Year 10 Film StudyYear 10 Film Study

Goal: Goal:

To analyse the features and To analyse the features and techniques used in film techniques used in film

To use appropriate terminology to To use appropriate terminology to describe these featuresdescribe these features

To describe how these features are To describe how these features are used and combined for effectused and combined for effect

What is a film?What is a film?

A film is …….A film is …….

Write three elements of a film.Write three elements of a film.

Why do people watch films?Why do people watch films?

Why do people create films?Why do people create films?

Make up a definition of your own that is Make up a definition of your own that is accurate and easy to understand.accurate and easy to understand.

Test your definition, using three films you Test your definition, using three films you know.know.

What is a film?What is a film?

A film is a series of photographs which are A film is a series of photographs which are put together so they:put together so they:– Create an image of a world that already existsCreate an image of a world that already exists– Create a new worldCreate a new world– Tell a storyTell a story

Year 10 Film: Film TerminologyYear 10 Film: Film TerminologySTRUCTURE OF A FILMSTRUCTURE OF A FILMShotShotA single 'run' of the camera. This is the basic unit from which a film A single 'run' of the camera. This is the basic unit from which a film is constructed. The length (or duration) of a shot depends upon: is constructed. The length (or duration) of a shot depends upon:

– its purpose ie. establishing a place; to show action; to show reaction its purpose ie. establishing a place; to show action; to show reaction – the pace (or tempo) of the sequence in which it occurs. the pace (or tempo) of the sequence in which it occurs.

SequenceSequenceA group of shots depicting one action, or, which seems to belong A group of shots depicting one action, or, which seems to belong with or depend upon each other. (Say 3 to 18 shots). with or depend upon each other. (Say 3 to 18 shots). SceneSceneA group of sequences, or, (for short scenes) a group of shots, A group of sequences, or, (for short scenes) a group of shots, which: which:

– depict an event in the story. and depict an event in the story. and – occur in one place. occur in one place.

A scene is generally a larger unit than a sequence (though) A scene is generally a larger unit than a sequence (though) sometimes a group of shots can be classified as either). sometimes a group of shots can be classified as either).

CAMERA MOVEMENTS and ANGLESCAMERA MOVEMENTS and ANGLESCamera MovementsCamera MovementsPanPan

Movement from side to side from a stationary position. Movement from side to side from a stationary position. TiltTilt

Movement up or down from a stationary position. Movement up or down from a stationary position. TrackingTracking

The camera is not stationary but moves to follow a moving object or person. The camera is not stationary but moves to follow a moving object or person. The camera is mounted on a moving device such as a rail platform, a dolly or a The camera is mounted on a moving device such as a rail platform, a dolly or a vehicle. vehicle.

Zoom OutZoom OutMovement outwards away from a subject. Movement outwards away from a subject.

Note: The speed of a camera movement (from very fast to very slow) can Note: The speed of a camera movement (from very fast to very slow) can dramatically alter its effect. dramatically alter its effect.

CAMERA ANGLESCAMERA ANGLESIn filming a shot a decision is made about the angle at which the camera is to In filming a shot a decision is made about the angle at which the camera is to be directed at a subject. High and Low angles may be used to influence our be directed at a subject. High and Low angles may be used to influence our impression of a particular character. impression of a particular character.

A character filmed from a low angle will seem strong, powerful, tall, proud, etc... A character filmed from a low angle will seem strong, powerful, tall, proud, etc... whereas if a high angle is used the subject will appear weak, insignificant, whereas if a high angle is used the subject will appear weak, insignificant, vulnerable, small etc... Our impression of a structure or object can be vulnerable, small etc... Our impression of a structure or object can be manipulated in a similar way. manipulated in a similar way.

A distorted angle may be used to make a scene more frightening, or to make the A distorted angle may be used to make a scene more frightening, or to make the viewer feel anxious, or queasy (especially if fast or jerky camera movement is viewer feel anxious, or queasy (especially if fast or jerky camera movement is also used). also used).

What are these?What are these?

characterscharacters

settingsetting

costumecostume

editingediting

lightinglighting

camera anglescamera angles

soundscapesoundscape

special effectsspecial effects

opening titlesopening titles

imagesimages

narratornarrator

dialoguedialogue

XCU, BCU, CU, MCU. MS, FLS, MLS, LS, ES. These initials are used to describe the size of shot and usually they mean the following:XCU – Extreme Close up: A very tight close up shot.BCU - Big Close Up: Just above the eyebrows, to below the chin.CU - Close Up: The full headMCU - Medium Close Up: Just below the shoulders to just above the headMS - Mid Shot: From the waist to just above the headFLS - Full Length Shot: From just above the head to just below the toesMLS - Medium Long Shot: Head to toes with about one third of frame below the toesLS - Long Shot: Head to toes plus a lot of other room above and or below.ES – Establishing Shot: Contains a lot of the landscape and helps to establish the location and atmosphere.

Medium close up

Wide establishing shot

Wide establishing shot

Wide high angle

Medium close up

Two shot

Wide, slightly high angle

Over the shoulder

High angle long shot

Shallow focus

Close up

Big close up

Over the shoulder

Wide high angle

Close up

Setting

Two shot

Medium close up

Two shot

Medium close up, framed by two other characters