
region or country. Popular all around the world in hundreds
of unique variations and styles, folk dances (also known as
traditional or ethnic dances) are usually performed at dance
gatherings with the accompaniment of traditional music of
the region. Majority of folk dances are not regulated, and
they slowly morph during the passage of time.
Some of the folk dances are:
‫ ﻩ‬Tinikling. A folk dance that originated in Leyte.
‫ ﻩ‬Pandanggo sa Ilaw. An ethnic dance in the Philippines that originated in Lubang Island,
Mindoro.
‫ ﻩ‬Sayaw sa Bangko. A traditional folk dance in the Philippines that originated in Pangasinan.

c. Theatrical Dance
 Any form of dance that is performed for an audience, as opposed to social dance, which is
primarily social in nature.
 It is usually performed in a theater or another public venue.
People who participate in theatrical dance go to classes and
practice with the ultimate goal of performing on stage.
 The different types of theatrical dance are:
‫ ﻩ‬Ballet. One of the most widely known forms of theatrical
dance. It developed in the 17 th century and it is
characterized by the body being open with the toes facing
outward while they are pointed. The movements are fluid
and graceful, and the classical style is symmetrical in terms
of the dancers’ bodies. Ballet dancers dance in a calm,
upright and sophisticated manner and illusion is still a large part of ballet.
‫ ﻩ‬Modern Dance. It was developed in the 20 th century. It was a reaction against the limited and
heavily structured parameters of ballet. One of the founders of modern dance was Isadora
Duncan, who felt that ballet was too artificial. Modern dance was designed to express the
human spirit, and it explored emotions, conflicts and passions that lay within. It was a
combination of different genres and it is often a combination of two or more genres.

‫ ﻩ‬Tap Dance. A style

of dance where

dancers wear
special shoes that have heel and one tapping device
installed. When they dance, they make sounds in time
with the music. It was first begun in the United States as
a combination of different ethnic percussive dances. It
became popular in dance contests and then it started to
spread out across the countries.

‫ ﻩ‬Jazz Dance. It appeared in the 1950s in the United States and it was named or the jazz
music that accompanied it. Jazz was made even more popular when it was included in
Cabaret and Broadway and today, it influences many styles of dance including ballet,
contemporary and lyrical. Most jazz dancers have a strong foundation in ballet. It includes
spins, quick moves, leaps and more and it is an upbeat and fun type of theatrical dance. Jazz
allows dancers to show their originality as they
interpret the dance in their own way.
 ‫ﻩ‬ Contemporary
dance. It is an
offshoot of modern
dance. It was
developed in the
mid-20th century
and it draws on
ballet, jazz, modern
and more. It does
not have any
specific codified
rules and it is very interpretative. Dancers are able to move
freely to interpret the music. The emphasis with
contemporary dance is on Armstrong’s upper body and
footwork and it also includes fall and recovery as well as
floorwork. It is important for contemporary dancers to have a
surface with shock absorption because they need protection
for their ankles and legs due to the sudden changes in
direction.
‫ ﻩ‬Hip-hop. Appeared in the 1970s and it has evolved over the years. It includes many different
styles of dance today. Some of the most popular includes Breakdancing, Locking and
Popping, Funk, Up rock, Boogaloo, Reggae, Lyrical Hip-hop and stepping. It includes
percussive beats made through body movements. People enjoy this style of dance because
they can make up their own moves.

Elements of Dance
The elements of dance are the foundational concepts and vocabulary that help develop
movements skills and understand dance as an artistic practice. The acronym BASTE will help you to
remember these elements.
a. Body
 In dance, the body is the mobile figure or shape, felt by the dancer, seen by others. The
body is sometimes relatively still and sometimes changing as the dancer moves in place or
travels through the dance area. Dancers may emphasize specific parts of their body in a
dance phrase or use their whole body all at once.
 Another way to describe the body in dance is to consider the body systems—muscles,
bones, organs, breath, balance, reflexes. We could describe how the skeletal system or
breath is used, for example. 
 The body is the conduit between the inner realm of Intentions, ideas, emotions and identity
and the outer realm of expression and communication. Whether watching dance or dancing
ourselves, we shift back and forth between the inner/outer sense of body.

