Film theory: final call

Here is your last chance before the end of the term to ask questions or for additional discussion on concepts related to film theory.

Comments

[Amy Elder]

In the College Film & Media article it talks about acting as being part of the m-e-s. I was wondering how the performance style relates to m-e-s?

[Lisa King]

I think what Amy suggested would be interesting. We talk a lot in class about the different aspects that go into filming a scene, and decisions that are made by the director. It would be interesting to see what role the actors play in m-e-s as well, since it is them we ultimately see on screen.

[Lily Miller]

I guess this question is more about film terminology.
Is there a difference between a shot and a take? I was just a bit confused if they are the same or if they are different.

[Melissa Werner]

I'm also curious about the relationship between m-e-s and performance style.

[Shaun Huston]

Lily: a take is a version of a shot. During shooting, a shot maybe taken a number of different times and in different ways. The final version of a shot, and what form it takes and where it fits into the film, is selected during editing. The terms, "long take" and "short take", reference the duration of a shot. Obviously, the length of time the camera is held on a shot will impose limits on how long an editor can "hold" on a shot when putting together a film, but it is also possible that a shot originally designed to be a long take may end up being cut sooner than intended, while a shot designed to be a short take may end up, in relative terms, to be longer in the context of the finished film.