Transcript Camera Angles

Camera Shots, Angles and Movement
Lighting and Sound
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Identify conventions and/or techniques used
in a variety of media forms and explain how
they convey meaning and influence their
audience
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Cut –stop one shot; abruptly start second;
create the impression of different places,
same time
Fade Out/In –go to black; go from black to
picture; suggests passage of time, change of
place
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Consider why each of the following types of
camera shots are used.
Long Shot
Medium Shot
Close Up Shot
Establishing Shot
Reaction Shot
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typically shows the entire object or human
figure
usually intended to place it in some relation
to its surroundings
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can be taken from as much as a quarter of a
mile away
generally used to establish setting
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normally shows an exterior, e.g. the outside
of a building, or a landscape, and is often
used to show scenes of thrilling action e.g. in
a war film or disaster movie.
very little detail visible in the shot, meant to
give a general impression
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a head to waist view of a human subject is
called a medium shot
relatively good in showing facial expressions
but work well to show body language
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Tightly frames a person or object
A certain feature, such as someone's head,
takes up the whole frame
Used to show detail such as characters’
emotions, reactions
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How is the use of an extreme close-up (say of
a character’s eye) in a horror movie different
from the use of an extreme close-up of a
diamond ring in a jewellery ad?
Why might the cover of a mass-market
paperback feature the author’s name more
prominently than the book’s title?
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Sets up, or establishes the context for a scene
by showing the relationship between its
important figures and objects
Shown at the beginning of a scene
establishing where and when the scene is to
take place
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Establishing shots may use famous
landmarks to indicate the city where the
action is taking place or has moved to, such
as the Empire State Building to identify New
York
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What impressions do the following camera
angles give?
High Angle
Eye Level Angle
Low Angle
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Camera is looking up
Subject looks large
Creates impression of power
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Camera is looking from eye level at the
subject
Viewer feels equal to and may even identify
with the subject
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Camera is looking down
Subject appears small
Creates the impression of weakness
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How does the camera move?
Panning
Tracking
Tilting
Zooming
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Camera moves from left to right or right to
left across scene from one subject to another;
Can be used to create suspense
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any shot in which the camera follows a
subject within the frame, such as a moving
actor or a moving vehicle
may refer to a shot in which the camera is
mounted on a camera dolly, a wheeled
platform that is pushed on rails while the
picture is being taken
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Camera moves vertically, up or down
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Camera moves in (tight) or out (wide)
Lighting is a very important aspect
for shaping meaning in films.
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A room that is brightly lit by neon lights
might seem to be sterile
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A shadowy room might be eerie or scary.
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What kind of atmosphere is created in a room
lit by candles?
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heightens the sense of alienation felt by the
viewer, hence is commonly used in film noir
and horror genres.
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is usually quite homogeneous and free from
dark shadows.
is used to suggest an upbeat mood. It is often
used in sitcoms and comedies
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the process of illuminating the subject from
the back.
creates a glowing effect on the edges of the
subject, while other areas are darker.
can create an angelic halo type effect around
the head. Filmmakers sometimes use this to
show that the actor is good or pure
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Hard Light - Light directly from a source such as
the sun, traveling undisturbed onto the subject
being lit.
Soft Light - Light which appears to "wrap around"
the subject to some degree. Produces less
shadows or softer shadows.
Spot - A controlled, narrowly-focused beam of
light.
Flood - A broad beam of light, less directional
and intense than a spot.
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the human voice
sound effects
music
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authenticates the speaker as a real person
rather than the imaginary creation of a story
teller.
it serves to tell the story and expresses
feelings and motivations of characters as
well.
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Contribute to the realism of film and also
help to create a particular atmosphere.
For example:
The “click” of a door being opened
Or if a burglary, creates suspense.
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not matched with a visible source of the
sound on screen.
used to provide an appropriate emotional
nuance
For example:
The sound of an ambulance's siren when
showing an arguing couple.
What is the effect?
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adds emotion and rhythm to a film.
provides a tone or an emotional attitude
toward the story and/or the characters
aids viewer understanding by linking scenes.
For example:
Music is repeated at various points in a film in
order to remind the audience of important
ideas
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http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-key-tomedia-s-hidden-codes
Colors, camera angles and logos in the media
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are a part of everyday life -- from advertising
messages to traffic signs.