b. Action
 Is any human movement included in the act
of dancing— it can include dance steps,
facial movements, partner lifts, gestures, and
even everyday movements such as walking.
Dance is made up of streams of movement
and pauses, so action refers not only to steps
and sequences, but also to pauses and
moments of relative stillness.
  Dancers may use movements that have been choreographed or traditional dances taught by
others who know the dances. Depending on the dance style or the choreographer's
decision, dancers may also revise or embellish movement they have learned from others. 
 Movement can also be improvised, meaning that the dancers make it up "on the spot" as
they spontaneously dance. Movement that travels through space is broadly called locomotor
movement in contrast to axial movement, which occurs in one spot.

c. Space
 Dancers interact with space in myriad ways. They may stay in one place or they may travel
from one place to another. They may alter the direction, level, size, and pathways of their
movements.
 The relationships of the dancers to each other may be based on geometric designs or
rapidly change as they move close together, then apart. Even when a dancer is dancing
alone in a solo, the dancer is dynamically involved in the space of the performing area so
that space might almost be considered a partner in the dance. 
 Dancers may focus their movement and attention outwardly to the space or inwardly, into
themselves. The line of travel may be quite direct towards one or more points in space or
indefinite and meandering. Dancers may also orient their movement towards objects or in
relation to natural settings. Sometimes dances are created for specific locations such as an
elevator or on a raft in a lake for site-based performances. Spatial relationships between
dancers or between dancers and objects are the basis for design concepts such as besides,
in front of, over, though, around, near or far.

d. Time
 The keyword for the element of time is when? Human movement is naturally rhythmic in the
broad sense that we alternate activity and rest. Breath and waves are examples of rhythms
in nature that repeat, but not as consistently as in a metered rhythm.  Spoken word and
conversation also have rhythm and dynamics, but these timing patterns are
characteristically more inconsistent and unpredictable.
 Rhythmic patterns may be metered or free rhythm. Much of western music uses repeating
patterns (2/4 or 3/4 for example), but concepts of time and meter are used very differently
throughout the world. Dance movements may also show different timing relationships such
as simultaneous or sequential timing, brief to long duration, fast to slow speed, or accents in
predictable or unpredictable intervals.

e. Energy
 Energy is about how the movement happens.  Choices about energy include variations in
movement flow and the use of force, tension, and weight. An arm gesture might be free
flowing or easily stopped, and it may be powerful or gentle, tight or loose, heavy or light. A
dancer may step into an arabesque position with a sharp, percussive attack or with light,
flowing ease. Energy may change in an instant, and several types of energy may be
concurrently in play.
 Saying that a dance "has a lot of energy" is misleading. ALL dances use the element of
energy, though in some instances it may be slow, supple, indirect energy - not the punchy,
high speed energy of a fast tempo dance.
 Some types of energy can be easily expressed in words, others spring from the movement
itself and are difficult to label with language. Sometimes differences in the use of energy are
easy to perceive; other times these differences can be quite subtle and ambiguous. Perhaps
 more so than the other elements, energy taps into the nonverbal yet deeply communicative
realm of dance. 

LESSON

3 THEATER

 Theater probably is one of the oldest and most popular forms of entertainment where actors or
actresses perform live for an audience on a stage or a space designated for the performance.
 It is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real
or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate
this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music and
dance.
 The specific place of the performance is also named by the word “theatre” as derived from the
Ancient Greek theatron, which means “a place for viewing”
 According to Peter Brook of Britain, for theater to take place the following are to be satisfied:
 An actor walks across an empty space while someone else is watching;
  ln this empty space, called a stage, actors present themselves in a story about some
aspect of human experience.

