FILM
TECHNIQUES
• This term refers to all that appears before the
camera.
• The term means “placed in the scene” or
“put in the scene”.
• It includes:
• The setting
• Camera shots and angles
• Sound
• Performers
• Lighting
Settings are the background on which the action
is played out, signalling time and place to the
audience. Once the audience views the setting
of the film, they develop expectations about the
characters and the story. Settings have the
power to terrify or attract an audience. Because
they play a significant role in establishing the
story and atmosphere, settings commonly
appear in the opening shots.
What film genres do these settings
belong to?
Movie Review
• In the film Shrek, how does
the opening scene establish
the setting?
• Does it appeal to the
audience and establish the
film genre?
• What 5 star rating do you
give it?
Activity: Create a film setting
The size of a shot refers to the kind of
image we see in a frame. They are:
1. Extreme long shot
2. Long shot
3. Medium shot
4. Close-up
Extreme Long Shot
An extreme long shot
shows the landscape of
a film. It is often used
in a film opening to
give information about
where the action is
taking place and to
signal the atmosphere
of the film.
Long Shot
A long shot includes a
full length human
figure and some of the
surroundings. This
shot shows the link
between the
characters and their
environment.
Medium Shot
A medium shot shows
a person from the
waist up. We can view
their facial expressions
and body language,
and get to know the
character more closely.
Close-up
A close-up focuses on a
face, or a character’s
hands or feet, or an
object at close range.
The viewer can closely
examine one piece of
action, or the thoughts
and feelings of a
character. This type of
shot often helps to
increase the tension.
The angle of camera helps to set the
mood of the film. It also tells the
viewer a lot about who has the power
or what level of importance a
character has.
High-angle Shot
In a high-angle shot,
the camera is above
the person or object,
often making the
person or object
appear weak, inferior
or under pressure.
Eye-level Shot
An eye-level angle
shows a character at
eye-level to the
camera, encouraging
the audience to see
the character as being
on an equal footing
with themselves and
other characters.
Low-angle Shot
In a low-angle shot,
the camera is below
the person or
object, usually
making that person
or object seem
powerful and
important.
Activity
Using flip cameras, take photos
illustrating:
 Extreme long shot
 Long shot
 Medium shot
 Close-up
 High-angle shot
 Eye-level shot
 Low-angle shot
Movie Review
• Choose 3 scenes in the film
which highlight various shot
sizes and camera angles?
• Are they effective in
establishing the setting and
characters?
• What 5 star rating do you
give it?
The sound track is everything we hear
when we view a film. This includes not
only the words, but also the musical
score. Music affects the way you feel
about what is happening in the film.
What film genre does this music belong
to?
(Listening Activity: Do not show the next slide to students)
What film genre does this music
belong to?
(Listening Activity: Do not show this slide to students)
James Bond (Action)
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ii1tc493bZM
Jaws (Horror)
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvCI-gNK_y4
Unchained Melody (Romance)
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiiyq2xrSI0
Some Nights (War)
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQkBeOisNM
0
A montage is a technique that directors use to
demonstrate the passing of time. In a montage a
number of scenes are shown in succession,
often to the backdrop of a soundtrack.
The directors use montage to demonstrate a
change in the characters or a development of a
relationship between them.
Movie Review
• The directors of Shrek use
montage quite often. Can
you remember when?
• Does it appeal to the
audience and demonstrate
the change in the characters
or a development of a
relationship between them?
• What 5 star rating do you
give it?
Main characters carry the story and convey most
of the significant ideas to the audience.
However, minor characters are also important.
They can add comic relief, influence the main
characters, or bring about an event that is
necessary to the story.
The way in which an audience perceives a character
as good or evil is dependent on:
• General appearance – facial expressions and
gestures
• Costume
• Voice
• Movement
• Behaviour when alone and with others
• Dialogue
• What others say about them
• Colours associated with the character
• Settings for each character
• Soundtrack that accompanies the character
• Symbolic objects associated with a character
What features make these
characters appear GOOD?
What features make these
characters appear BAD?
Movie Review
• How are the characters in
Shrek different from the
traditional fairy tale view?
• What appeal does this have
to the audience?
• What 5 star rating do you
give it?
Activity
Make changes to the characters
Lighting plays an important part in creating atmosphere.
It also helps film-maker signal the time of day or night.
• High-key lighting is used to show the source of light.
Eg: the bright light of sunrise coming through a kitchen
window.
• Low-key lighting emphasises shadow. The effect is
often dark and suspenseful. This type of light is often
used in mysteries and thrillers.
• Back-lighting, where light comes from behind a
subject, creates a silhouette. Because it can make a
character look mysterious and foreboding, it is a
popular technique for making horror films.
What type of lighting is being used
in these scenes?
Movie Review
• Choose one scene from the
film that highlights each
lighting technique.
• Are they effective in
establishing the mood of
the film?
• What 5 star rating do you
give it?