Film Techniques
Camera Angles
The cinematographer can change the angle from which the camera takes the shot. This has an
important effect on what the responder (viewer) sees. They are also referred to as ‘shots’.
Overhead Shot or Overshot (Bird’s Eye View)
This shot is achieved when the camera is directly above or overhead of the object or scene and the
shot is taken with the camera facing down.
A number of effects can be created – making for example:





A street scene look like a map
A city look like a maze or ant’s nest
Objects or figures look small
Objects or figures look vulnerable
Moving scenes look mechanical
High Angle Shot
This shot is taken when the camera is above or overhead of the scene or object, but not directly
overhead. From this angle, the main effect is to make the object or figure look small and lacking in
power, suggesting insignificance or vulnerability of the object or figure.
High Angle Shot
Eye Level Shot (medium shot)
Eye Level Shot (mid or medium shot)
This shot occurs when the camera is level with the object or figure. It is the angle which is most like
a normal eye-view of the scene and tends to suggest a ‘real-life’ effect. A fairly neutral shot; the
camera is positioned as though it is a human actually observing a scene.
Medium shot – usually has the top part of object (torso and head).
Long Shot
A long shot typically shows the entire object or human figure and is usually intended to place it in
some relation to its surroundingsIt is now common to refer to a long shot as a "wide shot" because it
often requires the use of a wide angle lens. When a long shot is used to set up a location and its
participants in film and video, it is called an establishing shot.
Visual and Multimodal Literacy: Judy Gerber, Equity Programs, 2013
Film Techniques
Low Angle Shot
This shot is taken when the camera is below or looking up at the object or figure. From this angle, the
main effect is to make the object or figure look large or powerful suggesting dominance or power of the object
or figure.
Low Angle Shot
Undershot
Undershot
This shot is taken when the camera is directly beneath the object or figure. This angle can suggest
extreme power or danger. For example, undershot of stampeding cattle or undershot of train or plane
suggesting power of the object and danger for the character or object.
Close Up Shot
A close-up shot tightly frames a person or an object.
Close-ups display the most detail, but they do not include the broader scene. Moving in to a close-up or away
from a close-up is a common type of zooming.
Close-ups are used in many ways, for many reasons. Close-ups are often used as cutaways from a more distant
shot to show detail, such as characters' emotions, or some intricate activity with their hands. The avoidance of
close-ups may create in the audience an emotional distance from the subject matter.
Close-ups are used for distinguishing main characters. Major characters are often given a close-up when they are
introduced as a way of indicating their importance. Leading characters will have multiple close-ups.
Extreme Close-Up Shot
The Extreme Close-Up Shot is so tight that only a detail of the subject, such as someone's
eyes, can be seen.
Close Up Shot
Extreme Close Up Shot
Visual and Multimodal Literacy: Judy Gerber, Equity Programs, 2013
Film Techniques
Types of Shots
Tracking – camera follows the subject
Tracking shot (dolly shot)- a shot in which the camera is mounted on a cart which travels
along tracks.
However there are a few variations of both definitions. Tracking is often more narrowly
defined as movement parallel to the action, or at least at a constant distance (e.g. the camera
which travels alongside the race track in track & field events).
Panning – camera stays in one spot and the lens follows the subject.
Tracking Shot
Panning Shot
Mise-en Scene
Mise-en-scène – French term meaning: "placing on stage")
When applied to the cinema, mise-en-scène refers to everything that appears before the
camera and its arrangement—composition, sets, props, actors, costumes and lighting.
The term usually used to denote that part of the cinematic process that takes place on the set,
as opposed to editing, which takes place afterwards. Literally, the "putting-in-the-scene":




the direction of actors
placement of cameras
choice of lenses etc
Visual and Multimodal Literacy: Judy Gerber, Equity Programs, 2013
Film Techniques
Editing Techniques
Like the cinematographer, the film editor has a number of techniques at his or her disposal. The
methods he or she employs in joining the scenes together to make the film can have a great impact
on its effect and interest. The following are four of the most important editing techniques.
Cut
The cut is the editing technique most often used. The editor simply joins one scene to another or
one shot to another at what is judged to be an effective point. The viewer simply sees one shot or
scene replaced by another.
Fade
A fade occurs when an image gradually fades to a blank or coloured screen or when a blank or
coloured screen slowly begins to reveal an image (see below).
Fades can be used at the beginnings or ends of movies (‘fade in’ or ‘fade out’) or during a movie
where one scene fades out and then another fades in or is cut in. A fade can be used, for example,
to suggest a passage of time, or a journey, or a new location.
The scenes each side of a fade, therefore, have a special relationship that would not be conveyed by
a simple cut. It is a frequently used technique.
Dissolve
A dissolve occurs when one frame is gradually replaced by another so that at the mid-point of the
dissolve both are visible on the screen.
Dissolves are used to suggest a special relationship between the scenes that dissolve into one
another; a relationship closer than one that would be suggested by a fade.
Like the fade, they can be used to show a change of location or a change of time but they are also
used to indicate a flashback or a dream or to show what a character is thinking.
Wipe
This occurs when one image appears to wipe off or replace another image.
Like the fade and the dissolve, the wipe also suggests a special relationship between the images
either side of the wipe or the incidents or locations that those images depict.
Lighting Techniques
Key Light
This provides the main light on the set. It can be ‘filled’ to provide even and shadow-free
illumination.
High Key Lighting
Visual and Multimodal Literacy: Judy Gerber, Equity Programs, 2013
Film Techniques
This involves emphasising the key light to suggest the light source. The director might want to
suggest that it is a brilliantly sunny day outside and that the major light source for the room is the
window. Key light is emphasised and ‘fillers’ used to reduce shadow and soften the effect.
Low Key Lighting
This is the style used when shadow is emphasised. It is often used in thriller and horror films.
Back Lighting
This is used to produce a silhouette with the main source of light behind the subject.
Soundtrack
Diegetic sound – the people in the film can hear the sound.
Natural sound (diegetic) is most often present in the film as part of the background to help convey
the sense and feeling of location; for example, the sound of the surf, a river, cars passing or a
battlefield.
They are normal sounds that you would expect to hear if you were in that place.
Sound effects (diegetic) These sounds are deliberately used to create a particular atmosphere. For
example, police sirens denoting a threatening city, a door creaking creating tension and suggesting
the unexpected.
Dialogue (diegetic)
This is one of the most obvious ways in which a film tells a story. It is in the words of the actors that
the narrative is largely developed, the issues primarily presented and the themes most obviously
explored.
Non-diegetic sound – the people in the film cannot hear the sound.
Voice-over
This is another way that words are sometimes used to tell the story. The words are spoken by
someone not in the frame. It is often a narrator who may not actually be part of the story being told
but it can also be used to allow characters to comment on scenes they are not in.
Theme Music
This is basically used to help create an atmosphere in a film. Musical themes are instrumental pieces
that add to the pictures, and perhaps dialogue, to help shape the responder’s attitude to what is
happening on the screen.
A particular musical theme can be associated with the appearance of a particular character or
special event.
Visual and Multimodal Literacy: Judy Gerber, Equity Programs, 2013