Film Appreciation Shots, Angles, Cuts, and Sound

SHOTS The basic visual unit of a movie is the shot. Shots are usually described in terms of camera distance with respect to an object within the shot. There are seven fundamental types of shots:

CLOSE-UP In a close-up, the subject is framed, filling the screen. This connotes intimacy with the character. Usually an expression of emotion.

MEDIUM CLOSE-UP A medium close-up shows one or two characters framing the shoulders or chest and head.

MEDIUM SHOT Medium shots frame a character from the waist, hips, or knees up. The camera is distanced from the body for the character to be seen in relation to his or her surroundings.

MEDIUM LONG SHOT Half way between a long and a medium shot. If it frames a character, the whole body will be in view in the middle ground of the shot. Character and background usually share importance.

LONG SHOT In long shots, the subject or characters are at some distance from the camera. They are seen in full view within their surrounding.

EXTREME LONG SHOT Extreme long shots show the subject or characters very much in the background. The surroundings have as much if not more importance, especially if the shot is in high-angle.

SHOT/COUNTER SHOT Also known as shot/reverse angle. It is most commonly used for dialogue. It consists of two alternating shots, generally in medium close-up, from two characters.

ASK YOURSELF: Why has the shot been framed in such a way? Why has the shot been framed in such a way? How does the shot influence viewer’s connection to the characters? How does the shot influence viewer’s connection to the characters? What/Who is the camera’s point-of-view? What/Who is the camera’s point-of-view? Why is it important for the audience to see this particular character or scene from this particular perspective? Why is it important for the audience to see this particular character or scene from this particular perspective?

SHOT ANGLES The shot angle is the direction and height from which the camera takes the scene. A high angle makes the viewer feel more important or detached from the character. A low angle exaggerates the character’s importance.

EDITING TECHNIQUES Jump cut: There is no match between spliced shots. Jump cut: There is no match between spliced shots. Match cut: The content stays the same, but the shot changes (i.e. long to medium) Match cut: The content stays the same, but the shot changes (i.e. long to medium) Motivated cut: Lets the viewers see something they want to see that is not currently visible (speaker, object, time) Motivated cut: Lets the viewers see something they want to see that is not currently visible (speaker, object, time) Fade: Can create a quiet, peaceful introduction or ending to a scene. Fade: Can create a quiet, peaceful introduction or ending to a scene.

CUTTING RATE Frequent cuts may be used as deliberate interruptions to shock, surprise, or emphasize. Frequent cuts may be used as deliberate interruptions to shock, surprise, or emphasize. A cutting rhythm may be progressively shortened to increase tension. A cutting rhythm may be progressively shortened to increase tension.

SOUND Direct sound: Live sound Direct sound: Live sound Studio sound: Sound recorded in the studio to improve quality, eliminating background noise, then dubbed to match the visual. Studio sound: Sound recorded in the studio to improve quality, eliminating background noise, then dubbed to match the visual. Selective sound: The removal of some sounds and retention of others for emphasis or dramatic effect. Selective sound: The removal of some sounds and retention of others for emphasis or dramatic effect.

SOUND (Cont’d) Voice-over narration: Commentary spoken off-screen over the shots shown. The voice can be used to: – I– I– I– Introduce parts of the program – A– A– A– Add extra information not evident from the picture – I– I– I– Interpret the images for the audience from a particular point of view – L– L– L– Link parts of a sequence together

Mise-en-se Mise-en-scène pronounced “meez-ahn-sen” Literally means “put in the scene” (French) Looks at everything in a scene: – –Props – –camera movement – –Lighting – –set design – –shots/framing – –the overall visual environment Mise-en-scène is how it all comes together visually for the viewer, creating a picture. Shots that create a picture for the audience, like a tableau in drama.

Example: “Imitation of Life”… 2 women, one white one black. 2 women, one white one black. One struggling to provide for herself and her daughter… One struggling to provide for herself and her daughter…...the other lonely and in need of friendship In this scene, what story is being told without even using words? What do these images (mise-en-sc In this scene, what story is being told without even using words? What do these images (mise-en-scène) reveal?

“Imitation of Life” scene: In the scene we just watched, what story is being told without using words? What do these images (mise-en-sc In the scene we just watched, what story is being told without using words? What do these images (mise-en-scène) reveal?

In To Kill a Mockingbird… As we watch clips from the film “To Kill a Mockingbird” (1962), pay attention to camera angles and shots!

In The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet… As we watch the film “Romeo+Juliet” (1996), pay attention to camera angles, mise-en-scè, sound, special effects, & shots! As we watch the film “Romeo+Juliet” (1996), pay attention to camera angles, mise-en-scène, sound, special effects, & shots!