What elements primarily contribute to a film’s visual storytelling?

The elements that primarily contribute to a film's visual storytelling involve aspects that visually convey meaning and emotion without relying on dialogue or sound. Shot composition and camera angles play a crucial role in how a narrative unfolds on screen. They determine how scenes are framed, the focus of the audience's attention, and the overall mood of a sequence.

For instance, the way a shot is composed — including the arrangement of subjects within the frame, the use of lighting, and the color palette — can express themes, character relationships, and emotional tones. Similarly, camera angles can influence perceptions. A low-angle shot can make a character appear powerful or dominant, while a high-angle shot may suggest vulnerability or weakness.

While music and sound effects, character dialogue, and film editing techniques are all critical to storytelling in their own rights, they primarily enhance the audio aspect or structure of the film rather than directly contribute to the visual storytelling aspect. Thus, shot composition and camera angles stand out as the core visual elements that effectively communicate the story being told.