Internal rhythm
Encyclopedia
In filmmaking, internal rhythm is created by whatever appears or occurs within the shot of a moving picture
. It can change within a scene (film)
and from scene to scene. In Citizen Kane
, for instance, the internal rhythm of the scene in which Kane, Leland, Bernstein, and the movers take over the offices of the Inquirer differs from the rhythm of the scene in which Kane demolishes Susan's bedroom or from the scene in which Kane and Susan spend an evening at home at Xanadu.
The scene in the newspaper office starts out slowly and quietly, but the pace is increased until the rhythm of the action is frantic. The demolition of Susan's bedroom begins slowly, becomes hysterical, but slows again when Charles comes across Susan's snow-scene paper-weight. The rhythm of the scene between Kane and Susan at home is heavy and static, yet tense.
Lenses: the effect of a telephoto lens
on movement is different from that of a wide angle lens.
Lighting
Camera Movement: the rhythm and pattern of a camera's movement is, of course, influential. The movement can be slow, jerky, fast, restless, static, prowling, etc.
Camera Angles: aloof, distant positioning can minimize the effect of movement or create a point of view from which we can appreciate movement or patterns of movement. Close-ups tend to heighten the impact of movement.
The Solidity, Shape, Texture, and Color: fire, smoke, massive arches, masses of people, mountains, deserts, stark red or quiet green objects create different effects. Composition, of course, is vitally important: solid, triangular patterns create a stability that an airy pattern of leaves does not.
Sound: it is debatable whether sound is internal or external rhythm
.
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
. It can change within a scene (film)
Scene (film)
In TV and movies, a scene is generally thought of as the action in a single location and continuous time. Due to the ability to edit recorded visual works, it is typically much shorter than a stage play scene....
and from scene to scene. In Citizen Kane
Citizen Kane
Citizen Kane is a 1941 American drama film, directed by and starring Orson Welles. Many critics consider it the greatest American film of all time, especially for its innovative cinematography, music and narrative structure. Citizen Kane was Welles' first feature film...
, for instance, the internal rhythm of the scene in which Kane, Leland, Bernstein, and the movers take over the offices of the Inquirer differs from the rhythm of the scene in which Kane demolishes Susan's bedroom or from the scene in which Kane and Susan spend an evening at home at Xanadu.
The scene in the newspaper office starts out slowly and quietly, but the pace is increased until the rhythm of the action is frantic. The demolition of Susan's bedroom begins slowly, becomes hysterical, but slows again when Charles comes across Susan's snow-scene paper-weight. The rhythm of the scene between Kane and Susan at home is heavy and static, yet tense.
Elements used to establish internal rhythm
Movement of Objects and People: a) the tempo of the movement, b) the direction of the movement on the screen, c) the pattern of the movement (balanced, staggered, flowing, chaotic, syncopated, etc.)Lenses: the effect of a telephoto lens
Telephoto lens
In photography and cinematography, a telephoto lens is a specific type of a long-focus lens in which the physical length of the lens is shorter than the focal length. This is achieved by incorporating a special lens group known as a telephoto group that extends the light path to create a long-focus...
on movement is different from that of a wide angle lens.
Lighting
Camera Movement: the rhythm and pattern of a camera's movement is, of course, influential. The movement can be slow, jerky, fast, restless, static, prowling, etc.
Camera Angles: aloof, distant positioning can minimize the effect of movement or create a point of view from which we can appreciate movement or patterns of movement. Close-ups tend to heighten the impact of movement.
The Solidity, Shape, Texture, and Color: fire, smoke, massive arches, masses of people, mountains, deserts, stark red or quiet green objects create different effects. Composition, of course, is vitally important: solid, triangular patterns create a stability that an airy pattern of leaves does not.
Sound: it is debatable whether sound is internal or external rhythm
External rhythm
In filmmaking, external rhythm is established by the duration of the shots that make up a scene. Lengthening or shortening the duration of the shots establishes a rhythmic pattern that can complement or contrast with the internal rhythm and content of a scene or sequence.The kinds of transitions ...
.