What is Film Aesthetic?

Aesthetic deals with the nature of art, beauty, and taste, and the creation and appreciation of beauty. Film combines many diverse disciplines, each of which may have their own rules of aesthetics. The aesthetics of films are closely related to still photography, but the movement of the subject, or the camera and the intensities, colours, and placement of the lighting are highly important.

The beauty of a film lies in its representation by the Camera, lighting and Mise en Scene. A scene from the Bollywood film "Ram Teri Ganga Maili" where the actress breast fed her child is a perfect example of aesthetic in film, portraying a motherly care for the child. This scene was beautifully represented by the camera shot, the angle and the lighting.

 Film aesthetic depends on the following factors:

Cinematography

The shots, the angles, lighting and colour. 

Mise en Scene (to put in the scene)

How the visual materials are photographed, staged, and framed

Dominant

What is our eye attracted to?

Lighting Styles and Key

High-key, low-key, painterly, linear?

Shot and Camera Proxemics

What type of shot? How far away? Shot Angles. High, low, neutral.

Colour values

What is dominant colour? Colour symbolism?

Lens/filter/stock

How do these distort or comment on photography?

Subsidiary contrasts

What are the eye-stops after the dominant?

Density

How much visual information is packed into the image? Is texture stark, moderate, or highly detailed?

Composition

 How is the 2-D space segmented and organized? What is the underlying design? 

Form

Open or closed? Does the image suggest a window that arbitrarily isolates a fragment of the scene? Or is it self contained?

 Framing

Tight or loose? How much room do the characters have to move around? 

Depth

On how many planes is the image composed? Does the background and foreground comment on the midground? 

Character placement

What parts of the framed space are occupied?

Staging positions

Which way to they look vis-à-vis the camera 

Character proxemics

How much space between characters?

How to Write a Film review?

We need to think of an imaginative title. For instance, if I was writing a review of the new war movie "My Japanese Niece", perhaps a better title could be, ‘Japanese girl finds her uncle’. This title gives a very brief idea of the nature of the film and provides a starting point for the reader to focus on. 

The title might also give an indication of whether the rest of your review will be positive or negative. The second stage (the opening paragraph) is to give a brief synopsis (summary) of the film.

After the synopsis, we should go into detail about what we thought of the film. Was it thought provoking? Did it have lasting images and ideas that particularly enthralled us? Whatever our view is, it is important to stress it in a comprehensible manner. Examine the film more closely, try to go into detail about the many ideas contained within the film. 

We should not forget, what we enjoyed and remembered from the images and ideas in the film. These are what could be the deciding factor in whether or not the reader actually goes to see the film themselves. It is necessary to break the film down into its separate parts. 

We should spend time stating which parts of the film worked for us. Was the setting and atmosphere successful? Did the plot flow all the way through the film or did it become disjointed and messy part of the way through? 

We should also look carefully into the characterisation. A close examination of the key roles in the feature will provide the audience with a better idea of how the film is going to be. 

We should never simply say that we loved or hated a certain movie without giving our reasons. 

We should always explain why we feel the way we do and back it up with descriptive examples. Even though our article should show from the start what our opinions are, at the end of the piece, we should give a conclusion that states strongly what we thought. Following these guidelines we should provide  with enough information to start writing our own reviews.

In a nutshell, 

Title

Give a catchy one. It can indicate if the review will be positive or negative, we can play with words to make it funny or different. 

Paragraph 

Opening paragraph – We can start to summarize film and give early suggestions about our general view of it (positive/negative). 

Paragraph 2

We should start or continue summary of film, We should not give details about the ending or else no one will go and see the film.

Paragraph 3 and 4

We should write positive things we  thought about the film, what did we like? Why? Use descriptive words, think about the story, setting, effects used, music used. 

Paragraph 5 and 6 

We can write negative things we thought about the film, what didn’t we like? Why? We should comment on the same type of things that we mentioned in above paragraphs.

Paragraph 7 and 8

Characterization – We should talk about the characters, did we like them? Did the actors play them well? What was it about their portrayal that we liked or didn’t like? Other impressions of the characters, will certain audience members be able to relate to certain characters? How? Will certain audience members not like certain characters? Why not?

Paragraph 9

Final comments – We should also give general comments that summarize our view of the film, we may want to say something inspiring to get the reader to want to go out and see the film or we might say something that would want them not to go and see it! 

We should discuss some of the following:

Camera work or visual style Music or sound 

Performance or characters -  How it compares to the other films we have seen Any other aspects  we have found interesting.

