Plots, Shots, and Angles

Story / Plot Lines Plot: the series of related events that take place and work out of the major conflict. What was a/the general plot line in The Princess Bride? Note: The Princess Bride has two separate plot lines!

Primary Secondary

Who’s Involved? Protagonist: the one who is FOR something. (often good guy) (why DO we like them?) -young, handsome, in love, dealt with loss, LIKE US! Antagonist: person or force in conflict with protagonist (against) (why don’t we like them? evil minds, dishonest, ugly looks or attitudes Who were they in The Princess Bride?

Conflict. . . Conflict between protagonist and antagonist must create suspense

Conflict May Be . . . Man vs. Man What was some of the man vs. man conflict in The Princess Bride?

Conflict can be . . . Man vs. him/herself What was some of the man vs. him/herself conflict in The Princess Bride?

Conflict Can Be . . . Man vs. A Force Nature, the Dark Side, etc. . . What was a Force that created conflict in the Princess Bride?

Conflict may be . . . Physical (Face Off, Rambo, Cast Away, Alien, The Passion; action movies) Emotional: (Pretty Woman, What Dreams May Come, Riding in Cars with Boys . . . Chick Flicks) Mental (Search for Bobby Fischer, Dogma, Beautiful Mind, Seven) What was some Physical, Emotional, Mental Conflict in The Princess Bride?

Plot Structure Your story needs 6 key points for maximum audience interest. 4 3 5 1 2 6 DIAGRAM OF PLOT STRUCTURE

Plot Structure . . . 1. Preliminary Situation Clearly defined explanation of events leading up to this point . . . BEFORE action begins. Creates EMPATHY for characters “feeling with” a character (sympathy is “feeling for”) for the audience to feel involved, they must have empathy for one of the characters *MUST establish why we like the protagonist Why do we like Wesley and Buttercup? 1 DIAGRAM OF PLOT STRUCTURE

Plot Structure . . . 2. Initial Incident: an event that sets the plot moving. What’s our initial incident in The Princess Bride? 2 DIAGRAM OF PLOT STRUCTURE

Plot Structure . . . 3. Rising action A series of events that follow the initial incident Develops from conflict between protagonist and antagonist LIFTS ACTION TO HIGHER LEVEL of interest/suspense! (stakes go up, time gets shorter . . .) What lifts the suspense/interest in The Princess Bride? 3 DIAGRAM OF PLOT STRUCTURE

Plot Structure . . . 4. Climax The MOST intense, exciting moment Turning point of the rising action Outcome of conflict is determined What is/are the climax(es) of The Princess Bride? 4 DIAGRAM OF PLOT STRUCTURE

Plot Structure . . . 5. Falling Action Series of events following the climax Ties up all loose ends (or leaves one or two hanging for a sequal!) Usually pretty short What loose ends are tied up in The Princess Bride? 5 DIAGRAM OF PLOT STRUCTURE

Plot Structure . . . Conclusion/Resolution Logical Outcome of all that has occurred before Comedy: brings all characters together (Dumb and Dumber; Scooby Doo; Inigo, Fezzig, Wesley, Buttercup; etc.) Drama/Tragedy: Characters live on with the result of their actions (Saving Private Ryan; Humperdink, Vicini) Can also be a combination of the two . . . As in The Princess Bride 6 DIAGRAM OF PLOT STRUCTURE

The Shots A series of consecutive frames recorded in one uninterrupted “take” Defined by the amount of subject matter within the frame of the screen. But can vary from director to director Extreme Long Shot Long Shot Full Shot(s) Medium Shot(s) Close Up Extreme Close-up Cutaway Over-the-shoulder More . . .

Shots . . . We’re usually not conscious of shots in isolation . . . (comic books) We experience their combined effect in sequences But each shot should be thought through by the director . . . independently.

