How to Read a Film

Filmstrip

How to Read a Film

>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>13 Ways to Read a FilmLiterary aspects the elements that film shares with literature.Plot, characters, setting, theme, point-of-view, recurring images and symbols Dramatic aspects- the elements that film shares with live drama.Actors, dialogue, costumes, make-up, sets, directors Cinematic aspects- the elements unique to film.Cinematography, sound, editing, special visual effects >>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>2CinematographyArt and technology of motion-picture photography. It includes the composition of a scene (types of shots), camera work (focus, angles and movement), and lighting of the set and actors.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>3The ShotA single, uninterrupted piece of film

>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>4The ShotGet out your paper cameras! >>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>5Types of Shots Cinematic shots are defined by the amount of subject matter in the frame.The 3 main framing shots are the long shot, the close-up and the medium shot.

>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>6Long ShotThe object on the screen appears small or appears to be seen from some distance away. This type of shot can show the setting, the characters relationship to the setting or the characters relationship to other characters.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>7Long Shot

This extreme long shot shows the setting of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. What can we see?>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>8Long ShotThis long shot shows the main character in the setting of Austin Powers. What can we see?

>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>9The Long ShotGet out your paper cameras! >>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>10Close Shot (Close-up)A shot in which the subject takes up nearly 80% of the frame and appears very large.This type of shot directs our attention to the subject or object in the frame in order to tell us something about it, show us what is important or engage us. >>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>11Close Shot (Close-up)

A close-up of two characters in New Moon. What does the director want us to see?A close-up of an object in A Saint in London. Whats important here?>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>12Close Shot (Close-up)

A close-up of a character in The Shining. What can we say about this character?A close-up of a character in Bride of Frankenstein. Whats important here?>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>13The Close-up ShotGet out your paper cameras! >>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>14Medium ShotIn between a long shot and close shot people are seen from about the waist up.The type of shot has no obvious cinematic effect. >>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>15Medium ShotThe main character in Legally Blonde.

>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>16Medium Shot

Characters meeting in The Talented Mr. Ripley.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>17The Medium ShotGet out your paper cameras! >>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>18Types of FocusA director can play with focus in order to communicate something to the audience.There are 3 types of focus: soft focus, rack focus and deep focus. >>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>19Soft FocusThis type of focus blurs an image ever so slightly, giving it a soft texture.This technique can be used to soften an actors features, to enhance the romantic quality of a scene or to communicate uncertainty.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>20Soft FocusClassic Hollywood actresses like Greta Garbo used to insist on soft focus for their close-ups.

>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>21Soft Focus

Soft focus is used to help create mood in romantic films like Romeo and Juliet. >>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>22Soft Focus

Hitchcock used soft focus to make this character in Vertigo look ghostly, the way the main character saw her.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>23Rack FocusThis technique is used to bring either the background or the foreground suddenly into focus. The focus actually shifts during the scene from one subject to another to direct the viewers attention.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>24Rack Focus

In these frames, an object in the foreground is brought into focus. Why?>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>25Rack FocusIn these frames, characters in the background are brought into focus. Why?

>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>26Deep FocusIn deep focus, all objects in the foreground, as well as in the background, remain in focus. Some critics say deep focus gives a greater sense of reality since in real life we can choose what to look at.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>27Deep Focus

The person in the background is small but in focus in this frame from Citizen Kane.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>28Deep FocusAll of the characters in this scene from The Last Picture Show are equally in focus.

>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>29Camera AnglesThe director must decide how to position the camera in relation to the subject.She can choose low, high, eye-level or Dutch angle.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>30Low Angle ShotThe camera is below the subject, which exaggerates size and strength. >>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>31Low Angle Shot

In this scene from Land of the Lost, the main character is filmed from below to look powerful and in control. >>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>32Low Angle ShotA typical low angle shot from Bad Boys. The characters seem capable.

>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>33Low Angle ShotWhat is the effect of this low angle shot from Dr. Zhivago?

