Film Studies key terms

The perspective a film offers on beliefs and values, such as ideas about gender, family or responsibility.

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 disrupts the protagonist's existing situation and sets the central conflict 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.

An opening that places spectators in an ongoing situation rather than beginning with all its earlier causes; literally, ‘in the middle of things’.

An indirect suggestion of something, often sexual, without stating it explicitly.

The companies, funding arrangements and production practices involved in making and distributing a film.

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 abrupt edit that creates a noticeable discontinuity or jump in the action.

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.

A South African popular music style combining influences from black urban music with a distinctive local sound.

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.