Film Techniques ENG2D1 The drama, the attraction, of film lies not in - PowerPoint Presentation

Film Techniques ENG2D1

The drama, the attraction, of film lies not in what is shot – that’s the plot– but in how it is shot and how it is presented through editing.

Why examine film techniques? Every image , every frame, and every sound in a film is the result of dozens of decisions about what will be shown – and how. It is important to be an active viewer, not a passive consumer! Identifying the qualities of a great film helps us understand the depth and breadth of truly great storytelling.It also helps us understand how directors and editors can manipulate their audiences covertly with a variety of results.

Choices and impact The rule of thirdsShots and Camera AnglesLightingColour symbolism Trailer Analysis

The rule of thirds A compositional rule of thumb in visual arts such as painting, photography and design.The rule states that images should be divided into nine equal parts and that important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections. Aligning a subject with these points creates more tension, energy, and interest in the composition than simply centering the subject would.

The rule of thirds Points of interest : parts of the image that are of specific interest in the photo. E.g.: the tree, the sunsetPower Point: a part of the grid where two lines intersect over a point of interestE.g.: the trunk /center of the tree

Other examples:

Film shots Many different types of shots can be used to communicate a variety of messages...AdmirationSubmission AnxietyDichotomyHidden meanings...

Extreme Long Shot Taken from a long distance away (generally used as a scene-setting, establishing shot.) It normally shows an EXTERIOR, eg the outside of a building, or a landscape, There will be very little detail visible in the shot, it's meant to give a general impression rather than specific information.

Long shot This shot shows the entire human body, with the head near the top of the frame and the feet near the bottom. While the focus is on characters, plenty of background detail still emerges: we can tell what the characters are wearing and in what direction they’re looking, but no details on their face.

Medium Shot Contains a figure from the knees/waist up and is normally used for dialogue scenes, or to show some detail of action.Background detail is minimal.

Close up The close-up shows very little backgroundConcentrates on either a face, or a specific detail of a scene. Everything else is just a blur in the background. The shot magnifies the object and shows the importance of things, be it words written on paper, or the expression on someone's face. The close-up takes us into the mind of a character.

Extreme Close Up Magnifies beyond what the human eye would experience in reality. An extreme close-up of a face would show only the mouth or eyes, with no background detail whatsoever. This is a very artificial shot, and can be used for dramatic effect.

Different Shots for Different Purposes A medium shot can show emotion and some detail. As such, it is used to communicate important messages about what’s happening in a scene. Truman, in The Truman Show, doesn’t say out loud that he is uncomfortable, but the extremely close proximity of the other character’s bodies as well as the awkward angle of his head communicate a stifled / trappedfeeling. The close proximity of the camera also achieves this.

Camera Angles Along with different shot types that can be used to achieve a specific purpose, camera angles can also have an important impact on the viewer’s interpretation of a scene.

Low Angle This shows the subject from below, giving them the impression of being more powerful or dominant. This shows the subject from above . This shot has the effect of diminishing the subject, making them appear less powerful, less significant or even submissive. High Angle

Bird ’s Eye View This is where the camera is purposely tilted to one side so the horizon is on an angle. This creates an interesting and dramatic effect. Slanted angle The scene is shown from directly above. This is a completely different and somewhat unnatural point of view which can be used for dramatic effect or for showing a different spatial perspective.

Lighting Directors can employ lighting choices in several ways to create a specific effectE.g.: lens flares, shadows, back lighting, bottom lighting, contrast, harsh light, low light, etc.

The Effect: Lighting choices can have 3 main effects:Character Alters the way the viewer interprets the character’s personality Sends hidden messages about their role in the filmAtmosphere/Mood Makes the viewer feel a certain emotion depending on what is being emphasized. Setting/ EnvironmentLighting can support or contrast normal expectations of a setting to alter the viewer’s interpretation of plot, characters, or toneLighting can also be used to create a unique world

Direction of Light Lighting from above makes characters look dignified, powerful, noble, or angelic. Lighting from below makes characters look sinister and menacing. Lighting from behind gives a mysterious outline.

Lens Flares: environment Light flares were used in Star Trek (2009) throughout the film to create a specific environment. “I wanted a visual system that felt unique. I know there are certain shots where even I watch and think, ‘Oh, that was too many.’ But I love the idea that the future was so bright it couldn't be contained in the frame. There is something incredibly unpredictable and gorgeous about them.” – J. J. Abrams

Lighting Techniques: behind the scenes

Colour theory Colours can be used in many ways to alter the mood in a film. Directors and editors can choose to add or modify colour to highlight people, places, and settings to add meaning. Highlighting objects/people with specific colours:Adds connotation of that colour to the objectRepetition of a colour adds symbolic meaningChanging the overall colour scheme: Can be done in the editing processAffects the mood/atmosphere of the film

Colour Symbolism

Red in the Sixth Sense M. Night Shyamalan, the director of the critically acclaimed film The Sixth Sense, used the colour red to indicate any time in the film when a ghost was angry.When Shyamalan found a red door on the street they were filming on, he went as far as painting it a different colour because red wasn’t needed in that scene. This attention to detail is so subtle most viewers don’t notice it until it is brought to their attention, but it does add detail to the scenes that subliminally delivers a message

The Dark Knight: cool hues The film was predominantly shot using cold green, blue, and grey hues. It creates a sterile, cold environment.Technology, water (deep, unknown), and depression are all possible connotations

The Matrix: contrast The Wachowski brothers worked tirelessly to create a unique environment in their Matrix trilogy. The creation of the two seperate worlds was very crucial to the story – the real world, and the matrix. The real world is shown using warm hues while everything shot in the matrix has a green tinge to it.: Humanity vs Technology The Matrix The Real World

Unique storytelling

Trailer Analysis Using what you know, analyze this trailer with the use of the following in mind:Camera angles Different shotsLighting Colour Framing / rule of thirds