cinematic techniques springboard unit 2. introduction hey everyone! amy here. i really enjoy...
TRANSCRIPT
Cinematic Techniques
SpringBoard Unit 2
Introduction
Hey everyone! Amy here. I really enjoy watching romantic
movies. Sometimes the plots can be a bit
predictable, but that’s maybe why I like them so
much.
Hi Amy, I’m not a big fan of romantic
movies but I enjoy animated and action-
packed films…the special effects are
fantastic.
It is important to consider a film’s
techniques to help you decide the
quality of a favorite movie. Rose and I
will help you.
Thanks Amy. Now, I don’t normally take pen and paper to the movie theatre with me. But when I have to study a
film like I would with any other piece of text, like a novel, I
really like to keep track of the details. I generally rent and
watch the movie through once or twice, then re-watch certain
scenes a few times while keeping jot notes.
That’s great advice Rose…but
what kind of notes do you
keep?
Film Techniques
Well, I have a couple handy charts that are divided into
certain basic film techniques. I’ll show you the charts later,
but first let’s get into the details of a film so you know what to take notes on…A film
can be divided into the following components…
Film Techniques
Camera movemen
t
Point of
View
Sequence of Film
Color
Lighting
Focus
Angles
Film Technique
s
Angles
High angleLow angleStraight onCanted angle
I remember what angles are…they are the position of the camera…here are
some different types of angles…
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Focus
Close-upExtreme close-upMedium ShotLong shotExtreme long shot
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Next is the focus. This is what the camera centers
on…here are some different types of focus…
NaturalArtificialBrightSoftTop lightingBack lightingSide lightingUnder lighting
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Lighting
Lighting can have a big impact on the mood and
setting of a film. It can even emphasize a character and
highlight his or her characteristics. Here are some lighting examples…
Colour
Black: elegance, sophistication, evil, darkness, mourningWhite: purity, snow, cold, angelsRed: passion, aggression, fire, blood, strengthBlue: water, life, depressionYellow: cheerfulness, optimism, confidence
Colour also makes an impression in a film. The colours of the set,
location, and actors’ wardrobes impact the viewers’ consciousness.
Colours might offer subtle suggestions or bold symbolism. Here some colours to consider.
What mood might be created…dark and foreboding or bright and
cheerful?
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Did you notice that the colours in photos impacted your impressions,
made you feel a certain way, or symbolized characteristics? For
example, the red hearts symbolized romantic love. When you watch a film, notice the colours used in the set or in the wardrobe choices for
the actors.
Sequence of film
Shot: all the action filmed in one take without disruptionCut: the conclusion of a shotTake: an attempt to shoot a scene in its entirety
A film sequence can be divided into three
things….shot, cut, and take. Here’s the
definitions…
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Point of view
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We can’t forget about the point of view within a film either. That’s the
perspective of the camera or actors.
Camera movement
Framing: what elements surround the actor
Blocking: how the actor is positioned forthe shot
Tracking: following an actor Panning: camera movement horizontallyBooming: camera movement up or down
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Plus, there’s all the camera movement too. That’s how the camera follows or frames the
actors. Here are some terms you should know…
Scenes
SettingTime, place, location, mood, and time span.
SequenceA progression of related scenes.
SetsAn arrangement or display of scenery, backdrop, or landscape.
LocationWhere the movie is actually being filmed.
Plot The narrative or progression of events.
Good point, Amy. There’s a lot involved behind the
scenes of a movie too. The scenes are sequences of events or camera shots
related to each other. Take a look…
Sound
Music◦ Background music can create
a mood or a feeling in the viewer. Soundtrack
◦ Recently, popular music has been used extensively in films.
Special effects ◦ Sound and visual effects
created by technical methods.
Let’s not forget about all of the smaller details like the music, soundtracks, and
your favorite, Rose, special effects….
Characters & Actors
DialogueThe words spoken by the actors.
Body LanguageNon-verbal communication
such as facial expression, eye contact, and posture.
InteractionHow the characters work together or conflict.
Wardrobe or costumes The items of clothing that
the actors wear to portray their characters.
I’ve left the best for last, Amy. For a film to work successfully, the characters within it have to be believable. The actors
portraying the characters have to convince me that their actions, words, and behaviors
make sense.
Theme
Impressive notes Rose! That’s a lot of
details.
Thanks! The main thing after examining the
details is to consider the film’s essential message or theme…not just what
it’s about, but what meaning is being
conveyed.
Charts
As promised, here’s a look at two charts I use to
make jot notes while I’m studying a film….I hope
you like them.
Note Taking Chart for Film Study
Title: _____________________________ Director: _________________________Year: ________Company:__________________Nominations/Awards:_____________________
Characters/Actors•Protagonist/antagonist•Dialogue•Body language•Interaction•Conflicts•Wardrobe/costumes•Useful quotations
Film Techniques•Angles: high, low, straight on, canted•Focus: close up, extreme close up, medium shot, long shot, extreme long shot•Lighting: natural, artificial, bright, soft, top/back/side/under lighting•Colour•Sequence of film: shot, cut, take•Point of view•Camera movement: framing, blocking, tracking,
panning, booming
Scenes•Setting•Sequence•Sets•Location•Plot
Sound •Music•Soundtrack•Special effects
THEME•Essential meaning of the film
Viewing Strategies•How I found meaning from the film: made connections, anticipated possibilities, reflected upon & evaluated ideas/meanings•What areas do I need to work on?
2nd Graphic Organizer created with Inspiration (http://www.inspiration.com/Inspiration)
That’s awesome Rose! Watching a film critically helps us see that every
element has been crafted. Every prop, gesture, lighting change, and camera angle
has been chosen for a specific purpose.
Film is a particular art form. We want to observe
and discover the artistry of the
filmmaker just as we do when we read literature.
We hope you enjoyed our tutorial on viewing
films…now go pop some popcorn, get your handy charts ready, and enjoy a
great film!
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Credits
Avatar illustrations courtesy of DoppleMeImages courtesy of ©2010 Thinkstock
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