Cinematic Techniques
‘Juno’ (2007), Dir. Jason Reitman
Cinematography
 Focus
 Camera distance
 Camera angle
 Camera movement
Shot type
Long shot
High-angle shot
Medium shot
Tracking shot
Close-up
Zoom shot
Extreme close-up
Crane shot
Low-angle shot
Aerial shot
Every scene has a PURPOSE
Some examples are:
 Move the story along
 Describe a character
 Introduce a conflict
 Resolve a conflict
 Create tension or suspense
 And the list goes on……..
Mise en scene
Mise en scene is a French term that simply means “things in the
scene”
 Setting
 Lighting
 Costumes
 Acting style
 Blocking
Realism
 It is best to examine the functions of mise-en-scene.
 One film may use it to create realism, others might seek
very different effects : comic exaggeration, supernatural
terror, understated beauty, and any number of other
functions.
 We should analyse mise-en-scene’s function in the total
film – how it is motivated, how it varies or develops, how it
works in relation to other film techniques.
Setting
 The physical location of the scene.
 Note that settings can change several times in a feature
film
 Setting introduces a location and puts characters in
context
 In conjunction with other factors such as lighting and
sound, setting can create suspense or set a mood (e.g.
warm, lonely, depressing)
Setting
 The overall design of a setting can significantly shape
how we understand story action. In manipulating a shot’s
setting, the director may create props. Props may be
functional or become a motif (have another meaning
assigned to them).
 Where is it?
 What props are used?
 Was a set created or did they shoot on location? Can you
tell?
 What kind of mood is being conveyed through this setting?
Settings in ‘Juno’: Mac & Bren’s house
Discussing setting in a text-response
essay
 Consider whether the setting is indoors or outdoors,
private or public
 The settings are carefully selected and constructed to
create intended effects, usually ‘moods’
 Identify the effects and how they have been achieved.
 Examples of effects include creating a cosy and intimate
atmosphere in a crowded and warm setting; creating a
light, happy atmosphere that suggests space and ease
Lighting
 Lighting is another facet of mise en scene. It is, like
setting, used to create mood and to draw the eye and
therefore the attention of the viewer. It provides insight
into the character’s state of mind.
 Consider lighting in terms of clarity, too. For example, a
light diffused by fog can be used to create an
atmosphere of uncertainty and confusion. A crisp, clean
light, on the other hand, creates a sense of certainty,
truth and clarity. Consider the lighting in Vanessa’s house.
 Light is often used to symbolise or suggest truth or
enlightenment.
Lighting
Lighting can be manipulated in many ways to create highlights
and shadows.
Highlights provide important cues to the texture of the surface.
There are two basic types of shadow : attached and shading
or cast shadows.
 An attached shadow occurs when light fails to illuminate
part of an object because of the object’s shape or surface
features.
 Cast shadows are caused by an object being between the
light source and the camera
Lighting
Types of lighting also include:
 Sidelight/ crosslight
 Backlighting
 Underlighting
 Top lighting
 Key light
 Fill light
 Low-key illumination
Lighting
 Reinforces the mood of a scene.
 Shapes the shots overall composition.
 Affects our sense of the shape and texture of the objects
depicted.
Costume
 Costume is another facet of mise en scene
 Costume includes characters’ clothes, accessories,
make-up and props
 Costume reveals information about the character such
as their social context, social status, personality, and how
they spend their time
 Very small details can be helpful when examining
costume
 Costume can also be used to allude to other texts. Can
you detect any literary allusions in the costumes in ‘Juno’
Costume
 Like setting, costume can have specific functions in the
total film, and the range of possibilities is huge. Costumes
may be realistic or stylised and can also form motifs.
Make-up is also necessary and useful in denoting
character.
 Costume often coordinates with setting.
Costume, identity and class
Music and sound
 Diegetic sound
 Non-diegetic sound
 Music as character in ‘Juno’
Music plays a crucial role in building and maintaining mood.
Sound effects are also added to control realism and create
mood
Diegetic Sound
 Is the sound within story or scene, i.e. clock ticking,
crunching of leaves, cars honking, birds chirping.
 These sounds are great for setting the scene and can
also help set the mood or situation.
 Most of these sounds are added in as sound effects.
Non-diegetic Sound
 Sound whose source is neither visible on the screen nor has been
implied to be present in the action:
 narrator's commentary
 sound effects that are added for the dramatic effect
 mood music
Non-diegetic sound is represented as coming from the a source
outside story space. The distinction between diegetic or non-diegetic
sound depends on our understanding of the conventions of film
viewing and listening. We know that certain sounds are represented
as coming from the story world, while others are represented as
coming from outside the space of the story events. A play with
diegetic and non-diegetic conventions can be used to create
ambiguity (horror), or to surprise the audience.omedy).
Montage
 Montage is a technique in film editing in which a series of
short shots are edited into a sequence to condense
space, time and information.
1. Your task: Where is montage used in ‘Juno’ and why?
2. What does is communicate to the audience?