‘… nothing happens by accident…’. Pre Production Period Concept Development Script...

‘… nothing happens by accident…’

Pre Production PeriodConcept DevelopmentScriptStoryboardingCastingFundingPlanning

Production Period

The Film is being SHOT!

Post Production PeriodEditingComputer Generated Imagery (… and other

digital enhancements…)Additional SoundPromotion

‘… the marriage of elements…’

All films have…Narrative Elements

StoryPlot (… sub-plot

etc…)Script/DialogueCharacterInter-textual links

Production Elements

CinematographySound (… all forms)PropsLightingCostume & Make UpSets & Locations

Camera Angles

Extreme Close Up

Purpose?To show something in great detail.

Why would a director need to do this?

Close Up

Purpose?The actor’s face is the subject.

No background is visible.

Also know as a head shot

Why would a director need to do this?

Mid Shot

Purpose?Contains little background and much more

detail (of the figures).

Also known as a mid shot because the subject is shown from the waist up.

Why would a director use this shot?

Long Shot

Purpose?The figures are clearly recognisable, but the

view is still a wide one.

Ideal for action shots where there’s a lot of movement.

Allows the audience to see the actors in relation to their setting.

Establishing Shot

Purpose?Also known as an extreme long shot.

This shot presents the location of the story to viewers.

Why is this important?

Bird’s Eye View

Purpose?Also known as an overheard or aerial shot.

The camera is above the character or scene that is being shot.

It can show things that are not obvious on the ground.

It can also make people look vulnerable.

Low Angle Shot

Purpose?The camera is below the subject.

This makes the person or object seem more powerful and intimidating because we are ‘looking up’ at them.

High Angle Shot

Purpose?The camera is higher than the subject.

The audience looks down on the subject, making the person look small and defenceless.

Point of View Shot (POV)

Purpose?Also known as a subjective shot.

The camera sees what the character sees.

We ‘become’ the character.

Camera Movement

PANNING Left to right and

vise-versa usual 180º panoramas

TILTING Up and down… lens

facing up or pointing down

TRACKING Side to side on

actual tracks

ZOOMING In and out… there

are a number of types of zooming

STEADY CAM Tripod-less,

handheld camera that creates a realistic shaky image; often referred to as handy-cam

LIGHTINGWhy would a director use dark lighting?

Why would a director use bright lighting?

Back light: separates the actor from the background.

Fill light: soft, gentle light that reduces the harsh contrasts and gives a more natural feel.

Key light: hard, bright light that emphasises all objects in the frame including the shadows.

Reflector light: light that is reflected off a silver surface to capture reflections and soften shadows.

TYPES OF SOUNDDialogue: the relationship between characters is

often best revealed through the conversations that they have.

Music: Atmosphere is created through the use of music. Music sends cues to the viewer about the scene or character. It often adds to our understanding of what is happening on the screen.

Sound effects: film makers fill their movies with everyday sounds. It enhances our understanding.

Voice- overs: where someone who is not present on the screen delivers the speech or information.

PURPOSEDeliberately chosen.

Why is setting so important?

PURPOSECostumes are chosen very carefully.

Actors don’t wear the clothes they’re in by accident.

Why are costumes important?