As well as researching different camera shots we also researched different camera angles. All of the angles that I researched I wasn’t surprised by any, however I had only seen these shots whilst viewing either TV or Films and never really took much notice of them and didn’t really know what they were used for. After researching them and finding out the definitions and why they were used for that certain purpose it all seemed to become clearer.
Close ups (CU)
Very similar to extreme close ups. This is still a tightly framed shot, used to highlight an important object or character. Not only can it indicate the importance of something, but it can also highlight any emotion (if a character) may have, or any important details an object may have.
Extreme close ups (ECU)
These kinds of close ups are usually a cutaway from a more distant shot to reiterate the detail. They do not show the subject or character in the broad context of their surroundings. Zooming is the most common way to accomplish this shot, as it is the easy way to zoom in and out of the subject. A close up of a character can sometimes help indicate there importance.
Establishing shot (ES)
This is as mentioned similar to a crane shot, but filmed from a much higher height. Details would not be recognisable, and no characters would
usually be in shot. This type of angle is usually shot at the beginning of a scene to show where it is taking place.
Long Shot (LS)
This shot typically shows the whole of an object or character and is usually used to place it in some relation to its surroundings. These shots are usually filmed from the distance in what the stage would be from the front row of the audience. Similarly an extreme long shot can be taken from as far away as quarter of a mile and is almost the same to an establishing shot. There would be very little detail visible as it would be used to show landscapes/scenes of action.
Medium Long Shot (MLS)
Another form of a mid shot is to keep the whole of the character in the frame, but also keeping the characters background in focus. By doing this you are able to see the entire of the shot, and get a better understand of what not only is happening involving the character, but also what is happening around them as you can see their whole body, whilst setting clearly the mise-en-scene’.
Point of view shot (POV)
These shots are used to give the viewer the experience as if they are looking directly through the characters eyes, and experiencing what they are. The arms of such character are usually in shot, so that you can follow where the body is moving to.
Lighting
Lighting helps to set the mood of the scene the audience are observing. The audience's attention can be guided by brightly lighting an object or gesture important to the storyline whilst keeping other minor details in relative darkness. Lighting can be used to give a soft delicate look, ‘Hollywood Look’ and even dark shadowing to create a dramatic and ‘evil’ look.
The Key light- The brightest and most influential.
The Back light- Helps counteract the effect of the key light, making the character appear more 'rounded'.
The Filler light- Helps to soften the harsh shadows that the Key and Back lights create, there may be more than one Filler
High-key- This means that more Filler lights are used. The term means that lighting appears normal and realistic to our eyes. E.g. Brightly lit sets such as a sunny day at the park or subtly lit might scenes. Areas of dark and light will not be so pronounced as in Low - key lighting.
Low-key- This is created by using only the Key and Back lights. This will pro
duce a sharp contrast of light and dark and deep dark shadows are created. This effect is known as chiaroscuro which comes from the Italian words for light and dark.Underlighting- When the main source of lighting comes from below the subject. This tends to have a distorting effect on the character or object that is being lit, often used in horror films.
Top lighting- When the main source of lighting comes from above, highlighting the features of a character- adds glamour/ Hollywood effect.
Back lighting- When the light source is behind the subject. If little or no other lighting is used silhouettes are created.
Sound
Over the years sound has improved so much due to new technology. In film there are two main types of sound that is used these are;
Diegetic- This is sound which is part of the film world we are watching, it has to come from a source within the film such as spoken dialogue and music from a CD player.
Non diegetic- This is sound that we do not recognise as part of the film world such as a voice over or background music.
Sound bridges create a smooth transition from one scene to another enhancing the continuity and continue from one scene to the next even though the visual image has moved on to the next scene.
Sounds can either complement with the image that is being or viewed or the sound is the complete opposite to what you see on the screen. Parallel sound complements the image we are seeing and contrapuntal sound doesn't fit with the image we see on screen.
Close ups (CU)
Very similar to extreme close ups. This is still a tightly framed shot, used to highlight an important object or character. Not only can it indicate the importance of something, but it can also highlight any emotion (if a character) may have, or any important details an object may have.
Extreme close ups (ECU)
These kinds of close ups are usually a cutaway from a more distant shot to reiterate the detail. They do not show the subject or character in the broad context of their surroundings. Zooming is the most common way to accomplish this shot, as it is the easy way to zoom in and out of the subject. A close up of a character can sometimes help indicate there importance.
Establishing shot (ES)
This is as mentioned similar to a crane shot, but filmed from a much higher height. Details would not be recognisable, and no characters would
usually be in shot. This type of angle is usually shot at the beginning of a scene to show where it is taking place.
Long Shot (LS)
This shot typically shows the whole of an object or character and is usually used to place it in some relation to its surroundings. These shots are usually filmed from the distance in what the stage would be from the front row of the audience. Similarly an extreme long shot can be taken from as far away as quarter of a mile and is almost the same to an establishing shot. There would be very little detail visible as it would be used to show landscapes/scenes of action.
Medium Long Shot (MLS)
Another form of a mid shot is to keep the whole of the character in the frame, but also keeping the characters background in focus. By doing this you are able to see the entire of the shot, and get a better understand of what not only is happening involving the character, but also what is happening around them as you can see their whole body, whilst setting clearly the mise-en-scene’.
Point of view shot (POV)
These shots are used to give the viewer the experience as if they are looking directly through the characters eyes, and experiencing what they are. The arms of such character are usually in shot, so that you can follow where the body is moving to.
Lighting
Lighting helps to set the mood of the scene the audience are observing. The audience's attention can be guided by brightly lighting an object or gesture important to the storyline whilst keeping other minor details in relative darkness. Lighting can be used to give a soft delicate look, ‘Hollywood Look’ and even dark shadowing to create a dramatic and ‘evil’ look.
The Key light- The brightest and most influential.
The Back light- Helps counteract the effect of the key light, making the character appear more 'rounded'.
The Filler light- Helps to soften the harsh shadows that the Key and Back lights create, there may be more than one Filler
High-key- This means that more Filler lights are used. The term means that lighting appears normal and realistic to our eyes. E.g. Brightly lit sets such as a sunny day at the park or subtly lit might scenes. Areas of dark and light will not be so pronounced as in Low - key lighting.
Low-key- This is created by using only the Key and Back lights. This will pro
duce a sharp contrast of light and dark and deep dark shadows are created. This effect is known as chiaroscuro which comes from the Italian words for light and dark.Underlighting- When the main source of lighting comes from below the subject. This tends to have a distorting effect on the character or object that is being lit, often used in horror films.
Top lighting- When the main source of lighting comes from above, highlighting the features of a character- adds glamour/ Hollywood effect.
Back lighting- When the light source is behind the subject. If little or no other lighting is used silhouettes are created.
Sound
Over the years sound has improved so much due to new technology. In film there are two main types of sound that is used these are;
Diegetic- This is sound which is part of the film world we are watching, it has to come from a source within the film such as spoken dialogue and music from a CD player.
Non diegetic- This is sound that we do not recognise as part of the film world such as a voice over or background music.
Sound bridges create a smooth transition from one scene to another enhancing the continuity and continue from one scene to the next even though the visual image has moved on to the next scene.
Sounds can either complement with the image that is being or viewed or the sound is the complete opposite to what you see on the screen. Parallel sound complements the image we are seeing and contrapuntal sound doesn't fit with the image we see on screen.
