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 characters 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

Birds-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 – its 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 its 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 viewers 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 together 2-shot 1-shot (close-up) on one character 1-shot (close-up) on other character

Thats All Folks!