1. Chapter Six Video Language Objectives:  Explain the concept of camera angles  Name the principal types of camera angles  Vary shot types effectively  Create continuity of action  Select and use scene transitions

2. Video Language Terms  A shot is a single, uninterrupted visual recording, a length of tape during which the camera has operated continuously.  A take is one attempt to record a shot.  A frame is like a unit of sound, an essential building block that is too brief to deliver meaning by itself.  An image (a more or less static segment of a shot that is perceived as a picture) is like a word.  A shot (a continuously recorded stream of evolving images) is like a sentence. It is the shortest assemblage that conveys a complete piece of information.  A scene is like a paragraph. Composed of several shots (visual sentences), it conveys meaning about a single topic.  A sequence is like a chapter. It a assembles a number of scenes into a longer action that is also devoted to a single (though larger) part of the narrative.

3. Camera Angle Names  A camera angle is a distinctive, identifiable way of framing subjects from a particular position at a particular image size.  Usually, angles are named for one of several different sets of characteristics: subject distance, horizontal position, vertical camera position, lens perspective, shot purpose, and shot population.

4. Subject Distance  The most common angle names describe the apparent distance between the camera and a standing adult human.

5. Subject Distance  Extreme long shot: The figure is tiny and indistinct in a very large area.

6. Subject Distance  Long shot: The figure is small in the frame (half the frame height or less) and slightly indistinct.  Medium long shot: The standing human is distinct and somewhat closer, but with considerable head and foot room.  Full shot: The standing figure fills the screen from top to bottom, often with just a small amount of head room and foot room.

7. Subject Distance  Three-quarter shot: The shot shows the subject from about the knees to the top of the head.  Medium shot: The shot shows the subject from the belt line to the top of the head.

8. Subject Distance  Medium closeup: the shot shows the subject from about the solar plexus to the top of the head.  Closeup:  Closeup: The shot shows the subject from the shoulders to the top of the head.

9. Subject Distance  Big closeup: The shot shows the subject from below the chin to the forehead or hairline.  Extreme closeup: The shot shows the subject from the base of the nose to the eyebrows.

10. Subject Distance  Although these names all use a standing human for reference, they are also employed with both smaller and larger objects.  A head shot is always called a close up.

11. What’s in a Name?

12. Horizontal Angle  After subject distance, the most frequently used angle names are based on horizontal camera positions.  In the previous examples, the subject was always facing the camera…but the camera can view its subjects from other directions as well.

13. Horizontal Angle  Front angle: The camera faces the front of the subject.  Three-quarter angle: The camera is placed between 15 and 45 degrees around toward one side of the subject.

14. Horizontal Angle  Profile angle: The camera is at a right angle to the original front shot.  Three-quarter rear angle: The camera is another 45 degrees around, so that the subject is now facing away.  Rear angle: the camera is directly opposite its front position and fully behind the subject.

15. Camera Angles

16. Camera Height  Taken together, horizontal camera angle and subject distance provide the most typical shot descriptions: for example, “three-quarter close- up.”  However, an equally important component of every angle is the camera’s height.

17. Camera Height  Shots can be labeled by the vertical angle from which the camera views the action.  The best way to describe standard camera heights is by pretending that the camera is at the end of a clock hand and pointed at the center of the dial.

18. Camera Height  Bird’s-Eye Angle : Extremely high camera position that simulates the view from a plane or high building.

19. Camera Height  High Angle: A shot in which the camera is evidently higher than the eye level of a human subject.  Neutral Angle: A shot in which the camera is more or less at the subject’s eye level.

20. Camera Height  Low Angle: A shot in which the camera is evidently below eye level.  Worm’s-Eye Angle: An extremely low camera position, looking dramatically upward.

21. Lens Perspective  Shot name based on the appearance created by a particular camera lens.  Directors will often call for a shot by the type of lens to be used when they want a stylized rendering of perspective.

