Film Study Elements that Communicate

Similar to how a book is made up from smaller parts (chapters, paragraphs, sentences), a film production also has smaller parts: Scene Sequences Shots Camera Angles

Scene Like a chapter Tells a portion of the story that is related, and usually all in the same setting Can be very short, or very long

Sequences Like paragraphs These are similar parts of a scene Must have a beginning, middle, and an end. Vary in length (short or long) and pace (quick, intense, or slow and steady)

Shots Like a sentence in a paragraph Shots make up each sequence Each shot must be one complete thought or idea Shots could contain both dialogue and action

Camera Angles Like punctuation and vocabulary These add greater meaning to each shot

Types of Shots

Establishing Shot This is the first shot of a scene. Here a director will want to set the mood or feeling for the whole scene. Usually a lot of information is given in this first shot to let the audience know important ideas about the setting as well.

Power Shots High Angle Shot: Low Angle Shot: The camera is placed at a high angle relative to the subject. This makes the subject look smaller, less powerful, or inferior. Low Angle Shot: The camera is placed at a low angle relative to the subject. This makes the subject look bigger, more powerful, or superior.

High Angle

Low Angle

Wide Angle Shot / Long Shot Where the camera is positioned far away from the subject, so a lot can fit into the frame. This shot is good for an establishing shot (beginning of scenes).

Wide Angle Shot / Long Shot

Close Up The best way to convey emotion

Other Angles Full Shot: Full character (life size) Bird’s-eye view: directly overhead Dolly Shot: Taken from moving vehicle Reaction Shot: character’s reaction to events Pan Shot: Horizontal movement of camera Freeze-Frame: single frame over and over Point of View Shot: Taken from vantage point of character Oblique Angle Shot: off balance camera, sensation of confusion and chaos

Sound Music choice can drastically affect our response to an image. Sound establishes mood of shots, and whole films ex: Jaws Sound effects can also add to the “reality” of a scene

Transitions Getting from one scene to the next Cut in and out: Abrupt, quick change of scene. ex: Action films (Bourne Films) Dissolve: Slow transition into another scene. ex: Dramas, Thrillers, Romantic (over night love scenes…)

Lighting and Colour Used to get our attention, gets us to notice things the director wants us to see. Can also change our mood as we watch the film.

Special Effects As simple as slow motion, to as complex as computer graphics (animation too) Pyrotechnics and stunts would also be considered special effects