Audiovisual media language

1. Audio visual media

2. By the end of this lesson you:
 Must – be able to analyse an audiovisual media text, using
media key concepts and appropriate terminology.

3. Research:
 Types of camera shots.
 Camera angles.
 Camera movements.
 Sound: Diegetic/Non diegetic.
 Edit
 Mise-en-scene

5.  In the extreme wide shot, the view
is so far from the subject that she
isn't even visible.The point of this
shot is to show the subject's
surroundings.
 The EWS is often used as an
"establishing shot" - the first shot
of a new scene, designed to show
the audience where the action is
taking place.The EWS is also known
as an extra long shot or extreme
long shot (XLS).

6.  The very wide shot is much closer
to the subject than an extreme
wide shot, but still much further
away than a wide shot.
 The subject is (just) visible here,
but the emphasis is very much on
placing her in her environment.
This often works as an
establishing shot, in which the
audience is shown the whole
setting so they can orient
themselves.

7.  Also known as a LONG SHOT.
 As with most shot types, the
wide shot means different
things to different people.
However the wide shot seems
to suffer more from varying
interpretations than other types.
 Many people take the WS to
mean something much wider
than my example, i.e. what I
would call a very wide shot.

8.  The MS is appropriate when the
subject is speaking without too much
emotion or intense concentration. It
also works well when the intent is to
deliver information, which is why it is
frequently used by television news
presenters.
 You will often see a story begin with a
MS of the reporter (providing
information), followed by closer shots
of interview subjects (providing
reactions and emotion).
 As well as being a comfortable,
emotionally neutral shot, the mid shot
allows room for hand gestures and a
bit of movement.

9.  The medium closeup
is half way between a
mid shot and a close
up.
 This shot shows the
face more clearly,
without getting
uncomfortably close.

10.  In the closeup shot, a certain feature
or part of the subject takes up most of
the frame. A close up of a person
usually means a close up of their face
(unless specified otherwise).
 Close-ups are obviously useful for
showing detail and can also be used as
a Insert Shot ( or Cut In).
 A close-up of a person emphasizes
their emotional state. Whereas a mid-
shot or wide-shot is more appropriate
for delivering facts and general
information, a close-up exaggerates
facial expressions which convey
emotion.The viewer is drawn into the
subject's personal space and shares
their feelings.

11.  The ECU gets right in and
shows extreme detail.You
would normally need a
specific reason to get this
close. It is too close to
show general reactions or
emotion except in very
dramatic scenes.

12.  Two-shots are good for
establishing a relationship
between subjects. If you see two
sports presenters standing side by
side facing the camera, you get
the idea that these people are
going to be the show's co-hosts.
As they have equal prominence in
the frame, the implication is that
they will provide equal input.
 A two-shot could also involve
movement or action. It is a good
way to follow the interaction
between two people without
getting distracted by their
surroundings.

13.  Looking from behind a person
at the subject, cutting off the
frame just behind the ear.The
person facing the subject
should occupy about 1/3 of the
frame.
 This shot helps to establish the
positions of each person, and
get the feel of looking at one
person from the other's point
of view. A variation of this shot
can be a bit wider and include
the shoulder of the person
facing the subject.

14.  Shows a view from
the subject's
perspective.This shot
is usually edited in
such a way that it is
obvious whose POV it
is.

15.  A cutaway is a shot that's
usually of something other
than the current action. It
could be a different subject
(eg. this cat when the main
subject is its owner), a close up
of a different part of the
subject (eg. the subject's
hands), or just about anything
else.
 The cutaway is used as a
"buffer" between shots (to
help the editing process), or to
add interest/information.

16.  Choose one audio visual media text that you
can find online (advert, film, music video,…)
 Analyse five camera shots, explaining the
effect that they have in the audience.

17.  The camera angle refers to the position of
the camera with respect to its subject.

18.  a high angle shot is usually
when the camera is located
above the eyeline.
 With this type of angle, the
camera looks down on the
subject and the point of
focus often get "swallowed
up" by the setting.
 High angle shots also make
the figure or object seem
vulnerable or powerless

19.  a low angle shot is usually when the camera is located below the eye line.
 With this type of angle, the camera looks up towards the subject.
 Low angle shots also make the figure or object seem powerful

20.  The scene is shown from
directly above.This is a
completely different and
somewhat unnatural point
of view which can be used
for dramatic effect or for
showing a different spatial
perspective.
 In drama it can be used to
show the positions and
motions of different
characters and objects,
enabling the viewer to see
things the characters can't.