Here are some crucial questions we may want to answer as we write: 

Is the film entertaining? Why? How? 

Is it thought provoking? What issues does it raise? Does it offer simple answers or does it leave lots unanswered and therefore up for discussion? 

Discuss the importance of the music – how is it like a character in the film. 

The film is beautifully shot by director of photographer  – are there any moments from the film which seemed especially beautiful.

What about the actor’s performances? Do we  think any particular need singling out for praise? In some ways the characters they play are distinct types, but do they manage to invest real humanity or depth into them? 

Are there any key scenes that stand out for you? 

In the end , should we recommend it to others? What did we get from seeing it?

After the paragraph we would give it a star rating out of 5 to indicate our rating for it.

Discussed important film terminology.

Assistant Director (A.D.): Carries out the Director’s instructions and runs the set. The First A.D. is responsible for preparing the production schedule and script breakdown, making sure shooting stays on schedule and on budget. The Second A.D. is responsible for distributing information and cast notifications, keeping track of hours worked by cast and crew, management of extras, signing actors in and out, preparing call sheets and is in charge of the Production Assistants. 

Art Director: Reports to the Producion Designer and directly supervises the art department as they design sets and create graphic art for the production design of the film. Works closely with the Construction Coordinator to oversee set construction. 

Best Boy: Chief assistant to either the gaffer or key grip. Responsible for the daily running of the lighting or grip department. 

Camera Operator: Operates the camera under instruction from the Director of Photography. 

Casting Director: Supplies actors for the film or television show. 

Construction Coordinator: AKA the Construction Manager, this person supervises and manages the physical construction of sets and reports to the Art Director and Production Designer. 

Craft Services: Provides on-set snacks and drinks for cast and crew. Not the same as the caterer. 

Director: The person in charge of the overall cinematic vision of the film and the performance of the actors. 

Director of Photography (D.P.): In charge of the camera department and responsible for the overall look of the film from a cinematography perspective. Sets composition for each shot, selects camera, film stock, lenses, lighting and color scheme. 

Dolly Grip: Prepares and operates the camera dolly, or a wheeled camera platform that moves on rails. 

Executive Producer: Usually an investor in the film or someone who has arranged financing. 

Extra: A nonspeaking actor who appears in the background of a scene. These actors are typically found by casting directors or an open call announced by the production company. 

Gaffer: Head of the electrical department, responsible for designing and implementing the lighting scheme for a production. Grip: Works with both the electrical and camera departments. Trained lighting and rigging technicians who put in lighting set-ups, move set pieces and equipment around and rig camera mounts. Handle lighting equipment needed to diffuse and shape light at the direction of the D.P. The “Key Grip” is head of the department. 

Line Producer:  In charge of the production office, this person makes business deals with local vendors and hotels, hires and fires crew, approves schedules and call sheets and keeps track of the budget. 

Location Manager: Scouts and manages all filming locations. Negotiates contracts with property owners of shooting locations on behalf of the production company. Secures shooting permits and coordinates schedules with local officials. Makes sure there is proper parking for cast and crew at the locations, and that locations are left in good condition after filming is completed. 

Location Scout: Searches and photographs locations during preproduction based on the needs of the script. Prepares photo presentations for the Director, Producer or Production Designer. Sometimes becomes the Location Manager once shooting begins, or works under him or her. 

Producer: The person who brings the entire project together and oversees all aspects of production. In the early stages, the producer may choose a script, hire a director, help in casting and find a place to shoot the project. Once cameras are rolling, the producer makes sure the project comes in on time and on budget. May also become involved in the editing and post-production phases, as well as marketing and distribution. 

Production Assistant (P.A.): Entry level “gopher” position, this person assists with any odd jobs or errands needed on and off the set. 

Production Coordinator (P.O.C.): Serves under the Production Manager/Unit Production Manager (U.P.M.). Sets up and organizes the production office, coordinates travel and lodging for the crew, handles all paperwork related to insurance, daily progress reports and other matters, coordinates communication with the set and delivery of props, costumes, etc., wraps out the production office and closes all outstanding accounts at the end of shooting. 

Production Designer: Works with the Director to achieve the overall look of the film from an artistic design perspective. Supervises set construction, scenery, costumes and any other item that will appear in front of the camera. 

Production Manager/Unit Production Manager (U.P.M.): In charge of the production office, this person makes business deals with local vendors and hotels, hires and fires crew, approves schedules and call sheets and keeps track of the budget. 

Property Master: Responsible for acquiring, placing and maintaining any props used on set. 

Screenwriter: The writer of the original or adapted script that the production is shot from. 

