The Technical Aspect of Film

The Technical Aspect of FilmBehind the Scenes

Creating the right shotWhat surrounds the actors gives

shape to what they sayMise-en-scene – French term

◦“putting on the stage”◦Blocking, camera position, lighting

We will examine the following: angles, lighting, framing, and camera movement

AnglesThe angle is at what height a

shot is takenThe 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 PowerIn 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.

LightingThree 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

FramingThe 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 MovementCamera 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