21.  The scene is shown from
directly below.This is a
completely different and
somewhat unnatural
point of view which can
be used for dramatic
effect or for showing a
different spatial
perspective.

22.  Also known as a dutch tilt,
this is where the camera is
purposely tilted to one
side so the horizon is on an
angle.
 This creates an interesting
and dramatic effect.

24.  A horizontal movement of the camera, either
left of right.
 Pan

25.  A horizontal movement of the camera,
pointing the camera up and down (not
moving the camera up and down)
 Tilt

26.  The camera is mounted on a dolly which
travels on tracks.This allows for a very
smooth movement and is mainly used for
tracking shots or zooms.
 Dolly

27.  Movement that stays a constant distance
from the subject – can be used on a crane as
well.
 Tracking

28.  The camera moves up and down but remains
level, making it different to a tilt.
 Pedestal

29.  An adjustment to the focal length of the
camera making the it seem that we are
getting closer to the subject.
 Zoom

30.  Choose one audio visual media text that you
can find online (advert, film, music video,…)
 Analyse two camera angles and three
camera movements, explaining the effect
that they have in the audience.

31. The sound used in film is known
as the soundtrack. It can be
broken down into the following
categories:
 Dialogues – usually recorded
on location.
 Sound effects (FX) - these
may be recorded on location
and added later or they may be
created for a scene such as a
gun shot, the sound of a man
being punched, cars crashing
etc.

32. The two key words you need to know when analysing film are written
below.
Diegetic Sound:
Sound or music that is recorded on set as it happens. This will include
dialogue and sounds which take place within the film e.g. a door
closing, gun being fired, police siren.
Non-Diegetic Sound:
Music or sound which is added to the film during the editing process.
Most often, non-diegetic sound is music, which is used to create
atmosphere or emotion.
Diegetic/Non-diegetic sound

33.  Choose one audio visual media text that you
can find online (advert, film, music video,…)
 Analyse two examples of use of diegetic
sound and two examples of non-diegetic
sound, explaining the effect that they have
in the audience.

34. What is editing?
 Editing is how individual shots are combined in
sequences to convey certain meanings.The relationships
between shots themselves convey those meanings.
 Editing also serves to portray lived time in terms of film-
time so that actual events that would take longer to occur
in real time are truncated or reduced to fit into the film
time of the typical hour and a half film.
 Editing can be split into two sections: Juxtaposition of
shots andTransitions.

35.  The placing of shots side by side to create
meaning.
 The editor and director will decide after shooting
is complete which shots to use in the ‘final cut’.
 The director might well have hours of footage or
‘rushes’ to select from.
 Example: Francis Coppola came back from
filming ‘Apocalypse Now’ for four years with over
40 hours of rushes that had to be edited to 2 ½
hours.

36.  The classic Hollywood style of editing is all about
simplicity and is also known as continuity
editing.
 Editing in this style should be ‘invisible’ so that
an audience are unaware the sequence has even
been edited and the story develops naturally.
 Classic editing normally begins with a master or
establishing shot, then cuts to a two shot or mid,
followed by a close up.

37. Example of unconventional editing:
Vormittagsspuk (Ghosts Before Breakfast, 1927)
Experimental Avant-garde Dada film by Hans Richter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YzV8rxqRUg

38.  The act of passing from one state or place to
the next conversion: an event that results in a
transformation a change from one place or
state or subject or stage to another.

39.  The cut – there is an immediate comparison
between two shots, action appears continuous.
 The fade – fading in or out of black (blank screen)
conveys a long lapse of time.
 The dissolve– this is comparative, it draws
attention to similarities or difference between
shots.
 Wipes – one picture breaks in to another.

40.  Choose one audio visual media text that you
can find online (advert, film, music video,…)
 Analyse five examples of editing , explaining
the effect that they have in the audience.

41.  What have I learnt today?
 Have I finished all your tasks?
 What did I do well?
 What can I improve for the next lesson?
 How do I rate my effort level for today’s lesson?