Extreme Long Shot Reveals the Locale *Often referred to as ESTABLISHING SHOTS Taken from a great distance (¼ mile or so) Almost always an exterior shot

Extreme Long Shot The Cliffs of Insanity

Extreme Long Shot On the Boat

Extreme Long Shot Humperdink’s Castle

Long Shot Corresponds to the distance of an audience to a stage production . . . Action and Subject important, but locale plays an important part in this shot! Useful for showing a character as he/she relates to the locale Similar to a . . . Full shot

Long Shot

Long Shot

Full Shot Includes the human body in full (barely) The “closest” Long Shot Head near the top of the frame, feet near the bottom Subject becoming more important than locale

Full Shot

Full Shot

Medium Shot Contains a figure(s) from the knees or waist up. Includes ISOs, 2-shots, 3-shots, and OTS’ Subject now more important than locale Useful for Carrying movement Exposition scenes Dialogue

Medium Shot (ISO) a one person medium shot

Medium Shot (ISO)

Medium Shot (2 Shot)

Two Shot A medium shot containing two figures from the waist/knees up.

Two Shot

Two Shot

Two Shot

Three Shot A medium shot containing three figures from the waist up. *More than 3 figures typically becomes a full or long shot.

3 Shot

3 Shot

Over The Shoulder Shot (OTS) Typically contains 2 figures One character faces the camera, the second character has part of his/her back to the camera. Shows relationship to each other in the frame.

Over the Shoulder. . .

Over the Shoulder. . .

Over the Shoulder. . .

Close-up Concentrates on a relatively small object Tends to elevate the importance of an object Saying “Look at this!” or “This will be important later!” Reveal private information Could also create symbolism Shares emotion A character’s face is most common Can do close-ups of inanimate objects . . . called CUT-AWAYS Shows very little locale, if any

Close Up

Close Up

Extreme Close-up A variation of the close-up. A tighter shot, intensifies focus Perhaps showing portions of a character’s face Eyes, mouth . . . The ring in The Lord of the Rings

Extreme Close-up

Extreme Close-up

Extreme Close-up

Extreme Close-up

Camera Angles Determined by where the camera is placed Can provide a subtle or obvious commentary on the meaning of an image. A person photographed from a high angle suggests a completely opposite interpretation of a person photographed from a low angle (the SAME PERSON doing the SAME THING)

Birds-Eye View Shot from directly overhead Image can seem abstract, unrecognizable Audience can feel “god-like” Gives feeling of fate, higher powers . . . Characters seem small, insignificant . . . Often used for establishing shots or to give the idea of being watched from above. (Batman, City of Angels)

Birds Eye View

Bird’s Eye View

High Angle Shots Camera placed on a crane or other high location. Subject seems harmless, insignificant, weak SLOWS movement Setting/Locale given more prominence Provide audience a general overview. With some sense of power

High Angle

High Angle

High Angle (POV)

High Angle (OTS)

Eye-Level Shots Audience feels at same level and INVOLVED with the subject. Audience allowed to make up their own mind about the subject. Most shots are taken at or near eye level.

Eye-Level Shot

Eye-Level Shot

Eye-Level Shot

Low Angle Shots Camera placed below the subject Increases height of subject Heighten the importance of the subject Inspires fear, awe, and respect Increases movement/speed

Low Angle

Low Angle (POV)

Low Angle Green Mile

Low Angle Harry Potter

Oblique Angle Involves a lateral tilt of the camera (tilts view) Often used for Point-of-View shots in which viewer is tipsy, confused, etc. Suggests tension, uneasiness, anxiety . . . Can be effective in violent scenes!

Oblique Angle

Note: Old Batman and Robin Episodes

Small Group SHOT Assignment (160pts) Take shots in CHS; include a(n): Extreme Long Shot (10 pts) Long Shot (10 pt) Full Shot (10 pts) Medium ISO (10 pts) 2 Shot (10 pts) -- 3 Shot (10 pts) Over the shoulder (10 pts) Close-up (10 pts) Cutaway (10 pts) Extreme Close-up (10 pts) Birds-Eye View (10 pts) High Angle (10 pts) Low Angle (10 pts) Eye Level (10 pts) Create a display showing and labeling all shots (20 pts) Total assignment worth 160 pts. General Guidelines: -BE QUIET IN THE HALLWAYS -DO NOT INTERRUPT A CLASS LECTURE. -Be Careful and take care of the cameras. Each Photo can contain more than one element listed. Example: You may take a picture of two people from the waist up using a low angle. That would meet two of these requirements if labeled correctly!