Aesthetics are the overall appearance, style and perception of a film. For example, the makeup or costumes worn, set design and props.

Aesthetics term 1: realism

Verisimilitude- The appearance of being true, believable or real

In This is England (Meadows 2007) the set design and use of location shooting creates an accurate and detailed image of 1983 England.

Social Realism- the aim to draw attention and recreate, social/political issues and critique those to blame. For example, showing poor conditions in the working class and critiquing capitalist views.

Of mice and men (Sinise 1992) include many political elements and give viewers an insight of America during the great depression following the Wall street crash in addition to the prominent social issues such as racism and sexism.

Magic Realism- Presenting a realistic detailed view incorporating magic or fantasy elements, often blurring the line between speculation and reality.

The Harry Potter franchise perfectly encapsulates the essence of magic in the real world while questioning if its fantasy fiction and reality.

Hyperreality- The lines between fantasy and reality are blurred and fantasy is well blended to the reality so there is no obvious distinction between them.

In Barbie (Gerwig 2023) fiction is morphed into reality as Barbie leaves her fantasy land and brings it to the real world.

Aesthetics term 2: Visual style

Iconography- The use of reoccurring visual symbols/images that convey specific themes or ideas, add to the plot and add emotion.

Intertextual referencing- Occurs when a movie overlaps with another art piece, such as a book, another film or a piece of music.

Visual/sound motifs- A reoccurring sound or visual symbol in a film that highlights the films plot or message its trying to portray. These visual symbols could be reoccurring objects, colours or shapes.

Colour grading- When raw film is edited and manipulated to create consistent colour tones throughout, like a filter to create a distinct colour pallet.

In Fantastic Mr Fox there is a prominent use of browns and oranges to create a clear, specific colour pallet to reflect the film

Auteur trademarks- When the film is clearly directed by a specific person based on a distinctive sign telling their work apart from other peoples.

Wes Anderson is an auteur as his style is unique and his work can be told apart from other films. He uses a specific narrative and visual style to make his work distinguishable.

Aesthetics term 3: Tone

Pathos- Appealing to audiences emotion

Bathos- Refers to the rhetorical anti-climax, transition from one topic to a vastly different one.

Suspense- Creation of a feeling of anticipation from the audience, this can be heightened by a stressful violent or emotive scene. Gives an effect similar to a cliff-hanger.

Comedy- Humorous, designed to make audiences smile and laugh.

Dramatic irony- When the audience know information the characters don’t, creating humour or suspense.

Distancing effect- Achieved when the audience cannot have the illusion of being an unseen spectator.