Geometry as a Superstar!

Did you know that geometrical figures can talk? To be honest, they don’t use words, but directors and writers use something very simple to influence how we feel: geometry. Shapes like triangles, circles, and squares have meanings that many cultures share, so our brain reacts to them almost without thinking.

Figure 1. Euclid is a cinema star

Note. Own Elaboration with Copilot [Picture]

For example, triangles are often connected to danger or for the antagonist, like Maléfica. Sharp shapes, like pointed noses or strong chins, can make a character look more aggressive or bad. A clear example is Darth Vader, whose mask has a strong triangular shape that makes him look powerful and dark.

Figure 2. Maléfica, triangle shaped face

Note. Salvia, P. (s.f.) Malefica [Image] https://ar.pinterest.com/pin/716283515718001599/

On the other hand, circles and round shapes show the opposite: kindness, friendliness, and warmth. Characters like Mickey Mouse are made mostly of circles, which makes them look cute and easy to like.

Squares and rectangles are usually linked to characters who are more serious or rigid. These shapes can show stability, but they can also make a character seem boring or not very flexible. Also, since we watch movies on a rectangular screen, when we see many square shapes, it can feel like a character is “trapped” in a routine.

All of this shows that geometry is not just something we study in math class. It is also in the movies we watch, helping to tell stories and making us feel emotions without us noticing.

An idea for a didactic application about this information can be an activity called Cinematics. It consists of students, after knowing how geometry can represent the personality of different characters, they have to create new original characters associated with emotions given to them. They can also think about characters that they already know and associate them to the emotion, in a way that they classificate the personality of these characters depending on the geometrical shapes that they find in them. 

Figure 3. Cinematics

Note. Own Elaboration [Image]

REFERENCES

Álvarez, P. (2016, 23 octubre). Así manipula el cine nuestra percepción con figuras geométricas. ELMUNDO. https://www.elmundo.es/f5/2016/10/23/5809f46e468aebbb638b4602.html