What do we mean by “patterns of editing”?
Not just the content of individual shots, but the way that specific editing techniques consistently emphasize connections between the things depicted. Is one technique doing a particular kind of work?
What do we mean by “theme” in this film?
Including but not limited to: the city as a living thing, the virtues of working together, the power of cinema, the modernization of the Soviet Union, etc.
Common conventions when writing about film:
When mentioning a scene, indicate in parentheses the time code for the start of the scene or moment under discussion. For example, “When we first see Lucy in the office (3:20), she is wearing a gray blouse and skirt.” Please note that reference to a time code is NOT a substitute for accurate, detailed, and vivid descriiption.
Italicize or underline film titles—no quotation marks or bold.
Refer to characters by the character’s name, not the actor’s name (see above for a list).
Use the literary present tense when describing events in the fictional world: “Literary works, paintings, films, and other artistic creations are assumed to exist in an eternal present. Therefore, when you write about writers or artists as they express themselves in their work, use the present tense.” Vanderbilt Writing Studio. (For more information on the literary present tense, see this helpful guide.)