Snow White
Snow White is notable for being Disney’s first film of this type.
What is a full-length animated feature?
The main female character returns home to find this object on the path outside.
What is a flower on the ground?
Kane’s final word, spoken mysteriously, is this.
What is “Rosebud”?
The protagonist is presented with this, which forces them to make a choice that drives the story forward.
What is the inciting incident or call to action?
This sentient computer aboard the spacecraft HAL 9000 begins to act against the crew.
What is HAL 9000?
Snow White is placed in this after her apparent death.
What is a glass coffin?
This object appears repeatedly and seems to haunt the woman throughout the film.
What is a knife?
Kane builds this massive, ostentatious estate symbolizing his wealth and isolation.
What is Xanadu?
In Act One, the protagonist often expresses this, which helps the audience understand their goals or desires.
What is motivation or objective?
The monolith appears at key moments to signify leaps in this.
What is human evolution?
Snow White falls into a deep sleep after eating this.
What is the poisoned apple?
Maya Deren, co-director and star, is often considered a pioneer of this kind of cinema.
What is experimental or avant-garde film?
The narrative frequently jumps through time, using this storytelling device.
What is flashback (or non-linear narrative)?
This element in Act Two keeps tension high and tests the protagonist’s abilities.
What are obstacles or conflicts?
HAL 9000 symbolizes this conflict in human progress.
What is technology vs. humanity (or human control vs. artificial intelligence)?
The Queen’s downfall is caused by this character flaw.
What is vanity (or jealousy)?
The film’s disjointed, dreamlike progression is achieved through this type of editing.
What are jump cuts?
Welles uses these camera angles to make characters appear powerful or threatening.
What are low-angle shots?
Act Two usually ends with this, a major event that leads directly to the climax.
What is the second plot point or crisis?
The Star Child represents this stage of human development.
What is the next stage of evolution or transcendence?
This technique was used to make characters’ actions feel lifelike and fluid.
What is rotoscoping?
The film’s objects and characters function as symbols rather than realistic elements, reflecting this broader art movement.
What is surrealism?
This technique, used extensively in Citizen Kane, keeps both foreground and background in sharp focus, giving the audience freedom to choose where to look.
What is deep focus cinematography?
Act Three often shows how the protagonist has changed, a concept known as this.
What is character arc or transformation?
The film’s groundbreaking special effects, like the Star Gate sequence, were achieved without digital technology, using this technique.
What is practical effects or optical effects?