Metalanguage - Definitions and Examples

Metalanguage - Definitions and Examples

Mise-en-scène is an expression used in theatre and film to describe the design aspects of a production. It has been called film criticism's "grand undefined term" because the term has many different meanings.

The overall mise-en-scene of look both ways is made to look dull and cheap so that it makes it more realistic for the viewer

Actor An actor or actress (see terminology) is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity
Character fictional character: an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction(play or film or story); "she is the main character in the novel"

An Actor William McGuiness plays a character called Nick that has testicle cancer which is his character in the film

Photomontage is the process (and result) of making a composite photograph by cutting and joining a number of other photographs. The composite picture was sometimes photographed so that the final image is converted back into a seamless photographic print.

Several photomontages were used in the film ‘Look Both Ways’. For example when Nick is diagnosed with cancer and also when Nick is going through the recovery phase of his cancer and getting better.

References:

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&safe=active&defl=en&q=define:Mis-en-scene&sa=X&ei=mApWTK3dDIulcd3QsMAM&ved=0CBQQkAEr

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&safe=active&q=define%3AActors&btnG=Search&meta=
http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&safe=active&q=define%3ACharacters&meta=

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photomontage

By Jon and Joel

Type up definitions that you have collected so far. Make sure you present an example of the technique at work in the movie, e.g.,

Mise-en-scene: The setting, placement of objects in a scene. The mise-en-scene presented by Andy's apartment when Anna informs him she is pregnant reflects the chaotic and turbulent state of Andy's life. Unwashed dishes sit in the sink, empty beer bottles are strewn around the place and the dim lighting highlights a feeling of despair.

LBW Metalanguage

Get to know your camera angles

Being able to discuss Look Both Ways in terms of 'how the director constructs meaning' is important. To do this successfully you need to be using metalanguage in your discussion. While many metalanguage terms work for both written and filmed texts, film also has its own unique terms for discussing it. Familiarise yourself with the language used to discuss film at these two sites.

http://www.springhurst.org/cinemagic/glossary_terms.htm
http://10ss.qtp.nsw.edu.au/elise/project2/glossary.pdf

It would be fantastic to see students post a selection of the glossary terms you were asked to set up in your folders. It was an ongoing activity that required you to detail the definitions with examples from Look Both Ways. Typing up your notes to present on the blog is an excellent method of revision.

Synchronicities

'Synchronicty - meaningful coincidences'

One of the segments in Look Both Ways is titled 'Synchronicities'. To synchronise can mean to come together to do/achieve something. In action flicks we often see the characters synchronise their watches so that they can come together at a certain place in time at an exact moment to ensure they have achieved their goal.

In Look Both Ways Watt's presents to the viewers the syncronicities that are occuring within the lives of the characters. The characters appear to have come in to each others' lives for some reason, be it fate or destiny, to aid each other in their journey towards understanding the meaning of life. They are supposed to, and need to be, connected to each other at these particular times in their lives. They find meaning in knowing the other person, or their story, and this helps them to recognise what is important to them. Meryl and Nick are seeking stability in their lives at a time when they feel nothing has turned out as it should have by the age they are now. Andy and Anna, whilst distraught at the prospect of having a baby, find it redirects their negative perspectives on life and offers them the chance of a new beginning.

Find a more detailed discussion of what synchronicity means at Michael Jura's website. His discussion is titled; 'Coincidence? I think not - Life's little chance encounters to guide you towards your dreams'.