Transcript Film Techniques - White Plains Public Schools

Cinematic Techniques
SpringBoard Unit 2
Hey everyone! Amy
Hi Amy,
I’m
not a to
big
I really
enjoy
Ithere.
is important
fan
of romantic
watching
romantic
consider
a film’s
movies
but
Ito
enjoy
movies.
Sometimes
techniques
help the
animated
plots
canand
be
you
decide
thea bit
action-packed
predictable,
but that’s
quality
of a favorite
films…the
special
maybe why
I and
like Ithem
movie.
Rose
effects
sofantastic.
much.
willare
help
you.
Introduction
Thanks Amy. Now, I don’t
normally take pen and paper
to the movie theatre with me.
But when I have to study a
That’s
great
film like I would
with
any other
Rose…but
piece ofadvice
text, like
a novel, I
what
kind
of of the
really like to keep track
notes do you
details. I generally
rent and
keep?
watch the movie
through once
or twice, then re-watch certain
scenes a few times while
keeping jot notes.
Well, I have a couple handy
charts that are divided into
certain basic film techniques.
I’ll show you the charts later,
but first let’s get into the
details of a film so you know
what to take notes on…A film
can be divided into the following
components…
Film Techniques
Angles
Camera
Focus
movement
Film
Techniques
Point
of
View
Lighting
Sequence
of
Film
Film Techniques
Color
 High angle
 Low angle
 Straight onI remember what angles
are…they are the position of
 Canted angle
the camera…here are some
different types of angles…
Angles
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 Close-up
 Extreme close-up
 Medium Shot
Next is the focus. This is
 Long shot what the camera centers
on…here are some different
 Extreme long shot
types of focus…
Focus
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 Natural
 Artificial
 Bright
 Soft
 Top lighting
 Back lighting
 Side lighting
 Under lighting
Lighting
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Lighting can have a big
impact on the mood and
setting of a film. It can even
emphasize a character and
highlight his or her
characteristics. Here are
some lighting examples…
 Black: elegance, sophistication, evil, darkness, mourning
Colour
alsoangels
makes an impression in
 White: purity, snow,
cold,
Did
that theofcolours
a you
film.notice
The
the set,in
 Red: passion, aggression,
fire,colours
blood, strength
photos
impacted
your impressions,
location,
and actors’
wardrobes
 Blue: water, life,impact
depression
made you
feel a certain
way, or
the viewers’
consciousness.
symbolized
characteristics?
 Yellow: cheerfulness,
optimism,
confidence
Colours
might
offer subtleFor
example,
the red
symbolized
suggestions
or hearts
bold symbolism.
romantic
love.colours
When to
you
watch a
Here some
consider.
film,
colours
used in the
Whatnotice
moodthe
might
be created…dark
set and
or inforeboding
the wardrobe
choices
or bright
andfor
the
actors.
cheerful?
Colour
©2010 Thinkstock
 Shot: all the action filmed in one take without disruption
 Cut: the conclusion of a shot
 Take: an attempt to shoot a scene in its entirety
A film sequence can be
divided into three
things….shot, cut, and
take. Here’s the
definitions…
Sequence of film
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We can’t forget about
the point of view within
a film either. That’s the
perspective of the
camera or actors.
Point of view
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 Framing: what elements surround the
actor
 Blocking: how the actor is positioned for
the shot
Plus, there’s all the
 Tracking: following an
actormovement too.
camera
That’s how
the camera
 Panning: camera movement
horizontally
follows or frames the
 Booming: camera movement
up or down
actors. Here are some
terms you should know…
Camera movement
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
Setting
 Time, place, location, mood, and time span.

Sequence

Location
Good point, Amy. There’s a
 A progression of related scenes. lot involved behind the
scenes of a movie too.
 Sets
The scenes are sequences
 An arrangement or display
of events or camera shots
of scenery, backdrop, or
related to each other. Take
landscape.
a look…
 Where the movie is actually
being filmed.

Plot
 The narrative or progression of
events.
Scenes

Music
◦ Background music can create
a mood or a feeling in the
Let’sviewer.
not forget about all of

Soundtrack
the smaller details like the
music, soundtracks, and
◦ Recently, popular musicyour favorite, Rose, special
has been used extensively
effects….
in films.

Special effects
◦ Sound and visual effects
created by technical
methods.
Sound



I’ve left the best for last, Amy.
Dialogue
For a film to work
 The words spoken by the actors.
successfully, the characters
within it have to be
Body Language
believable. The actors
 Non-verbal communication
portraying the characters
such as facial expression,
have to convince me that their
eye contact, and posture.
actions, words, and behaviors
make sense.
Interaction
 How the characters
work together or conflict.

Wardrobe or costumes
 The items of clothing that
the actors wear to portray their characters.
Characters & Actors
Thanks! The main thing
after examining the
Impressive
notes the
details
is to consider
Rose!
That’s a message
lot of
film’s essential
details. just what
or theme…not
it’s about, but what
meaning is being
conveyed.
Theme
Note Taking Chart for Film Study
Characters/Actors
•Protagonist/antagonist
•Dialogue
•Body language
•Interaction
•Conflicts
•Wardrobe/costumes
•Useful quotations
Title: _____________________________
Director: _________________________
Year: ________Company:__________________
Nominations/Awards:_____________________
As promised, here’s a look
Film Techniques
at two charts I use to
•Angles: high, low, straight on, canted
•Focus: close
up, extremejot
close up,
medium shot,
long
make
notes
while
I’m
shot, extreme long shot
•Lighting: natural, artificial, bright, soft,
studying a film….I hope
top/back/side/under lighting
•Colour
you
•Sequence of film: shot,
cut, takelike them.
•Point of view
•Camera movement: framing, blocking, tracking,
panning, booming
Scenes
•Setting
•Sequence
•Sets
•Location
•Plot
Sound
•Music
•Soundtrack
•Special effects
THEME
•Essential meaning of the film
Charts
Viewing Strategies
•How I found meaning from the film: made
connections, anticipated possibilities, reflected upon &
evaluated ideas/meanings
•What areas do I need to work on?
2nd Graphic Organizer created with Inspiration (http://www.inspiration.com/Inspiration)
That’s awesome Rose!
Watching a film critically
helps
usasee
that every
Filmhope
is
particular
art our
We
you enjoyed
element
hasWe
been
crafted.
form.
want
to
tutorial
on
viewing
Every
prop, and
gesture,
lighting
observe
discover
films…now
go
pop some
change,
and camera
angle
the artistry
of the
popcorn,
get your
handy
has been chosen
for
ado
filmmaker
just
as
we
charts ready, and enjoy
a
specific
purpose.
when wegreat
read film!
literature.
©2010 Thinkstock
Avatar illustrations courtesy of DoppleMe
 Images courtesy of ©2010 Thinkstock

Credits
©2010 Thinkstock