Definition
relating to films
Origin and usage
The adjective cinematic is often used to describe a film or director’s style and techniques in filmmaking.
Examples
The cinematic style that is employed in the art of filmmaking and visual storytelling in general refers to the composition, colour, type of film, camera, lenses, costumes, set design, hair and makeup, filters, editing, effects and music used. The more iconic the cinematic style is, the more memorable it makes the film after viewing. Directors and other people involved in movie making commonly become known for their specific cinematic style.
A director well known for his cinematic technique is Alfred Hitchcock. Some of the visual techniques that he employs in many of his films, such as framing for emotion with tight close-ups and point-of-view editing, give the audience a more immersive movie-watching experience. Hitchcock is also recognized for his use of music and sound in his films as a method of adding depth and suspense.
Quotations
“I personally think a fight scene is the most cinematic thing you can witness because all the elements of filmmaking come together, you know, with the camera speed changes, editing, makeup effects and general smoke and mirrors of trying to make it look like you are hitting someone when you’re not. It’s filmmaking in its purest form, I think.”
(Scott Adkins)
“There’s something about using the cinematic device as a tool to connect with dimensions of the world that you don’t know too well, you’re not too familiar with. It’s like creating a bridge, or a spaceship to travel to the unknown.”
(Sebastian Lelio)
Synonyms
pictorial, visual, filmic
View the full definition in the Macmillan Dictionary.
