Rhythm In Film

Filmmakers specifically make choices in rhythms and patterns based on the way they want to tell their stories. They will use rhythms and patterns to create deeper meaning and relationships throughout the film. The style in which various shots are joined together and paralleled with cinematic images, both visual and aural, is called structural rhythm. To create a specific rhythm, filmmakers will regularly use symbolic images, such as colors, shapes, phrases, etc. The hero dressed in all white and the villain dressed in all black is a common visual cue used to clue the audience in on what is happening in the film and to give additional meaning and depth to the characters. Such symbolism is used in Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix. The “good” character, Dumbledore, is dressed in all in a very light color; while the “bad” character, Voldemort, is dressed in all black. Repetition of images can also be used to set structural rhythm. The audience will get used to the repetitiveness and will start to expect it, so when the repetition is broken, the break will surprise the audience into laughter. This can be seen in early films starring Laurel and Hardy.