Visual Cinematic Techniques, Their Meaning, and Literary Connections

Framing- The Long Shot Character(s) or object(s) seen in the distance appear somewhat small in relation to their surroundings. Can suggest powerlessness Emile Hersch, Into the Wild

Another Long Shot: Cary Grant in Hitchcock’s North by Northwest

Medium Shot Shows a character from the waist up This is a neutral, natural shot, common in our everyday lives. Nick Cage, Raising Arizona

Close-up Shot A shot in which the object or face of the character takes up most of the movie screen. A subjective point of view Shows emotion Can cause viewer to identify with character

Another close-up shot: James Stewart in Hitchcock’s Vertigo

Camera Angle: Low Angle The camera is located in a lower position than the subject. Suggests character has power Subjective narration

Eye Level Angle The camera is positioned at the eye level of the actor. Natural, neutral shot Objective narration

High Angle The camera is positioned above the character. Suggests powerlessness or danger for the character. Subjective narration

Another High Angle: James Stewart in Hitchcock’s Vertigo

Dutch Angle The camera tilts slightly so that the image or character appears sideways, to one degree or another, within the frame. Often used in gangster or horror films

Dutch Angle continued The tilted image can imply danger or moral uncertainty in an otherwise static or normal situation.

Lighting- Low-Key/ Side Lighting A small source of light in an otherwise dark set causes deep shadows. Creates a mood of suspicion, mystery danger suggests character is evil, or is hiding something Ingrid Bergman in Hitchcock’s Notorious

Low-Key Lighting continued

High-Key/ Front Lighting An even light source with few shadows Suggests honesty, nothing to hide, safety

Editing: Fade The image on screen slowly fades away and the screen goes black until the next shot fades in. Establishes a connection between the two objects or characters Juxtaposition, analogy, metaphor, or irony

Editing: Dissolve One image fades out as another image fades in so that two images are on the screen briefly at the same time.

Dissolve can create irony or mood

Cinematic Elements