>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>34The Low AngleGet out your paper cameras! >>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>35High Angle ShotThe camera is above the subject, which presents objects as smaller, weaker or having less control. >>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>36High Angle Shot

A slightly high angle shot making this character from Alice in Wonderland look smaller than she would at eye-level.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>37High Angle Shot

What effect does the use of the high angle shot have on this character from Psycho?>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>38The High AngleGet out your paper cameras! >>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>39Eye-level ShotThe camera is at eye-level with the subject. This shot, like the medium range shot, is another neutral shot, and the most natural.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>40Eye-level Shot

In this scene from Pretty Woman, the characters are mostly at eye-level with each other and with the viewer.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>41Eye LevelGet out your paper cameras! >>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>42Dutch Angle ShotIn this shot, the camera is tilted to give a slightly off-kilter or canted angle to the subject.The image on the screen appears sideways, to one extent or another, within the frame. This shot is often used to shed light on a menacing character, show danger or create tension.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>43Dutch Angle Shot

In the old Batman and Robin TV series, every villain had his own angle.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>44Dutch Angle Shot

The Dutch angle adds a touch of evil to these characters from Battlefield Earth.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>45Dutch AngleGet out your paper cameras! >>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>46Camera MovementThe way the camera moves also contributes to the cinematic effect of a scene.The camera can pan, tilt, zoom or be hauled on a dolly. >>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>47PanThe camera pivots along the horizontal axis. The pan is often used to introduce a setting.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>48Pan

A pan usually moves from left to right, but in this scene from Rear Window, the pan is from right to left.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>49PanGet out your paper cameras! >>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>50TiltThe camera moves up and down tilting along the vertical axis. The tilt is an effective way to communicate distance, size and strength.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>51Tilt

A shot involving this building may start at the bottom and tilt slowly toward the top to show us the point of view of a character in the scene. >>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>52TiltGet out your paper cameras! >>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>53ZoomThe focal length of the lens changes, thus making the object appear to move closer or further away. The zoom can move us quickly into a scene, directing our attention to something the director does not want us to miss.

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ZoomIn this scene from Jaws, the focus zooms in, to capture this characters feelings of dread and powerlessness.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>55ZoomGet out your paper cameras! >>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>56Tracking (Dolly Shot)The camera actually moves smoothly along with the moving subject.The camera can be on a track, dolly, truck or even a helicopter. This shot allows us to go with the action, become part of it, or even go behind it, instead of merely watching it pass by.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>57Tracking (Dolly Shot)

Tracking in progress on the set of Ghandi.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>58Tracking (Dolly Shot)Get out your paper cameras! >>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>59LightingThe principal source of light on a film set is called key light.The 2 general types of film lighting are high-key lighting and low-key lighting.Side/bottom lighting and front lighting are used primarily on actors to help communicate something about their characters.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>60High-key LightingThis type of lighting is distinguished by its brightness, openness, and lack of shadows or contrasts between light and dark. Creates a bright and open-looking scene.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>61High-key Lighting

High-key lighting is often used in romantic comedies like Youve Got Mail. Lots of light = happy ending!>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>62Low-key LightingThe main characteristics of this type of lighting are darkness, shadows, and patches of bright key light. Helps to create a mood of suspense, suspicion or danger.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>63Low-key Lighting

In this scene from Harry Potter, the lighting helps us guess that this character is up to no good.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>64Neutral LightingWhen the lighting is even and balanced throughout the shot. >>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>65Neutral Lighting

This scene from Lemony Snicket is neither very bright nor dark.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>66Side/Bottom LightingThis type of lighting illuminates only parts of a characters face and has the effect of making the character seem scary, evil or conflicted in some way.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>67Side/Bottom Lighting

Side/bottom lighting contributes to the scariness of this character from X-Men. >>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>68Front LightingThis type of lighting illuminates the whole face of a character evenly and has the effect of making a character seem innocent and open.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>69Front Lighting

The use of front lighting helps contribute to our perception of this character from Lord of the Rings as good and honest.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>70SoundIncludes dialogue, music, sound effects.Types of sound in film are classified as diegetic, non-diegetic or internal diegetic. Sound in film helps to set the mood, enhance the drama of each scene and evoke emotion from the viewer.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>71Diegetic SoundAny sound that could logically be heard by a character within the movie environment.Includes environmental noise, music in the film, and dialogue.

