Film, like novels and plays, is a form of narrative or storytelling. However, image (and, to a lesser extent, sound) is the main ‘language’ film uses to tell the story. Some of the elements of this language include:
∙ ‘shots’ (where the camera points, how it moves, focuses etc.) ∙ editing (how shots are put together to tell the story) ∙ sound design and editing ∙ artistic design (including lighting, costumes, set, make-up etc.) ∙ acting/performance (acting style, character interpretation, space/movement)
The director manipulates all of these elements - and more - to create his or her ‘concept’ or artistic interpretation