Elements of Film

UNIT – 1

1. Film as experience: (https://www.britannica.com/art/motion-picture)

Film as experience is a term that can refer to different aspects of cinema,
such as its illusion of movement, its evocation of emotion, and
its cultural and artistic significance.
 Why the Film can be experienced:
 Educational: Film can be a way to learn about another culture,
history, science, or any other topic that interests you.
(https://videolibrarian.com/articles/essays/the-power-of-teaching-
with-film/)
 Professional: Film can be a career choice for those who want to work
in a creative, dynamic, and collaborative industry.
(https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-get-in-
the-film-industry)
 Social: Film can be a way to connect with others who share your
tastes, opinions, or values, or to challenge yourself with different
perspectives. (https://www.abc.net.au/everyday/benefits-of-watching-
movies/10830400)
 Artistic: Film can be a way to appreciate the aesthetics, techniques,
and innovations of a medium that combines various forms of
expression. (https://www.britannica.com/art/motion-picture)
2. Film as Entertainment: (https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/jobs-
film-average-salary-career-paths/)
A film can be a way to escape from reality, have fun, or experience
emotions that you might not otherwise.
 Film as entertainment is one of the most common and popular ways of
experiencing film. Movies can provide:
 Relaxation and amusement, where the viewer can escape from their
daily worries and enjoy a different world.
(https://targetstudy.com/articles/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-
movies.html)
  Artistic expression and appreciation, where the viewer can admire
the creativity, skills, and aesthetics of the filmmakers and actors.
(https://www.britannica.com/art/motion-picture)
 Communication and education, where the viewer can learn new
things, perspectives, and emotions from the stories, characters, and
themes of the film. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film)
3. Film as Commodity: (https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1057/978-1-
137-56652-2_19)
Film as a commodity is one of the ways of understanding film as a
product of the economic system. Movies can be seen as:
 Having exchange value, where the film is sold or rented to consumers
who pay for the access to watch it.
 Being a material product, where the film is made of physical or digital
materials that require costs, labor, and technology to produce and
distribute.
 Being an ideological product, where the film reflects or influences the
values, beliefs, and interests of the system that produces and consumes it.
4. Film as Communication Medium:
(https://boobalakrishnanblog.wordpress.com/film-as-medium-of-mass-
communication/)
Film as a communication medium is one of the ways of understanding
film as a form of creative expression that performs the functions of
mass media. Movies can:
 Inform, where the film provides factual or fictional information about
events, people, places, or issues.
 Educate, where the film teaches or enhances the knowledge, skills,
values, or attitudes of the viewers.
 Entertain, where the film provides enjoyment, relaxation, humor, or
escapism to the viewers.
 Transmit culture, where the film reflects or influences the culture of the
society that produces and consumes it.
5. A Brief Overview of Film Industry with Special Reference to Tamil
Nadu and India: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_cinema)
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest-grossing_Tamil_films)
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_Employees_Federation_of_South_India)
A brief overview of the film industry with special reference to Tamil
Nadu and India:
  The film industry in Tamil Nadu, also known as Kollywood, is based in
Chennai and produces films mainly in Tamil language.
 Kollywood is one of the largest and oldest film industries in India, with a
history dating back to 1916.
 Kollywood is known for its social realism, musicals, comedy, action, and
romance genres, as well as its stars, directors, composers, and
technicians.
 Some of the highest-grossing Tamil films are Baahubali 2: The
Conclusion, 2.0, Enthiran, Bigil, and Master.
 The film industry in India, also known as Bollywood, is based in Mumbai
and produces films mainly in Hindi language.
 Bollywood is the largest and most influential film industry in India, with
a global audience and a presence in other media such as television, music,
and streaming platforms.
 Bollywood is known for its musicals, melodramas, action, comedy, and
romance genres, as well as its stars, directors, composers, and producers.
 Some of the highest-grossing Indian films are Dangal, Baahubali 2: The
Conclusion, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, PK, and Sanju.
