Film Techniques

Introduction

• A director brings a film's script to life using:
  • Props
  • Costumes
  • Camera angles
  • Camera shots
  • Lighting
  • Special effects
• These elements create a multimodal text, combining:
  • Language
  • Visual images
  • Soundtracks
  • Spoken word

Sound

• Diegetic Sound: Music both the audience and characters hear.
• Non-diegetic Sound: Music only the audience hears.
• Importance of distinction: Influences audience perception and storytelling.

Props, Costumes, and Setting

• Setting: The environment where the shot is taken.
• Costumes: Clothing worn by actors.
• Props: Objects within the setting, movable by actors.

Camera Angles

• Positioning along the vertical axis affects subject perception.
• Can indicate the social importance of the subject.

Types of Camera Angles

• Overhead/Overshot: Camera above the subject, creates distance from the subject.
• High Angle Shot: Camera looks down, may suggest subject is less important.
• Eye Level Shot: Camera is equal to the subject, suggesting neutrality.
• Low Level Shot: Camera looks up, suggesting subject's dominance.
• Undershot: Camera underneath, often used for dramatic effect.

Camera Shots

• Varies from far away to close up, affecting audience focus and emotional connection.

Types of Camera Shots

• Extreme Long Shot: Establishes setting, camera far from subject.
• Long Shot: Shows setting with visible details of subject.
• Mid Shot: Subject visible from waist up, balanced view.
• Medium Close Up: Subject from chest to head.
• Close Up: Focus on subject's face, emphasizes emotion.
• Extreme Close Up: Focus on part of the face, enhances emotional impact.

Lighting

• Can be low or high key, side lighting enhances features.

Mise En Scene

• French for 'visual theme'; composition of elements within a frame:
  • Lighting
  • Costume
  • Props
  • Setting
  • Body language
  • Facial expression
  • Use of space

Film Editing

• Director and editor collaborate post-production for cohesive final product.
• Scene transitions (cuts, fades, dissolves) affect pacing and narrative shifts.

Task: Frame Analysis

• Analyze a frame by considering:
  1. Camera Angle
  2. Camera Shot
  3. Props
  4. Setting
  5. Costume
  6. Body language and facial expression

Partnered Activity

• Describe scenes focusing on:
  1. Content of the shot
  2. Type of shot
  3. Actor’s body language
  4. Actor’s clothing
  5. How mise-en-scene illustrates oppression or power dynamics
• Utilize slide 19 for 'mise-en-scene' description.