The Technical Aspect of Film Behind the Scenes

Creating the right shot What surrounds the actors gives shape to what they say Mise-en-scene – French term “putting on the stage” Blocking, camera position, lighting We will examine the following: angles, lighting, framing, and camera movement

Angles The angle is at what height a shot is taken The following angles can be used Low angle – looking up High angle – looking down Eye-level – straight on Canted – camera tilted slightly Worm’s eye – looking from ground Bird’s eye – looking from sky

Low Angle

High Angle

High / Low Angle and Power In looking at the high angle and low angle shots, which conveys more power? To whom does the power belong in the low angle shot? To whom does the power belong in the high angle shot?

Canted

Eye Level

Worm’s Eye

Bird’s Eye Often used in conjunction with the extreme long shot to provide an establishing shot.

Lighting Three main types of lighting Soft / Harsh – manipulate a viewer’s attitude toward a setting or a character. Lighting can make a character/scene look ugly, beautiful, artificial, or real Backlighting – a romantic heroine backlit to give halo effect on her hair Used in many old movies

Lighting (cont.) Terms for lighting Key – shines in front of actor Film Noir Fill – angled from sides – fill out shadows Used in 50s, 60s, 70s frequently Back – adds depth, gives 3D quality Romantic, melodrama

Soft / Harsh Lighting

Backlighting Casablanca

Framing The cinematographer and director have to decide ‘how much’ to actually have in the shot Different frames Extreme Long Shot Long Shot Medium Shots Close-up Extreme Close-up Establishing Shot – set a scene

Extreme Long Shot

Long Shot

Medium

Close-up

Extreme Close-up

Camera Movement Camera movements are vital Pan – camera swivels from L-R or R-L Track – camera on railroad tracks Zoom – done with lense Crane – camera on a crane Popular but expensive Steadicam – a person can move without the camera seeming to move