Film Technique…

A film's smallest unit is a , which is like a still photograph. Think of them as letters. As letters make up words in written language, so several frames make up

in films.

Shots make up . (Think of words making up sentences in written language), and scenes make up

(paragraphs).

So, sequences make up a like paragraphs make up a story.

The “Grammar”of Film & Television.

frame

shots

scenes

sequences

film

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.

Composition

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.

Different kinds of shot

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.

A full shot (FS)

shows the human figure A full shot (FS) shows the whole human figure. If it has two figures, it is called a “two-shot”, three figures “three-shot”.

A Full Shot (FS)

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.

No. 2(2006)

Medium Shot(MS)

Once Were Warriors(1994)

Medium Close Up(MCU)

The Price Of Milk(2000)

Wide Shot(WS)

Goodbye Pork Pie(1985)

Full Shot(FS)

Two Cars, One Night(2003)

Medium Shot(MS)

Utu(1983)

Close Up(CU)

Whale Rider(2002)

Full Shot(FS)

The Piano(1993)

Wide Shot(WS)

Rain(2001)

Wide Shot(WS)

Another important element of composition is . Normal shots are taken from eye level.

camera angle

In a , the camera looks down at the

subject. Such a shot can make a person seem small,

insignificant, unlikely to win, vulnerable, or helpless.

A , which looks up at the subject, can have the opposite effect, making the character seem large, important, likely to win, powerful, and in control.

low-angle shot

high-angle shot

The 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-shoulder-shot is called a reverse angle shot, and shows the view point of the other person in the conversation.

Over-the-shoulder shot

It is sometimes helpful to consider a shot in terms of , which occurs within a frame when the subject of the shot moves.

Camera Movement

In a 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.

pan

The term is used to describe the shot in which the camera tilts up or down on its vertical axis.

tilt

The camera itself moves when the camera tracks the subject. Sometimes, actual tracks are laid on the ground - hence the term - or the camera may be mounted on a vehicle or trolley called a dolly, from which we get the term . The camera may be to follow the subject. Cameras may also move up or down while attached to a crane, producing , or they may produce from an aircraft or helicopter.

dolly shots

tracking

hand held

crane shotsaerial shots

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.  

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. 

Non-diegetic 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