Micro Elements

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Extreme Close UpAn extreme close up focuses on only one feature of the face. For example the eyes, lips or nose.

Example: in the picture the man is not looking at the camera but beyond it, we can see he is frowning which shows that he is angry. This introduces him also as the main character.

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Close up A close up shot is when person or object is framed from a close distance. It shows all features of the face.Example: in the picture we can see the facial features of the girl. Close up shots are used to establish certain features like the colour of eyes and hair, which differentiate the characters and establishes who they are.

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Medium shot A medium shot shows a person from the waist upwards. It is used to show what clothes the character is wearing and their facial expression as well as body language. Example: in this picture the boy is looking over his shoulder as if he is suspecting something. He is wearing a normal, plain T-shirt which can determine that he is not a character that appears in the film a lot. 4

Long shot

A long shot is showing the character and their surroundings. It is used to establish where the action is taking place. It also shows what the characters are about to do.

Example: in the image the two characters are inside a luxury house with royal looking stairs. We can assume that they are burglars as they are carrying weapons inside a rich home.

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Extreme Long shotAn extreme long shot can be taken from as much as a quarter of a mile away. It is a shot of the scenery and location of where most of the events in the film will take part. It is also called an establishing shot. Example: in the image the castle is shown to imply that the boats are on their way there, however the surroundings of the castle are also shown, to give the viewer more information as to how isolated it is. 6

Low angle shotA low angle shot is a shot taken from a camera angle positioned anywhere below the eyeline of the eyeline, looking up. It can even be below the subject’s feet. It is used to make the subject look strong and powerful.

Example: in the image, the two men are filmed from below, which makes them look more powerful that the person from which we see the view point. This can be proven by the dominance they have as they are leaning onto the camera, making it seem like they are in charge of all.

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High angle shotA high angle shot is a shot from above, looking down on the subject. It is used to make the subject look vulnerable and powerless.

Example: in the image, the subject is looking up and is filmed from above, making him look vulnerable as it suggests something huge in size is approaching him. The fact that we can’t see what he sees makes him look even more helpless as the ‘unknown’ feeling would make him feel uneasy, and it makes the viewer infer that the presence is more powerful than him. 8

Tracking Tracking is a camera movement: when the camera moves alongside the subject. It is used to explore a location such as a room.

Example: in the video the subject moves from the table to the stove, while she does that the camera moves along with her, filming all she does and this way showing us more of the kitchen and objects in there.

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PanPanning is a camera movement. Its when the camera stays still but rotates on its vertical axis from the right to the left or vice versa. It is used to show a panoramic effect, mostly to show a room or the surroundings of the subject.

Example: in the screenshot we can see Harry Potter moving to a students helping them, he them moves to another student which are in a line, this is done to observe more of what is going on as the viewer would already know what has happened already.

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tILTTilt is a camera movement. The camera twists vertically in an up and down movement around its horizontal. It is used to show the importance of the subject.

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Zoom in and outZoom is a camera movement. Zooming in is when the shot closes up onto an object as the camera gets closer. Zooming out is when the camera moves away from the close up object to make distance between the camera and the object. Zooming is used to magnify and make the viewer focus on one object or to show the surroundings of a certain object.

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Cut shotCut shot is the transition from one shot to another by cutting and inserting it right after. It is very short so the change is not noticeable.

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PacePace is the speed by which the camera is moved, how fast or slow the shots are and how fast the angle changes or the actual shot. This can either create a tense atmosphere if the pace is fast and dynamic, or it can create a clear and calm atmosphere if everything goes on at a slower pace.

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Performance

Performance is the way the actor presents themselves and how they act. It is the way their art is presented to the audience.

Example: in the image, the actress presents the art of dancing and ballet to the audience.

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DiegeticDiegetic is about the music and sound the audience would be able to hear if they were there. For example objects, voices or the music played. The source of diegetic sound is visible and it is made obvious to the audience. Eg. the sound of high heels on pavement.

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Non-diegeticNon diegetic sound is when you cannot see what created the sound. For example the voice of the narrator, sound effects or mood music.

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Mise-en-sceneMise en scene is the use of make-up, costume, props and lighting in a film. The costumes and makeup can reveal a character’s identity and lighting is used for different effects

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