1. Cinematic Techniques
And their Effects

2. Types of Shots Establishing Shot
Type of Shot
Description
Effect
Establishing Shot
Often a long shot or a series of shots that sets the scene
Establish Setting and show Transitions
Long Shot
A shot from a distance that shows a person’s whole body
Isolation and Vulnerability
Medium Shot
Most common shot. Shows people from the waist up.
Grounds the story and makes the audience feel like they are “with” the character.
Close-up
Image takes up 80% of the frame
Shows importance or highlights details
Extreme Close-up
Takes up the whole frame and is part of a whole (foot)
Show the importance of what is being shown.
Two Shot
A scene between 2 people that shows both characters equally
Shows the relationship between the two characters and how they interact.

3. Types of Angles Eye Level
Description
Effect
Eye Level
A shot taken from a normal or natural height that is at the character’s eye level (Straight on)
Natural; Helps the audience connect with the characters
High Angle
Shot taken from above the subject, makes the object/character look small
Weak, powerless, and trapped
Low Angle
The camera films from below the subject, makes the object/character look big
Strong, powerful, and threatening

4. Types of Lighting High Key The scene is flooded with light
Type of Lighting
Description
Effect
High Key
The scene is flooded with light
Bright, angelic, open, and honest
Low Key
The scene is flooded with darkness or shadows
Suspense, suspicion
Bottom or Side Lighting
Direct lighting comes from below or the side
Dangerous or Evil (Object being shown)
Front or Back Lighting
Soft lighting on the actor’s face or from behind
Innocence, goodness, halo effect

5. Types of Sound Diegetic
Type of Sound
Description
Effect
Diegetic
Sound that could logically be heard by the characters
I.E. Dialogue, musicians playing at a concert, etc
Shows the relationships, actions, and characteristics of the characters
Non-Diegetic
Sound that cannot be heard by the characters but is designed for the audience’s reaction only
I.E. The background music in Jaws, etc.
Helps create the mood, foreshadowing, etc. for the audience.

6. Types of Camera Movement
Type of Movement
Description
Effect
Pan
A stationary camera moves from side to side on a horizontal axis
To give the audience more information about the scene and its progression
Tilt
A stationary camera moves up or down on a vertical axis
To give the audience the feeling of “checking out” a character or object
Zoom – In
The camera focuses in on a specific object
Reveals a personal or revealing moment about the character or shows importance
Zoom – Out
The camera gives the feeling of moving away from a character or object
Distances or separates the audience from a character or object.
Boom/Crane
The camera is hanging over the action taking overhead shots
Helps give the audience more detail in the setting or makes them more of an observer.
Dolly
The camera moves along with the action (Truck, car, helicopter, etc.)
Makes the audience feel like they are right there with the characters.

7. Editing Techniques Flashback
Type of Editing Techniques
Description
Effect
Flashback
The scene jumps back to something that has happened in the past
Gives the audience more information about the characters or scene, clarifies, or explains
Shot-Reverse-Shot
A shot of one subject, then another, then back to the first. Often used in conversation shots.
Shows the relationship between characters, their reactions to events, etc.
Fade or Dissolve
The image slowly leaves the film.
Shows the end of the scene or shows a connection between 2 images.

8. How does style/Literary terms apply to cinema
Style Device (Literary Term)
Cinematic Technique
Tone: The speaker’s attitude conveyed through the author’s choice of words or detail.
Mood: The atmosphere of most common emotion in a literary work
Lighting and Sound
Diction: Word Choice
Diegetic Sound (Dialogue)
Imagery: Word or phrases that appeal t the senses that represent people, actions, objects, feelings, or ideas
Setting, costumes, or symbolism (Shot types)
Organization: The narrative structure of the piece – how a text begins and ends, is sequenced, paced or arranged.
Storyboarding or editing of the screen
Syntax: the arrangement of words and the order of grammatical elements in a sentence.
Editing Techniques
Point of View: The perspective from which a narrative is told.
Type of shots and Camera Movement