The Major Elements of Theater

a. Performers. They are the people onstage presenting characters in dramatic action. The
audience is coming to see a performer pretend to be someone else. When the actor/actress is
on stage, they must be believable as the character they are portraying. If they are not
believable, then the audience will be less interested in the production.
b. Audience. The essence of theater is the interaction between the performer and audience.
Theater needs to be experienced live. There is a “call and response” atmosphere that can not
be witnessed in a movie theater. In a live theater experience, when the audience laughs out
loud, or cries, then the actors respond to that energy. In a movie, there is no connection
between the actors and audience, only reactions from the audience.
c. Director. The director makes certain that the performers understand the text and deliver the
script excitingly and appropriately. The director also makes sure the blocking, costume designs,
set designs and other aspects of the show blend together to make a production that works
together. All the aspects of theater should compliment each other, and the director oversees all
these things.
d. Space. Another necessary element of theater is the space in which performers or audiences
come together. It is essential to have a stage, or some equivalent area, where actors and
actresses can perform. It is also essential to have a place for audience members to sit or stand.
e. Design Aspects. Visual aspects are the costumes, lightning and some form of scenic
background while nonvisual aspect includes sound and background music.
f. Script. A final element essential to theater is the text that is performed, and it must be present
for theater to occur. Another name for the text is script. One key element for writing is conflict.
The characters should have a goal to reach, but to reach that goal they must go through a
series of conflicts. Without conflict, the story would be bland and boring.

FUNDAMENTAL TYPES OF THEATER BUILDING

a. Proscenium Theater
The most common and well-known arrangement nowadays. It
takes its name from its most prominent architectural feature, the
proscenium arch, which frames the stage and separates the
audience’s space from the performers’ space. The performance in a
proscenium theater is intended to be viewed from one perspective,
the front of the stage, and the arch serves as a kind of picture frame
around the dramatic world. This is the source of the “fourth wall”
concept: the audience views the action of the play through the
invisible wall in front of the stage. There is often a curtain behind the
proscenium that conceals the stage until the performance begins
that can be lowered to hide changes of scenery in the course of the
performance.
 The proscenium stage also incorporates additional spaces beyond the performance area
(backstage). On either side of the stage is called the wings, and the area above the playing
space is referred to as the fly space or flies, where scenery might be raised or lowered through a
system of lines and pulleys. One of the key conventions of the proscenium theater is to prevent
the audience from seeing these additional spaces through the use of masking, black draperies
surrounding the performance area that limit what the audience can see. Masking can also be
used to hide lightning and sound equipment and elements of scenery not currently in use, and to
provide pathways for performers to enter or exit.

b. Thrust Theater
 The thrust theater has an opening on one wall behind
which might be found scenic and lightning equipment, but
unlike a proscenium, the stage projects forward so that it is
surrounded by the audience on three sides. Like the
proscenium, there is access between the performance area
and the backstage, but like the arena, the designation of the
front of the stage is somewhat problematic, at any given
moment, the actors will necessarily present a profile, if not
their backs, to part of the audience. On the one hand, this
may seem more “natural” – we do not typically see those
around us in a front-on aspect in everyday life. But on the
other hand, there is an expectation of the performers being

“on display” when seen on stage, and this expectation may not be fully realized when the actors
seem to be directing their performances to other different parts of the audience. The arena stage
also presents a complication for any play that requires set changes (different locales or times),
because the scenic elements not in use need to be handy to the stage, for speedily and
efficiently executing the required changes. While most arena theaters include scenic storage
spaces near the stage, the absence of a curtain means that the changes are carried out in full
view of the audience. And because much of it is installed above the stage or the audience area,
some vital theater technology is at least partially visible and part of the stage picture. So, there
may well be provisions for hiding or concealing scenic elements and sound and lighting
equipment, but the diversity of audience perspective means that the equipment will be difficult to
effectively remove from the overall image of the dramatic world created.

c. Arena
Also called theater-in-the-round, no part of the stage can truly
be considered the front, and there is no direct access between the
stage and the backstage. It is very difficult to conceal lighting and
sound equipment, so their presence is accepted as part of the
performance picture. The stage might be at floor level, and the
audience sits in riser like tiers of sets or the seating may be on the
floor while the performers use a raised platform as their stage.
 LESSON

4 FILM

Generally, the film is a photographic material on which visual images and sounds are printed.
The Audio-visual spectacle is created inside the theatre through a projector. Films are cultural artifacts
created by specific cultures, which reflects those cultures, and, in turn, affect them. The visual
elements of cinema give motion pictures a universal power of communication.
There are different terms for this art. The term “’cinema” was derived from a French word
“cinematographe” which means movie and motion or in other words, motion picture. Film is a result of
the illusion of movements which is brought about the continuity of vision. While the term movie is used
by the general audience believing that there is a trick of both to mental and visual cognition to retain
optic scenes longer than its presentation. The visual tool seems to move because of the flashing of
twenty four frames per second.

