Camera                          Lighting                    Sound/Music
Thriller     Close ups, reaction shots       Dim/dark, sometimes could   Sound effects e.g. Creaking
                                             be in black and white.      door, music is slow at first
                                                                         and then picks up the pace
                                                                         to build tension.

Drama        Medium shots, reaction          Bright/dim                  Soundtrack used most of
             shots                                                       the time but not many
                                                                         special effects.
Action       Track, steadicam, high/low      Bright/dim                  Fast pace music and some
             angle shots.                                                sound effects used.
Historical   Establishing shots, medium      Black and white film        Sometimes music from the
             shots                                                       time is used, and very few
                                                                         sound effects.
Adventure    Establishing shots,             Bright/dim                  Normally uses fast pace
             steadicam, high/low angle                                   music and sometimes uses
                                                                         sound effects.
Musical      Medium shots, track, pan.       Bright                      Includes singing throughout
                                                                         the film and very few sound
                                                                         effects.
Comedy       Medium shots                    Bright                      Sound effects used e.g.
                                                                         Laughter, soundtrack used.

Sci-fi       Starts with back story, close   dim                         Soundtrack usually used.
             ups, establishing shots
War          Establishing shot, close ups,   dim/dark                    Sound effects e.g. swords,
             high/low angle.                                             gun shots. Soundtrack of
                                                                         slow, sad music.
Crime        Close ups, medium shots.        Dim/dark                    Sad, tension building music
                                                                         used.
Western      Establishing, medium shots.     Dim/bright                  Sound effects e.g. Gun
                                                                         shots. Soundtrack used-
                                                                         usually fast pace music.
Media key terms
Media key terms
Media key terms
Media key terms
Media key terms
Media key terms

Media key terms

  • 4.
    Camera Lighting Sound/Music Thriller Close ups, reaction shots Dim/dark, sometimes could Sound effects e.g. Creaking be in black and white. door, music is slow at first and then picks up the pace to build tension. Drama Medium shots, reaction Bright/dim Soundtrack used most of shots the time but not many special effects. Action Track, steadicam, high/low Bright/dim Fast pace music and some angle shots. sound effects used. Historical Establishing shots, medium Black and white film Sometimes music from the shots time is used, and very few sound effects. Adventure Establishing shots, Bright/dim Normally uses fast pace steadicam, high/low angle music and sometimes uses sound effects. Musical Medium shots, track, pan. Bright Includes singing throughout the film and very few sound effects. Comedy Medium shots Bright Sound effects used e.g. Laughter, soundtrack used. Sci-fi Starts with back story, close dim Soundtrack usually used. ups, establishing shots War Establishing shot, close ups, dim/dark Sound effects e.g. swords, high/low angle. gun shots. Soundtrack of slow, sad music. Crime Close ups, medium shots. Dim/dark Sad, tension building music used. Western Establishing, medium shots. Dim/bright Sound effects e.g. Gun shots. Soundtrack used- usually fast pace music.