Film Form
The classical style of film form in cinema was used mainly between 1930 to 1960. It was composed of five main factors:
Cinematography and Lighting:
Matching eye lines is important for maintaining continuity in scenes because if the eye lines of the actors don't match it would like they are looking somewhere completely different. For example this scene in Casablanca there are two different shots but the two characters maintain eye contact despite being shot and different times.
The 180 degree rule refers to an imaginary line that you draw between two subjects in scene. You have keep all of your camera set ups on the same side of that line, otherwise the scene wont be realistic.
For example, if there was a scene of two people looking at each other if their eye don't follow the line, the scene will lose realism and wont look like they're looking in the direction of each other. An example of this is in the movie Heat. You see Robert De Niro looking to the left of the line and Al Pacino looking to the right of the line, so the scene feels realistic and not disjointed.
Certain camera angles and shot types are essential for a clear narrative. For example one shot that show this is the extreme long shot, which can be used to show the surroundings the characters are living in or expand the mythology of the story. One way this shot is used in is in Raiders Of The Lost Ark; when Indy jumps across the pit, the shot is used to highlight the size of the pit compared to Indy and emphasize the danger he is in if he doesn't escape.
Editing
Invisible/continuity editing is was used to make the scene look smooth and real as possible. Matching eye lines are used in this style to convey the idea to then audience that the scene is real and not in a movie. Another example from Casablanca when Rick meets Illsa again. The style is predictable and consistent and doesn't try to throw the audience of guard with any contrasting transitions.
The shot/reverse shot is a shot type, made popular by the Coen brothers, which is used to isolate individuals in dialogue. So characters can be having a conversations but only seen in separate shots. This way the director can make sure the audience is focusing on the characters and their dialogue and maybe even their facial expressions, and not lose interest in the scene. For example in Sam Raimi's Spider Man, there is a use of shot/reverse shot. When Norman Osborn is talking to himself in the mirror the shot is used to hide the fact he is talking to himself and that it looks like he has imagined an embodiment of his evil nature. There are two methods used in this scene; one is an over the shoulder shot and another is a close up. The close up highlights the difference in Normans facial expressions and, by proxy, his fractured personality.
Mise-en-scene is a french theatrical term meaning "placing on the stage". This refers to props, scenery, costume, lighting, etc. Here is an example from Billy Elliot. The placing of the girls at the front on the shot and Elliot at the back and also the number of girls compared to boys puts emphasis that this is an predominantly female activity and how Elliot is feels unwelcome here. Furthermore, the metal grate behind Elliot conveys the idea that he feels trapped and wants to escape. Mise-en-scene should always be consistent and realistic in the world of the film. If the scene looks one way in one shot and then completely different in another, the film will lose credibility.
Sound
Sound is important as the visuals to bring a scene to life. If diagetic or non diagetic sounds close, the audience feel close to the story. The music of the film should also match the scene to furthermore convey the emotions of the narrative. A perfect example of both these points is in Empire Strikes Back.
The clashing sounds of Luke and Vader's light-sabers sounds like a sheet of metal being hit with a pole. The repetition of this sound creates an intense atmosphere when they're fighting. Furthermore Vader's constant but slow breathing creates a sense of danger, as if the visuals wasn't there we still knew Vader would be, creating suspense. Another point to make is that there is no music in this scene until Luke's hand is cut off. It is high note that slowly falls into a lower one, possibly symbolizing how Luke has fallen from the beginning of this movie. The movie slowly but surely builds throughout the rest of the scene. The use of woodwind instruments in this scene creates a sense of mystery, most likely relating to Vader's identity. The woodwinds end abruptly to transition into Vader's theme to highlight how in this movie he has won.
Performance
For most people, performance is what makes a film work. If the characters in the film you're watching don't feel realistic and you can't relate to them, in my opinion falls apart. An great example of this is in Joker. Arthur Fleck throughout the film is abused and tormented by society, but he feels like he isn't the only one and that others in Gotham are suffering too. He also suffers from a mental condition where he uncontrollably laughs. These two elements come together in scene where he kills three men in the subway station. When he starts laughing at the men you can on Joaquin Phoenix's face the sadness and stress despite the fact he is laughing. When the men starting beating him slowly see the sadness turn into rage. The sadness he felt from years and years of mental and physical abuse turn into rage made by building up his emotions and letting his anger out on people he sees as a personification of the society that mistreated him. When he kills the final guy he closes his eyes and when he opens them he seems distressed again, almost as if he couldn't control his rage and now him killing the last guy he has come to that realization.
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