THE ELEMENTS OF FILM

1. Screenplay
It is the spine of the film; it serves as the visual copy for the shooting of the film. The
scriptwriter is the one responsible for this element. Akira Kurosawa believed that for someone to
become a good director, he must master the art of scriptwriting. The writer should be able to
make the first twenty five percent of the film, exciting and visually stimulating.
 Types of Screenplay
a. Spec Script – the script is already available and all written by its scriptwriter.
b. Commissioned Script – pertains to the fabrication of storyline depending on the request of
the producers, director and actors.

Six Basic Elements of Writing a Film by Ricky Lee

a. Concept – the theme of the film
b. Premise – uses the powerful word “What if?” to make the story more exciting.
c. Statement – the elaborate plot to discuss the topic
d. Milieu – goes for the setting that includes time and place.
e. Characters – provide the lines and life on the screen
f. Structure – organizes the entire film

2. Director
Is the captain of the ship which holds the over-all artistic and creative control in the film,
secondary to the Producers that manage the budget, expenses, publicity, promotions and legal
matters.

Types of Director
 Actors Director is notorious for a superb acting of the cast. Having background in acting or
performing arts, this type of director masters the art of making the character convincing and
believable.
 Visual Director may not be an acting per se director, but creates a loud and brilliant
production design. This type of director has a background in visual/fine arts and multi-media
arts.
 Film Director masters the styling of the cinematography and acting.

James Cameron testing the water and directing Titanic (1997)

3. Production Design
 Creates everything which is seen and used in each scene. This is under Production Designer
which holds the props, location, lights and spaces, costume and make-up, and visual effects.

Production designer Charles Wood retooled a street in Georgia to look like Bleecker Street in NYC

4. Acting
The soul of the film is deeply embedded on the life of each actors playing their role.
The major actors are called lead actors followed by supporting actors while those who don’t have
any speaking lines are called extra or a bit-player.

ALLADIN 2019, actors on set

5. Cinematography
The proper style and framing of each scenes depend on the ability of the cinematographer.
Lights, Camera, movement, shooting, angle, distance of blocking and measurement are all
important in making an artistic scene.
6. Editing
This happen during the post-production with the editor. It is the beauty of the film from a different
scenes and angles as chosen by the editor. In this stage, some scenes were deleted while the
remaining angles were continuously patterned and connected with one another.
7. Music
In highlighting the emotional, risky, and flat scenes, music is expected to provide and support the
background by giving a rhythmic accompaniment and emphasis.
8. Sound
Serves as an intense meaning per scene and this also includes dialogue, dubbing and even
silence.

TYPES OF FILM
a. Feature Film – is the most common type of film we experience for it is usually shown in big
theatres with regular patronage from the general populace. The presentation is intended for
entertainment purpose alone which may be based on fictional or true events but rarely that the
producers make a realistic presentation of it.
b. Animated Film – follows the same format with the first type, average of one and a half hour
showing but the actors and actresses are replaced with illustrated characters.
c. Documentaries – are the type of film that adheres to the factuality of the information presented in
the film. Some of them are not appealing for the general populace for its less entertaining thus it
seldom reach the big film theatres.
The first three types are all narrative films but they differ in intention and type of presentation.
There are certain movies which is non-narrative, they are called experimental movie which
sometimes is just a sequence of literal or abstract images.
d. Industrial Films – are type of films intended to influence the audience’s perception about their
product; it’s more of a product advertisement than a film.
e. Educational film came from its literal meaning and that is it was produced to educate people
especially children of the natural sciences or history, etc.
FILM GENRES
 Drama – is usually associated with heartbreaking and emotional scenes.
 Comedy – the main ingredient of a comic film is “humor”. It pokes the audience to laugh and a
celebration of life and being alive.
 Action/Adventure – contains physical struggle and usually accompanied by active scene or
risky situation.
 Mystery Crime – creates a thrilling scenes in a suspense and inquisitive attack.
 Romantic Comedy – is a humorous love story.
 Biography – real stories of real people
 Sci-fi/ Science Fiction – uses modernized technology and gadgets.
 Fantasy – stories beyond the bound or reality such as magic and mythological creatures.
 Horror – dark or gothic in presentation. Usually associated to evil works and influence.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND EVERY MOTION PICTURE

