The protagonist is often the first character visible in film, and remain present in the majority of shots. The films introduce conflict almost immediately, the setting is established gradually but is often not the focus. The film focuses on the plot and background information is introduced as a side effect, as the information generally doesn’t need to be explicitly mentioned. The intro is rather short, the struggle takes up the majority of the film, this is what makes the work compelling, by depicting obstacles and the protagonist’s efforts to conquer them. This is one of the most essential pieces in the story arc. The ending concludes the protagonist’s struggle and is often rather quick and concise compared to the middle of the film. The ending should be concise, depict change, and wrap up the struggles for the protagonist.
The use of color is a powerful choice. While the in class examples were all in color, the use of black and white can evoke strong emotions when used effectively. Additionally, dirtying the frame can make for more compelling scenes, such as those shown in “the elevator” where the protagonist is in the background or otherwise obstructed by other characters. Focus can be used as a tool to draw attention between certain objects, especially when the subject begins out of focus before being pulled into focus. The use of light is used to establish setting, emotions, and can add to the emotional appeals of the plot.
The combination of framing, color, and light contribute to establishing the setting, mood, and style of a film. The foundation of a successful film however, lies primarily in the storytelling. Without a solid introduction, a quickly introduced compelling conflict, and an ultimate conclusion that demonstrates how the protagonist has changed, no technical ability will be able to compensate for such shortcomings. With a sturdy foundation, the technical elements such as color, depth of field, and framing add emotional weight and help to establish settings and themes throughout the work.
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