Intro. to Film Studies Visual Elements. Shot The basic storytelling tool for the filmmaker A single view from the camera From one cut until the next –

Intro. to Film Studies

Visual Elements

Shot

• The basic storytelling tool for the filmmaker

• A single view from the camera

From one cut until the next –

may be a fraction of a second

may be five (or more) minutes long

Pan

• The camera pivots horizontally

left to right >>>>>>>>>

comfortable camera motion

<<<<<<<<< right to left

uncomfortable camera motion

Tilt

• The camera pivots vertically

movement downwards –

comfortable camera motion

movement upwards –

uncomfortable camera motion

Lens• A lens can affect the

way the viewer perceives the item on screen.

A lens can “soften” the focus of the shot…

or it can make it defined and cold.

Long shot (LS)

• A shot that shows the object in its general surroundings

• Equal focus given to object and surroundings

(more to surroundings?)

this is actually an ELS

Medium shot (MS)

• A shot that shows only the object

• Focus on the whole object (and maybe immediate surroundings)

American shot (AS)

• A special MS from the waist up

• Usually indicates hero (good guy)

• Comes from depiction of hero in Westerns

Close up (CU)

• Only part of the object is shown

• Focuses our attention

(usually face – shows emotion)

Zoom

• A lens effect that makes it look like the camera is moving towards or away from an object

Point-of-view angle (POV)

• A shot looking through the character’s eyes

• Draws the viewer into the action

Reaction shot

• A shot of the person who is not talking or would not normally be the focus in a given situation

Bird’s-eye view

• A shot looking directly (or almost directly) downward

Used to show relationships between objects

High angle (HA)

• The camera looks down at the subject

• Makes the subject powerless

Flat angle

• The camera looks straight on at the subject

• Neutral portrayal of object

(sorry, no picture – it’s obvious!)

Low angle (LA)

• The camera looks up at the subject

• Makes the subject powerful (viewer powerless)

Oblique angle

• The camera pivots longitudinally to tilt the image on screen

• Creates diagonal lines (tension)

Sometimes this

tension is ironic

Framing

• The camera angle forces the image to be surrounded by lines or other objects on screen

• May be used to emphasize an object or show that it is threatened

Soft focus

• The focal distance of the lens is set so that objects at only one distance are in focus

• Frequently used

• Focuses our attention on part of the shot

Rack focus

• A soft focus where the focal length switches during the shot

Deep focus

• All distances are

in focus• Requires a special

(expensive) lens• Emphasizes back

and foreground

as well as object

This shot is not completely

deep focus, but it’s close

Packed screen

• A lot of visual information on screen

can be used to symbolize tension, action, chaos, etc.

2-shot

• Two people on camera

• Establishing shot for a conversation (usually a medium shot)

• Usually splits sides of the screen

1-shot

• One person on camera

• Focuses viewer’s attention

• Usually in series after a 2-shot

(note camera position)

180º Rule

• The camera never crosses an imaginary line between two characters

• Keeps the characters on the same side of the screen to prevent confusion

Putting that all together2-shot 1-shot (close-up) on one character 1-shot (close-up) on other character

That’s All Folks!