2. Medium Close Up, Close Up,Medium Close Up, Close Up,
Big Close Up & Extreme CloseBig Close Up & Extreme Close
UpUp
Close ups are taken quite close to the camera and are
used to draw the viewer closer and involve them in what
is happening. It also allows the viewer to get a better of
sense of what emotions the subject is feeling such as
happiness or tension. They are often used in films to
privilege the protagonist over other
characters.
Extreme Close Ups tend to
be used for DVD covers
representing the genre of
‘Horror’ as there is little space
around the subject it tends to
make the viewers feel
uncomfortable. I have
included an original image I
took to feature on the Horror
film DVD cover that I
produced in media last year.
3. Medium Long Shot, MediumMedium Long Shot, Medium
Shot and Medium Close UpShot and Medium Close Up
Medium shots tend to be taken of a person from the
knees upwards and are frequently used during dialogue
scenes as it allows the viewers to feel comfortable and
ensures that they can focus on the dialogue used and the
character interaction.
4. Very Long Shot & Long ShotVery Long Shot & Long Shot
Long Shots are taken from a long distance and can be effective
as an establishing shot that sets the scene for the actions and
roles to the viewer. Very Long Shots tend to be used to show a
subject as being alone, isolated or unimportant. It gives the
viewers an idea of the characters’ lifestyle at the start of the film.
5. High Angle ShotHigh Angle Shot
A High Angle Shot provides a view from above the subject
focusing down on them. It can sometimes be combined with a
crane shot which moves closer towards the subject and gives
viewers a more detailed view but still remaining the height of a high
angle shot. A high angle shot can help viewers to perceive a
character as vulnerable, powerless or isolated.
6. Low Angle ShotLow Angle Shot
A Low Angle Shot is where the camera approaches a
subject from below eye level. It also can emphasise the
size of the object being filmed and portray the subject/s
we are looking up at as big and powerful and hold
dominance over us and it makes the character we are
seeing through seem weak.
7. Eye – Level ShotEye – Level Shot
An Eye-Level Shot is where the camera is positioned
as if the viewers are looking through a character
towards the opposite subject. This gives the viewers a
sense of involvement and makes them feel part of the
action. This helps them to experience the same
emotions as the character we are seeing through.
8. Canted Angle ShotCanted Angle Shot
Canted Angle Shot - where the camera
is tilted to one side. This is often used to
create a feeling of disorientation, viewers
will experience these frequently when
watching horror films.
9. Rule of ThirdsRule of Thirds
Rule of Thirds
A powerful compositional
technique to make images
appear interesting and
dynamic. Rather than
placing a person or object
in the middle of the frame
they are placed at the
sides, or where the line
cross on this imaginary
grid. It often creates a
sense of balance and a
sense of complexity.
10. LightingLighting
High Key Lighting – is a brightly lit scene which has very few
shadows. This is often used in a TV Drama or film to make the viewers
perceive the character as happy, friendly and safe. High key lighting
reduces the lighting ratio presented in the scene. A variety of flashes
are used to make a pure and white background. The character is
usually shot in front of the background, due to the simple and spacious
background it encourages viewers to focus solely on that character.
Low Key Lighting – is a dimly lit scene involving the use of shadows.
This lighting can often make viewers perceive a specific location or
character as shady, untrustworthy, dangerous or unsafe. It is used to
show a high contrast between dark and light areas of the TV Drama or
film. The light is typically surrounded by the subject illuminating on the
contour of the shape.
Chiaroscuro Lighting – A scene that has been lit with extreme
lighting and may involve the use of brightly lit sections or shadows. Its
used to help viewers perceive a character as dramatic and unusual as
well as shady, untrustworthy, dangerous or unsafe. Extreme lighting
creates a dramatic effect that is good to express certain moods in films.
11. Mise-en-sceneMise-en-scene
Body Shape and Language – this is the posture and body
language of the character which helps viewers to see what
kind of person they are and how they feel towards other
characters. For example if a character is slumping down
they can be perceived as a un interested towards another
character or situation. However a character that is cowering
shows the viewers they may be afraid of another character
or situation. However if a character was standing up tall
with a straight posture they may be perceived to be up
tight.
Facial features and Expressions – this is the way the
character’s faces show emotion through their facial
expressions or if they have any obvious facial features. For
example a character could show a facial expression of
surprise, sadness, love and this helps viewers to see how
characters feel towards a certain character or situation and
helps them to predict what may happen next. If a character
has a particularly interesting facial feature such as crooked
teeth characters may perceive them as an evil character
that other characters need to stay away from or a character
that suffers daily abuse due to the crooked teeth.
12. Mise-en-sceneMise-en-scene
Props – are items that are conveyed with
a character, their possessions or pick ups
can help viewers identify what person they
are. For example if a character picks up a
bunch of flowers they may be perceived as
romantic.
Costumes – What the character is
wearing can tell viewers a lot about the
character, what type of person they are,
how they are feeling that particular day
and their social status and wealth. For
example if we see a female wearing a
floaty floral dress she would be perceived
as a traditionally girly character. However
if we saw a male in a suit and carrying a
briefcase we would perceive him as a
wealthy business man of high status.
13. Mise-en-sceneMise-en-scene
Hair and make-up – can help viewers
to identify how confident a person is
and what their values and morals are,
they can even predict what that
character’s career might be. For
example if someone was wearing a lot
of vibrant and colourful stage make-up
viewers could predict they have a
career in acting. If a female was shot
not wearing little make-up and not a lot
of effort made with her hair, viewers
could identify her as a naïve and
innocent character, and perceive her as
a character that doesn’t care much
about what people think of her or her
appearance.
