1. Film Study Elements that Communicate

2. Similar to how a book is made up from smaller parts (chapters, paragraphs, sentences), a film production also has smaller parts:
Scene
Sequences
Shots
Camera Angles

3. Scene
Like a chapter
Tells a portion of the story that is related, and usually all in the same setting
Can be very short, or very long

4. Sequences Like paragraphs These are similar parts of a scene
Must have a beginning, middle, and an end.
Vary in length (short or long) and pace (quick, intense, or slow and steady)

5. Shots Like a sentence in a paragraph Shots make up each sequence
Each shot must be one complete thought or idea
Shots could contain both dialogue and action

6. Camera Angles Like punctuation and vocabulary
These add greater meaning to each shot

7. Types of Shots

8. Establishing Shot This is the first shot of a scene.
Here a director will want to set the mood or feeling for the whole scene.
Usually a lot of information is given in this first shot to let the audience know important ideas about the setting as well.

9. Power Shots High Angle Shot: Low Angle Shot:
The camera is placed at a high angle relative to the subject. This makes the subject look smaller, less powerful, or inferior.
Low Angle Shot:
The camera is placed at a low angle relative to the subject. This makes the subject look bigger, more powerful, or superior.

10. High Angle

11. Low Angle

12. Wide Angle Shot / Long Shot
Where the camera is positioned far away from the subject, so a lot can fit into the frame. This shot is good for an establishing shot (beginning of scenes).

13. Wide Angle Shot / Long Shot

14. Close Up
The best way to convey emotion

15. Other Angles Full Shot: Full character (life size)
Bird’s-eye view: directly overhead
Dolly Shot: Taken from moving vehicle
Reaction Shot: character’s reaction to events
Pan Shot: Horizontal movement of camera
Freeze-Frame: single frame over and over
Point of View Shot: Taken from vantage point of character
Oblique Angle Shot: off balance camera, sensation of confusion and chaos

16. Sound Music choice can drastically affect our response to an image.
Sound establishes mood of shots, and whole films
ex: Jaws
Sound effects can also add to the “reality” of a scene

17. Transitions Getting from one scene to the next
Cut in and out: Abrupt, quick change of scene.
ex: Action films (Bourne Films)
Dissolve: Slow transition into another scene.
ex: Dramas, Thrillers, Romantic (over night love scenes…)

18. Lighting and Colour
Used to get our attention, gets us to notice things the director wants us to see.
Can also change our mood as we watch the film.

19. Special Effects
As simple as slow motion, to as complex as computer graphics (animation too)
Pyrotechnics and stunts would also be considered special effects