Film Language The Basics
Cinematography
Art of making motion pictures.
Refers to the visual aspects of a film’s language.
Camera shots and movement can give us clear indications of the character's emotion or motive and give audiences clues as to things that may be about to happen.
Establishing Shot
A technique that uses the shot to set the context for the scene - establishes time/place, relationship between characters and objects, gives viewers the big picture.
Appears at the beginning of a film or scene.
Close-up (Extreme close-up)
When the image takes up the bulk of the frame - often used to highlight changes in emotion.
A close-up is a tool for emphasis to isolate a specific area or something important in the story.
Medium Shot
Shows the character from the top of the head to just above the waist.
One of the most common shots used in film.
Full (Long) Shot
The subject’s entire body reaches from top to bottom of the frame.
Wide Shot
Shows the subject within their surrounding environment.
Establishing shots usually use wide shots.
Low-angle and high-angle shots
In low-angle shots, the camera looks up from below.
In high-angle shots, the camera looks down from above.
Bird's Eye View
An extreme version of a high-angle shot looking down directly from above.
Often used for establishing shots.
Pan- moves horizontally back and forth (side to side)
Tilt- moves up or down
Zoom- moves in close from afar
Canted angle aka Dutch Angle or Dutch Tilt
Crane shot- camera moves on a crane.
Tracking shot- Camera moves with subject.
Aerial shot- gives a view from above. (Drone or helicopter)
Directors use different types of focus throughout a film in order to communicate with the audience.
Soft focus - softens the subject; associated with romance or glamor.
Sharp focus- Clear, crisp details.
Rack Focus- Changes the focus within the shot.
Depe Focus- The entire field is in focus. (Foreground, middle ground, and background)
Changes the pace of the narrative.
Standard cut- The most basic edit.
Jump cut- jumps the scene in time.
Montage- Often underscored with music.
Fade out/in- Shows the passage of time
Cutaway- takes viewers away from the main characters or action.
Parallel / Cross Cut- Cuts between two scenes happening at the same time.
Creates mood and atmosphere. Creates different effects.
High Key Lighting- Bright
Low Key Lighting- Dim
Neutral Lighting
Diegetic Sound- Would be logically heard by the characters.
Non-diegetic sound- Sound that is not recognized as part of the world of the film. Voice-over, Narration, Sound effects, Background Music.