>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>72Non-Diegetic SoundAny sound that cannot logically be heard by a character within the movie environment.This is sound that is intended only for the audience.Includes theme or background music and voice-over narration.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>73Foley Artists>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>74Internal Diegetic SoundWhat if a character is talking to herself?What if she is remembering sounds that she actually heard before?If only one character can logically hear the sounds, these sounds are considered internal diegetic.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>75SoundNorth by Northwest clipBlazing Saddles and Monty Python sound clipshttp://prezi.com/lapc9vluoyrb/present/?auth_key=ugrb89o&follow=mmcclureStranger that Fiction clip

>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>76EditingThe methods by which a director chooses to move from one shot to another.The most common type of editing is called a cut, where one piece of film is literally cut and affixed to another piece. The result is the tiny, split-second before the next shot appears.Other types of editing help the director to tell the story or say something about a character. These include the fade, dissolve, crosscut, flashback, flash-forward and the eye-line match.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>77FadeThis type of edit occurs when the image on-screen slowly fades away and the screen itself is entirely black (or some other color) for a noticeable period of time, and then a new image slowly fades in from that black screen. Directors might use a fade to denote the ending of a scene (like the ending of a chapter), but it can also be used within a scene to show that a measure of time has passed.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>78DissolveThe image slowly begins to fade out, but instead of fading all the way to black, it is replaced by another image that is slowly fading in. The dissolve helps the viewer to make a connection between two objects or characters that he might not have made otherwise.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>79CrosscutAlso called parallel editing, the crosscut allows the director to show that events occurring in different spaces are happening simultaneously. This type of editing can be used to create suspense as well as linkages between characters, themes or plots.

>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>80Crosscut

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Crosscut>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>82Crosscut

>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>83Crosscut

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>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>88Flashback/Flash-forwardThis method of connecting shots is designed to give the viewer important information about what has happened in the past or to take the audience ahead of the storys present time. Flashback can give the viewer important information and flash-forward can add tension and serve as foreshadowing.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>89Eye-Line MatchWhen editors connect a series of three or more shots to show a characters point of view.This kind of editing shows what a characters is looking at, her reaction to what she sees and gives the viewer insight into her thoughts or motives. >>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>90

Eye-Line MatchFirst we see that this character from The Day After Tomorrow is looking at something.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>91

Eye-Line MatchThen we see what he is looking at.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>92

Eye-Line MatchThen we see his reaction.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>93EditingChristmas Story and Jaws clips http://prezi.com/lapc9vluoyrb/present/?auth_key=ugrb89o&follow=mmcclure

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/1343378http://www.tubechop.com/watch/1343446http://www.tubechop.com/watch/1343461

>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>94Mise-en-SceneMise-en-Scene (meez-ahn-sen) usually refers to what we see in a film (editing is what we do not see). Mise-en-scne concerns all of the elements of the shot:lighting use of black and white or colorplacement of characters in the scenedesign of elements within the shot (sets, props, costumes) placement and movement of camera composition of the shot as a wholehow it is framed and what is in the frame.Mise-en-scene establishes mood and atmosphere.

>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>95Mise-en-Scene

The bright white lighting, modern furniture and costuming all contribute to an impersonal mood in 2001 A Space Odyssey.The geometric design and low-key lighting of this scene gives it a technological, computerized feel.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>96Mise-en-Scene

In the scene below from Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth looks comfortable in her homey surroundings.Compare the scene above to the one on the right. What difference can we see in Elizabeths demeanor? How does she stand out from the setting?>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>97

Mise-en-SceneWhat do you notice about this character or the setting. What is the mood of this scene?>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>98Remember!There are many variations of the cinematic elements weve discussed.The important thing when noticing cinematic techniques is to try and figure out the directors purpose and support your judgement with specific details.>>0 >>1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>99