Film Technique …
The “Grammar”
of Film & Television.
A film's smallest unit is a frame, which is like a still
photograph. Think of them as letters. As letters make up
words in written language, so several frames make up
shots in films.
Shots make up scenes. (Think of words making up
sentences in written language), and scenes make up
sequences (paragraphs).
So, sequences make up a film like paragraphs make up a
story.
Composition is a term used not only in static
images but also in film and television. It includes all
the elements that contribute to the appearance of a
frame. People and objects are arranged for specific
dramatic effect.
Different kinds of shot
Shot is a very important ingredient of composition. The
term "shot" refers to the appearance of what is in each
frame. This is determined by how far the camera is
placed from the subject or by using an adjustable lens to
achieve the effect of distance. The camera's angle and
movement relative to the subject shown in the frame
also determine the shot. Each shot, like each word in a
written text, has a purpose. The choice of shots is
determined by purpose and, therefore, by genre, topic,
and audience.
Wide Shot (WS), or Long Shot (LS)
This shot shows a comprehensive view from a distance. It may be similar to
what we would see if we looked out over, say, a field. If a person is in such a
shot, their whole body is visible from head to foot, and they may even look
small and far away. It is most commonly used as an establishing shot. It
provides important information about the setting, environment, or context in
which subsequent events will take place. It is often the first in a scene or
sequence.
full shot
AAFull
Shot (FS)
(FS)
A full shot (FS) shows the shows
whole human
figure.
If it has two figures, it is called
the human
figure
a “two-shot”, three figures “three-shot”.
Medium shot (MS)
A medium shot (MS) refers to a conventional camera shot filmed from a
medium distance; although it is difficult to precisely define, it usually refers to a
human figure from the waist (or knees) up; (between a close up and a wide
shot).
Medium Close Up (MCU)
A medium close-up or MCU is closer still.It is a shot that includes a person's
upper torso and head. Often characters talk in these shots, and they at what we
would regard as a comfortable speaking distance, (like watching the news).
Close Up (CU)
A close up (CU) of a person shows their head and shoulders. Their power of
emphasis gives them a special place in film. They can show whatever is most
significant at any given moment and focus our attention on it. A CU may reveal
human emotions, such as sadness as revealed through signs like tears, or
anxiety as shown by constant wringing of the hands. They may reveal private
information, as in a CU of a letter, emphasise such other symbols as police
identification, or increase tension by focusing on a door handle turning.
Once Were Warriors
(1994)
Whale Rider
(2002)
The Piano
(1993)
Medium Close Up
(MCU)
Full Shot
(FS)
Wide Shot
(WS)
No. 2
(2006)
Utu
(1983)
Rain
(2001)
Medium Shot
(MS)
Close Up
(CU)
Wide Shot
(WS)
The Price Of Milk
(2000)
Goodbye Pork
Pie(1985)
Two Cars, One Night
(2003)
Wide Shot
(WS)
Full Shot
(FS)
Medium Shot
(MS)
Another important element of composition is camera angle .
Normal shots are taken from eye level.
In a high-angle shot, the
camera looks down at the
subject. Such a shot can make
a person seem small,
insignificant, unlikely to win,
vulnerable, or helpless.
A low-angle shot, which looks
up at the subject, can have the
opposite effect, making the
character seem large,
important, likely to win,
powerful, and in control.
The Over-the-shoulder shot is
often used when characters are
in discussion. It allows the
audience to get more of a feel
for what a character might be
saying or hearing, and helps us
to engage in the dialogue. An
alternative over-the-shouldershot is called a reverse angle
shot, and shows the view point
of the other person in the
conversation.
It is sometimes helpful to consider a shot
in terms of Camera Movement, which
occurs within a frame when the subject of
the shot moves.
In a pan the camera is fixed
but rotates by moving on its
horizontal axis, for instance, as
it pans across the horizon of a
countryside location or follows
a character walking across a
playground.
The term tilt is used to
describe the shot in which the
camera tilts up or down on its
vertical axis.
The camera itself moves when the camera tracks the
subject. Sometimes, actual tracks are laid on the ground hence the term tracking - or the camera may be mounted on
a vehicle or trolley called a dolly, from which we get the term
dolly shots. The camera may be hand held to follow the
subject. Cameras may also move up or down while attached
to a crane, producing crane shots, or they may produce
aerial shots from an aircraft or helicopter.
Sound …
Diegetic Sound has a source that is visible
on the screen or whose source is implied to
be present by the action of the film.
• voices of characters
• sounds made by objects in the story
Diegetic sound is any sound presented as
originated from source within the film's
world. It can be either on screen or off
screen depending on whatever its source is
within the frame or outside the frame.
Another term for diegetic sound is actual
sound.
Non-diegetic sound has a source neither visible on
the screen nor has been implied to be present in
the action. It comes from the a source outside story
space.
• narrator's commentary
• sound effects
• mood music
Another term for non-diegetic sound is
commentary sound.
Storyboarding Exercise
Explain to students that a story board is
basically a film on paper. It is used to plan
the shots, and shows how the film will look
after it is shot and edited. As an
introduction, the class can view a scene and
create a storyboard of it.
An extension activity might be inviting students
to create a storyboard for an alternative ending
to the film. Remind them to pay attention to
conventions already established in the film
(sound, music, etc).
New Zealand Film Commission - School Study Guides
Exploring Language: Moving Images [English Online]
International Movie Database – Film credits, stills,
and production details.
Metro Magazine – Study guides to Australian film
British Film Institute – Teaching packs and free guides