Straight on (flat)
eye-level camera angle (neutral shot)
“Flat shots are often used in comedic scenes. Often including 2 characters, the focus is on the characters performances
a passive type of shot (neutral)
Extreme Wide Shot
often used as an “establishing shot”
gives a lot of info about physical surroundings
can convey: isolation(solitude), vastness, scope of what’s at stake, result of accomplishment or failure, etc.
close up
shows something/someone in details
creates intimacy
gives instant importance to someone’s expression
if it’s an object, it is usually a setup for a later pay-off
Dutch Angle
dynamic. creates tension. out of balance.
used for action, mystery, danger, tense moment
Upshot
on character: gives a sense of importance, power, dominance
on background: dramatic, can be used to introduce feared/mysterious character
downshot
makes characters feel: smaller, defenseless, on the receiving end, acted upon
groupshot
often staged to showcase the leader of the group (or the outcast)
used to take a breather and re-assess where the group is headed or how they feel about the situation. kind of like an “establishing shot” for characters
over-the-shoulder
used for dialogue sequences or to show where a character is looking/needs to go
back to the camera
often used in poster design these days
the character and the environment are clearly shown
audience projects meaning on character’s journey. a way to vicariously get into head/villains POV.
Looking back over the shoulder
creates a sense of intimacy
a “one more thing” type of moment
can provide opportunity to reveal secret about character of a change of mind (ex. villain reveal)
cutting on action
starting with an establishing shot isn’t always necessary
puts audience in the middle of the action, keeps it guessing, on the edge of it’s seat
often used in thrillers and action films
Pre-production
the process of preparing all the elements involved in the film before full-scale production begins
production
the tasks that must be completed or executed during the filming stage or shooting such as recording raw footage and sound
post-production
the images, sound, and visual effects that are edited and composed into a finished product or video
Pre-production roles
producer, screenwriter, director
Production Roles
production designer, sound designer, camera operator
post-production roles
editor, sound effect editor, animator
bumpers
A short video clip that represents a video production company, director, and/or Studio Company using their names or logos in an animated title page
Character
a person or role in a novel, play, or movie.
movie poster
a poster used to promote and advertise a film. Studios often print several posters that vary in size and content for various domestic and international markets. They normally contain an image with text. Today's posters often feature photographs of the main actors.
setting
the place or type of surroundings where something is positioned or where an event takes place.
plot
the main events of a play, novel, movie, or similar work, devised and presented by the writer as an interrelated sequence
genre
a category based on similarities in either the narrative elements or the emotional response to the film.
film trailer
(also known as a preview or coming attraction) is an advertisement or a commercial for a feature film that will be exhibited in the future at a cinema, the result of creative and technical work. The term "trailer" comes from their having originally been shown at the end of a feature film screening.