 The film industries in Tamil Nadu and India are regulated by various
associations and unions, such as the Film Employees Federation of South
India (FEFSI), which represents the technicians from the South Indian
film industries.
6. Film as Matter of Philosophy: (https://iep.utm.edu/filmcont/)
(https://iep.utm.edu/phi-film/)
(https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-19601-1_22)
Film as matters of philosophy is one of the ways of understanding film
as a medium that can raise, explore, or answer philosophical questions.
Movies can:
 Be subjects of philosophy, where the film is analyzed by philosophical
methods or theories to reveal its meaning, value, or implications.
 Be objects of philosophy, where the film is a philosophy itself that
expresses a worldview, an argument, or a perspective on reality.
 Be sources of philosophy, where the film stimulates philosophical
thinking, dialogue, or inquiry among the viewers or critics.
 Be examples of philosophy, where the film illustrates, applies, or
challenges philosophical concepts, themes, or problems.
7. Film as Aesthetics: (https://beverlyboy.com/filmmaking/understanding-the-
concept-of-film-aesthetics/)
(https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/abstract/document/obo-
9780199791286/obo-9780199791286-0212.xml)
Film as aesthetics is one of the ways of understanding film as a form of
art that creates a sensory, emotional, or intellectual experience for the
viewers. Movies can:
 Be approached as wholes, where the film is evaluated by its overall
coherence, unity, and style.
 Be analyzed by elements, where the film is examined by its specific
components, such as cinematography, sound, editing, or mise-en-scène.
 Be compared by genres, where the film is classified by its conventions,
expectations, or innovations.
 Be interpreted by meanings, where the film is understood by its themes,
symbols, or messages.
8. Application of Aesthetics and Philosophy in Film:
(https://www.filmtheory.org/aesthetics-films/)
(https://academic.oup.com/edited-volume/37198/chapter/327330276)
(https://beverlyboy.com/filmmaking/understanding-the-concept-of-film-
aesthetics/) (https://beverlyboy.com/filmmaking/what-is-aesthetics-in-film/)
 The application of aesthetics and philosophy in film is the practice
of using film as a medium to explore, express, or communicate
artistic or philosophical ideas. Movies can:
 Be influenced by aesthetics and philosophy, where the film is
inspired by a particular aesthetic or philosophical movement, school,
or tradition.
 Be evaluated by aesthetics and philosophy, where the film is judged
by its artistic or philosophical merit, quality, or significance.
 Be educative of aesthetics and philosophy, where the film is used as
a tool to teach or learn about aesthetic or philosophical concepts,
theories, or arguments.
Some examples of films that apply aesthetics and philosophy are The
Seventh Seal (existentialism), The Matrix (epistemology), The Tree of
Life (metaphysics), The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (expressionism),
and Breathless (nouvelle vague).
9. Film in relation with Ethics: (https://medium.com/applaudience/ethics-of-
documentary-film-bff3cfe6e5fc)
 (https://www.documentary.org/feature/question-ethics-relationship-
between-filmmaker-and-subject)
Film in relation to ethics is one of the ways of understanding film as a
medium that can raise, explore, or answer ethical questions. Movies can:
 Be subjects of ethics, where the film is analyzed by ethical methods or
theories to reveal its moral, social, or political implications12.
 Be objects of ethics, where the film is an ethics itself that expresses a
moral, social, or political stance, argument, or perspective.
 Be sources of ethics, where the film stimulates ethical thinking, dialogue,
or inquiry among the viewers or critics.
 Be examples of ethics, where the film illustrates, applies, or challenges
ethical concepts, themes, or problems.
10. Film in relation with Morality: (https://www.tasteofcinema.com/2017/10-
great-recent-movies-about-moral-dilemma/)
(https://www.cambridgescholars.com/resources/pdfs/978-1-4438-4194-8-
sample.pdf)
Film in relation to morality is one of the ways of understanding film as a
medium that can reflect, challenge, or influence moral values,
judgments, or actions. Movies can:
 Be sources of moral dilemmas, where the film presents a situation that
requires a difficult choice between two or more morally conflicting
options.
 Be objects of moral evaluation, where the film is assessed by its moral
content, impact, or message.
 Be examples of moral education, where the film teaches or inspires moral
lessons, virtues, or principles.
 Be expressions of moral imagination, where the film creates or explores
moral scenarios, perspectives, or alternatives.

