Film and Literature Techniques and Terms

Compare/contrast these two screen shots. What emotions does each cre ate for you? How does the camerawork contribute to the mood?...to the way you perceive each character?

EQ: How can studying film techniques help us understand literary development? Consider… -Mood: How do film techniques develop the overall feeling a emotions of a work? -Plot: How do film techniques develop the story / confict? -Characterization: How do film techniques develop characters? -Theme: What specific techniques develop the motifs and themes?

Mise-en-scene : everything that is “put into a scene” -setting & props -costumes & make up -acting (body language, facial expressions, etc) -lighting and color

Lighting High-key lighting: A lighting scheme with very few shadows. Low-key lighting: A lighting scheme with very strong contrasts between the brightest and darkest parts of an image.

Effect on mood? on your impression of the characters / setting / situation?

Camera Shots: the Building Blocks Shot : Part of a film presented without any editing, as seen from a single camera's perspective Aspects of a Shot: -Framing: how a shot is framed (think picture frame) -Angle: low angle, eye-level, high angle... -Movement: the way the camera moves during a shot -Establishes OUR point of view (1st person, 3rd person) -Directs our attention to specific literary elements

Long Shot: Shows background, establishes where you are, full body is shown. Can show isolation or vulnerability of character.

Medium Shot: Shows torso and some background. Most common shot (used for story development). Often highlights body language.

Close up : shot of head and shoulders, usually used to show emotion. Draws attention to face or object

Shots establishing Point of View Point of View Shot: we see where the characters eyes would be (1st person Point of View) Over-the-Shoulder (aka 3rd Person) Shot: We see from behind the character’s back (like an outside observer)

Who do you identify with?

Eye-Level Shot: taken from a normal height (the character’s eye level). Most common, most natural angle

High Angle Shot : camera looks down on person/object, making them look vulnerable

Low Angle Shot : camera looks up at someone/thing, making them appear powerful

Camera Movement Panning Shot: shot in which the camera moves slowly across from side to side from a fixed axis Tracking Shot: shot in which the camera follows the action, moving along tracks laid for that purpose, often pulling backwards from a scene. (uses a track or a dolly)

Editing : the process of how shots are put together Dissolve: A transition between two shots during which the first image gradually disappears while the second image gradually appears; for a moment the two images blend in superimposition. Jump Cut: splicing together two shots without any apparent match between them. Match Cut: splicing together two shots with an object or idea that illustrates the connection

Sound -Dialogue: All speech (Monologue, Dialogue, Soliloquies, Asides) -Music: Can be diegetic (heard by characters) or non-diegetic (heard only by audience) -Sound Effects: a screeching owl, a knocking at the door, an explosion

With a Partner… (on a blank sheet) -Identify as many specific techniques used in each clip (use terms guide for support) -Consider: How do the director’s choices contribute to mood, plot, characterization, and themes?

Clip # 1 from the film “Junkie”

Clip #2 From “Citizen Kane”

Clip #3

Analyze Orson Welles’ opening scene (1948)

Now, Analyze Polanski’s Adaptation

Opening Macbeth Consider the 2 directors’ choices for Act I, scene i -What do the 2 adaptations of this scene have in common? -How do they differ? How do these choices affect your understanding of Macbeth?