Does anyone know the term for when an object is seen briefly in a film only to identify it in the audiences mind when it plays a more important part later on in the movie?

Geoff

Geoff,

Do you mean 'subliminal'?

Len

Hi Len,

No, not subliminal.

It's like when the camera hovers for a moment or two over a knife which is then later used as a murder weapon. It's usually used to familiarise the audience so they aren't given the "Where the hell did that come from?" feeling that can make a film seem a little silly.

Am I making any sense?

Geoff

Foreshadowing?

Elspeth you are a genius!!!!

Geoff

No Geoff, I've just read a lot of screenwriting books! The best thing is when you're watching a mediocre film and in the first 10 mins the protagonist freezes because she sees a spider and you say 'That's going to come up later' and lo and behold, in Act 3, a spider appears so she can't save the world/rescue her cat/whatever...

E