a. Producer – they are responsible for turning a film from idea to reality. They find money to pay
for the production, hire actors and the production team, supervise the production process, and
make arrangements for distributing the finished film to theaters.
b. Screenwriters – they develop original ideas for the screen or adapt previously written pieces of
work as motion pictures.
c. The director – they analyze the script, visualize how the film should look, and guide the actors
and the production crew as they materialize the creative work of the screenwriter.
d. The Unit Production Manager (UPM) – responsible for scheduling, budgeting, selecting many of
the crew members, and arranging for permits from various authorities and owners to shoot at
locations outside the studio.
e. The Casting Director – selects actors and negotiates contracts.
f. Actors – they perform the roles in the film
g. Stunt People – they substitute the actors/actresses in performing dangerous stunts.
h. Cinematographer – is the director of photography (DP) interprets the action of the story in terms
of light, shade, composition, and camera movement.
i. Art Director – is the production designer who is responsible for the set designs and the overall
look of the film.
j. Film and Sound Editors – arranged the films into a final product that fulfills the vision of the
director and producer.
k. Musical Director/ Composer – works with the director and editor to create a musical score that
provides transitions between scenes and an emotional point of view for scenes and the film as
a whole.
l. Minor Task:
‫ ﻩ‬Foley artists help create background or peripheral noises, such as footsteps;
‫ ﻩ‬A gaffer supervises electrical work and is assisted by the best boy;
‫ ﻩ‬The key grip supervises the grips, which set up and adjust production equipment on the
set;
‫ ﻩ‬The production sound mixer supervises the sound recording during a shoot, and the sound
mixer puts together all the sound for the final track by adjusting volume, fading noises in
and out, and creating any other necessary audio effects;
 ‫ ﻩ‬Depending on a movie’s genre and budget, it can require many other professionals,
including assistants, carpenters, drivers, etiquette coaches, historical consultants, housing,
coordinators, medics, and so on.

_________________________________________________________________________

References:
 Ariola, Mariano M. (2014). Introduction to Art Appreciation. A Textbook in Humanities. 2 nd
Edition. Quezon City: C & E Publishing, Inc.
 Cabasaan, William Jr. J. (2015). Humanities: Philosophy and History of Art. 2 nd Edition.
Malabon City: Jimczyville Publications.
 Caslib, Bernardo Nicolas Jr., et al. (2018). Art Appreciation. Quezon City: Rex Printing
Company, Inc.
 https://ich.unesco.org/en/performing-arts-00054
 https://www.britannica.com/art/motion-picture

_________________________________________________________________________

STUDENT ACTIVITY

Name: ____________________________ Time/Days:________________________

Block/Year:_________________________
Room:____________________________

===================================================================

I. Discuss and analyze your favorite SONG based on its elements.

Analyzing a Piece for its Elements

a) Tempo
b) Timbre
c) Melody
d) Rhythm
e) Harmony
f) Dynamics
g) Texture
 h) Form

II. Watch a DANCE piece online and write an evaluation following the criteria below.

Dance Critique

a) Choreography
b) Space
c) Performance
d) Music
e) Staging

III. Watch your favorite FILM and make a review based on its elements.

Film Review

After writing your review answer the following questions:

a) Did you learn anything from this movie? If you did, what was it?
b) What is the message of this movie? Do you agree or disagree with it?
c) Was there something you didn’t understand about the film? What was that?
d) Did anything that happened in this movie remind you of something that has occurred in your
own life or that you have seen occur to others?
e) If you were writing the screenplay for this movie, would you have changed the ending?
Explain your answer.
f) Would you recommend this movie to a friend? Explain your reasons.