Film

Film is a method of recording, organizing, and displaying a sequence of static images that, when shown to the eye in rapid succession, appear as motion. It is also known as cinema or moving picture. The term 'film' originally referred to the thin, chemically treated strip on which images were recorded, but today it denotes the finished work, whether recorded on physical film or digitally.

Film combines several arts: screenwriting, acting, cinematography, lighting, sound, music, and editing. It is used for storytelling, education, entertainment, research, and historical documentation.

How it works

Human vision perceives a series of still images as continuous motion when the frame rate is sufficiently high. The standard frame rate for cinema is 24 images per second. The camera records images one by one, and the playback apparatus then reproduces them at the same frame rate.

Stages of production

Making a film typically involves three stages. Pre-production includes scriptwriting, fundraising, casting, and planning locations. Production is when the images and sound are recorded. Post-production consists of editing, sound mixing, color correction, and addition of visual effects.

Types

Films are classified in several ways. The main division is between fiction and documentary. There are also animated films and experimental works. Each type has sub-genres such as romance, drama, thriller, action, and comedy.

Production and distribution

Films are produced by production companies and made available to the public through cinema theaters, television, and internet streaming services. Many countries have rating boards that classify films by age suitability. There are also international film festivals and awards where new films are showcased.