The Key Elements of Film Form

Understand film form as the total system a viewer perceives in a film.
Consider how a film’s elements are interrelated and work together to produce specific effects.

The narrative element encompasses the plot or storyline.
Narrative structure could be linear (chronological), non-linear, or fragmented.
Documentary films may use techniques such as interviews, voice-over narration, and archival footage to tell a story.

The mise-en-scène includes everything that appears before the camera and how it’s arranged.
Key components of mise-en-scène are settings, props, costumes, lighting, blocking (position and movements of characters), and décor.
Well-structured mise-en-scène in a documentary can guide the audience’s interpretations and reactions.

Cinematography refers to the process of capturing the film on camera. -Cinematic techniques include the use of different types of shots, angles, movements, and lens settings.
In a documentary, choices in cinematography can strongly impact the film’s style and mood.

Editing involves combining different shots into a sequence to create a coherent narrative.
This aspect includes the rhythm or pace of the film, parallel editing, continuity and discontinuity in editing.
Editing techniques such as montage can contribute to a documentary’s argument or perspective.

Recognize how these elements interact to construct meaning. For instance, how do narrative choices affect cinematography and vice versa?
Consider the influence of context on how we perceive the four elements. This includes the historical, social, and institutional factors surrounding the film’s production and reception.
Understand that documentary films often use these elements to create an argument or perspective, unlike fictional films which primarily use them to tell a story.