Film Study - Glossary of Film Techniques

Visual techniques

Shot sizes

Technique

/ Description / Usual general effect
extreme long shot or establishing shot / Lots of background - figures are very small / Provides context at the beginning of the movie or for a change of setting
long shot / Some background - figures are fairly small / Provides some context eg a minor change of setting
full shot / Whole figures are shown / Concentrates attention on the characters or subject
mid shot / Figures shown from about the waist up / Concentrates even more attention on the subject
close up / Only part of the figure is shown / Allows more emotion to be seen or concentrates attention on that feature eg a hand; suggests that one character is in a closer relationship to the other
extreme close up / A small part of the figure is shown / Concentrates attention on that feature eg eyes

Camera angles

Technique / Description / Usual general effect
Overhead or bird’s eye view / Camera is positioned to look down on the subject from a height / Can suggest that the character is looking down from a height, or that someone else is. Often used in chase scenes for a good view of what is happeningor to convey the helplessness of those being chased.
High angle / Camera is positioned to look down on the subject / Suggests that the character is high up or in a position of power
Eye level / Camera is at the level of an average person / The most common angle – audience appears to see through the eyes of the character
Low angle / Camera is below the level of an average person / Suggests that the character is low down eg on the floor or in a position of weakness

Camera Movement

Technique / Description / Usual general effect
Tracking shot / The camera is put on a device which moves alongside the subject / Helps the audience move with the action.
Dolly shot / The camera is put on a ‘dolly’ which moves towards or away from the subject. / Similar to tracking, eg the subject walking along a street. Can be used in conjunction with a zoom in or out.
Panning shot / The camera sweeps around the scene. / Develops the POV of a character - a smile, a stare or frown can be directed at the audience as well as the other character, or panning can create the effect of the character looking around. Can convey a sense of place.
Tilting / The camera is positioned at an unnatural angle. / Makes the audience uncomfortable - the image seen is not the normal one. Can also make us aware of the visual. Can make images distorted in both size and shape. Characters can be made to look looming and menacing.
Hand held camera / The cameraman holds the camera on his shoulder and follows the action on foot, creating a jerky, erratic effect. / The audience moves with the character –the movement mirrors the panic and terror often accompanying an escape or a traumatic discovery.

Lighting

Technique / Description / Usual general effect
Key lighting / Lights appear to come from one source / Can suggest that the sun is shining through a window; or that a door has been opened
Low lighting / Lighting is deliberately poor / Can suggest evening, a dull day, a poorly lit interior
Back lighting / Light comes from behind a character / Can make a character seem threatening or unknown

More visual techniques:

Costume and makeup

Consider carefully what characters are wearing and what their clothes and accessories suggest about them. Look at the makeup too if it is unusual in any way.

Colour

All colours have associations and can also be used to help create atmosphere. Many films have a predominant colour.

SFX

SFX includes CGI, blue screen

Aural (sound) techniques

Diegetic sound (actually present)

Non-diegetic sound (added later)

Music (creates atmosphere or can be identified with a character)

Songs (as above but the lyrics can add meaning)

Movies also use narrative techniques (and so can documentaries) -

Plot

Character

Setting

Dialogue

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