Film conventions Flashcards
Setting as symbolism
How does it affect the mood? What does it say about the characters that inhabit it? What does it say about the plot points that occur there?
Objects as symbolism
Certain objects have symbolic meanings attached. In Avatar - blue, weapons, seeds from the tree.
Colour as symbolism
Certain colours have certain symbolic meanings attached. They help to establish mood and character and help in the understanding of plot. Colour can also be used as a motif.
Body language as symbolism
Posture: the way that the body is held. If someone is standing up straight then they will look proud and confident
Gesture: Using hands or arms to express feelings
Facial Expression: Pay particular attention to the eyes and mouth
Clothing: This can indicate the personality of the person shown
Diegetic sound
A noise which has a source onscreen - eg. dialogue
Non-diegetic sound
Sound added in post-production. eg. music, sound effects, voice over.
Types of camera shots
Long Shot: Overall view from a distance of whole scene often used as an establishing shot - to set scene. Person - will show whole body.
Medium or Mid Shot: Middle distance shot - can give background information while still focusing on subject. Person - usually shows waist to head.
Close Up:Focuses on detail / expression / reaction. Person - shows either head or head and shoulders.
Extreme close Up:Focuses on a particular feature.
Tracking shot: single continuous shot made with a camera moving along the ground.
Hand-held camera;this technique is used to create a sense of realism, of being there, (immediacy); this involves and engages the reader in the action; also aids point of view in film by creating a sense of involvement with some character. A shaky handheld camera can create a feeling of action, suspense or panic.
Types of camera movements
Pan - Camera moves from side to side from a stationary position
Tilt: - Movement up or down from a stationary position
Dolly - camera dollies in or out, generally moving slowly towards or away from character; may draw attention to emotion on character’s face, may open space for something / someone to fill.
Types of camera angles
Low Angle Camera - shoots up at subject. Used to increase size, power, status of subject;
High Angle Camera - shoots down at subject. Used to increase vulnerability, powerlessness, decrease size;
Bird’s eye view
Editing techniques
Cut – a transition from one shot to another.
Cross cutting – a technique used to give the illusion that two story lines of action are happening at the same time by rapidly cutting back and forth between them.
Jump cut – a quick cut to another shot that seems to interrupt the first.
Montage – a series of shot arranged in juxtaposition to each other to create an emotional impact.
Sequencing
The organisational structure of the scenes to create a narrative.
Mise en Scene
The arrangement of everything that appears on the screen to convey a message.
SWAT codes work together to create…
Mise en scene, plot, characterisation, setting, themes/messages.
Allusion
A hint at something else. Eg. Pandora is an allusion to…?
Foreshadowing
Events that hint at something else later on.