22. Lens Perspective  Wide-Angle: A wide-angle lens exaggerates apparent depth and dramatizes movement toward and away from the camera. Often used in taping a chase, a fight, or some other sequence full of dynamic action

23. Lens Perspective  Normal: A normal-angle lens renders perspective approximately the way human vision perceives it, neither increasing nor reducing the apparent depth.  Telephoto: A telephoto lens compresses apparent depth and de-emphasizes movement toward and way from the camera. Telephoto lenses are used to dramatize congestion and to intensify composition on the two- dimensional screen.

24. Shot Purpose   The 8 Kinds of Shot Purposes: Master shot Establishing shot Reverse Shot Over the shoulder shot Cutaway shot Insert shot POV shot Glance object shot

25. Shot Purpose   Master Shot Records a scene from beginning to end Considered “old fashioned”

26. Shot Purpose   Establishing Shot Shows the general scene Helpful to introduce something early in a sequence

27. Shot Purpose   Reverse Shot Shows action from point of view nearly opposite that of the main camera position

28. Shot Purpose   Over the Shoulder Shot Includes part of one performer while focusing on another performer Controls emphasis and enhances depth

29. Shot Purpose   Cutaway Shot To show the audience something outside the principal action Also to reveal something from an on screen person point of view

30. Shot Purpose   Insert Shot Small detail of action, often from the point of view of a person on screen

31. Shot Purpose   POV (Point of View) Shot To show the audience what someone on screen is seeing

32. Shot Population Single: shows 1 person Two-shot: shows 2 people Three-shot: shows 3 people

33. Reasons for Shot Name Confusion Many shot names are synonymous with camera angles. Many shot names are synonymous with camera angles. Often given multiple names. Often given multiple names. They might be identified by a different name. They might be identified by a different name. Shots have different names in different countries or production centers. Shots have different names in different countries or production centers.

34. Creating Continuity  In the language of video, scenes are compared to sentences, and shots are compared to words, added together to form a composition.  When a viewer watches a composition they are distracted by different angles, the goal is to make it appear a continuous flow.  Continuity is created by matching actions, this is achieved by making the incoming shot appear to begin at precisely the point where the outgoing shot ends.

35. Creating Continuity In creating video continuity, you stage each shot so that it can be combined unobtrusively with the shots that precede and follow it. In creating video continuity, you stage each shot so that it can be combined unobtrusively with the shots that precede and follow it.

36. Varying Shots To make a smooth edit, the technique is to match the action closely, while decisively changing the camera angle. To make a smooth edit, the technique is to match the action closely, while decisively changing the camera angle.

37. Varying Shots Generally, this means changing at least two of the angle’s three major characteristics: camera position, camera height, and subject size. Generally, this means changing at least two of the angle’s three major characteristics: camera position, camera height, and subject size.

38. Varying Shots Altering only a single trait still results in an undesirable jump cut that calls attention to the edit. Altering only a single trait still results in an undesirable jump cut that calls attention to the edit.

39. Varying Shots Altering only a single trait still results in an undesirable jump cut that calls attention to the edit. Altering only a single trait still results in an undesirable jump cut that calls attention to the edit.

40. Varying Shots To achieve a smooth edit, a new camera setup should change two angle traits… To achieve a smooth edit, a new camera setup should change two angle traits…

41. Varying Shots …most often the image size plus either the camera position or height. …most often the image size plus either the camera position or height.

42. Matching Action  The angle should change from one shot to the next, however the action needs to begin exactly where it left off in the preceding shot.

43. Matching Action 1. Have performer repeat part of the action in the second shot. 2. To synchronize action is by concealing the match point. A match point in two shots that record the same action is any point at which the editor can cut from one shot to the other continuing an action without an apparent break.

44. Matching Action Though the shots could have been made in completely different locations, the action appears continuous.

45. Video Language in Action

46. But why?  Why are we learning about video language, angles, perspectives, continuity and matching action? This is a video class. It’s what we do.This is a video class. It’s what we do. Shooting quality video teaches you what looks good which will help you in creating presentations in and out of this class.Shooting quality video teaches you what looks good which will help you in creating presentations in and out of this class.