UNIT – 2

1. Film Production Process – A Overview :

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filmmaking)
(https://sickboat.com/blogs/blog/film-production-process)
Film production is the process by which a film is made. It involves a
number of complex and discrete stages, starting with an initial story,
 idea, or commission1. Film production is generally broken down into
five stages:
 Concept development, where the film’s premise, genre, target audience,
budget, and script are established.
 Pre-production, where the film’s cast, crew, locations, equipment,
schedule, and storyboard are finalized.
 Production, where the film’s scenes are shot according to the script and
the director’s vision.
 Post-production, where the film’s footage is edited, sound effects, music,
and visual effects are added, and the final cut is delivered.
 Distribution, where the film is marketed, released, and distributed to
theaters, streaming platforms, or other channels.
2. Understanding the Function of film Industry:
(https://www.knovalt.com/main-objects-of-film-production-company/)
(https://in.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/types-of-jobs-film-
industry) (https://thoughteconomics.com/the-role-of-film-in-society/)
(https://www.musicalexpert.org/what-is-the-film-industry.htm)
 Functioning of Film Industry:
The function of film industry is to create and distribute films as a
product that can entertain, inform, educate, or influence audiences. The
film industry is composed of various sectors, such as:
 Film production, where films are made by filmmakers, actors, and
crew members using equipment, locations, and scripts.
 Film distribution, where films are marketed and delivered to theaters,
streaming platforms, or other channels.
 Film exhibition, where films are shown to the public on screens or
devices.
 Film criticism, where films are reviewed and analyzed by critics,
journalists, or audiences.
 Film preservation, where films are restored and archived for future
generations.
 Understanding the Funtion of Film Industry:
To understand the function of film industry, you can:
 Learn about the different sectors of the film industry and how they
work together to produce and distribute films.
 Explore the various types of jobs in the film industry and what skills
and responsibilities they entail.
  Read about the history, evolution, and current trends of the film
industry and how it reflects and affects society and culture.
 Understand how the film industry makes money and what are the
challenges and opportunities it faces.
3. Brief Comparison of Film Industry Functioning in Various Phases of
Country: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_industry)
(https://www.statista.com/topics/964/film/)
The film industry functioning can vary depending on the country,
region, culture, and market of the film production and distribution. Some
possible factors that affect the film industry functioning are:
 The number and size of film production companies and studios.
 The availability and cost of film equipment, locations, and crew
members.
 The genre, language, and style of films preferred by the audiences.
 The regulations, policies, and censorship imposed by the government or
other authorities.
 The competition and collaboration among domestic and foreign film
industries.
 The revenue and profit generated by film ticket sales, streaming
subscriptions, or other channels.
4. Pre-Production Process in Film Industry:
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-production)
(https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-preproduction-in-film)
(https://boords.com/blog/pre-production-guide)
The pre-production process in film industry is the stage where the film
is planned and prepared before the actual shooting or performance. The
pre-production process involves several elements, such as:
 Locking the shooting script, which is the final version of the screenplay
that contains all the dialogue, action, and scene descriptions.
 Finalizing the budget, which is the estimate of how much money is
needed to make the film and how it will be spent.
 Forming a new company, which is a legal entity that will handle the
financial and legal aspects of the film production.
 Hiring key department heads, which are the professionals who will lead
the main creative and technical teams, such as the director, producer,
cinematographer, editor, production designer, etc.
  Breaking down the script, which is the process of analyzing the script
and identifying all the elements that need to be arranged, such as
locations, props, costumes, special effects, etc.
 Storyboarding and shot listing the scenes, which are the visual
representations of how each scene will be filmed, showing the camera
angles, movements, compositions, etc.
 Scouting and securing locations, which are the places where the film will
be shot, either on set or on location.
 Casting actors and hiring crew, which are the people who will perform in
front of or behind the camera.
 Getting permits and insurance, which are the legal documents and
policies that allow the film production to operate safely and legally.
