Eduqas GCSE Film Studies key terms

The perspective a film offers on values and beliefs, such as whether success justifies sacrificing relationships or accepting abusive authority.

A system of ideas and values through which people understand society, including assumptions about power, responsibility and behaviour.

An improvised explosive device: a bomb assembled outside conventional military manufacturing, which may be concealed and triggered remotely.

A cinema system associated with large-screen presentation and specialised cameras.

An event that sets the main narrative conflict or action in motion.

Cinema associated with production outside the major studio system and/or artistic alternatives to mainstream filmmaking. Rona Murray argues that funding alone is not enough to explain its identity.

A film produced outside the conventional major-studio production system; independence can affect financing, creative freedom and filmmaking choices.

Filmmaking organised outside a major studio’s own production operation. A studio may still distribute the resulting film.

The process of teaching people to accept a set of beliefs without questioning them.

Beginning in the middle of an action or situation rather than showing its full introduction.

An indirect suggestion, often of a sexual meaning, rather than an explicit statement.

The funding, organisations and production arrangements that influence how a film is made.

A musical in which songs and dances develop characters, emotions or the story rather than simply providing separate entertainment.

A struggle within a character between competing feelings, desires or values.

A reference within one film to another film or cultural work.

A shot of written text inserted between images to communicate dialogue or narrative information.

An edit that creates a noticeable discontinuity, such as an abrupt change in a character’s position within a similar view.

Unlawful behaviour by young people below the age of adulthood.

Placing contrasting elements together so that their differences create meaning.

A connected passage of a film chosen for detailed study because it is important to its meanings, characters or construction.

South African urban music that combines local sounds with influences associated with international Black urban music.

A recurring musical theme associated with a character, place, idea or situation.

The strength of a light, affecting how brightly it illuminates a subject or setting.

A narrative that presents its main events in chronological order.

Filming in an actual place rather than on a purpose-built studio set.

A shot showing a person’s whole body and enough surrounding space to establish their relationship with the setting.

A shot that continues for an extended time without a cut.