Media Term Thursday #39

Offscreen space

offscreen sound

The implication that there is a world beyond the screen (or frame). Characters enter the scene from somewhere and exit to somewhere. A filmmaker can imply the presence of a world offscreen in many ways; a character may look or gesture to someone or something offscreen; object/s may protrude part of the way into the frame.

There are six potential zones of offscreen space: the space beyond each of the four sides of the frame; the space behind the camera and the space behind the set.

Offscreen voices or sounds also signal the presence of characters, objects or a world the audience cannot see.

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Media Term Thursday #38

Film Noir

French term meaning ‘black film’.

Style of low budget ‘B’ film which began in Hollywood in the 1930s, partly as a result of German Expressionist filmmakers such as Fritz Lang moving to Hollywood and bringing their dark styles. Film Noir reached its peak in the 1940s and 50s.

Noir elements include negative, pessimistic themes with flawed, anti-hero males who are cynical, disillusioned and morally ambivalent. The protagonist would battle wits with seductive femme fatales, women who were scheming, manipulative, beautiful and amoral. Settings were often the sleazy back streets and alleyways of a depressing city, cheap hotel rooms and bars mostly shot at night. They were filmed in black and white with dark, shadowy cinematography, canted framing and extreme, often low camera angles to put the audience at unease.

Other conventions are the use of a cynical voice-over, flashbacks, and claustrophobic interiors The pessimism, fear and paranoia that pervaded these films reflected the Cold War period in America.

Stranger on the Third Floor (1940), Murder My Sweet (1944), Touch of Evil (1958).

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Media Term Thursday #26

Thriller

A film genre that uses action and suspense and is frequently related to the crime genre. The narrative concentrates on mystery and suspense to build tension and keep the audience engaged (on the edge of their seats).

The film maker utilises presence beyond the frame to create the horror in the mind of the viewer rather than explicit images.

Jaws (1975), Rear Window (1954).”

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Media Term Thursday #17

Action film

A relatively new film genre which, as its name implies, has the central conflicts played out through spectacular action sequences such as high-speed car chases, explosions and gun fights. They are usually set in present day America and have a huge body count and massive destruction of property.

The typed characters are often one-dimensional: strong male heroes, feisty females with attitude, and a cold, ruthless villain wealthy enough to employ many expendable henchmen.

Examples are Die Hard (1988), Black Panther (2018).

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Media Term Thursday #14

Romantic Comedy

A film genre that deals with romantic mishaps and mismatches in a humorous way.

A basic plotline:

Despite obvious attraction, the would-be-lovers do not become romantically involved. After various comic scenes (social interactions laden with sexual tensions), they are parted, then realise they are made for each other, meet again and live happily ever after.

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Media Term Thursday #8

Japanese New Wave

A movement of Japanese filmmakers from the late 1950s to the early 1970s who brought a new creative burst in response to traditional Japanese cinema. They challenged traditional mainstream themes and values, and experimented with film styles and conventions to produce work that used sexual violence, radical politics and the aftermath of World War 2.

Examples are Crazed Fruit (1956), Black Sun (1964) and The Blind Beast (1969).

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