Ch. 13 Aspects and Elements of Time

Time is critical in art and design and if composed well, can create profound and memorable experiences. There are four basic units to sequential structures: frame, shot, scene and sequence. There are four major ways in which shots can be related: graphic relationship, spatial realtionship, temporal relationship and rhythmic relationship. There are four main ways of transitioning from shot to shot or scene to scene: cut, fade, dissolve, and wipe. For comic books there are more transitions like, action-to-action, subject-to-subject and scene-to-scene. There is also non-sequitar transitions, moment-to-moment, and aspect-to-aspect transitions. There are six major elements of time design: duration, tempo, intensity, scope, setting and chronology.
Determining an appropriate duration and tempo of the film and matching it with an appropriate duration of the plot is crucial to the power of the story. The intensity of the story can be determined by the tempo but also by the emotion and passion portrayed in the scope of the scene. A great example of the use of time and all its elements in a powerful work is the movie, Schindler's List. I have never actually seen the movie, but even the description of the scenes and the transitions used, build up an intensity and a compassion for the stories of the people in the film. The symbolism of the little girl in the red coat is powerful and heartbreaking merely by the description of the film. I am definitely watching it this weekend.