Elements of Film English 9

Why Study Film? Film is our cultures most popular method of entertainment Film is our cultures most popular method of entertainment Understanding how a film is put together, the obvious and hidden messages it sends, and how it affects you is critical Understanding how a film is put together, the obvious and hidden messages it sends, and how it affects you is critical When we talk about novels, we talk about settings, characters, sentences, and words. With film, we talk about setting, characters, scenes, and shots. When we talk about novels, we talk about settings, characters, sentences, and words. With film, we talk about setting, characters, scenes, and shots.

Basic Vocabulary Frame – A single picture on a length of film. Most film shows 24 frames per second. Frame – A single picture on a length of film. Most film shows 24 frames per second. Shot – The frames contained within one camera operation Shot – The frames contained within one camera operation Scene – A series of shots in one location pertaining to the same idea Scene – A series of shots in one location pertaining to the same idea Sequence – A series of scenes which make up a plot section in a show or movie Sequence – A series of scenes which make up a plot section in a show or movie

Types of Shots Filmmakers use different shots to give the viewer different types of information. If you can recognize the shot, you know what the director is trying to accomplish and why you feel or think the way you do Filmmakers use different shots to give the viewer different types of information. If you can recognize the shot, you know what the director is trying to accomplish and why you feel or think the way you do Long shot – Character is far away from the camera, and the picture includes the surroundings. Used to show big action or establish the setting Long shot – Character is far away from the camera, and the picture includes the surroundings. Used to show big action or establish the setting

Types of Shots, cont. Medium Shot – A shot showing part of a person, usually from waist or knees up. Most common film shot Medium Shot – A shot showing part of a person, usually from waist or knees up. Most common film shot Close Up – The character fills almost the entire screen – usually his or her face. Used to show intense emotion. Close Up – The character fills almost the entire screen – usually his or her face. Used to show intense emotion.

Camera Positions Where the filmmaker places the camera changes your perception of the characters Where the filmmaker places the camera changes your perception of the characters High angle – The camera looks down on the subject. This makes the characters seem smaller, weaker, more vulnerable. High angle – The camera looks down on the subject. This makes the characters seem smaller, weaker, more vulnerable. Low angle – The camera looks up on the subject. This makes characters seem bigger, stronger, more in control. Low angle – The camera looks up on the subject. This makes characters seem bigger, stronger, more in control.

Camera Movement Pan – Camera stays in one place but moves left or right. Pan – Camera stays in one place but moves left or right. Tilt – Camera stays in one place but moves up or down Tilt – Camera stays in one place but moves up or down Truck – The camera moves with a subject. He or she stays in the center, but the background changes Truck – The camera moves with a subject. He or she stays in the center, but the background changes

Camera Movement, cont. Dolly – Camera moves towards or away from a subject Dolly – Camera moves towards or away from a subject Zoom in – Camera is stationary but the subject is magnified Zoom in – Camera is stationary but the subject is magnified Zoom out – Camera is stationary but the subject becomes smaller and farther away Zoom out – Camera is stationary but the subject becomes smaller and farther away

Transitions Cut – One shot moves directly to a different shot Cut – One shot moves directly to a different shot Fade – One shot slowly becomes a blank screen Fade – One shot slowly becomes a blank screen Dissolve – One shot fades into a second shot Dissolve – One shot fades into a second shot Wipe – The first shot moves on the screen somehow to reveal the second shot Wipe – The first shot moves on the screen somehow to reveal the second shot

Elements of Film Illustrated Watch the following clip – it will provide examples of all of the film techniques we will be discussing Watch the following clip – it will provide examples of all of the film techniques we will be discussing You are not responsible for all of the terms mentioned in the video – only the ones we talked about in class You are not responsible for all of the terms mentioned in the video – only the ones we talked about in class Elements of Film Example Elements of Film Example Elements of Film Example Elements of Film Example

Movie Review Assignment One of our goals is for each of you to become a critical film consumer. As our first piece of practice, you will write a review of your favorite movie. While you want to mention what happens in the movie, the important part of this writing will be your ability to analyze the movie. If you liked characters, explain why. If you thought the special effects were good, explain why they were good.

Example: BAD - I thought the movie had great action sequences. BETTER - The action sequences in the movie were very original. Never before have I seen a car chase down the hills of San Francisco that resulted in a trolley blowing up. Its easy to decide if you like something or not. Its much harder to figure out WHY you like something or not. Thats the skill we are practicing.