Script Supervisor: Monitors the script during shooting, making sure there are no continuity errors and That the film can later be cut together in postproduction. Keeps track of all the details of each day’s shooting  including number of scenes shot and takes of each scene, what happened in the scene and any changes in the script that may impact future shooting days. Provides detailed reports to the production team and the editors. 

Set Decorator: Works with the Production Designer on set design and decoration and oversees the dressing of the set. 

Stand-In : A crew member (typically a P.A.) who stands in place of an actor while the Director sets up a shot. 

Transportation Coordinator: Head of the Transportation Department, this person obtains and manages all vehicles and drivers needed as part of a shoot, including trucks, trailers (makeup, hair, talent, etc.), picture cars, honey wagons and rental cars for cast and crew. 

Explain briefly the Grammar of Film

Since the film is not a language of words, the smallest unit in film may be the shot. If we  consider some basic film grammar elements  to be shots, camera angles, camera movements, and transitions then each element could have the following modifiers:

Shots - close-up, medium, medium close-up, full, master, single, two-shot, reverse, point-of-view (POV), over-the-shoulder (OTS)

Camera movement - static, fluid, hand-held, dolly, pan, tilt, tracking, zoom, or crane

Camera angle - high-angle, low-angle, Dutch angle, or overhead

Transition – dissolve, fade, cut, jump cut, match action cut

Bazin had identified potential grammatical elements of the language of film when he discussed the following film techniques as useful for recording reality:

Deep focus –depth-of-field where everything in the frame is in focus

Long take – as opposed to short takes, which are edited together

Camera Movement – motion of camera during the shot

Mise-en-scene (French term "to put in the scene”) -  Everything that is required to communicate the shot.

New Shot (New Information) – Don’t use a shot unless it provides new information to the story. 

Screen direction – Don’t cross the eye line and make sure characters enter and exit from appropriate sides of the frame.

Cut on Action – To hide an edit, cut on a movement or action in the shot.

Match Your Shots – Try to cut between shots that match in focal length and frame size.

Cut Moving to Moving, Still to Still – When making cuts, avoid cutting from a moving shot to a still shot.

Find a Compositional Link – Find an element that provides visual continuity between shots.

Manipulating Time – Shots can be set up to condense time quite differently from time in reality.

Respect Silence – Use silence where it is most powerful.

Set the Pace – Set the pace of the film with your cuts and transitions.

The above rules are a good example of the types of film grammar that have developed over the last hundred years along with the language of film.

Explain Types and Genres of films.

Genre Theory and Classifications Genre films are distinguished by a characteristic set of conventions in style, subject matter, and values. Genre is a convenient way of focusing and organizing the story materials. Many genre films are directed a specific audience.

Some common genres of films are Western, Family, Drama, Sci-fi film, Action, Romance, Adventure, Fantasy, Crime, Horror, War and Comedy.

“Conventional definitions of the genre are based on the idea that they share particular convention of content e.g. Themes or setting” – David Chandler.

Until the 1970s films were not generally specified as a particular genre, film genres help to categorize films, allowing more meaningful comparisons.

The Action Genre:

Action Films act like an escape for the audience, Action Films include the renowned James Bond. Conventions of the action genre: High energy Stunts and Chases Fights and Destruction Explosions Adventure Hero and Villain.

The Comedy Genre:

Within the Comedy genre there are many sub-genres including slapstick, spoofs and parody and romantic comedies. The obvious aim of a comedy film is to make the audience laugh, the conventions of the comedy genre include; Light hearted plots One- Liners Jokes.

Crime Genre:

As the media's obsession with crime, gangsters and young offenders escalate, more and more modern gangster films are being produced. This type of film focuses on the sinister actions of criminals and mobsters.

Drama Genre:

This genre do not generally focus on special effects or comedy, Dramas are often plot driven and serious, they portray realistic characters and life settings. Dramas are all about character development and involve life stories. Common themes within a drama include; Drug addiction Racism Corruption Domestic Violence Mental illness

Historical Genre:

Historical films are often very elaborate and set against a panoramic backdrop. Conventions of Historical films include; Myths Legends Lavish Costume Dramatic Scope Sweeping Musical Score.

The Sci-fi Genre:

Science fiction (Sci-fi) films are often futuristic, visionary and imaginative, conventions of the Sci-fi genre include; Heroes and Villains Aliens/ Outer Space Quests Futuristic Technology Human existence being in danger.

The Horror Genre:

Our worst fears are captivated within a Horror film, their sole purpose is to scare its audience, while captivating and entertaining. Horror films are often terrifying and shocking.