Film Techniques

Eye Candy

Film Techniques

Film History

– Film has been around since the early 1900s. What began with silent film has grown into a form of mass media.

Film & Culture

• Why do we watch films?

• Why do we create films?

• What place do films hold in our lives?

• (How) do films affect our lives?

• What makes a film “good”?

• What makes a film memorable?

AFI’s TOP 100

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UYlX1-mj4s (10:00)

QuickTime™ and ampeg4 decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

AFI’s Top 100

• How would you describe these films? Why did you choose these words?

• Why are these films the American Film Institute’s top 100?

• What qualities do these films have?

• Was one decade paid more attention than the others?

• What did you notice about the development of film when watching these clips?

Film as Art

In a book, the words tell the story, the plot.

What elements of a film contribute to the plot? How do these elements do so?

The Camera

The Shot

• A single, uninterrupted piece of film; the shot is the image that is seen on-screen until it is replaced by another image through some type of editing technique.

• There’s a moment of black that seems to appear when the shot changes. It’s not always actually there, but the cut from shot to shot makes us feel like it is. If the camera moves without that cut, you’re still watching the same shot.

A Few Good Men (1992)

• “You Can’t Handle the Truth”: (3:52)– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hGvQtumNAY



Forrest Gump (1994)

• “Forrest Gump Opening Scene - Alan Silvestri introduction”: (2:47)• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7voy1vit6Y



You Say

• Discussion: – What effect does the length of the shots have

on the meaning of this clip?

– Why do you think the director chose to include the feather scene? What does it mean?

They Say

• “Forrest Gump: Making Of... Feather sequence” (3:23)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZ2SWXwoYwQ



Psycho (1960)

• “The Famous Shower Scene From "Psycho”” : (3:43)• o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VP5jEAP3K4



Psycho Discussion

• What effect does the amount of time in a shot have on the audience? on the story?

• What effect does the juxtaposition of the long shot at the start of this clip with the short shots in the stabbing have?

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)

• “Mr. and Mrs smith hatelove.avi” (4:17)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ktkf9IYU7E



Framing

The position of the subject/object which is the focus of the shot.

Three main types: 1. Long shot – from far away

2. Close-up – zoom in 3. Medium shot – waist up

Carrie (1976)

• “Carrie 1976 Full Prom Scene” (10:00) – (first 4:25)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XFbAINOlnY



Carrie Discussion

• What effect does alternating between long shots of the stage and medium shots of Carrie have?

• What close-up shots are particularly important?

Pirates of the Caribbean III : At World’s End (2007)

• “first scene form pirates of the caribbean 3” (3:26)• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t_H0BknIjY



Framing Discussion

• What effect does each of these shots have on the audience? The story?– Long Shot

– Close-up– Medium shot

Angles

• Where the camera is in relation to the subject– 1. Low angle – shot from below

– 2. High angle – shot from above– 3. Eye level – 4. Dutch angle – close-up, tilted

Vertigo (1958)

• “Vertigo opening scene” (1:34)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7sznnL0NZ0



Vertigo Discussion

• Which angle was most effective in telling the plot in this clip? Why?

Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

• “Slumdog Millionaire Film Clip - The Boys On A Train” (1:22)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV912uiRM_A



Slumdog Millionaire Discussion

• Where did you see the different types of angles?

• What effect did switching angles have?

Angle Discussion

• For what purpose do you suppose each angle is used?– 1. Low angle

– 2. High angle

– 3. Eye level – 4. Dutch angle

Camera Movement

• Pan

• Tilt

• Zoom

• Tracking shot

Pan

• Camera pivots on a horizontal access; the focus moves from left to right.

Boogie Nights (1997)

• “Boogie Nights - Opening Scene” (2:56) (first 0:40 is the shot)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc3QsYMjZMs(sound has been replaced by YouTube due to copyright issues)



Boogie Nights Discussion

• What effect does the pan shot have on this scene?

Tilt

• Camera pivots on a vertical access; the focus moves up and down.

Breaking News (2004)

• “Breaking News – Opening Tracking Shot” (6:58) (first 0:40 is the shot)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJlCYNt2z9k



Breaking News Discussion

• What is the function of the tilt shot in the previous clip?

Zoom

• Camera men change the length of the focus on the lens so that the object appears to move closer or further away.

The Godfather (1972)

• “The Godfather I, pt. 1” (3:51)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rO0ijrgr-qQ



The Godfather Discussion

• What effect does the pan shot have in this scene?

Tracking

• Camera moves to follow an object/ character.

• Camera may move on a dolly.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

• “Classic Scene - Pulp Fiction (Tracking Shot)” (1:31)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCG6CMFbPiI



Pulp Fiction Discussion

• What effect does this shot have on the audience?

Lighting

Gilda (1946)

• “Gilda, First Scene” (2:42)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nA2AsJ_GneI



Gilda Discussion

• How does the lighting express the mood and desires of the characters?

I Am Legend (2007)

• “I Am Legend Zombie Dog Scene” (4:08)• http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6-3DC63nGA



I Am Legend Discussion

• What role does light play in this scene? This film?

Sound

Sound

• Equally important to the image in creating an effect on the viewer.

• Can be classified in many ways: dialogue, music, sound effects, etc.

• Can be analyzed for its pitch, timbre, direction, whether it’s on screen or off-screen.

Types

• The categories we’re most concerned with, that are easiest to analyze are: – Diegetic Sound – any sound that could logically be

heard by the character within the movie environment (character speaks, coughs, a cat meows)

• Background noise, traffic, dialogue between characters

– Nondiegetic Sound – any sound that would not be heard by the character in real life; sound intended only for the audience

• Music (although not always), Voice-over, Sound effects

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)

• “You're So Vain - How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” (1:52)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zahlMAwHrsM



Titanic (1997)

• “Titanic - "I'm Flying" Scene” (2:46)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MDPeL8lpzo



Putting it All Together

Apocalypse Now (1979)

• “Apocalypse Now (inicio)” (7:14)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGMc_INI5Ik



Film Techniques

Documents

shot http

shot changes

medium shot waist

long shot closeup medium

o http

film history film

feather scene

film good