Camera Shots, Angles and Movement Lighting and Sound Media Camera Shots, Angles and Movement Lighting and Sound

Identify conventions and/or techniques used in a variety of media forms and explain how they convey meaning and influence their audience

Transitions Cut –stop one shot; abruptly start second; create the impression of different places, same time Fade Out/In –go to black; go from black to picture; suggests passage of time, change of place

Camera Distance Consider why each of the following types of camera shots are used. Long Shot Medium Shot Close Up Shot Establishing Shot Reaction Shot

Long Shot typically shows the entire object or human figure usually intended to place it in some relation to its surroundings

Extreme Long Shot can be taken from as much as a quarter of a mile away generally used to establish setting

ELS normally shows an exterior, e.g. the outside of a building, or a landscape, and is often used to show scenes of thrilling action e.g. in a war film or disaster movie. very little detail visible in the shot, meant to give a general impression

Medium Shot a head to waist view of a human subject is called a medium shot relatively good in showing facial expressions but work well to show body language

Close Up Tightly frames a person or object A certain feature, such as someone's head, takes up the whole frame Used to show detail such as characters’ emotions, reactions

Think-Pair-Share How is the use of an extreme close-up (say of a character’s eye) in a horror movie different from the use of an extreme close-up of a diamond ring in a jewellery ad? Why might the cover of a mass-market paperback feature the author’s name more prominently than the book’s title?

Establishing Shot Sets up, or establishes the context for a scene by showing the relationship between its important figures and objects Shown at the beginning of a scene establishing where and when the scene is to take place

ES Establishing shots may use famous landmarks to indicate the city where the action is taking place or has moved to, such as the Empire State Building to identify New York

Camera Angles What impressions do the following camera angles give? High Angle Eye Level Angle Low Angle

Low Angle Camera is looking up Subject looks large Creates impression of power

Eye Level Camera is looking from eye level at the subject Viewer feels equal to and may even identify with the subject

High Angle Camera is looking down Subject appears small Creates the impression of weakness

Camera Movement How does the camera move? Panning Tracking Tilting Zooming

Panning Camera moves from left to right or right to left across scene from one subject to another; Can be used to create suspense

Tracking any shot in which the camera follows a subject within the frame, such as a moving actor or a moving vehicle may refer to a shot in which the camera is mounted on a camera dolly, a wheeled platform that is pushed on rails while the picture is being taken

Tilting Camera moves vertically, up or down

Zooming Camera moves in (tight) or out (wide)

Lighting Lighting is a very important aspect for shaping meaning in films. A room that is brightly lit by neon lights might seem to be sterile A shadowy room might be eerie or scary. What kind of atmosphere is created in a room lit by candles?

Low Key Lighting heightens the sense of alienation felt by the viewer, hence is commonly used in film noir and horror genres.

High Key Lighting is usually quite homogeneous and free from dark shadows. is used to suggest an upbeat mood. It is often used in sitcoms and comedies

Back Lighting the process of illuminating the subject from the back. creates a glowing effect on the edges of the subject, while other areas are darker.  can create an angelic halo type effect around the head. Filmmakers sometimes use this to show that the actor is good or pure

More Lighting Terminology Hard Light - Light directly from a source such as the sun, traveling undisturbed onto the subject being lit. Soft Light - Light which appears to "wrap around" the subject to some degree. Produces less shadows or softer shadows. Spot - A controlled, narrowly-focused beam of light. Flood - A broad beam of light, less directional and intense than a spot.

What is the effect?

Sound the human voice sound effects music

Dialogue authenticates the speaker as a real person rather than the imaginary creation of a story teller. it serves to tell the story and expresses feelings and motivations of characters as well.

Synchronous sound effects Contribute to the realism of film and also help to create a particular atmosphere.  For example: The “click” of a door being opened Or if a burglary, creates suspense.  

Asynchronous sound effects not matched with a visible source of the sound on screen. used to provide an appropriate emotional nuance For example: The sound of an ambulance's siren when showing an arguing couple. What is the effect?

Background Music adds emotion and rhythm to a film. provides a tone or an emotional attitude toward the story and/or the characters aids viewer understanding by linking scenes. For example: Music is repeated at various points in a film in order to remind the audience of important ideas

Ted Ed http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-key-to- media-s-hidden-codes Colors, camera angles and logos in the media can all prompt immediate associations with emotions, activities and memories. Learn to decode the intricate system of symbols that are a part of everyday life -- from advertising messages to traffic signs.