Film Form can be described as the elements within a film and their relationship with one another. This includes the production and story elements such as camera, characters, and mies-en-scene, and the way these elements are used to create meaning.

A concept I found interesting from this weeks readings was the use of ‘hard openings’ and ‘soft openings.’ Both engage their audiences but do so in very different ways. An example of a ‘hard opening’ The Martian. In this film, Matt Damon’s character is rendered unconscious in a violent storm and left on Mars with little food, water, and supplies. During the storm he also gets very badly injured which occurs within the first ten minutes of the film. This classifies as a hard opening because the action begins straight away. Audiences wonder will he survive? Will his team come back for him? The film The Wizard of Oz however, is an example of a soft opening. In the beginning the audience sees Dorothy running away with her dog Toto. Immediately the audience wonders who is she? What is she running from? Therefore drawing the audience in. However, it is the terminology I found most interesting. The term ‘hard’ suggests something harsh or jolting. In relation to a film it implies a beginning which may shock, or surprise audiences. On the other hand, a ‘soft’ beginning suggests that the director is easing the audience into the action which is to come. Each technique creates a different film form.