 Scheduling shoot days, which are the dates and times when each scene
will be filmed.
 Performing rehearsals and tests, which are the practices and trials that
help the actors and crew prepare for their roles and tasks.
5. Production Process in Film Industry:
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filmmaking)
(https://sickboat.com/blogs/blog/film-production-process)
(https://www.garageproductions.in/film-production-process/)
The production process in film industry is the stage where the film is
actually shot or performed, following the plan and preparation made in
the pre-production process. The production process involves several
elements, such as:
 Setting up the equipment, which is the process of arranging and testing
the cameras, lights, sound, and other gear needed to capture the film.
 Directing the actors and crew, which is the process of guiding and
instructing the performers and technicians on how to execute their roles
and tasks.
 Recording the scenes, which is the process of filming or capturing the
images and sounds of each scene, following the storyboard and shot list.
 Reviewing the footage, which is the process of checking and evaluating
the quality and continuity of the recorded material, making sure there are
no errors or problems.
 Wrapping up the shoot, which is the process of finishing and clearing up
the production, returning or storing the equipment, locations, props, etc.
6. Post-Production Process in Film Industry:
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-production)
(https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/postproduction-overview-
crew-guide-74445/) (https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-the-
postproduction-process-in-film)
The post-production process in film industry is the stage where the film is
edited and enhanced after the production process, adding the final touches
and effects to the film. The post-production process involves several
elements, such as:
 Editing the content, which is the process of selecting, arranging, and
trimming the footage, creating the narrative and rhythm of the film.
 Editing the sound, which is the process of adjusting, mixing, and
synchronizing the sound, adding dialogue, sound effects, and ambience.
 Adding music, which is the process of composing, recording, or
licensing music that matches the mood and tone of the film.
 Adding visual effects, which is the process of creating or enhancing
images that are not possible or practical to capture during production,
such as CGI, animation, etc.
 Color grading, which is the process of adjusting the color and contrast of
the images, creating a consistent and appealing look for the film.
 Exporting and distributing, which is the process of finalizing and
delivering the film to its intended audience, either through theatrical
release, streaming platforms, or other media.
7. Various Department in Film Industry:
(http://www.listeninglistening.com/uploads/6/4/4/8/6448263/crew-roles-
and-departments-guide.pdf) (https://filmchums.com/complete-guide-of-
roles-and-departments-in-film-industry/) (https://filmchums.com/complete-
guide-of-roles-and-departments-in-film-industry/)
The film industry is composed of many different departments that work
together to create a film. Some of the main departments are:
 Performance and acting, which is the department that includes the actors,
actresses, stunt performers, and voice artists who portray the characters
in the film.
 Production department, which is the department that oversees the
planning, organizing, and managing of the film project, from pre-
production to post-production. It includes the producer, director, assistant
 director, script supervisor, production manager, production coordinator,
production assistant, and more.
 Camera department, which is the department that operates and maintains
the cameras and lenses that capture the images of the film. It includes the
cinematographer, camera operator, focus puller, clapper loader, digital
imaging technician, and more.
 Sound and music department, which is the department that records and
edits the sound and music of the film. It includes the sound designer,
sound mixer, boom operator, sound editor, composer, music supervisor,
and more.
 Lighting department, which is the department that sets up and controls
the lights that illuminate the scenes of the film. It includes the gaffer,
best boy, electrician, grip, key grip, and more.
 Makeup, costume, and props department, which is the department that
creates and applies the makeup, costumes, and props that enhance the
appearance and personality of the characters in the film. It includes the
makeup artist, hair stylist, costume designer, costume supervisor,
wardrobe assistant, prop master, prop maker, and more.
 Art department, which is the department that designs and builds the sets
and locations that create the world of the film. It includes the art director,
production designer, set designer, set decorator, construction coordinator,
storyboard artist, and more.

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